RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra
2010–2011 Season at the National Concert Hall
www.rte.ie/nationalsymphonyorchestra
JENNY BURNS, TUTTI 2nd VIOLIN
More for your money
Standard Season tickets The Extras Soundings FORTE! events Great savings
Still from €10* Top price still €35* No booking fees *Excluding New Year’s Day
€5 or free to 8pm ticket holders Free
From €5 Save 30% on the full season Save up to €305 29 concerts for the price of 20!
New ways to save money
Wider range of packages 15 package options Discounts from 5% – 30%
Great rates
Student standby from €5 Concessions for students, unwaged and senior citizens Discount for groups of 5 or more
Find out more: See p. 59
Terms and conditions apply
RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra
2010–2011 Season
Journey with us New events More events New programmes New people
September 2010 –May 2011
The RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra
Giving you more for your money
The journey begins Overviews Season Welcome: Christine Lee .......................4 My First Season: Buribayev...............................6 Exploring Traditions: Lintu .................................8 Anticipation and Excitement: Collins ..............10
The Season concerts September 10 17 24
Fanfare.............................................12 L’America.........................................13 Moving Pictures ...............................14
October 01 08 15 22 29
PAGE
Dance Masters ................................15 Heroic and Sublime .........................16 Homage ...........................................17 Autumn ............................................18 Tilting at Windmills ...........................20
November 05 12 26
PAGE
PAGE January 2011 01 City of Dreams .................................26 07 In the Gardens of Spain...................27 14 Wild Swans ......................................28 21 The Cello Sings................................29 28 Symphonic Peaks and Vistas ..........30
February
2
04
PAGE
Fire and Foreboding ........................35
April 01 08 15 29
PAGE
Roman Holiday ................................37 …Thus with a kiss I die… ...............38 Visions of the Future ........................39 The Sound of Bells ..........................40
May 13 20 27
PAGE
Cries and Whispers .........................41 Wit and Panache .............................42 Full Circle .........................................43
The Extras Early Evening and Late Night Concerts ........44 FORTE!: Musical Discovery ..........................47 Soundings .....................................................52
PAGE
Mozartian Light and Shade .............21 The Virtuoso Orchestra....................22 By the Waters of Babylon ................23
PAGE December 03 Russian Fables ................................24
04 11 18 25
March
PAGE
Soundtracks.....................................31 East Meets West ..............................32 Royal Blood .....................................33 Russian Roulette..............................34
Beyond the season Celine Byrne Christmas Gala ........................54 La bohème ....................................................55 Lunchtime concerts.......................................56 RTÉ NSO March Tour with Finghin Collins ....58
For your information Buying options...............................................59 Season strands at a glance ..........................62 Concert packages: Prices .............................64 Single concerts: Prices..................................66 How and when to book .................................67 Contact and online ........................................68 National Concert Hall seating plan................69
See opposite page for season strands key
Follow the programmes, the people Principal Conductor Series Alan Buribayev
Principal Guest Conductor Series Hannu Lintu
Associate Artist Series Finghin Collins
Soloist Directs Series Collins, Douglas, Lindberg, Wispelwey
Musical Journeys Russia | The Americas | France | Scandinavia | Austria | Spain | Eastern Europe
Rachmaninov Complete Works for Piano & Orchestra
Brahms Piano Concerti Directed
Mozart The Piano Concerti Cycle
The French Connection Ravel, Debussy, Milhaud, Honegger
The Roman Trilogy Respighi and more
Choral Blockbusters Bach, Honegger, Walton
Find out more: See the season strands at a glance on p. 62
New this season THE MUSICAL DISCOVERY PROGRAMME
For audiences of all ages
The Extras
Early Evening and Late Night concerts 3
“Explore and sample musical experiences designed to excite your curiosity�
4
Welcome to our season Christine Lee, General Manager, RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra I am delighted to welcome you to the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra's 2010–2011 season at the National Concert Hall. This season is designed to showcase the orchestra, its musical guests and to introduce the new artistic team of Alan Buribayev (Principal Conductor), Hannu Lintu (Principal Guest Conductor) and Finghin Collins (Associate Artist). These three exciting musical personalities can be enjoyed through their very own individual concert strands across the season, or indeed we hope you will explore them all – and much more! On offer this season is a series of concerts with a stimulating range of repertoire and presentation, designed to respond to our ever-varied lifestyles. Leaning intriguingly but not overwhelmingly towards musical discovery, the programmes are presented in such a way as to offer each item in congenial, mutually illuminating company. Enjoy an American-influenced programme composed by Eastern European composers with novel placings around the hall, or come to hear a small group of players from the RTÉ NSO perform a jazz-influenced work by Milhaud alongside the choral masterwork King David by Honegger with the RTÉ Philharmonic Choir. Join us, explore and sample musical experiences designed to excite your curiosity. v
We welcome back popular artists such as Freddy Kempf, Dmitri Jurowski, Simon Trpceski, Pieter Wispelwey, Gerhard Markson, Ilya Gringolts and Christian Lindberg. The Irish pianist Barry Douglas also returns in this season of pianism with both Brahms piano concerti directed from the keyboard – a rare musical treat. Alongside first-time guest artists such as James Crabb, Peter Jablonski, Stefan Jackiw, Rory Macdonald, Jonathan Schiffman and Xuefei Yang, we also introduce new initiatives such as our series of Late Night events which offer our loyal Friday evening audiences, and newcomers, a wonderfully intimate musical ‘nightcap’. In addition, a new programme of activities led by our recently appointed Creative Advisor Paul Rissmann, entitled FORTE!, reaches out to you in the community through a range of compositional projects for schools, family events for parents and children, and the discovery of musical classics of the repertory. The 2010–2011 season begins with a commissioned fanfare for Alan Buribayev and the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra by Irish composer Elaine Agnew, and later in the season you can enjoy further RTÉ commissions by Linda Buckley and Andrew Hamilton. Come and join us on our musical journey of symphonic and choral blockbusters, a feast of international pianism and diverse musical experiences designed for you. We look forward to seeing you at our concerts! 5
“I was amazed by the orchestra’s rich palette of colours and by its technical possibilities.” Follow Alan’s journey 10 September | 12 November | 3 December | 7 January | 29 April | 27 May
6
My first season Alan Buribayev, Principal Conductor When I first worked with the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra playing Tchaikovsky’s ‘Manfred’ Symphony four years ago, I was amazed by the orchestra’s rich palette of colours and by its technical possibilities. The beautiful, sometimes very impressionistic score was played very delicately in the intimate moments and with incredible force in the tutti moments. In later seasons, I was happy to enjoy similar spectacular orchestral experiences when conducting Prokofiev’s beautiful Romeo and Juliet suites and the mighty Symphony No. 10 by Shostakovich. These three milestones of Russian repertory became a starting point in creating my programmes in this my first season as Principal Conductor. I always had in my ear the rich and colourful sound of the RTÉ NSO when planning Scheherazade and overtures by Rimsky-Korsakov and the beautiful, romantic Symphony No. 2 by Sergei Rachmaninov. These two composers became a kind of Romantic frame for the whole season; it is always a pure delight to spend time with these composers, both for the audience and for the orchestra. Rachmaninov will be a central figure in this season, appearing not only in my programmes, but also in the performances of other RTÉ NSO guest artists. We have chosen to concentrate mostly on Rachmaninov’s late period, which can be described as more ’muscular’ and where his music reflects the jazzy rhythms of the twentieth century in such pieces as The Bells, Piano Concerto No. 4 and the incredible Symphonic Dances. I am also looking forward to Bartók’s amazing Concerto for Orchestra which in a sense can be considered a ’brother-score’ to the Symphonic Dances. Both scores were written in exile in America, are rich in nostalgia and use folk elements from the composers’ home countries. Manuel de Falla’s Three-Cornered Hat, the famous ballet by the Spanish composer, is another ‘kind of Russian’ score. The music is so vivid and so optimistic, but most of all so characterful that you don’t need to know the libretto to follow the funny story. We will perform this together with a ’kind of Spanish’ work, the spectacular and beloved Capriccio Espagnol by Rimsky-Korsakov. These are just some of the highlights in my first season as Principal Conductor and I am very happy to invite the audience to every concert! 7
“I am… pleased that I have a chance to develop a more profound relationship with this fine orchestra and its enthusiastic audience” Follow Hannu’s journey 26 November | 15 April | 13 May
8
Exploring traditions Hannu Lintu, Principal Guest Conductor
The best music is always connected to both the past and the future. In my first three programmes as the Principal Guest Conductor of the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra I’m exploring two separate lines of musical tradition. The first one is the world of Sibelius, Nielsen and Walton. These composers were contemporaries with individual styles who were still absorbing musical ideas from each other and thus developing one of the most important symphonic traditions since the classical style. After Finlandia, The Captive Queen is the most important symbol of Finnish national spirit. It will be great to hear the RTÉ Philharmonic Choir sing this beautiful and flamboyant piece in Finnish! In 1947 Herbert von Karajan said that Walton’s Belshazzar’s Feast is ‘the best choral music that’s been written in the last 50 years’ and I couldn’t agree more. Nielsen’s Symphony No. 4 is the apotheosis of energy; it ends with a famous duel between two timpanists. His Symphony No. 5 is for me personally the best of the Nielsen symphonies: unique form and original ideas. A real virtuoso challenge for the orchestra. Along with the works by Sibelius, Nielsen’s symphonies are the most important part of the Scandinavian musical heritage. The second, Eastern line is the direct chronological journey from Liszt and Scriabin to Igor Stravinsky. Recognising this succession is important if we want to understand the huge variety of complex musical styles of the twentieth century. Liszt’s Orpheus is the most beautiful and poetic of his orchestral compositions; Scriabin’s Piano Concerto is the little brother of the Rachmaninov piano concertos – Russian romantic music at its best; and Stravinsky’s Symphony in Three Movements is a unique combination of Russian spirit, classical style and ingenious orchestration. I am excited about performing Scriabin and Sibelius concerti with two of my favourite soloists, Peter Jablonski and Stefan Jackiw, and pleased that I have a chance to develop a more profound relationship with this fine orchestra and its enthusiastic audience.
