International Concert Series 2020 Concerts

International Concert Series FEBRUARY - JUNE 2020

Welcoming some of the very best classical musicians to Ireland.

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The National Concert Hall’s mission is to foster and celebrate the appreciation, knowledge, enjoyment and pure love of music as an integral part of Irish life.

Simon Trpčeski piano THURSDAY 20 FEBRUARY 2020, 8PM Brahms Liszt Prokofiev Mussorgsky Prokofiev

Variations on a Theme by Robert Schumann Op. 9 Soirées de Vienne Nos 5, 7, 6 Old Grandmother’s Tales, Op. 31 Night on a Bare Mountain (arr for piano by Konstantin Chernov) Sonata No. 7, Op. 83

Acclaimed for his powerful virtuosity, deeply expressive approach and charismatic stage presence, Simon Trpčeski has chosen a colourful programme of works by Brahms, Liszt, Prokofiev, Mussorgsky and Prokofiev, showcasing the musician’s talent for music of the romantic era.

Tickets: €37.50, €29.50, €25, €19.50

“Anyone with a passion for piano-playing at its most spellbinding should hear Trpčeski whenever they can” The Telegraph

Bach Collegium Japan Masaaki Suzuki conductor Hana Blažíková soprano • Damien Guillon alto James Gilchrist tenor • Christian Immler bass MONDAY 9 MARCH 2020, 8PM J.S. J.S. J.S. J.S.

Bach Bach Bach Bach

Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern BWV1 Jesu, der du meine Seele BWV78 Ich armer Mensch, ich Sündenknecht BWV 55 Mass in F major BWV233

Hailed by the BBC Music Magazine as ‘Kings from the East’, Bach Collegium Japan make a welcome return to the NCH to perform an all-Bach programme. Their visit is part of their 2020 European Tour, which also coincides with their 30th Anniversary.

Tickets: €55, €47.50, €37.50, €27.50

“I have never heard period instruments played with such purity of tone, so reliably in tune. The small precise, dramatically alert chorus breathed fire but also revealed a heart-breaking tenderness” Los Angeles Times

Tenebrae

Aurora Orchestra

Tenebrae Aurora Orchestra Nigel Short conductor • Emma Walshe soprano Stephen Kennedy bass • Max Baillie violin SATURDAY 4 APRIL 2020, 8PM J. S. Bach J. S. Bach J. S. Bach J. S. Bach J. S. Bach J. S. Bach J. S. Bach J. S. Bach J. S. Bach Fauré

Ach Herr, laß dein lieb Engelein (Johannes-Passion BWV 245) Partita No. 2 in D, Allemande (BWV 1004) Partita No. 2 in D, Courante (BWV 1004) Christ lag in Todesbanden (BWV 277i) Partita No. 2 in D, Sarabande (BWV 1004) Den Tod niemand zwingen kunnt (BWV 277ii) Partita No. 2 in D, Gigue (BWV 1004) Wenn ich einmal soll scheiden (Matthäus-Passion BWV 244) Ciaconna with chorale themes (BWV 1004) Requiem

Following their sell-out NCH performance in 2017 renowned English choral ensemble Tenebrae led by choral director Nigel Short make a welcome return with the Aurora Orchestra to perform a programme of J.S. Bach Partita’s and chorales, continuing the focus on Bach for March. Also on the programme is Fauré’s Requiem, a piece described as ‘devastatingly beautiful’ by Gramophone Magazine.

Tickets: €45, €37.50, €29.50, €24.50

Emanuel Ax piano MONDAY 20 APRIL 2020, 8PM Beethoven Beethoven Beethoven Beethoven Beethoven Beethoven

Bagatelle in A minor, WoO 59 Für Elise Sonata No. 2 in A major, Op. 2, No. 2 Variations in F major, Op. 34 Sonata No. 1 in F minor, Op. 2, No. 1 Variations on Rule Britannia for piano in D major, WoO 79 Sonata in C major, Op. 2, No. 3

‘Marvelously articulate and totally unfussy’ (The Guardian) - the words used to describe the playing of Grammy Award-winning American pianist Emanuel Ax. The world-renowned pianist will perform an all-Beethoven programme to include the famous Für Elise paying homage to the great composer’s 250th anniversary this year. A unique opportunity to hear a great artist in recital.

