BBC Radio 3 Lunchtime Concerts at LSO St Luke's: 2015/16 Guide

London Symphony Orchestra LSO St Luke’s

‘The best qualities of the Czech tradition – warmth, sonorousness, individuality, intensity.’

Gramophone on the Pavel Haas Quartet

BBC Radio 3 Lunchtime Concerts at LSO St Luke’s Season 2015/16 Box Office 020 7638 8891 lso.co.uk

Welcome

from Karen Cardy, LSO St Luke’s Centre Director LSO St Luke’s, the London Symphony Orchestra’s venue on Old Street, is a hive of activity every single week, whether we’re welcoming the Orchestra for a rehearsal, hosting conferences and events, or running our LSO Discovery programme in the building. But Thursday lunchtimes are all about inviting music-lovers to take an hour out of their day to sit back and enjoy performances by some of the world’s finest chamber musicians, selected by our partner BBC Radio 3.

LSO St Luke’s is the perfect setting to immerse yourself completely in a performance, but it’s not just music 2

that’s on offer in our venue. Our Café is open for lunch before and after BBC Radio 3 Lunchtime Concerts, and this year, for the first time, we’re delighted to be running two music-themed walks and talks around the local area, linked to our concerts, led by Dafydd Wyn Phillips.

We have an exciting season of music to look forward to in 2015/16; I do hope that you’ll join us.

Karen Cardy LSO St Luke’s Centre Director

BBC RADIO 3 LUNCHTIME CONCERTS 2015/16 ~ LSO.CO.UK

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BBC RADIO 3 LUNCHTIME CONCERTS 2015/16 ~ LSO.CO.UK

BBC Radio 3 BBC Radio 3’s Emma Bloxham introduces the 2015/16 season of Lunchtime Concerts BBC Radio 3’s partnership with LSO St Luke’s has been going for 13 years now, and what a pleasure it is to mount concerts in such an inspiring venue! It’s not just us who think that, by the way: time and again the performers we have welcomed over the years have said so too.

This season we have divided our 20 concerts into five themed series.

Chopin, Liszt and Bartók feature in the LSO’s autumn concerts in the Barbican Hall, so we’ve decided to reflect that by making this trio of great pianist-composers the subject of four far-reaching recitals (given by five pianists!).

Interleaved with those is London Resounding, a series inspired by music in London in the 17th and 18th centuries, from Tobias Hume to Purcell, Handel to Haydn, J C Bach to Clementi; it’s the first time we’ve programmed an early music series at LSO St Luke’s, and we are confident that it will be an ideal match for the building’s unique architectural sense of the old mixed with the new.

After Christmas we join in the LSO’s Shakespeare 400 celebrations with four Bard-related concerts featuring the BBC Singers, the Gould Piano Trio, and two of this country’s finest song recitalists in Iestyn Davies and James Gilchrist. February brings a much-anticipated return by the outstanding, multi-award winning ensemble that is the Pavel Haas Quartet, whose previous residency here in 2010 was a real high-point in the history of these concerts. And we finish in April with Elgar Up Close – three concerts exploring the composer’s major chamber works, plus a rare visit from the LSO String Ensemble.

With their matchless combination of light, space and immaculate acoustics, the BBC Radio 3 Lunchtime Concerts at LSO St Luke’s have always had a special atmosphere – I hope you will want to join us.

Emma Bloxham Editor of Live Music, BBC Radio 3 BOOKING DETAILS PAGE 20

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Chopin, Liszt & Bartók Music by three piano giants

‘Her technique is dazzling, her tone wonderfully varied, from crystalline purity to powerfully raw.’

The Guardian on Alice Sara Ott

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BBC RADIO 3 LUNCHTIME CONCERTS 2015/16 ~ LSO.CO.UK

Thu 8 Oct 2015 1pm Bartók Selections from 15 Hungarian Peasant Songs Sz 71 Chopin Nocturne in E-flat major Op 55 No 2; Nocturne in B major Op 62 No 1 Liszt Mephisto Waltz No 1; Petrarch Sonnet No 104; Hexaméron Ingolf Wunder piano Thu 29 Oct 2015 1pm Bartók Romanian Folk Dances Chopin Three Waltzes; Scherzo No 2 in B-flat minor Op 31 Liszt Six Consolations; Concert Paraphrase on Themes from Verdi’s ‘Rigoletto’