9
“This is a challenge which I relish with all my being”
Follow Finghin’s journey 5 November | 1 January | 20 May
10
Anticipation and excitement Finghin Collins, Associate Artist I have a wonderful feeling of anticipation and excitement at the beginning of this period as Associate Artist with the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra. At the heart of this collaboration will be the performance of all twenty-three of Mozart’s piano concertos, the majority of them directed from the keyboard. In addition, as part of this season’s new Late Night strand, I will join forces with the principal winds of the RTÉ NSO to perform two of the pearls of the chamber music repertoire: the Mozart and Beethoven piano and wind quintets. The Mozart piano concertos range right across Mozart's life and career and are one of the most interesting ways to trace his development. They are to the piano concerto what Beethoven’s nine masterpieces are to the symphony. They include music of the greatest drama and energy, as well as passages of utmost simplicity and delicacy. Many of them are famous masterpieces; others are lesser-known gems. While the catalogues list twenty-seven concertos, I go with the widely held view that the first four are arrangements of sonata movements by other composers. During the coming season I will perform and direct two complete programmes of Mozart concertos in Dublin and one other on tour. Each concert will present three contrasting concertos. Directing Mozart’s concertos from the keyboard is something I have enjoyed doing for many years. Mozart of course would have also directed the concertos himself. To collaborate directly with the musicians is really to see these works as extended chamber music, which indeed they are. This is a challenge which I relish with all my being and I am deeply honoured to realise this dream here at home. Just imagine how these works must have impressed the Viennese music-lovers in the late eighteenth century with their freshness and vigour, their glorious operatic melodies! It is my hope that they will sound as fresh and vigorous in our performances as the day they were first performed, with the ink still drying on the page.
11
Principal Conductor Series
Musical Journeys: Russia
Rachmaninov: Complete
Fanfare
ALAN BURIBAYEV
Vivid orchestral colour and operatic gems by RimskyKorsakov have major appeal for our new Principal Conductor Alan Buribayev in this first concert of the season. Expect orchestral fireworks, beautiful melodies and a rare opportunity to hear one of the world’s top pianists perform the last Rachmaninov piano concerto. Combined with Elaine Agnew’s Fanfare for the start of the conductor’s tenure, the lid will be taken off the RTÉ NSO this evening! v
Simon Trpceski piano Alan Buribayev conductor
Friday 10 September | 8pm
Post Concert | 10.20pm
Elaine Agnew
Meet and Greet
Jump Up!
with Alan Buribayev
Fanfare of Welcome for Alan Buribayev and the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra (world première) [3’]
John Field Room
Rimsky-Korsakov Introduction and Battle at Kerzhenetz from The Legend of the Invisible City of Kitezh and the Maiden Fevroniya [4’]
Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No. 4 in G minor, Op. 40 [25’] Symphony No. 2 in E minor, Op. 27 [50’] Concert end: 10.15pm approx.
SOUNDINGS 7pm | In Conversation 12
Christine Lee, General Manager, RTÉ NSO with John O’Kane, Arts Director, the Arts Council See p. 52
Musical Journeys: The Americas
L’America
BALDUR BRÖNNIMAN
A concert built around the sounds and rhythms of Latin and North America, James Crabb will perform the major masterpiece written for the classical accordion, Piazzolla’s sultry Concierto de Aconcagua. Partnered with ‘Latin American Bach’ and some of the most memorable melodies from the stage in West Side Story, this concert will see the RTÉ NSO bend rhythms and kick into syncopations like a New York jazz combo!
James Crabb classical accordion Baldur Brönnimann conductor
The Late Night | 10–10.30pm
Villa-Lobos
Tangos Recital
Bachianas Brasileiras No. 4 [22’]
James Crabb and RTÉ NSO Principals
Piazzolla Concierto de Aconcagua [21’]
See p. 46
JAMES CRABB
Friday 17 September | 8pm
Piazzolla (arr. James Crabb) Oblivion [5’]
Bernstein Symphonic Dances from West Side Story [22’]
Concert end: 9.35pm approx.
SOUNDINGS 7pm | Guest Talk Eileen Battersby Irish Times Literary Correspondent See p. 52
13
Soloist Directs Series
Brahms: The Piano Concerti
Moving Pictures
BARRY DOUGLAS
An evening of romantic works written for piano, performed and conducted by one of the great exponents of the Romantic piano repertoire. Hear Brahms’ daring first piano concerto directed from the keyboard by Barry Douglas, followed by the pianist/conductor’s renowned interpretation of Pictures at an Exhibition. An early evening concert with Sophie Cashell lets you experience Mussorgsky’s original version for piano solo.
Barry Douglas piano/conductor The Early Evening 7pm
Piano Recital Sophie Cashell, See p. 46
CULTURE NIGHT*
Friday 24 September | 8pm
Post Concert | 10pm
Brahms
In Conversation
Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor, Op. 15 [44’]
Barry Douglas discusses this evening's concert with Christine Lee
Mussorgsky (orch. Ravel) Pictures at an Exhibition [35’]
John Field Room
Concert end: 9.45pm approx.
*For more information on Culture Night, see
www.rte.ie/nationalsymphonyorchestra 14
Incredible Adventures: A Family Concert for Young Children. See p. 49
Dance Masters
JONATHAN SCHIFFMAN
Come and witness some of the most famous modernday musical works inspired by dance. Exotic colours from Ravel, with a large and sumptuous orchestra under the baton of Jonathan Schiffman, the excitement of the waltz and boléro, as well as funky upbeat sounds from American composer John Adams – a concert of vibrant repertoire rarely performed in one programme.
Imelda Drumm mezzo soprano Jonathan Schiffman conductor
IMELDA DRUMM
Friday 1 October | 8pm
John Adams Guide to Strange Places [23’]
Ravel Shéhérazade [15’] La Valse [14’]
John Adams The Chairman Dances [12’]
Ravel Boléro [16’] Concert end: 9.55pm approx.
SOUNDINGS 7pm | Guest Talk David Bolger, Artistic Director, CoisCéim See p. 52
Minimalism: A Family Concert for Young People. See p. 48 15
Heroic and Sublime Following the triumph of his ‘Pastoral’ Symphony last season, Kenneth Montgomery returns to explore Beethoven’s mighty ‘Eroica’ – its struggles, death, rebirth and creative dynamism. Preceded by the Fantasia by Michael Tippett, who was greatly influenced by Beethoven, this stimulating work draws on two solo violins and a solo cello from within the orchestra. The sublime and contrasting Nocturne for strings by Dvorák sets the scene.
KENNETH MONTGOMERY
v
Alan Smale violin Elaine Clark violin Martin Johnson cello Kenneth Montgomery conductor
JOANNE CAMPBELL, STRING SUB-PRINCIPAL 2nd VIOLIN
Friday 8 October | 8pm v
Dvorák Nocturne for String Orchestra in B, Op. 40/B47 [7’]
Tippett Fantasia Concertante on a Theme of Corelli [19’]
Beethoven Symphony No. 3 in E flat, Op. 55 ‘Eroica’ [47’] Concert end: 9.30pm approx.
SOUNDINGS 7pm | In Conversation 16
Alan Smale, RTÉ NSO leader with Eamonn Lawlor, RTÉ lyric fm See p. 52
Beethoven’s ‘Eroica’: A Musical Illustration and Discovery. See p. 48
Choral Blockbusters
Homage
Malin Christensson soprano Alison Browner alto Sean Clayton tenor Matthew Hargreaves bass RTÉ Philharmonic Choir chorus master Mark Duley Nicholas Kraemer conductor Friday 15 October | 7.30pm
*RTÉ MUSIC WEEK
J.S. Bach
RTÉ PHILHARMONIC CHOIR
A rare opportunity to hear one of the great works written for voices with orchestra, Bach’s B minor Mass has never before been performed by the RTÉ Philharmonic Choir in Dublin. The combination of Nicholas Kraemer, an inspired interpreter of Baroque repertoire, and a stellar line-up of soloists, makes it a suitably monumental occasion for RTÉ Music Week.
The Late Night | 10–10.30pm
Piano and Winds Recital Finghin Collins and the RTÉ NSO Principal Winds
Please note earlier start time
See p. 46
FINGHIN COLLINS
Mass in B minor, BWV232 [108’]
Concert end: 9.55pm approx.
17 11
Soloist Directs Series
Autumn Mozart’s serene Clarinet Concerto, the last solo instrumental work he composed, and the opera, The Magic Flute, are works from the end of the composer’s life and demonstrate some of the highest achievements of any artist in their beauty of expression. Noted for its delicacy of interplay between the soloist and the orchestra, John Finucane will direct the concerto from the clarinet. Richard Strauss, like Mozart, loved the stage and this evening we hear the music from his opera Der Rosenkavalier, reworked by the composer into an orchestral suite in the latter years of his life. To begin, his infamous Dance of the Seven Veils, a sumptuous masterwork.
John Finucane clarinet/conductor
Friday 22 October | 8pm
R. Strauss Dance of the Seven Veils from Salome, Op. 54 [7’]
Mozart Clarinet Concerto in A, K622 [19’]
Mozart The Magic Flute Overture, K620 [47’]
R. Strauss Der Rosenkavalier Suite, Op. 59 [19’] Concert end: 9.30pm approx.
SOUNDINGS 7pm | Guest Talk 18
Professor Des O’Neill, consultant geriatrician See p. 52
JASON SINCLAIR, SECTION LEADER, TROMBONE
Audience member on RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra season
19
MARTIN JOHNSON, SECTION LEADER, CELLO
Musical Journeys: France
The French Connection
Tilting at Windmills This 2010–2011 season marks the beginning of a journey to explore French orchestral repertoire with Pascal Rophé over three years, starting with works by Ravel and Debussy, cornerstones of the French repertory. A haunting, beautiful movement in Nocturnes includes ladies of the RTÉ Philharmonic Choir in a wordless chorus, while Richard Strauss’ Don Quichotte, featuring just the solo cello in imaginative variations, portrays the chivalrous knight riding out on his madcap adventures.
