Northern Chamber Orchestra 2018-19 Macclesfield Season

MUSICIANS OF THE POWERHOUSE

M A C C L E S F I E L D H E R I TA G E C E N T R E C O N C E R T S

SEASON

BROCHURE 2018-2019

Bringing music to life since 1967

NORTHERN CHAMBER ORCHESTRA Nicholas Ward, Artistic Director Macclesfield Concert Series Heritage Centre, Roe Street Macclesfield SK11 6UT Adjacent free parking All concerts start at 7.30pm

Become a Friend of the NCO: • Annual fee only £25 single membership / £40 joint membership • Attend special events and pre-concert talks • Join members of the orchestra and other Friends for a complimentary drink after concerts • £1 off all Macclesfield concert tickets and all NCO recordings • Attend fundraising events and outings

Call the office on 0161 247 2220 or email friends@ncorch.co.uk

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29 S AT U R DAY

Freddy Kempf piano

September

Mendelssohn Hebrides overture Beethoven Piano concerto no 3 Beethoven Symphony no 3 Eroica Supported by the Friends of the NCO We begin our new season with a programme full of turbulent energy and colossal music in the company of one of the greatest pianists of his generation, Freddy Kempf. The evening starts with the Hebrides overture, written by Mendelssohn after a memorable trip to Fingal’s Cave. This overture sets a suitably dramatic scene before Beethoven’s great C minor piano concerto written at a time when the composer was coming to terms with impending deafness. The concerto demonstrates that he was not going to accept his situation meekly, and in the last movement he seems to be confronting his condition with an almost irascible humour. Beethoven’s deafness was even more apparent to him when he penned his 3rd symphony, a truly ground-breaking work that despite his great emotional struggles ends in almost joyful triumph.

“Kempf shaped lines with delicacy and insight, yet it was the balance with an impetuous Beethovenian fire that lifted the performance of the third concerto on to a higher level.”

The Guardian

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27 S AT U R DAY

Julian Bliss clarinet

October

Arnold Sinfonietta no 1 Weber Clarinet concerto no 2 Suk Meditation on the old Czech chorale ‘St. Wenceslas’ Haydn Symphony no 102 In the second concert of our season at the Heritage Centre, we welcome Julian Bliss, the virtuoso clarinettist who has already achieved worldwide acclaim as a concerto soloist, chamber musician, jazz artist, masterclass leader, eloquent public speaker and tireless musical explorer. In this programme he will play Weber’s 2nd clarinet concerto.

This show-stopping piece of virtuosic artistry follows an ebullient opener in the form of Malcolm Arnold’s Sinfonietta no 1. After the interval are two works written at times of political explosiveness- Suk’s Meditation, in which the composer tries overtly to stir up nationalism during the tensions at the time of the outbreak of WWI and Haydn’s Symphony no 102 premiered in London in 1795 during the French Revolutionary Wars.

“It isn’t just his technique, though that is astonishing enough. It’s the wit, poise and vivacity in his playing. In short, it is the pure intuition leading him straight to the heart of what he plays” The Times

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01 S AT U R DAY

Nicholas Mulroy tenor

December

Vivaldi Concerto for 4 violins in B minor Finzi Dies Natalis Grainger Molly on the Shore Elgar Serenade for strings Bach Concerto for 2 violins Our December concert comprises baroque masterpieces and 20th century string music and opens with a chance to show off four of our wonderful violinists in Vivaldi’s B minor quadruple violin concerto. Finzi’s richly textured, Dies Natalis, closes the first half with the strings accompanying the internationally renowned tenor, Nicholas Mulroy. The text of the piece reflects the joy and wonder of a newborn child’s innocent perspective on the world, a metaphor perhaps for the season! After the interval and a glass of something warming, we have the delightful, Molly on the Shore, by Percy Grainger followed by Elgar’s elegiac masterpiece, the Serenade for strings. The concert is brought to a close by one of the best loved works of all time- Bach’s Concerto for two violins played by our leader Nicholas Ward and our principal 2nd violin, Simon Gilks.