INGOLF WUNDER (8 OCT)

Alice Sara Ott piano Thu 5 Nov 2015 1pm Chopin Ballade No 1 in G minor Op 23; Fantaisie in F minor Op 49 Bartók Suite Op 14 Liszt Après une lecture de Dante Ashley Wass piano

ASHLEY WASS (5 NOV)

Thu 26 Nov 2015 1pm Liszt * Vallée d’Obermann; Gnomenreigen Chopin † Three Nocturnes Op 9; Two Nocturnes Op 27 Bartók *† Piano duet Maria João Pires †, Ashot Khachatourian * piano In partnership with Partitura supported

by Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel, Belgium

MARIA JOÃO PIRES & ASHOT KHACHATOURIAN (26 NOV)

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London Resou A series placing the spotlight on music in the capital at the time St Luke’s Church was founded, celebrating the era’s most influential composers and musical figures.

GUIDED WALK & TALK: LONDON RESOUNDING Thu 15 Oct 2015 10am, starting at Farringdon Station Join Dafydd Wyn Phillips, Blue Badge Guide and Royal Academy of Music alumnus, on a music-themed guided walk exploring the historic district of Clerkenwell. You’ll visit sites with connections to composers Handel, Pepusch, John Gay and Thomas Britton, amongst others, not forgetting the history behind ‘the first Opera we ever had in England’. £25 for the walk, lunch at the LSO St Luke’s Café, and a ticket to the concert; see page 20 for ticket and booking information 8

FRETWORK (12 NOV)

BBC RADIO 3 LUNCHTIME CONCERTS 2015/16 ~ LSO.CO.UK

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Thu 15 Oct 2015 1pm Music celebrating the life of 18thcentury Clerkenwell concert promoter Thomas Britton, including works by Handel, Pepusch, Banister and others.

Florilegium Ashley Solomon director Thu 22 Oct 2015 1pm Cramer Piano Sonata in E-flat major Op 43 No 3 Clementi Piano Sonata in D major Op 25 No 6 Field Piano Sonata in E-flat major Haydn Piano Sonata in E-flat major Hob XVI/52 Ronald Brautigam fortepiano Thu 12 Nov 2015 1pm Hume A Souldier’s Resolution; Hark, hark W Lawes Consort Suite in A minor Gibbons Three In Nomines; Fantasia in Four Parts ‘for ye great dooble basse’; Two Fantasias in Three Parts Purcell Five Fantasias Fretwork Thu 19 Nov 2015 1pm Haydn Trio in G major Hob XV/15 Clementi Sonata in C major Op 21 No 1 (‘La chasse’) J C Bach Sonata in C minor Op 17 No 2 F H Graf Grand Sonata in G major

RONALD BRAUTIGAM (22 OCT)

Musica ad Rhenum Jed Wentz director BOOKING DETAILS PAGE 20

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Shakespeare 400 GOULD PIANO TRIO (7 JAN)

Shakespeare 400 is a cultural initiative marking the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death. It brings together institutions in London in partnership with the London Shakespeare Centre at King’s College London for performances, broadcasts, exhibitions and educational events. Visit lso.co.uk for LSO listings.

IESTYN DAVIES (14 JAN)

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BBC RADIO 3 LUNCHTIME CONCERTS 2015/16 ~ LSO.CO.UK

Thu 7 Jan 2016 1pm

Thu 28 Jan 2016 1pm

Schumann Excerpts from ‘Novelletten’ Korngold Much Ado About Nothing – Suite Beethoven Piano Trio in D major Op 70 No 1 (‘Ghost’)

Kodály An Ode for Music Giles Swayne Three Shakespeare Songs Charles Wood Full fathom five; It was a lover and his lass Jaakko Mäntyjärvi Four Shakespeare Songs Cecilia McDowall When time is broke (world premiere) Paul Mealor Let fall the windows of mine eyes Vaughan Williams Three Shakespeare Songs

Gould Piano Trio Thu 14 Jan 2016 1pm 17th-century songs by Morley, Purcell, Robert Jones and Banister to texts by or inspired by Shakespeare, plus music by various composers for The Tempest.