Martin Johnson cello Ladies of the RTÉ Philharmonic Choir chorus master Mark Duley Pascal Rophé conductor
Friday 29 October | 8pm
Ravel Le Tombeau de Couperin [17’]
Debussy Nocturnes [25’]
R. Strauss Don Quichotte, Op. 35 [38’] Concert end: 9.50pm approx.
SOUNDINGS 7pm | In Conversation 20
Kathryn McDowell, Managing Director, London Symphony Orchestra with Séamus Crimmins, Executive Director, RTÉ Performing Groups. See p. 52
Associate Artist Series
Soloist Directs Series
Mozart: The Piano Concerti Cycle
Finghin Collins, Associate Artist of RTÉ NSO, has accepted the mammoth task of performing the complete Mozart piano concerti. An opportunity to play ‘large-scale chamber music’, with no conductor, it represents an exciting strand to the season. Of numbers 9 and 12, Mozart wrote, ‘a happy medium between what is too easy and too difficult; they are brilliant, pleasing to the ear and natural.’ As for number 20, expect overtly dark drama!
Finghin Collins piano/director
FINGHIN COLLINS
Mozartian Light and Shade
Friday 5 November | 8pm
Mozart Piano Concerto No. 9 in E flat, K271 [32’] Piano Concerto No. 12 in A, K414 [25’] Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor, K466 [32’]
Concert end: 10pm approx.
“…they are brilliant, pleasing to the ear and natural.” Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart on Piano Concertos Nos 9 and 12
SOUNDINGS 7pm | In Conversation Finghin Collins, pianist/director, with Ethna Tinney, RTÉ lyric fm producer See p. 52
21
Principal Conductor Series
The Roman Trilogy
Disarmingly simple, and yet with creative room for the virtuosity of Johannes Moser, who so impressed in his performance in 2009, Tchaikovsky’s Variations on a Rococo Theme is a wonderfully melodic work. Beginning the Italianate theme, Respighi’s shimmering early-morning landscapes and sensuous Mediterranean sunsets frame bursts of orchestral brilliance. Bartók’s Concerto for Orchestra remains one of the towering achievements of twentieth-century repertoire, immensely important for creating a world of instrumental possibilities.
Johannes Moser cello Alan Buribayev conductor
Friday 12 November | 8pm
Respighi Fountains of Rome [15’]
Tchaikovsky Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op. 33 [18’]
Bartók Concerto for Orchestra [36’]
Concert end: 9.40pm approx.
SOUNDINGS 7pm | Guest Talk 22
David Fennessy, composer See p. 52
JOHANNES MOSER
The Virtuoso Orchestra
Principal Guest Conductor Series
Musical Journeys: Scandinavia
Choral Blockbusters
By the Waters of Babylon Intellectually and musically riveting, Principal Guest Conductor Hannu Lintu’s programmes will be another highlight of the 2010–2011 season. Walton’s Belshazzar’s Feast is an eclectic work for the RTÉ Philharmonic Choir to embrace, while Walton’s debt to the influence of Sibelius establishes a connection with the opening work, the rarely performed Captive Queen. The first of three Lintu concerts, this evening also highlights the Nielsen presence in the season – beginning with ‘The Inextinguishable’!
Ashley Holland baritone RTÉ Philharmonic Choir chorus master Mark Duley Hannu Lintu conductor
Sibelius The Captive Queen, Op. 48 [15’]
HANNU LINTU
Friday 26 November | 8pm
(Sung in Finnish)
Walton Belshazzar’s Feast [36’]
Nielsen Symphony No. 4, Op. 29 ‘The Inextinguishable’ [36’] Concert end: 9.40pm approx.
SOUNDINGS 7pm | Guest Talk Brian O’Rourke, former General Manager and Principal Clarinettist, RTÉ NSO See p. 52
23
Principal Conductor Series
Musical Journeys: Russia
Russian Fables ILYA GRINGOLTS
A musical fairytale based on Arabian Nights, RimskyKorsakov’s story-spinning Scheherazade is perfect for the run-up to Christmas, both for younger and season audiences. An opportunity also to hear Glazunov’s rarelyperformed Violin Concerto, a piece of pure quicksilver with a wonderful sequence of melodies that pose a real challenge to the soloist – one we eagerly await! The well-known suite of six movements from Prokofiev’s opera, The Love for Three Oranges, provides the perfect opening.
Ilya Gringolts violin Alan Buribayev conductor Friday 3 December | 8pm
Prokofiev Suite from The Love for Three Oranges, Op. 33 [15’]
Glazunov Violin Concerto in A minor [21’]
Rimsky-Korsakov Scheherazade [42’] Concert end: 9.50pm approx.
SOUNDINGS 7pm | In Conversation 24
Ilya Gringolts, violinist, with Fionnuala Hunt, violinist See p. 52
Incredible Adventures: A Family Concert for Young People. See p. 49 1001 Nights: A Musical Fairytale for Children See p.51
SINÉAD FARRELL, PRINCIPAL PICCOLO
Audience member on RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra season
25
Musical Journeys: Austria
City of Dreams Every New Year’s Day comes alive in the most beguiling way with the grace and elegance of Viennese dance. This year it will be Vienna with a twist: the grandeur of Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 25, the vivid Rosenkavalier waltzes by Richard Strauss and of course family favourites by Johann Strauss II.
Finghin Collins piano Christopher Warren-Green conductor
Saturday 1 January | 2.30pm & 6.30pm
R. Strauss Der Rosenkavalier Waltzes, Op. 59 [12’]
Mozart Piano Concerto No. 25 in C, K503 [27’]
J. Strauss Jnr Emperor Waltz, Op. 437 [10’] Annen Polka, Op. 117 [5’] Covent Garden Waltz, Op. 139 [7’] Egyptian March, Op. 335 [5’] Bandits’ Galop, Op. 378 [3’] The Blue Danube, Op. 314 [10’]
26
Mozart: The Piano Concerti Cycle
MEMBERS OF THE RTÉ NSO 1st VIOLIN SECTION
Associate Artist Series
Principal Conductor Series
Musical Journeys: Spain
In the Gardens of Spain Spain with a twist! Extraordinary orchestral colour from the Capriccio Espagnol to the famous Rodrigo Concierto de Aranjuez, plus a newly-written Albéniz Concerto performed in Dublin for the first time by Xuefei Yang. An opportunity to hear the full score of Falla’s ballet, The Three-Cornered Hat, complete with mezzo Fiona Murphy, will deliver an evening strong on passion and the unique sensuality of Andalusia.
Xuefei Yang guitar Fiona Murphy mezzo-soprano Alan Buribayev conductor
Rimsky-Korsakov Capriccio Espagnol [15’]
XUEFEI YANG
Friday 7 January | 8pm
Rodrigo Concierto de Aranjuez [21’]
Stephen Goss The Albéniz Concerto (Irish première) [9’]
Falla The Three-Cornered Hat [30’]
Concert end: 9.45pm approx.
SOUNDINGS 7pm | In Conversation Xuefei Yang, guitarist, with Gavin Maloney, conductor See p. 53
27
Soloist Directs Series
Musical Journeys: Scandinavia
Wild Swans
CHRISTIAN LINDBERG
Christian Lindberg takes to the rostrum in our Soloist Directs Series, bringing a largely Scandinavian programme which includes a work for two trombones by Jan Sandström. Distant horns and delicate woodwind-enchantment open Weber’s magical Oberon Overture, while an avian inspiration finds its way into Sibelius’ fifth symphony: ‘I saw sixteen swans. One of my greatest experiences! They circled over me for a long time…their call…the 5th Symphony’s finale theme…’.
Jason Sinclair trombone Christian Lindberg trombone/conductor Friday 14 January | 8pm
The Late Night | 10–10.25pm
Weber
Trombone Recital
Oberon Overture [9’]
Christian Lindberg See p. 46
Jan Sandström Echoes of Eternity (Irish première) [24’]
Sibelius Symphony No. 5 in E flat, Op. 82 [30’] Concert end: 9.40pm approx.
SOUNDINGS 7pm | Showcase 28
Paul Rissmann, animateur with players from the RTÉ NSO and local community See p. 51
Soloist Directs Series
Musical Journeys: Eastern Europe
The Cello Sings Following his inspired performance in the 2009–2010 season, Dutch cellist Pieter Wispelwey returns to direct both Haydn cello concerti in this concert. An eagerly anticipated performance, Gramophone magazine wrote of his playing, ‘…another ear-opening performance... with a warmth and depth of tone which really sings’. Dvorák’s Serenade, rarely performed by the RTÉ NSO, provides an opportunity for orchestra members, directed by John Finucane, to perform a large-scale chamber work and showcase the musical talents within.
PIETER WISPELWEY
v
Pieter Wispelwey cello/director
Friday 21 January | 8pm v
The Late Night | 10–10.25pm
Dvorák
Cello Recital
Serenade in D minor for Winds, Op. 44 [24’]
Pieter Wispelwey
Directed by John Finucane
See p. 46
Haydn Cello Concerto in C Major [24’] Cello Concerto in D Major [25’]
Concert end: 9.40pm approx.
SOUNDINGS 7pm | Guest Talk John Finucane, Principal Clarinettist, RTÉ NSO See p. 53
29
Musical Journeys: Austria
Symphonic Peaks and Vistas
GERHARD MARKSON
Gerhard Markson makes a welcome return to the RTÉ NSO with his trademark repertoire. Bruckner’s eighth symphony is the composer’s ‘Alpine World’, with resounding brass climaxes and rarefied mountain heights in its pianissimos. Markson has the measure of the symphony’s magnitude, its searching nature and spiritual and emotional depths making it a major work in the orchestral canon.
Gerhard Markson conductor
Friday 28 January | 8pm
The Late Night | 10–10.25pm
Bruckner
Piano and Winds Recital
Symphony No. 8 in C minor [77’]
Finghin Collins and the RTÉ NSO Principal Winds See p. 46
Concert end: 9.25pm approx. MEMBERS OF THE RTÉ NSO BRASS SECTION
SOUNDINGS 7pm | Guest Talk 30
Austrian Ambassador Dr Walter Hagg See p. 53
Soundtracks
JONG-HAI PARK
Rachmaninov: Complete
A nostalgic look at film music written by Ralph Vaughan Williams and Constant Lambert in the 1940s. Sinfonia Antarctica stems from Vaughan Williams’ score for the film Scott of the Antarctic in 1948 and in the same year Lambert, a great admirer of Russian culture, and a pupil of Vaughan Williams, composed the most beautiful film score to Anna Karenina. What better way to complete a programme celebrating Hollywood in the mid-twentieth century than by a work written by a resident of Beverly Hills – Rachmaninov. His second piano concerto, known to us all from the film Brief Encounter, is enduring. Expect nostalgia and beautiful melodies.