“Mulroy was also consistently fresh-toned in the high tessitura and able to fine his tone down to the most gorgeously projected ghostly pianissimo.”

Bachtrack

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12

S AT U R DAY Katherine Baker flute

January Lucy Wakeford harp

Mendelssohn String symphony no 10 Mozart Concerto for flute and harp Debussy Danse sacrée et danse profane Fauré Fantasy for flute and orchestra Haydn Symphony no 39 Supported by the Friends of the NCO Our first concert of the New Year brings a programme sure to beat the January blues with music of deftness of touch and warm sonorities. We begin the concert with a Mendelssohn sinfonia for strings in B minor, the one-movement no 10.

This work by the 14-year-old composer, was considered to be lost until it was discovered in a Berlin library at the end of WWII. The effervescent conclusion of the work leads us into a most charming and joyous concerto, Mozart’s flute and harp, played by two stars of the UK classical music scene, Katherine Baker and Lucy Wakeford. After the interval the two soloists return individually to each play a short French masterpiece, Debussy first, then Fauré. We close the concert with one of Haydn’s great and perhaps underperformed early symphonies, the G minor, no 39.

“Katherine Baker’s flute full and smooth…”

The Guardian

“The delicacy and exquisite beauty of tone of the harp playing of Lucy Wakeford” The Times www.ncorch.co.uk | 0161 247 2220

09 S AT U R DAY

Matthew Wadsworth theorbo

February

Handel Concerto grosso op 6 no 5 Dvořák 2 Waltzes for strings op 54 Goss Theorbo Concerto Bartók Divertimento for strings Bach Brandenburg concerto no 3 Supported by Martin and Angela Losse Matthew Wadsworth has earned a reputation as one of the world’s finest lutenists. His entrancing performances have led to reviews fulsome in their praise of his musicianship. Matthew was born blind but when contemplating his many achievements, both on and off the stage, ‘disabled’ is certainly not a word that could be used to apply to him. In this concert, we hear a new concerto by Stephen Goss for a medieval instrument, the 7 foot long theorbo. This comes at the end of the first half that is opened by the ebullient and perfectly conceived, Concerto Grosso in D by Handel. In the second half are two towering works of genius, Bartók’s magnificent Divertimento for strings, from 1939, his last composition in Europe before fleeing to the United States prior to World War II; and to close the concert is a piece that is sure to put a smile on any face with its bouncy confidence, the 3rd of Bach’s Brandenburg concertos.

“Lutenist Matthew Wadsworth dazzles with his dexterity” The Independent

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16

S AT U R DAY

Martin Roscoe piano

March

Gounod Petite symphonie Schumann Piano concerto Bacewicz Concerto for strings Mozart Symphony no 35 Haffner As we emerge from the grips of winter, we bring a programme full of variety and the concert opens with a chance to hear our wind players on stage alone.

The sparkling Petite symphonie of Gounod for 9 wind players will delight everyone, not least the string players who get a rare piece off! Martin Roscoe, our vicePresident, is coming back to Macclesfield to play the Schumann piano concerto, a mighty work which the composer himself described as ‘a compromise between a symphony, a concerto and a huge sonata’. The second half begins with a work from a relatively little known Polish composer, Grazyna Bacewicz, the masterpiece of neo-classicism, her Concerto for Strings. To close the concert we are delighted to be playing a work which at around 19 minutes, may be one of Mozart’s shortest symphonies, but the ‘Haffner’ is so brim-full of tunes, wit and energy that no one could possibly feel shortchanged.

“exuberant and expressive…brilliant technical precision” BBC Music Magazine, 5 stars. www.ncorch.co.uk | 0161 247 2220

13

S AT U R DAY

Matthew Sharp cello/baritone

April Mozart Clarinet quintet Schubert Schubert songs Schubert String quintet Supported by Geoff and Jennie Holman

The now traditional NCO soloists concert in April, features our regular string quartet who will be joined this year by our principal clarinet, Liz Jordan and one of our Associate Artists, baritone and cellist, Matthew Sharp.

