Programme Notes SOUTH GLAMORGAN YOUTH ORCHESTRA Conductor: Frank Kelleher Soloist: Emma Johnson Concertino for Clarinet Carl Maria von Weber Berceuse and Finale from 'The Firebird Suite' 1. Stravinsky Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1 'Land of Edward Elgar Hope and Glory' The South Glamorgan Youth Orchestra was formed in 1975 following the creation of the new County. Rehearsals are held in Cardiff at the Welsh College of Music and Drama and at twice-yearly residential courses. The County Council offers a number of instrumental scholarships tenable at the College and there are now Junior, Transitional, Schools and Chamber Orchestras meeting weekly in addition to the County Brass Bands, Wind Bands and Youth Choirs. Since 1980 the Orchestra, through a strong Parent Association, has raised over ÂŁ20,000 towards visits abroad. Highly successful exchanges with the Stuttgarter Musikschule and Jugendorchester Ahrensburg (Hamburg) have resulted in standing ovations, impressive reviews and broadcasts on German radio. The Orchestra has a very large current repertoire and consistently includes works by contemporary composers in its programmes. Alun Hoddinott has taken a special interest in the Orchestra and has invited them to perform for several years at the Cardiff Festival. His 'Quodlibet on Welsh Nursery Tunes' was written for and premiered by them in 1983. Chamber ensembles from within the Orchestra have also distinguished themselves in national competitions, including the National Chamber Music Competition for Schools (the Quodlibet Ensemble), the Schools Prom (Tower Brass Ensemble) and the National Eisteddfod of Wales (Wind Quintet). Flautist Justine Phillips and violist Elenid Owen are the winners of the first two T.S.B. All Wales, Young Musician of the Year' Awards, while three members, oboist Christopher Cowie, violinist Nicholas Ban and timpanist Christopher Thomas have won places in the European CoIhmllnity Youth Orchestra. Frank Kelleher has conducted and coached many youth orchestras and chamber ensembles at home and abroad. Early interest in the piano and organ complement his main specialism as a clarinettist. Prizes include a Convocation Award from the University of London of which he is a graduate. Following studies with Gervase de Peyer, his professional experience as a soloist, in chamber music and orchestrally, includes many broadcasts. He represents Wales on the Council and Executive of the Incorporated Society of Musicians and is Head of Wind Instruments at the Welsh College of Music and Drama.
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Concertino for Clarinet - Carl Maria von Weber This work was written for H. W. Barmann whom Weber met in Munich in 1811 and subsequently accompanied on several concert tours. Weber wrote four major works for Barmann and in all of them exploited to the full the instrument's expressiveness, flexibility and wide range. After a slow introduction in C minor the main theme and its variations are in Eb major. A short adagio follows and the work ends with a finale based again on a variant of the main theme. Berceuse and Finale from 'The Firebird Suite' - I. Stravinsky The ballet 'The Firebird' is based upon an old Russian fairy tale. 1h~~ music begins with a lullaby where the Firebird hypnotises a grotesque throng of slaves, freaks and monsters into a deep sleep following a frenzied dance. The wonderful transformation scene which follows signifies the dissolving of the ogre's palace, the awakening of bewitched knights of stone and the wedding of the prince and princess.
The band first appeared in 1979 at the National Festival of Music for Youth and subsequently appeared at the Schools Prom, and this year will make their fifth appearance at the Royal Albert Hall.
Their musical director is Bill Connor who joined Stagesound last year and he has injected his own unique style of music into the repertoire which you can appreciate in today's programme.
Opening -
Bill Con nor
Originally the theme tune for Granada TV's arts programme 'Celebration' the version here was arranged for Stagesound in 1981. It was subsequently 'borrowed' and has been used as the band's opener ever since ... the composer followed later.
Pennies from Heaven -
Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1 'Land of Hope and Glory' Edward Elgar The Coronation of Edward VII in 1902 prompted Elgar to write the 'Pomp and Circumstance' marches. The first two were played for the first time at the Promenade concert of October 22nd, 1901 and the D major march, with its tune of such breadth and majesty, has been closely associated with the 'Proms' ever since. The Schools Prom continues this tradition, long may it continue. The words of A. C. Benson, which were added later for a special Gala Performance to commemorate the Coronation of Edward VII, are given on page 10.
STOCKPORT SCHOOLS' STAGESOUND Musical Director: Bill Con nor Opening - Bill Con nor Pennies from Heaven Arthur Johnson arr. Bill Con nor Trida's Tune Bill Connor McGinty's Lore Bill Con nor Stagesound was formed in 1977 under the auspices of the education division of Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council to provide an outlet for young musicians from Stockport and the surrounding area who wished to play big band and orchestral jazz. The traditional swing band line-up has been augmented by strings and woodwind producing an extra dimension to the music and giving experience for the young players contrasting with their more classical music.
ArthuT Johnson arr. Bill Con nor
Bill Connor's arrangement of this well known standard takes us through the sections of the orchestra in turn; finally the tune that we all know springs into life, with a few diversions en route.
Trida's Tune -
Bill Connor
Ostinato piano supporting solo flute. The haunting tune is mirrored by unison strings coloured along the way by flutes and clarinets soon to be jOined by solo alto sax steering us through to the central section where a combination of synthesiser and vocal sounds envelop a series of restless chords. The drum kit kicks us on to another plane only to return to the opening melody, this time with unison voices . The piece was written 'in memory of a lovely lady'.
McGinty's Lore -
Bill Con nor
McGinty awaits the bus surrounded by sheep, moors, clouds (of the scudding variety) and many a boulder, one of which he is lying against. Waiting, he is aware of diving, twittering skylarks which become an irritation to him. He detests the countryside - sheep have no capacity for alcohol and skylarks don't count. McGinty awash, adrift in the bounty-hunting, womanising muddle of the world, akimbo in the dance of dreams ... begorra.