Jong-Hai Park piano (2nd prizewinner AXA DIPC 2009) Regina Nathan soprano John Wilson conductor Friday 4 February | 8pm
Lambert Anna Karenina [10’]
Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18 [33’]
Vaughan Williams
Concert end: 9.55pm approx.
REGINA NATHAN
Symphony No. 7 (Sinfonia Antarctica) [41’]
SOUNDINGS 7pm | In Conversation Fergus Sheil, conductor, with John Wilson, conductor See p. 53
31
Musical Journeys: Eastern Europe
East Meets West Challenges and thrills with an American theme. Ives’ Unanswered Question calls for a solo trumpet in the balcony, strings on-stage and winds off-stage, while one of Bartók’s best-known works requires two string orchestras separately placed. Dvorák, like Bartók, moved to the USA but continued to draw inspiration from his European heritage. The Czech composer’s ‘New World’ Symphony completes the circle.
Carlos Kalmar conductor
Friday 11 February | 8pm
Ives The Unanswered Question [6’]
Bartók Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta [27’] v
Dvorák Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95 ‘From the New World’ [40’]
Concert end: 9.45pm approx.
SOUNDINGS 7pm | In Conversation 32
Carlos Kalmar, conductor, with David McKenna, television producer/director, RTÉ See p. 53
CARLOS KALMAR
v
The French Connection
Musical Journeys: France
Choral Blockbusters
Royal Blood
Karen Vourc’h soprano Elodie Méchain alto Robin Tritschler tenor Eric Génovèse narrator RTÉ Philharmonic Choir chorus master Mark Duley Pascal Rophé conductor
PASCAL ROPHÉ
Pascal Rophé’s French journey continues, this time with the RTÉ Philharmonic Choir in a rarely performed French choral epic, King David. Honegger’s Biblical treatment tells of the young David and his challenging journey through life. By means of contrast, and encapsulating the French fondness for smaller-scale works, Milhaud’s La Création du monde is probably one of the greatest, employing African folklore, New Orleans jazz and classical styles.
Friday 18 February | 8pm
Milhaud La Création du monde [16’]
Honegger King David [74’] (Narrated in French)
Concert end: 10pm approx.
RTÉ PHILHARMONIC CHOIR
SOUNDINGS 7pm | In Conversation Pascal Rophé, conductor, with Colman Pearce, conductor See p. 53
33
Rachmaninov: Complete
The Roman Trilogy
Rachmaninov’s flamboyant third piano concerto is perhaps one of the greatest tests for any virtuoso. If you recognise it from the film Shine, then enjoy this performance from one of the leading exponents of Russian piano music, Peter Donohoe. Ottorino Respighi, a pupil of Rimsky-Korsakov, greatly admired the work of Rachmaninov and pays homage to him in Études tableaux, followed by the Italian composer’s penultimate contribution to our 2010–11 season, Pines of Rome.
Peter Donohoe piano Stefan Blunier conductor
Friday 25 February | 8pm
Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor, Op. 30 [39’]
Rachmaninov (orch. Respighi) Études tableaux, Nos 1, 2, 3 and 5 [25’]
Respighi Pines of Rome [24’]
Concert end: 10pm approx.
SOUNDINGS 7pm | Guest Talk 34
Una Hunt, pianist and musicologist See p. 53
STEFAN BLUNIER
Russian Roulette
Fire and Foreboding From its opening octaves through to the Andante’s final starry ascent, Rachmaninov’s first piano concerto abounds in flashes of musical inspiration and scintillating skill: pure Russian fire and all the more remarkable as it was written as a graduation piece by the young pianist and composer. In contrast, Shostakovich’s brooding and foreboding Symphony No. 10 is an orchestral firecracker that demonstrates the tensions of the Stalin years.
ROBERTO MINCZUK
Rachmaninov: Complete
Michael McHale piano Roberto Minczuk conductor
Friday 4 March | 8pm
Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No. 1 in F sharp minor, Op. 1 [27’]
Symphony No. 10 in E minor, Op. 93 [57’]
MICHAEL McHALE
Shostakovich
Concert end: 9.45pm approx.
SOUNDINGS 7pm | Guest Talk Bernard Clarke, RTÉ lyric fm presenter See p. 53
35
HILARY MACKEN, PRINCIPAL CONTRA BASSOON
36
Audience member on RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra season
The Roman Trilogy
Roman Holiday Respighi, a pupil of Rimsky-Korsakov, brought Italy before the widest public with his 1926 Roman Festivals – the last in our Roman triptych – with its expansive orchestra and impressionism, depicting scenes from Ancient Rome. We travel to the second half of the 1700s for the work of compatriot Boccherini, and a rare opportunity to hear his famous Cello Concerto in B flat. Completing the evening, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7, a boundlessly optimistic work described universally as ‘the apotheosis of the dance’ in response to the variety of joyous dance rhythms throughout.
Andreas Brantelid cello Dmitri Jurowski conductor
Friday 1 April | 8pm
Respighi Roman Festivals [24’]
Boccherini Cello Concerto No. 9 in B flat, G482 [27’]
Beethoven DMITRI JUROWSKI
Symphony No. 7 in A, Op. 92 [33’]
Concert end: 9.55pm approx.
SOUNDINGS 7pm | In Conversation Andreas Brantelid, cellist, with John O’Kane, Arts Director, the Arts Council See p. 53
37
Soloist Directs Series
Brahms: The Piano Concerti
...Thus with a kiss I die...
BARRY DOUGLAS
Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 2 can be dominated by either the conductor or the soloist, but here it is performed – as with the first concerto in September – by Barry Douglas directing from the keyboard. Not to be missed! Followed by excerpts from Prokofiev’s ballet masterpiece, Romeo and Juliet, including one better known as the theme from The Apprentice. The deep cry of anguish as Romeo drinks his poison and dies next to Juliet’s sleeping body is one of the ballet’s towering moments – unadulterated romanticism from beginning to end.
Barry Douglas piano/conductor Friday 8 April | 8pm
Brahms Piano Concerto No. 2 in B flat, Op. 83 [46’]
Prokofiev Romeo and Juliet (excerpts), Op. 64 [35’]
Concert end: 9.45pm approx. MEMBERS OF THE RTÉ NSO 1st VIOLIN SECTION
SOUNDINGS 7pm | Showcase 38
Paul Rissmann, animateur with players from the RTÉ NSO and school students See p. 51
PETER JABLONSKI
Principal Guest Conductor Series
Visions of the Future Hannu Lintu celebrates the 200th anniversary of Liszt’s birth with the symphonic poem Orpheus and the dazzling first piano concerto played by Peter Jablonski. Complemented by Scriabin’s beautiful Piano Concerto, these two concerti offer radically different visions of the future. In Stravinsky’s scorching Symphony in Three Movements, his first major work after emigrating to America, we hear his powerful response to the Second World War.
Peter Jablonski piano Hannu Lintu conductor
The Early Evening | 6.30pm
Friday 15 April | 8pm
Organ Recital
Liszt
Mark Duley
Orpheus [13’]
LISZT’S 200th ANNIVERSARY
See p. 46
Scriabin Piano Concerto in F sharp minor [28’]
Liszt Piano Concerto No. 1 in E flat [19’]
Stravinsky Symphony in Three Movements [22’] Concert end: 9.55pm approx.
SOUNDINGS 7pm | Guest Talk Dr Philip Hammond, composer and arts correspondent See p. 53
39
Principal Conductor Series
Choral Blockbusters
The Sound of Bells Is there a more arresting opening for a musical work than Richard Strauss’ Also sprach Zarathustra? Subtitled Sunrise, the music rises to a climax of shattering power, beginning a journey across the whole range of the orchestral palette. With the RTÉ Philharmonic Choir joining the orchestra this evening for the season’s focus on Rachmaninov, we hear his glorious choral symphony, each movement of which portrays a specific type of bell – sleigh, wedding, fire and funeral.
Marina Shaguch soprano Evgeny Akimov tenor Alexei Markov baritone RTÉ Philharmonic Choir chorus master Mark Duley Alan Buribayev conductor
R. Strauss Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30 [33’]
Rachmaninov The Bells, Op. 35 [35’]
Concert end: 9.40pm approx.
SOUNDINGS 7pm | In Conversation 40
World première of RTÉ commission by Linda Buckley, conducted by Gavin Maloney, followed by a discussion with the composer. See p. 53
MARINA SHAGUCH
Friday 29 April | 8pm
Musical Journeys: Scandinavia
Cries and Whispers Hannu Lintu again brings forward our Nielsen focus in a work in which order is pitted against disorder. Full of obsessive and striking ideas – now lyrical, then suddenly desolate – Symphony No. 5 is a dramatic musical experience. Stefan Jackiw will bring brilliance to the passionate melodies and virtuoso solo lines in the well-loved concerto by Sibelius, preceded by the exciting première of a new work by Irish composer Andrew Hamilton.
STEFAN JACKIW
Principal Guest Conductor Series
Stefan Jackiw violin Hannu Lintu conductor Friday 13 May | 8pm
Andrew Hamilton RTÉ commission (world première) [12’]
Sibelius Violin Concerto, Op. 47 [31’]
Nielsen Symphony No. 5, Op. 50 [34’]
Concert end: 9.45pm approx.
SOUNDINGS 7pm | In Conversation Hannu Lintu, Principal Guest Conductor with Séamus Crimmins, Executive Director, RTÉ Performing Groups See p. 53
41
Associate Artist Series
Soloist Directs Series
Mozart: The Piano Concerti Cycle
Finghin Collins returns to the Mozart cycle, this time giving spectacle to the evening in a double piano concerto with the brilliant Cédric Tiberghien. The Concerto for Two Pianos is one of Mozart’s wittiest works, its dialogues and the rivalry with which each pianist caps what the other has just played providing vivacious fun. Combined with concertos numbers 6 and 19, this is an evening of sheer panache in the classical style.