The concert opens with Mozart’s magnificent Clarinet quintet, a piece redolent of the golden warmth of Così fan Tutte. The two works were composed almost side by side it seems and the original sketch for the finale of the quintet became “Ah, lo veggio”. Matthew Sharp, an extraordinary musician and performer will then make an appearance first as baritone soloist in a selection of Schubert Lieder, before then reappearing with cello in hand after the interval to join the NCO soloists for a performance of Schubert’s C major string quintet, the slow movement of which, Artur Rubinstein famously described as depicting “the entrance to Heaven”.

“Extraordinary cellist, virile baritone, compelling actor- astonishing!”

The Daily Telegraph www.ncorch.co.uk | 0161 247 2220

11

S AT U R DAY

Chloë Hanslip violin

May

Wolf Italian serenade Grace Williams Elegy Bach Violin concerto in A minor Pärt Fratres Tchaikovsky Serenade for strings We are delighted in the season finale to welcome back our Artist in Association, violinist Chloë Hanslip, directing a concert that opens with Wolf’s Italian serenade, described by Max Reger, as “This appealing work …of such an enchanting tonal charm, of such a captivating, highly original colour that it will certainly inspire the greatest enthusiasm when it is performed”.

The short but nonetheless beautiful Elegy by Grace Williams follows before Chloë steps out of the orchestra to play Bach’s A minor violin concerto. She continues as soloist in the second half in Arvo Pärt’s deeply atmospheric and virtuosic piece for violin, strings and single percussionist. And to close the season in suitably celebratory mood, we play Tchaikovsky’s ever popular Serenade for strings. Tuneful, poised and energetic, this is the great Russian composer at the height of his powers.

“Hanslip’s passion and technical bravura are palpable and exciting. Fiery glissandi, tremulous multi-stopping: the fireworks never stop.”

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Using music to improve lives.

ForViva is proud to be working with the Northern Chamber Orchestra. www.forviva.co.uk @ForViva_Group

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TICKET

information £21 auditorium (stalls) £16 gallery Under 18s and full time students FREE Registered disabled audience members can bring one carer free Ring for group discount rates Discounts for season and part-season tickets: Book for all 8 concerts and get one concert FREE Book 4-7 concerts and get £1 off each concert NCO Friends and Patrons get £1 off each concert Priority booking for season and part-season tickets throughout June. Tickets go on general sale on 2 July Book your tickets online at www.ncorch.co.uk Or call the NCO box office: 0161 247 2220 A limited number of tickets will be available on the door

TAT TO N PA R K C O N C E R T

Friday 14 December 8pm FO O D GLORIO US FO O D Start your Christmas with a visit to the magnificent Tatton Park in our now traditional Christmas concert, with a tour of the mansion, a glass of winter punch and a musical journey through a seasonal look at ’Food, glorious Food!’ with NCO and the choir of St Nicholas Catholic High School Choir, Northwich.

Tickets: £25/U18s £15 - Discounts for group bookings Ticket price includes tour and warming winter drink.

Registered disabled audience members can bring one carer free Tickets available from the NCO Box Office: 0161 247 2220 or www.ncorch.co.uk

www.ncorch.co.uk | 0161 247 2220

Call us on 0161 667 1482 to book your complimentary financial review Proud to sponsor The Northern Chamber Orchestra

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SAVE THE DATES MACCLESFIELD HERITAGE CENTRE CONCERTS ALL CONCERTS ARE ON SATURDAYS AT 7.30PM

29 September - Freddy Kempf 27 October - Julian Bliss 1 December - Nicholas Mulroy 12 January - Katherine Baker and Lucy Wakeford 9 February - Matthew Wadsworth 16 March - Martin Roscoe 13 April - Matthew Sharp 11 May Chloë Hanslip Thanks to our season sponsor:

Our corporate patrons:

Thanks also to the Friends of NCO and all of our Patrons.

We are proud of the ongoing relationship between NCO and Chetham’s School of Music, and look forward to continuing our collaboration at The Stoller Hall – Manchester’s newest space for performance.

The NCO is a registered charity (no. 278912) and an incorporated company (no. 1430784) We welcome donations and bequests in support of our concert programmes, learning and development programmes and work with dementia care under the Mind Music banner.

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