britten 100 concerts 12
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Britten 100: I
Chamber Concert
Britten 100: II
Queen’s Hall Thursday 18 April 7.30pm
Queen’s Hall Sunday 21 April 3pm
Queen’s Hall Saturday 27 April 7.30pm BIRTWISTLE Carmen arcadiae mechanicae perpetuum (10’)
PURCELL Suite from King Arthur (15’)
BRITTEN A Hymn to the Virgin (3’)
SCHUBERT Auf dem Strom (9’)
BRITTEN Prelude and Fugue for Strings (10’)
PÄRT Cantus in Memoriam Benjamin Britten (8’)
SCHUBERT Two Impromptus D899: Nos 3 & 4 (13’)
PURCELL (arr. EGARR) Four Catches and a Rondeau (12’)
PURCELL My Heart is inditing (15’)
SCHUMANN Adagio and Allegro (10’)
BRITTEN Courtly Dances from Gloriana (10’)
RICHARD EGARR Conductor SCO CHORUS
BRITTEN Canticle III: Still Falls the Rain (12’)
2013 marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Benjamin Britten, arguably the greatest and most successful British composer of the past century. The SCO has its own long and distinguished history of performing his music in the opera house as well as in concert. This week and next it features Britten in two very different contexts. Richard Egarr pairs him with the composer he treasured most: Henry Purcell. Two centuries separate them, but Britten loved – and learned from – the way Purcell set the English language to music. This lovely sequence of works by both men gives plenty of chances to relish them at their considerable best. Comparing Notes discussion group meets before this concert. See page 32 for details.
BRITTEN Folksongs (11’) JOHN MARK AINSLEY Tenor ALEC FRANK-GEMMILL Horn TOM POSTER Piano Britten was someone whose important musical passions were lifelong affairs. Schubert was one of his essential composers: he performed many of his songs with Peter Pears. John Mark Ainsley is a wonderful interpreter of both Britten and Schubert; he has one of the finest tenor voices, and also a true storyteller’s grasp of narrative and drama. In trio with Tom Poster and SCO Principal Horn, Alec Frank-Gemmill, he includes two real treats for tenor and horn – Auf dem Strom and Britten’s third canticle.
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SUCKLING storm, rose, tiger (14’) BRITTEN Serenade for tenor, horn and strings (25’) MOZART Symphony No 40 (35’) GEORGE BENJAMIN Conductor JOHN MARK AINSLEY Tenor ALEC FRANK-GEMMILL Horn Britten was a powerful, Janus-like figure musically, always looking both to the past and the future. This concert celebrates that aspect of the great man by arriving at Mozart’s mighty 40th Symphony by way of two composers who have been associated with Britten’s Festival in Aldeburgh. Birtwistle’s brief Carmen arcadiae presents an intense, dramatic and punchy opening; and Britten surely would have admired Suckling’s absorbing and ambitious storm, rose, tiger. At the heart of the evening stands one of the greatest poetic masterpieces of all time; Britten’s own selection of verse on the theme of night and sleep, which he set with unforgettable brilliance. John Mark Ainsley, as fine an interpreter as you will find, is partnered by the SCO’s virtuoso Principal Horn, Alec Frank-Gemmill. Pre-Concert Talk: 6.30pm (free to ticket holders) Composer Martin Suckling talks about his work and Benjamin Britten. Comparing Notes discussion group meets before this concert. See page 32 for details.
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Benjamin Britten Edinburgh Concert Season 2012/13
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