Cédric Tiberghien piano Finghin Collins piano/director Friday 20 May | 8pm
Mozart Piano Concerto No. 6 in B flat, K238 [20’] Piano Concerto No. 19 in F, K459 [28’] Concerto No. 10 for Two Pianos in E flat, K365 [24’]
Concert end: 9.45pm approx.
SOUNDINGS 7pm | Guest Talk 42
Conor Linehan, pianist and composer See p. 53
CÉDRIC TIBERGHIEN
Wit and Panache
Principal Conductor Series
Rachmaninov: Complete
Musical Journeys: Russia
Our Principal Conductor Alan Buribayev brings the season to a close, coming full-circle with Rachmaninov and RimskyKorsakov. Symphonic Dances is a terrific, no-holds-barred tour de force that leaps into life. Infernal virtuosity is also the name of the game in Rachmaninov’s Paganini rhapsody played by Freddy Kempf. A blazing end to the season!
Freddy Kempf piano Alan Buribayev conductor
FREDDY KEMPF
Full Circle
Friday 27 May | 8pm
Rimsky-Korsakov May Night Overture [8’]
Rachmaninov Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43 [22’] Symphonic Dances, Op. 45 [35’]
“…a terrific, no-holdsbarred tour de force that leaps into life.”
Concert end: 9.40pm approx.
SOUNDINGS 7pm | In Conversation Alan Buribayev, Principal Conductor, with Frank McNally, Irish Times See p. 53
43
The Extras Early Evening and Late Night concerts
UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL NEW THIS SEASON Come to our Early Evening or Late Night concerts and enhance your 8pm concert experience, or come to the Late Night events only and enjoy thirty minutes of great music in the late evening. Seating unreserved at all events. Just interested in the Late Nights? Make an evening of the Late Night events. Come in after 8.30pm, and enjoy a drink in the foyer or a bite to eat in the Terrace Café. Great new offers, including tapas and a glass of wine from €10.
Is there a charge? The Early Evening concerts are free to all, with 8pm ticket holders receiving seating priority. The 5 Late Nights are also free for 8pm ticket holders. If you are coming in at 10pm, the Late Nights are just €5 per concert. One Late Night for free! Come to all 5 concerts, and enjoy 5 for the price of 4. To get your free or paid ticket, contact the NCH box office in advance. 44
CHRISTIAN LINDBERG
Who you will hear The Late Nights will feature leading names from the 2010–2011 season and RTÉ NSO musicians in a range of great music from across the centuries up to the present day; music for solo accordion, solo cello, solo trombone and the quintet combination of piano, oboe, clarinet, bassoon and horn. See full listing on p. 46.
What you will hear The sublime uplifting beauty of a Bach solo cello suite performed in single spotlight; magnificent, yet contrasting, Mozart and Beethoven quintets for piano, oboe, clarinet, bassoon and horn; the street-sounds and tangos of Argentina on classical accordion and, from Christian Lindberg – the virtuoso trombonist of whom the New York Times said, ‘You could stick a kazoo in his hands, and he’d sell the concert hall out’ – the spectacular Bombay Bay Barracuda for trombone and DVD and the theatrical A Short Ride on a Motorbike.
Try them and see! 45
The Early Evenings
The Late Nights | 10–10.30pm
Friday 24 September, 7pm
Friday 17 September
Tangos Recital
Piano Recital
James Crabb (accordion) and the RTÉ NSO Principals Trad. Scottish Folk Music Piazzolla Milonga del Angel Agri Dede Adentro Piazzolla Libertango
Sophie Cashell
Mussorgsky Pictures at an Exhibition [35’] Friday 15 April, 6.30pm
Organ Recital
Friday 15 October
Mark Duley
Piano and Winds Recital
Liszt Fantasia on a theme of Bach [13’]
Finghin Collins and the RTÉ NSO Principal Winds Mozart Piano and Wind Quintet in E flat, K452 Friday 14 January
SOPHIE CASHELL
Trombone Recital Christian Lindberg Lindberg Bombay Bay Barracuda Anon. Two Gregorian Chants from Klosterneuberg Cage Solo for Sliding Trombone Lindberg Joe Jack Binglebandit Lindberg A Short Ride on a Motorbike Friday 21 January
Cello Recital Pieter Wispelwey Bach Suite No. 2 in D minor, BWV1008 Friday 28 January
Piano and Winds Recital Finghin Collins and the RTÉ NSO Principal Winds Beethoven Piano Quintet in E flat, Op. 16
46
Hear more! Come to the main evening concerts! See p. 12–43
THE MUSICAL DISCOVERY PROGRAMME
For audiences of all ages
“Music is enough for a lifetime, but a lifetime is not enough for music”
Sergei Rachmaninov
FORTE!, our new Musical Discovery programme, has been designed to offer audiences of all ages the chance to share in the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra’s music-making, to explore in new ways some of the great music being performed on Friday nights, and to make and create music with some of the orchestral players in schools and communitybased projects. There are concerts for children and parents, one devised specially for 14–18 year olds, an exploration of Beethoven’s ‘Eroica’ Symphony for second-level, third-level and post-graduate music students and general enthusiasts, and showcase events platforming the creative work done in workshops by school students and the local community. Leading a number of these events is our new Creative Advisor, Paul Rissmann. In his work, which takes him all over the world devising creative projects for orchestras and opera companies, Paul has been described as ‘… the Jamie Oliver of music animateurs’ (Neue Musikzeitung) and as someone ’…without parallel [with a] line of communication that exactly matches, then advances, the listening skills of his audience, whether they are of nursery, primary, or secondary school age‘ (The Herald, Scotland). Most recently, Paul presented a schools concert with members of the Vienna Philharmonic. Since 2008, Paul has been involved with the RTÉ orchestras across a broad range of activity from small scale composition projects to the larger family and curriculum-based concerts. We are delighted that as our new Creative Advisor he will return to the RTÉ NSO to develop bespoke projects for audiences of all ages. Don’t miss him! The RTÉ NSO is a community of musicians. With this new programme, we look forward to reaching new communities outside of the concert hall. Come and meet the players and explore the extraordinary world of music. 47
THE MUSICAL DISCOVERY PROGRAMME For audiences of all ages
Tuesday 5 October | 2pm RTÉ and The National Concert Hall present
Minimalism: A Concert for Young People
14–18 YEARS DURATION: 1 HOUR
CONCERT WITH ON-SCREEN PRESENTATION Presented by Paul Rissmann Linked to season concert 1 October: John Adams The Chairman Dances
Experience the incredible power of the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra in this tailor-made concert for second-level music students and discover how generations of composers have obsessed with rhythm. Featuring excerpts from Ravel’s hypnotic Boléro, Beethoven’s fiery Symphony No. 5, Vivaldi’s legendary Four Seasons and the pulsating sounds of John Adams. This hour-long concert includes a specially created digital presentation that will illuminate curriculum concepts and guide you through some of the most exhilarating works in the orchestra's repertoire.
Ravel Beethoven Vivaldi John Adams Michael Nyman
Boléro (excerpts) Symphony No. 5 (1st movement) Winter from The Four Seasons (1st movement) The Chairman Dances Concert Suite from Prospero’s Books (1st and 5th movements)
Alan Smale violin Gavin Maloney conductor Ticket: €10 per student. Complimentary for teachers.
Thursday 7 October | 2pm
Beethoven’s ‘Eroica’
GENERAL AUDIENCE DURATION: 1 HOUR
TALK WITH ORCHESTRAL DEMONSTRATION Presented by conductor Kenneth Montgomery Linked to season concert 8 October: Beethoven, Symphony No. 3 ‘Eroica’
‘We know Beethoven loved to read Homer. Was the Iliad the inspiration for the Eroica? And what about Prometheus?’ Kenneth Montgomery A musical illustration and discovery designed for music students and classical enthusiasts. 48
Ticket: €5
THE MUSICAL DISCOVERY PROGRAMME For audiences of all ages
Sunday 14 November | 3pm RTÉ and The National Concert Hall present
Incredible Adventures: A Family Concert for Young Children
7–12 YEARS DURATION: 1 HOUR
CONCERT WITH ON-SCREEN PRESENTATION AND AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION Presented by Paul Rissmann Linked to season concerts 24 September: Mussorgsky Pictures at an Exhibition and 3 December: Prokofiev The Love for Three Oranges
Join the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra for an action-packed musical adventure for all the family. Find out how a Prince could fall in love with an orange, be enchanted by the Sugar Plum Fairy, but watch out for Baba Yagá – a wicked witch with an appetite for…children! This hour-long concert features musical characters old and new, mystical and magical. There’s lots of fun and interaction, and you’ll even get a chance to make music with the RTÉ NSO in our audience participation piece. If you play an instrument, why not bring it along; you can download a practice sheet for our audience participation piece from our website, www.rte.ie/nso/incredibleadventures.
Michael Giacchino (arr. Chambers) Shostakovich Saint-Saëns Tchaikovsky Mussorgsky (orch. Ravel) Prokofiev Möller (arr. Rissmann) Grieg John Williams
Theme from The Incredibles Folk Feast from The Gadfly Danse Macabre (excerpts) Nutcracker (excerpts) Baba Yagá from Pictures at an Exhibition The Love for Three Oranges The Happy Wanderer In the Hall of the Mountain King from Peer Gynt Adventures on Earth from E.T.
Gavin Maloney conductor Tickets: €10 child | €15 adult | €40 family (family of 4 to include 1 adult)
49
THE MUSICAL DISCOVERY PROGRAMME For audiences of all ages
Wednesday 17 & Thursday 18 November | 10.30am and 12.15pm daily RTÉ and The National Concert Hall present
LEAVING CERT STUDENTS
A Leaving Certificate Guide to Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet
DURATION: 1 HOUR
WITH FULL ORCHESTRA, COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY AND VISUALS Presented by Paul Rissmann James Cavanagh conductor
“So refreshing, a new and lively approach to analysing works which was enhanced by Paul Rissmann who had fascinating new insights. A terrific success and a very positive musical experience.” Evelyn Hearns, Alexandra College on the 2009 Leaving Certificate Guide to Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique
Following the success of last year’s Leaving Certificate Guide to Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique with Paul Rissmann and the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra, we turn to Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet in this tailor-made concert presentation for Leaving Certificate music students. Working with the full forces of the orchestra and using computer technology to provide a visual guide to the music, Rissmann will pull Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet apart to uncover the curriculum concepts and provide clear listening posts for the students. This hour-long visual presentation will give students a deeper understanding of the piece and will end with a full performance of this great work. Tickets: €10 per student. Complimentary for teachers. Booking through The National Concert Hall: 01 417 0000 or www.nch.ie. No booking fees.