Iestyn Davies counter-tenor Elizabeth Kenny lute Thu 21 Jan 2016 1pm Arne Where the bee sucks; When daisies pied Haydn She never told her love Schubert An Sylvia; Ständchen Wolf Bottom’s Dream Vaughan Williams Orpheus with his lute Quilter Fear no more the heat of the sun; Under the greenwood tree Warlock Take, O take, those lips away Tippett Three Songs for Ariel Dring The Cuckoo; Take, O take, those lips away; It was a lover and his lass James Gilchrist tenor Anna Tilbrook piano

BBC Singers David Hill director GUIDED WALK & TALK: IF MUSIC BE THE FOOD OF LOVE, WALK ON Thu 14 Jan 2016 10am, starting at London Blackfriars Station (North Entrance) Dafydd Wyn Phillips leads a music-themed guided walk exploring the City of London during Shakespeare’s time. You’ll visit sites and monuments connected with the Bard, concentrating on the importance of music and song in his works and Shakespeare as an inspiration to various composers with links to the City. £25 for the walk, lunch at the LSO St Luke’s Café, and a ticket to the concert; see page 20 for ticket and booking information

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Thu 4 Feb 2016 1pm Smetana String Quartet No 2 Smetana String Quartet No 1 (‘From my Life’) Pavel Haas Quartet Thu 11 Feb 2016 1pm Prokofiev String Quartet No 1 Bartók String Quartet No 5

DENIS KOZHUKHIN (18 FEB)

Pavel Haas Quartet Thu 18 Feb 2016 1pm Shostakovich String Quartet No 10 Shostakovich Piano Quintet Pavel Haas Quartet Denis Kozhukhin piano Thu 25 Feb 2016 1pm Schubert String Quintet in C major D956 Pavel Haas Quartet Danjulo Ishizaka cello

‘The rapport between the four musicians was observable throughout, as they moved and breathed with the music.’

Herald Scotland on the Pavel Haas Quartet

DANJULO ISHIZAKA (25 FEB)

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BBC RADIO 3 LUNCHTIME CONCERTS 2015/16 ~ LSO.CO.UK

Pavel Haas Quartet

The multi-award winning Czech quartet returns to LSO St Luke’s with guests for a four-concert residency.

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ROMAN SIMOVIC (21 APR)

Elgar Up Close An exploration of Elgar’s moving music for strings

‘Roman Simovic had a delightful sweet-toned lyricism, and an easy, smiling virtuosity.’

The Guardian on LSO violinist Roman Simovic 14

BBC RADIO 3 LUNCHTIME CONCERTS 2015/16 ~ LSO.CO.UK

Thu 14 Apr 2016 1pm Elgar Violin Sonata Vaughan Williams The Lark Ascending for violin and piano Elgar Sospiri Jennifer Pike violin Peter Limonov piano Thu 21 Apr 2016 1pm Elgar Introduction and Allegro Vaughan Williams Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis Britten Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge LSO String Ensemble Roman Simovic director Thu 28 Apr 2016 1pm Stravinsky Three Pieces for String Quartet Elgar Piano Quintet Elias String Quartet Huw Watkins piano

JENNIFER PIKE (14 APR)

Thu 5 May 2016 1pm Purcell Three Fantasias Elgar String Quartet Elias String Quartet

ELIAS STRING QUARTET (28 APR & 5 MAY)

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Barbican Chamber Concerts Concerts showcasing the skill and musicianship of the LSO’s players, plus a solo recital by Leif Ove Andsnes

LSO BRASS ENSEMBLE (26 NOV)

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LSO CHAMBER CONCERTS AT THE BARBICAN ~ LSO.CO.UK

Thu 26 Nov 2015 7.30pm, Barbican LSO BRASS ENSEMBLE Works by Brahms, Grieg, Bach and a new commission by former LSO Soundhub composer Ayanna Witter-Johnson.

LSO Brass Ensemble Wed 3 Feb 2016 7.30pm, Barbican LSO STRING ENSEMBLE Elgar Introduction and Allegro Vaughan Williams String Quintet; Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis Britten Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge

LEIF OVE ANDSNES (10 JUN)

LSO String Ensemble Roman Simovic director Fri 10 Jun 2016 7.30pm, Barbican LSO ARTIST PORTRAIT: LEIF OVE ANDSNES Solo piano works by Sibelius, Beethoven, Debussy and Chopin

‘A pianist of magisterial elegance, power and insight.’