Tickets: €49.50, €40, €32.50, €25

“Ax is one of the most complete pianists of today – technically solid, deeply intelligent, and with a heart” Independent

Paul Lewis

Vienna Chamber Orchestra

Vienna Chamber Orchestra Paul Lewis piano THURSDAY 30 APRIL 2020, 8PM Haydn Mozart Mozart Beethoven

Symphony No. 49 in F minor ‘La Passione’ Piano Concerto No. 27 in B flat major, K 595 Divertimento in D major, K. 136 ‘Salzburg Symphony No. 1’ Piano Concerto No. 2 in B flat major, Op. 19

Boasting affiliations with renowned conductors such as, Benjamin Britten, Yehudi Menuhin and Daniel Barenboim, the renowned Vienna Chamber Orchestra will perform its ICS debut with a programme of classical favourites to include not one, but two Piano Concertos with leading British Paul Lewis as guest soloist. His reputation as one of the world’s foremost interpreters of the central European classical repertoire, makes this a magical pairing, ensuring a superb evening of classical music at its best.

Tickets: €45, €37.50, €29.50, €24.50

“Lewis brought his customary intelligence and intensity…with endless shifts in colour and weight.

The Guardian

Barry Douglas

Camerata Ireland

Camerata Ireland Barry Douglas piano/conductor Lynn Harrell cello Dmitry Sitkovetsky violin WEDNESDAY 13 MAY 2020, 8PM Penderecki Beethoven Shchedrin Beethoven

Elegy for cello Triple Concerto Amoroso for violin Symphony No. 5 in C minor

Celebrating their 20th anniversary, Camerata Ireland and conductor/ pianist Barry Douglas round off their NCH Residency for 2019/2020 with an eagerly anticipated performance, celebrating the music of Beethoven with a performance of his Triple Concerto and Symphony No. 5 alongside Penderecki’s Elegy for Cello and Shchedrin’s Amoroso for Violin. Joining the orchestra with be Russian-born violinist Dmitry Sitkovetsky and American cellist Lynn Harrell, both in the highest echelon of today’s performing artists.

Tickets: €37.50, €29.50, €25, €19.50

Joyce DiDonato

Il pomo d’oro

Joyce DiDonato mezzo-soprano Il pomo d’oro Maxim Emelyanychev conductor/harpsichord SATURDAY 23 MAY 2020, 8PM My Favourite Things Part I: Gli antichi L Rossi Sinfonia from L’Orfeo Monteverdi Illustratevi from Il ritorno d’Ulisse in patria Cesti Intorno all’idol mio from Orontea Merula Ciaccona Monteverdi Sinfonia de L’Incoronazione di Poppea Monteverdi Disprezzata regina from L’Incoronazione di Poppea Buonamente Il ballo dei reali amanti Dowland Come again, sweet love Monteverdi Si dolce è il tormento Part II: I moderni Hasse Morte col fiero aspetto from Marc’Antonio e Cleopatra Handel Piangerò from Giulio Cesare Gluck Act II Scene II minuette and melodia from Don Juan Gluck Che faro senza Euridice from Orfeo e Erudicie Gluck Danza degli spettri e delle furie from Don Juan Handel Scherza infida from Ariodante Handel Dopo notte from Ariodante Tickets: €85, €72.50, €55, €39.50

Benjamin Grosvenor

Sir Mark Elder & The Hallé

The Hallé Sir Mark Elder conductor Benjamin Grosvenor piano TUESDAY 2 JUNE 2020, 8PM Rachmaninov Ravel Stravinsky

Symphonic Dances, Op. 45 Piano Concerto in G major Firebird Suite (1945)

Rounding off the International Concert Series will be the UK’s leading orchestra from Manchester, the Hallé with their esteemed Music Director Sir Mark Elder. Ranked among the UK’s top symphonic ensembles, the Hallé will be joined by multi-award-winning British pianist Benjamin Grosvenor who has been described as ‘one in a million…several million’ by The Independent.

Tickets: €80, €67.50, €52.50, €37.50

“Roaring jubilation and radiant beauty from Elder and the Hallé” The Guardian

Pre-Concert Talks 6.45-7.15pm Free to ticket holders

TICKET DISCOUNTS 5% discount Choose any 4-6 concerts from the International Concert Series 10% discount Choose any 7-10 concerts from the International Concert Series Groups: 8+ tickets for any one concert, get 10% discount Limited Student Standby tickets available for all concerts

National Concert Hall Box Office nch.ie or 01 417 00 00 Box Office open Monday to Saturday 10am to 6pm and open two hours prior to Main stage events and one hour prior to John Field room, Kevin Barry Recital Room and Studio events on Sundays and Bank Holidays.

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