50
THE MUSICAL DISCOVERY PROGRAMME For audiences of all ages
Thursday 2 December | 11am
1001 Nights: A Musical Fairytale for Children through Rimsky Korsakov’s Scheherazade
8–12 YEARS DURATION: 1 HOUR
Linked to season concert 3 December: Rimsky-Korsakov Scheherazade
The music for Rimsky-Korsakov’s magical score has been likened to a magic carpet: it can transport you to another world. Before the season performance on Friday evening under the orchestra’s Principal Conductor Alan Buribayev, bring some young people in for a reading of this much loved fairytale with some of the best bits from Rimsky-Korsakov’s magical and evocative Scheherazade performed live by the orchestra.
Alan Buribayev conductor Tickets: €5 per student. Complimentary for teachers.
The Showcases Showcasing brand new music, created by school students/local community in compositional projects led by Creative Advisor and animateur Paul Rissmann and RTÉ NSO Players.
PAUL RISSMANN
Friday 14 January | 7pm
Soundings: The Showcase Inspired by Lindberg! with local community
Friday 8 April | 7pm
Soundings: The Showcase Inspired by Prokofiev! with school students 51
Soundings Unique insights and perspectives from some of our season soloists and conductors and from guests drawn from the worlds of broadcasting, media, education, medicine, music, dance and more. 10 September 7pm
Guest Talk
Christine Lee, General Manager, RTÉ NSO, with John O’Kane, Arts Director, the Arts Council. RTÉ NSO Season 2010–2011.
Meet & Greet
Alan Buribayev meets the audience in the John Field Room.
17 September 7pm
Guest Talk
Eileen Battersby, Irish Times Literary Correspondent. J.S. Bach and his musical influence.
24 September 10pm
In Conversation
Barry Douglas, pianist/conductor, with Christine Lee, RTÉ NSO General Manager. Discussion of the evening’s concert.
1 October
7pm
Guest Talk
David Bolger, Artistic Director, CoisCéim. Dance in twentieth-century music.
8 October
7pm
In Conversation
Alan Smale, RTÉ NSO leader, with Eamonn Lawlor, RTÉ lyric fm. Discussion of Tippett’s Corelli Fantasy.
22 October
7pm
Guest Talk
Professor Des O’Neill, consultant geriatrician. Programme of works written towards the end of composers’ lives.
29 October
7pm
In Conversation
Kathryn McDowell, Managing Director, London Symphony Orchestra, with Séamus Crimmins, Executive Director, RTÉ Performing Groups. Orchestral development.
5 November
7pm
In Conversation
Finghin Collins, pianist/director, with Ethna Tinney, RTÉ lyric fm producer. Discussion and demonstration: The musical challenge of the cycle of Mozart concerti from the keyboard.
12 November
7pm
Guest Talk
David Fennessy, composer. The impact of Bartók’s orchestral masterwork.
26 November
7pm
Guest Talk
Brian O’Rourke, former General Manager and Principal Clarinettist, RTÉ NSO. Belshazzar’s Feast.
3 December
7pm
In Conversation
Ilya Gringolts, violinist, with Fionnuala Hunt, violinist. Glazunov’s Violin Concerto and his influence on Russian composers of his age.
10pm
52
7 January
7pm
In Conversation
Xuefei Yang, guitarist, with Gavin Maloney, conductor. Discussion and demonstration: The evening’s guitar repertoire.
14 January
7pm
Showcase
Inspired by Lindberg! Showcasing brand new music, created by local community in a compositional project led by Creative Advisor and animateur Paul Rissmann and RTÉ NSO players.
21 January
7pm
Guest Talk
John Finucane, Principal Clarinettist, RTÉ NSO. The serenades of Dvorák. v
28 January
7pm
Guest Talk
Austrian Ambassador Dr Walter Hagg. Austrian Heritage in Bruckner’s Symphony No. 8.
4 February
7pm
In Conversation
Fergus Shiel, conductor, with John Wilson, conductor. The evening’s programme based on film scores.
11 February 7pm
In Conversation
Carlos Kalmar, conductor, with David McKenna, television producer/director, RTÉ. The evening’s staging of multiple groups.
18 February 7pm
In Conversation
Pascal Rophé, conductor, with Colman Pearce, conductor. Rophé’s French orchestral journey with the RTÉ NSO.
25 February 7pm
Guest Talk
Una Hunt, pianist and musicologist. Rachmaninov’s third piano concerto.
4 March
7pm
Guest Talk
Bernard Clarke, RTÉ lyric fm presenter. The circumstances surrounding Shostakovich’s composition of his tenth symphony.
1 April
7pm
In Conversation
Andreas Brantelid, cellist, with John O’Kane, Arts Director, the Arts Council. Boccherini’s cello writing.
8 April
7pm
Showcase
Inspired by Prokofiev! Showcasing brand new music, created by school students in a compositional project led by Creative Advisor and animateur Paul Rissmann and RTÉ NSO players.
15 April
7pm
Guest Talk
Dr Philip Hammond, composer and arts correspondent. Liszt’s legacy for the piano.
29 April
7pm
Performance
World première of RTÉ commission by Linda Buckley, conducted by Gavin Maloney, followed by a discussion with the composer.
13 May
7pm
In Conversation
Hannu Lintu, Principal Guest Conductor, with Séamus Crimmins, Executive Director, RTÉ Performing Groups. This season’s Nielsen symphonies.
20 May
7pm
Guest Talk
Conor Linehan, pianist and composer. Works for multiple keyboards.
27 May
7pm
In Conversation
Alan Buribayev, Principal Conductor, with Frank McNally, Irish Times. Alan looks back at his first season as Principal Conductor and ahead to 2011–2012.
Soundings will take place in the Carolan Room, unless advised otherwise on the evening.
53
Beyond the season Evenings Friday 10 December, 8pm
A Christmas Gala Evening with Celine Byrne A glittering Christmas Gala of popular operatic arias and festive musical favourites Celebrating the release of Celine’s début CD Celine Byrne: For Eternity
‘effortless carrying power…delectable tone’ Irish Times
You can hear these and more in this glittering Christmas Gala. Enjoy well-known arias such as ‘O mio babbino caro’ and Rusalka’s ‘Song to the Moon’ as well as orchestral Christmas favourites from Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker. To bring us all into the festive spirit, there will be the songs and carols without which Christmas would not be the same, including ‘In the Bleak Midwinter’, ‘Joy to the World’ and, of course, ‘O Holy Night’.
The perfect present, the perfect way to start your Christmas season. Tickets: €15, €25, €40 Concessions: €13.50, €22.50, €36 Celine Byrne: For Eternity on the RTÉ lyric fm label will be available online from 8th October. See www.rte.ie/lyricfm/lyricreleases 54
CELINE BYRNE
Join us for a Christmas Gala with the Maria Callas Grand Prix winner whose international career now includes performances with major names such as José Carreras and Roberto Alagna. Her 2009 Opera Gala with the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra was a critical and popular success with her ‘vivid and subtle singing’ of ‘Vissi d’arte’ from Tosca and ‘Un bel di’ from Madama Butterfly singled out for particular note by the Irish Times.
Beyond the season Evenings Friday 25 March, 8pm
Puccini La bohème A CONCERT PERFORMANCE
La bohème is one of the most famously melodious and eternally popular of all operas; the carefree attitude of youth and the harsh realities of life are poignantly contrasted through the tender affair of Mimì and Rodolfo, from the heights of their first meeting through to the tragic end. Since its first performance in 1896, La bohème has become one of the most frequently performed operas internationally. Under the direction of the young conductor Rory Macdonald, heralded as ‘an opera conductor to watch, destined for great things’ (The Sunday Times), we spend an evening set in Paris in the 1830s, with a wonderful cast of singers led by the Irish soprano Sinéad Mulhern and the award-winning American tenor, Bryan Hymel, hailed by the Independent (London) as a singer with ‘a voice like Roberto Alagna's in his prime’.
Bryan Hymel tenor Sinéad Mulhern soprano Garry Magee baritone Daniel Grice baritone Claudia Boyle soprano Brindley Sherratt bass
Tickets: €15, €30, €45 Concessions: €13.50, €27, €40.50
SINÉAD MULHERN
Rory Macdonald conductor
55
Beyond the season Lunchtimes September 2010 Lunchtimes |1.05–2pm v
The RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra performs Dvorák’s complete symphonic poems with two exciting young conductors over four September lunchtimes. Based on K.J. Erben’s collection of Czech folk ballads, the four works are deeply nationalistic. The composer Janácek, who conducted some of the first performances, considered them the ‘most Czech of all [Dvorák’s] works’. Expect all of the wonderful, symphonic orchestral colours, rhythms, and melodies we associate with Dvorák. v
v
v
v
The Symphonic Poems of Dvorák Tuesday 7 September Wagner Dvorák Liszt v
Prelude to Act 1 of Lohengrin The Water Goblin, Op. 107 Hungarian Rhapsody No. 1
Tuesday 14 September Mozart Dvorák v
Oboe Concerto in C major, K314 The Golden Spinning Wheel, Op. 109
Adrian Wilson oboe Gavin Maloney conductor Tuesday 21 September Brahms Dvorák Brahms v
Academic Festival Overture, Op. 80 The Noonday Witch, Op. 108 Variations on a Theme by Haydn, Op. 56a
Phillipe Bach conductor Tuesday 28 September v
Dvorák Janácek v
The Wood Dove, Op. 110 Taras Bulba
Philippe Bach conductor 56
Ticket: €10 | Reserved Seating | Grab&go lunch: €5. See page opposite
PHILIPPE BACH
Gavin Maloney conductor
Beyond the season Lunchtimes December 2010 Lunchtimes |1.05–2pm Come and join us for two celebratory Christmas lunchtimes, this year made all the more special with RTÉ Philharmonic Choir and RTÉ Cór na nÓg joining the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra in seasonal works. Come and sing along!