The New York Times on Leif Ove Andsnes

Leif Ove Andsnes piano See lso.co.uk/whatson for full programme and ticket information

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LSO Discovery Free Friday Lunchtimes at LSO St Luke’s Fri 4 Sep; 2, 16 Oct; 13 Nov 2015 12.30–1.15pm, LSO St Luke’s RHYTHM AND DANCE Pieces influenced by traditional songs and dances from Europe and Russia.

Generously supported by the Rothschild Charities Committee

Fri 29 Jan; 12 Feb; 4 Mar 2016 12.30–1.15pm, LSO St Luke’s TEXTURE AND LIGHT How composers reflected the French Impressionist art movement in music.

RACHEL LEACH

Find out more about music … … and the instruments of the orchestra in these friendly, informal concerts presented by Rachel Leach with LSO players and musicians from the Guildhall School. Entry is free, so just turn up on the day!

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Fri 26 Feb 2016 12.30–1.15pm, LSO St Luke’s SHAKESPEARE 400 SPECIAL Music and words to celebrate Shakespeare’s legacy.

Fri 13 May; 3, 24 Jun; 1 Jul 2016 12.30–1.15pm, LSO St Luke’s BETWEEN EARTH AND SKY Music inspired by the English countryside before and during World War I.

LSO DISCOVERY FRIDAY LUNCHTIME CONCERTS ~ LSO.CO.UK

Make Music Matter When you attend an event at LSO St Luke’s your ticket supports the LSO’s education and community programme, LSO Discovery.

The LSO is committed to making music available to everyone. LSO Discovery delivers an inspiring range of activity across East London boroughs and has its home at LSO St Luke’s. This includes opportunities for members of the local community to get involved in musicmaking, supporting music education for all ages, investing in young talent, and using new technologies to reach people in the UK and abroad.

The London Symphony Orchestra is a registered charity and for us to thrive, we seek support from companies, individuals and trusts each year. Your support helps us to invest in music education and ensure that LSO St Luke’s remains at the heart of its community.

Support the LSO today visit lso.co.uk/supportus LSO Charity Registration No 232391

SUPPORT US

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Booking Information HOW TO BOOK

TUNE IN

BBC Radio 3 Lunchtime Concerts Tickets £12 (£10 concessions, £5 under-18s) + booking fee per transaction of £0.60 online or £0.70 by phone Book any four concerts for £9 per ticket

Tune in to the home of live music 90–93 FM, DAB Digital Radio or listen online bbc.co.uk/radio

Book online at lso.co.uk Box Office 020 7638 8891 (10am–8pm Mon–Sat, 11am–8pm Sun)

BBC Radio 3 Lunchtime Concerts are recorded for future, not live, broadcast.

For scheduling information on broadcast dates, visit bbc.co.uk/radio3

Walks & Talks (15 Oct 2015 & 14 Jan 2016)

HOW TO FIND US

Tickets £25 (includes the walk from 10am, lunch at LSO St Luke’s from midday and a ticket to the concert). To book, phone the Barbican Box Office and ask for a ‘Walk & Talk Ticket’ to the concert.

LSO St Luke’s UBS and LSO Music Education Centre 161 Old Street London EC1V 9NG

LSO Discovery Friday Lunchtime Concerts Free entry, no ticket required

lso.co.uk/yourvisit

Join us for lunch in the Café The LSO St Luke’s Café is open both before and after each BBC Radio 3 Lunchtime Concert

Barbican Centre Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS

Information correct at time of going to print.

The LSO reserves the right to change artists or programmes if necessary. Refunds will only be given in the event of a concert being cancelled.

Ticket discounts cannot be combined.

Calls may be monitored or recorded for quality assurance or training purposes.

LSO charity registration number 232391.

LSO St Luke’s Principal Donors

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BOOKING INFORMATION ~ LSO.CO.UK

Photography Igor Emmerich, Kevin Leighton, William Stickney, Patrick Allen, Marco Borggreve, Tom Barnes, Amit Lennon, Chris Aadla, Benjamin Ealovega, operaomnia.co.uk, Felix Broede