Corelli Anon. Ingalls Gruber Nicolai Trad. Mendelssohn Morten Lauridsen Trad.
Christmas Concerto, Op. 6, No. 8 Fifteenth-century canon: Veni, veni Emmanuel Glory to God on High Stille Nacht Vom Himmel Hoch Christmas Overture Don oíche úd i mBeithil Lasset uns frohlocken O magnum mysterium We Wish you a Merry Christmas
GAVIN MALONEY
Tuesday 14 December
RTÉ Philharmonic Choir Gavin Maloney and Mark Duley conductors Friday 17 December Tchaikovsky Nutcracker, Op. 71 (excerpts) with carols from RTÉ Cór na nÓg RTÉ Cór na nÓg Gavin Maloney conductor Ticket: €10 | Reserved Seating | Grab&go lunch: €5. See below.
Grab&go lunch €5 Sandwich or wrap with tea or coffee Lunch voucher must be pre-purchased at box-office with concert ticket. 57
Beyond the season On tour RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra March Tour First the charming early C major, written in 1776 when Mozart was twenty years old. Then two of the greatest concertos, both written in 1785 when Mozart was at the height of his powers: K482 in E flat major is grandiose and majestic with a beguiling finale; K467 in C major (with the gorgeous second movement of Elvira Madigan fame) is a class act from start to finish – one of the jewels in the crown.
Mozart Piano Concerto No. 8 in C, K246 Piano Concerto No. 22 in E flat, K482 Piano Concerto No. 21 in C, K467 ‘Elvira Madigan’ Finghin Collins piano/director Tuesday 8 March Bailey Allen Hall Galway | Wednesday 9 March UCH Limerick Thursday 10 March City Hall Cork | Friday 11 March WIT Chapel Waterford Find out more: See www.rte.ie/nationalsymphonyorchestra
58
Buying options Season and Late Night concerts
New offers • A flexible and wider range of buying options • Buy more than 2 concerts together and save. Packages from €28.50. • The Late Night and Early Evening concerts – free to ticket holders for that evening’s season concert. • Discounts on Late Night concerts: Book all 5, get 1 free.
Ways to buy • Single concerts. Buy as you go. Regular ticket price each time • Get the best value. Become a subscriber. Buy more than 2 concerts together and save more with every additional concert you buy. Save up to €305.
You can • Design your own season based on your own individual preferences OR
• Follow one of the natural concert combinations emerging from the season – the new artistic team, key symphonic and choral works, programmes linked to place, or those led and directed by the soloist. Buying one strand will frequently allow you to tap into a little or a lot of another. See p. 62 for how these overlap with each other. We hope that this is helpful in highlighting just some of the choices within the season.
The RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra Giving you more for your money
59
Become a Season Subscriber Buy 3–4 concerts
Save 5%
Up to €7
Buy 5–9 concerts
Save 10%
Up to €31
Buy 10–14 concerts
Save 15%
Up to €73
Buy 15–16 concerts
Save 20%
Up to €112
Buy all 28 concerts
Save 30%
Up to €305
RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra
2010–2011 Season SUBSCRIBER CARD
The Subscriber Card The card that saves you money
When you buy more than 2 concerts together we reward you as a subscriber with the Subscriber Card. Enjoy exclusive discounts and benefits. To receive the card, RTÉ has to issue it directly to you. However, in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2003, information provided to the National Concert Hall at the time of booking cannot be passed onto RTÉ without your permission. It’s simple to get your card, just choose from the options below. It couldn’t be easier.
How to get your card TELL THE NATIONAL CONCERT HALL • By phone/in person: At the time of booking instruct the box-office to pass your contact information onto RTÉ so your Subscriber Card can be sent to you directly • In writing: Tick the consent box on the Ticket Order Form. You can download this from www.rte.ie/nationalsymphonyorchestra TELL RTÉ DIRECTLY
• You can call or email RTÉ directly to request your card and we will send it to you. Tel: 01 208 2530 | Email: rtensosubscribers@rte.ie 60
Subscriber rewards Exclusive discounts for Season Subscribers* • • • •
Full season: Save 30%. Up to €305! Smaller concert combinations: Save 5–20%. Up to €112! RTÉ NSO season concert programmes: €1 off 10% discount at:
• The Terrace Café (NCH) • Conrad Dublin Hotel: Alex Restaurant • The Music Box (NCH) • 5% discount on tickets for: • All evening concerts presented by the RTÉ NSO and RTÉ CO, June 2010–May 2011 at the National Concert Hall Offer excludes the RTÉ CO New Year’s Eve concert. Limited to 2 tickets per person per event. Subject to availability.
Exclusive benefits for Season Subscribers* • Exclusive booking period for Full Season Subscribers
• Seat renewal for Full Season Subscribers within exclusive booking period. Keep the same seat from one season to the next
• Priority booking for all Subscribers for both season packages and individual season concerts
• First choice on the best seats ahead of general public booking
• Insider access Invitations to free selected open rehearsals for you and a friend *Terms and conditions apply. Discounts available on production of a 2010–2011 RTÉ NSO Season Subscriber Card.
The RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra Giving you more for your money
61
Season strands at a glance
62
CONCERT DATE
Principal Conductor Series
10 17 24 01 08 15 22 29 05 12 26 03 01 07 14 21 28 04 11 18 25 04 01 08 15 29 13 20 27
Alan Buribayev
Sep Sep Sep Oct Oct Oct Oct Oct Nov Nov Nov Dec Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan Feb Feb Feb Feb Mar April April April April May May May
Principal Guest Conductor Series
Associate Artist Series
Soloist Directs Series
Musical Journeys
Russia The Americas Barry Douglas
John Finucane France Finghin Collins
Finghin Collins
Alan Buribayev Scandinavia
Hannu Lintu
Russia
Alan Buribayev
Austria
Finghin Collins
Spain
Alan Buribayev Christian Lindberg
Scandinavia
Pieter Wispelwey
Eastern Europe Austria Eastern Europe France
Barry Douglas Hannu Lintu Alan Buribayev Scandinavia
Hannu Lintu Finghin Collins Alan Buribayev
Finghin Collins Russia
Rachmaninov Complete Works for Piano & Orchestra
Brahms Piano Concerti Directed
Mozart The Piano Concerti Cycle
The French Connection
The Roman Trilogy
Choral Blockbusters
Concerto No. 4 & Symphony No. 2 No. 1
Mass in B Minor Ravel, Debussy Nos 9, 12, 20 Fountains of Rome Belshazzar’s Feast No. 25
Concerto No. 2 Milhaud, Honegger Concerto No. 3
King David Pines of Rome
Concerto No. 1 Roman Festivals No. 2 The Bells Nos 6, 10, 19 Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini Symphonic Dances
63
Concert packages: Prices FULL SEASON SUBSCRIBER PACKAGE (29 concerts) With 1 New Year’s Day concert included as part of your package BUY
Package price Saving
SAVE
BAND A
30%
€712.60 €305.40
29
BAND B
BAND C
BAND D
BAND E*
€611.10 €261.90
€489.30 €209.70
€367.50 €157.50
N/A
BAND C
BAND D
BAND E*
SEASON CONCERT PACKAGES† (3–9 concerts) BUY
64
Package price Saving
3
Package price Saving
4
Package price Saving
5
Package price Saving
6
Package price Saving
7
Package price Saving
8
Package price Saving
9
SAVE
BAND A
BAND B
5%
€99.75 €5.25
€85.50 €4.50
€68.40 €3.60
€51.30 €2.70
€28.50 €1.50
5%
€133.00 €7.00
€114.00 €6.00
€91.20 €4.80
€68.40 €3.60
€38.00 €2.00
10%
€157.50 €17.50
€135.00 €15.00
€108.00 €12.00
€81.00 €9.00
€45.00 €5.00
10%
€189.00 €21.00
€162.00 €18.00
€129.60 €14.40
€97.20 €10.80
€54.00 €6.00
10%
€220.50 €24.50
€189.00 €21.00
€151.20 €16.80
€113.40 €12.60
€63.00 €7.00
10%
€252.00 €28.00
€216.00 €24.00
€172.80 €19.20
€129.60 €14.40
€72.00 €8.00
10%
€283.50 €31.50
€243.00 €27.00
€194.40 €21.60
€145.80 €16.20
€81.00 €9.00
SEASON CONCERT PACKAGES† (10–16 concerts) BUY
Package price Saving
10
Package price Saving
11
Package price Saving
12
Package price Saving
13
Package price Saving
14
Package price Saving
15
Package price Saving
16
SAVE
BAND A
BAND B
BAND C
BAND D
BAND E*
15%
€297.50 €52.50
€255.00 €45.00
€204.00 €36.00
€153.00 €27.00
€85.00 €15.00
15%
€327.25 €57.75
€280.50 €49.50
€224.40 €39.60
€168.30 €29.70
€93.50 €16.50
15%
€357.00 €63.00
€306.00 €54.00
€244.80 €43.20
€183.60 €32.40
€102.00 €18.00
15%
€386.75 €68.25
€331.50 €58.50
€265.20 €46.80
€198.90 €35.10
€110.50 €19.50
15%
€416.50 €73.50
€357.00 €63.00
€285.60 €50.40
€214.20 €37.80
€119.00 €21.00
20%
€420.00 €105.00
€360.00 €90.00
€288.00 €72.00
€216.00 €54.00
€120.00 €30.00
20%
€448.00 €112.00
€384.00 €96.00
€307.20 €76.80
€230.40 €57.60
€128.00 €32.00
* Due to choral performances on 15 Oct, 29 Oct, 26 Nov, 14 Dec, 14 Jan, 4 Feb, 18 Feb, 25 Mar & 29 April the choir balcony (Band E) will be closed. Therefore choir balcony seats cannot be purchased as part of a full season package. † Excluding New Year’s Day.
Want to include New Year’s Day with your package? If you wish to purchase New Year’s Day as part of a Season Concert Package (3–16 concerts) please note that due to the slightly higher ticket prices for New Year’s Day, there will be a small additional cost depending on the seat band and package size chosen.
Concerts beyond the season Beyond The Season Evening Concerts, Late Night concerts, FORTE! events and Lunchtime concerts are individually priced and are not part of the season concert packages. Ticket price information for these concerts can be found on page 66. 65
Single concerts: Prices BAND A
BAND B
BAND C
BAND D
BAND E
Standard concerts (full price) Standard concerts (concessions)*
€35.00 €32.00
€30.00 €27.00
€24.00 €22.00
€18.00 €16.00
€10.00 €9.00
New Year’s Day (full price) New Year’s Day (concessions)*
€38.00 €34.00
€33.00 €30.00
€27.00 €24.00
€21.00 €19.00
€12.00 €11.00
*CONCESSIONS Limited concessions available for students, unwaged and senior citizens. Early booking advisable. ID required. One concession ticket per person. Concessions not requested at the time of booking cannot be applied later. STUDENT STAND-BY €5 tickets available from one hour before performance. Subject to availability. ID required. One stand-by ticket per person. GROUP BOOKING Discounts available when booking for 5 people or more. Please contact Group Booking on Tel. 01 408 6793, groups@nch.ie.
THE EXTRAS Early Evening Concerts Late Night Concerts
Free, with 8pm ticket holders receiving seating priority €5 per concert. Book all 5, get 1 free
FORTE! 5 Oct 7 Oct 14 Nov
Minimalism: A Concert for Young People Beethoven’s ‘Eroica’ Incredible Adventures: A Family Concert for Young Children 17, 18 Nov Leaving Cert Guide: Romeo & Juliet 2 Dec 1001 Nights: A Musical Fairytale for Children 14 Jan, 8 Apr The Showcases
€10 per student | Teachers go free €5 €10 child | €15 adult €40 Family (family of 4 to include 1 adult) €10 per student | Teachers go free €5 per student | Teachers go free Free as part of the main evening concerts
SOUNDINGS Free as part of the main evening concerts
BEYOND THE SEASON 10 Dec 25 Mar 7, 14, 21, 28 Sep 14, 17 Dec 66
Christmas Gala: Celine Byrne La bohéme September Lunchtimes December Lunchtimes
FULL PRICE
CONCESSIONS*
€15, €25, €40 €15, €30, €45 €10 €10
€13.50, €22.50, €36 €13.50, €27, €40.50
How and when to book WHEN TO BOOK
WHEN ORDERING
Subscription Packages Full Season Subscribers 2009–2010: Wed 12 May All subscribers 2009–2010: Sat 15 May Public package booking: Sat 22 May
Indicate your preferred seat location and your second preference. Every effort will be made to accommodate your request. In the event of neither of your preferred locations being available you will be allocated the nearest available seat(s) in your selected price bracket.
Single Concerts All subscribers 2009–2010: Sat 5 June Full public booking: Sat 12 June Booking opens at 10am on all dates
HOW TO BOOK Telephone booking Tel: 01 417 0000 • Fax: 01 475 1507 Box office opening hours: 10am–6pm Monday–Saturday (open 2 hours prior to concerts on Sundays/Bank Holidays) Online booking www.nch.ie (for single concerts only) No booking fees In person Booking in person at the National Concert Hall box office, Monday–Saturday, 10am–6pm (open 2 hours prior to concerts on Sundays/ Bank Holidays)
METHODS OF PAYMENT Credit & debit card Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Laser Cheque/postal order/bank draft Please make crossed cheques/postal orders/bank drafts payable to the National Concert Hall.
CAN WE CONTACT YOU? Under the Data Protection Act 2003, information provided to the National Concert Hall at the time of booking cannot be passed on to RTÉ without your verbal or written consent.
www.rte.ie/nationalsymphonyorchestra
For telephone bookings If buying a subscription package, please advise the National Concert Hall box office that your contact information may be passed on to RTÉ in order to receive your subscriber benefits and further information on other performances by the RTÉ Performing Groups. For in-person bookings Tick the CONSENT box on the TICKET ORDER FORM, indicating your wish to receive your subscriber benefits and further information on other performances by the RTÉ Performing Groups. Please note: Ticket Order Forms are available from the NCH box office.
CONDITIONS OF SALE Once purchased, tickets cannot be exchanged or refunded. Programme and artist details are subject to change.
SPECIAL ASSISTANCE Wheelchair/accessible seating Seating is available for wheelchair users and their companions. Early booking is advisable. Please contact the National Concert Hall box office. For those who are hard of hearing please indicate this when booking your seats with the box office to benefit from the National Concert Hall’s induction loop system.
Verbal Consent You can verbally instruct the National Concert Hall box office to pass your contact information on to RTÉ to receive your RTÉ NSO subscriber card and further information, while booking in person or over the phone. Written Consent You can tick the Consent Box in the Ticket Order Forms, available from the National Concert Hall box office.
67
RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra Patron: President Mary McAleese
Christine Lee General Manager
www.rte.ie/nationalsymphonyorchestra
Assumpta Lawless Marketing & Communications Manager
Artists
Maria Buckley Marketing & Communications Assistant
Learn more about the world-class artists featured in the season with links to their own websites, audio and video clips.
Helena Plews Orchestra Manager
Soundings speakers Find out more about those taking part in our free pre-concert talks.
Programme notes Download the programme notes free in advance of each Friday night concert and get a deeper insight into the music being performed.
Ticket booking Book individual concerts online.
Pauline Ashwood Planning and Projects Administrator Niamh O’Connor Librarian Rosina McCarthy Orchestra Administration Assistant Liam Hennessy Senior Orchestral Assistant Andy Dunne Orchestral Assistant
Sign up Keep up to date with our concerts and announcements by subscribing to the RTÉ NSO e-zine.
Listen to concerts Missed a concert or want to hear it again? Listen back online to the RTÉ lyric fm broadcast.
Other concerts Have a look at RTÉ’s full range of other concerts, including chamber, choral and popular.
68
All this at www.rte.ie/nationalsymphonyorchestra
FOLLOW US ON
National Concert Hall Seating Plan YELLOW BALCONY K J
STALLS ROWS B–D SIDE BALCONY ROWS 1–18
BAND E
48 47 46 45 44 43 42 41 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36
57
9 10 11 9 10 11 12 13 9 10 11 12 13 0 9 1 11 12 13 9 10 11 12 13 0 9 1 11 12 13 9 10 11 12 13 9 10 11 12 13 9 10 11 12 13 0 9 1 11 12 13 9 10 11 12 13 0 9 1 11 12 13 9 10 11 12 13 9 10 11 12 13 0 1 9 11 12 13 9 10 11 12 13 0 1 9 11 12 13 9 10 11 12 13 9 10 11 12 13 9 10 11 12 13 0 1 9 11 12 13 9 10
14 15 16 17 18 19 20 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 21 22 23 21 22 23 21 22 23 21 22 23 21 22 23 21 22 23 21 22 23 21 22 23 21 22 23 21 22 23 21 22 23 21 22 23 21 22 23
14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
A
24 25 26 27 24 25 26 27 28 24 25 26 27 24 25 28 26 27 24 25 28 26 27 24 25 28 26 27 24 25 28 26 27 24 25 28 26 27 24 25 28 26 27 24 25 28 26 27 24 25 28 26 27 24 25 28 26 27 24 25 28 26 27 24 25 28 26 27 24 25 28 26 27 24 25 28 26 27 24 25 28 26 27 24 25 28 26 27 24 25 28 26 27 24 25 28 26 27 24 25 28 26 27 24 25 28 26 27 28
Y
29 30 31 X 29 30 31 29 30 W 31 V 29 30 31 U 29 30 31 T 29 30 31 S 29 30 31 R 29 30 31 Q 29 30 31 P 29 30 31 N 29 30 31 M 29 30 31 L 29 30 31 K 29 30 31 J 29 30 31 H 29 30 31 G 29 30 31 F 29 30 31 E 29 30 31 D 29 30 31 C 29 30 B
18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10
BAND D
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
STALLS ROWS E–F SIDE BALCONY ROWS 19–57
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22
RED SIDE BALCONY
BAND C
4 2 3 4 2 3 4 3 2 4 2 3 4 3 2 4 2 3 4 2 3 4 2 3 4 3 2 4 2 3 4 2 3 4 2 3 4 2 3 4 2 3 4 3 2 4 2 3 4 3 2 4 2 3 4 3 2 4 2 3 4 3 2
7 8 5 6 7 8 5 6 7 8 5 6 7 8 5 6 7 8 5 6 7 8 5 6 8 7 5 6 7 8 5 6 8 7 5 6 7 8 5 6 7 8 5 6 7 8 5 6 7 8 5 6 7 8 5 6 7 8 5 6 7 8 5 6 7 8 5 6 7 8 5 6 7 8 5 6 7 8 5 6 7 8 5 6 7 8 5 6
15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22
49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19
STALLS ROWS G–K & U–Y BALCONY ROWS F–K
A
11 12 13 14 11 12 13 14 11 12 13 14 11 12 13 14
K 29 J 29 30 31 29 30 H 31 29 30 G 31 F 29 30 31 E H H HD H H H C H H H B 29
46 47 48 40 41 42 43 44 45 30 29 28 36 35 34 33 32 31
BAND B
H H H H
10 10 10 10 10
23 24 25 26 23 24 27 28 25 26 23 24 27 28 25 26 23 24 27 28 25 26 23 24 27 28 25 26 23 24 27 28 25 26 23 24 27 28 25 26 23 24 27 H 25 26 23 24 27 H 25 26 23 24 27 H 25 26 27 28
37
STALLS ROWS L–T BALCONY ROWS A–E
Y X 1 W1 V 1 U1 T1 S 1 R1 Q1 P 1 N1 M1 L 1 K1 J 1 H1 G1 F 1 E 1 D1 C1 B
2 2 2
5 3 4 5 3 4 5 4 3 5 H H 5 H H 5 H 4 5 H H 5 3 4
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22
8 39 3
BAND A
GREEN SIDE BALCONY
H1 G1 F 1 EH DH CH BH
3
4 5 4 5
8 9 6 7 8 9 6 7 8 9 6 7 8 9 6 7 8 9 6 7 8 9 6 7 8 9 6 7 8 9 6 7 8 9 6 7 8 9 6 7
STAGE
9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
(CHOIR BALCONY SEATS)
CHOIR BALCONY 136 SEATS UNRESERVED
69
www.rte.ie/nationalsymphonyorchestra