F ET? EV: CLASSICA'
33c scornsri SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA - TEA AND
SYMPHONY City Halls, Glasgow, Mon 27 Oct
A bit of tea and sympathy goes a long way to lift the spirits, but, with a clever play on words, the BBC SSO start a new series serving up tea with symphony, a pairing that promises to have no less an effect. Doldrumy afternoons in wintry Glasgow come alive not only with tea (or coffee) and music, but cakes, soup and sandwiches too. ‘There is a demand for this type of concert,’ says the orchestra’s marketing and communications manager, Stephen Duffy, ‘as people don’t always want to go out at night. There is also a misconception that afternoon performances are exclusively for older people. It’s not like that at all.’ Those sharing in tea and symphony are just as likely to be students as OAPs, young mums as well as avid concert goers.
All three of the concerts in this initial series will be recorded for future broadcast. Two of them are completely free of charge, a generous offer that the BBC 880 can make as a public service broadcasting orchestra. Subtitled Discovering Music, they are opportunities to find out what makes a great masterpiece work. First under the microscope is Vaughan Williams’ Symphony No 5. With the help of presenter Stephen Johnson and conductor Paul Daniel, audiences can explore why this is such an important piece of music, ask questions and hear what the players think of it too. Daniel, a regular at the BBC Proms, is working with the BBC 850 for the first time. ‘He is keen to work in this sort of environment,’ says Duffy, ‘even though, as a conductor, he will be quite exposed.‘ The format is first half dissects the piece and then the orchestra play the full symphony in the second. Tea has pride of place at 12.30pm until the music starts at 2pm. (Carol Main)
Linlithgow
I Celebrate Linlithgow Various venues. ()1506 844645. Times and prices vary. See Fri 17.
St Andrews
I Heisenberg Ensemble Younger Hall. North Street. 01334 462226. 7.30pm. The Heisenberg linsemble performs Mendelssohn's Hebrides ()verture and Beethoven‘s Symphony No 5 and Piano Concerto No I. With pianist Mary Ann Wootton and conducted by (iillian Craig.
Glasgow
I Music on Mondays RSAMI). I00 Renfrew Street. 332 5057. 1pm. £5. Mezzo-soprano Louise Collett and violist Veronika Toth — both winners of The Worshipful Company of Mtisicians 2008 Allcard Awards 7 join (iraeme McNaught for an all-Brahms concert. with Two .S'origsjor'AIto and Viola. .S'ontttrt in I" minor and a selection of songs.
I A Concert, a Cocktail and a Canapé ()ran Mor. 731 735 (ireat Western Road. 357 6200. 7.30pm. Julian Clayton conducts a programme of 20th century works performed by the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland Strings: Berkeley's .Serenmlv/M Strings. l.ltloslttwski‘s I'it't' I-o/k .Wr'lm/it's‘. liin/i's’ I’I't'lmlt'_/or Strings and Miec/yslaw Karlowic/‘s .S't'rt'mtt/(fifor Strings.
Edinburgh
I Takacs Quartet Queen‘s Hall.
87 8‘) Clerk Street. 668 201‘). 7.45pm. £1 1 £1‘). New Town Concerts Society presents the Budapest-based quartet performing works by Mozart. Bartok and Schumann.
Dunfermline
I Hayley Westenra (‘arnegie Hall. 1iast Port. ()1383 602302. 7.30pm. S()l.1) ()tf'l'. The New '/.ea1and-born singer offers a repertoire of classical crossover music. earning her a ntunber 1 in the [K classical chart for her album. l’ttrt'.
Linlithgow
I Celebrate Linlithgow Various venues. ()1506 844645. Times and prices vary. See l-‘ri 17.
Tuesday 21
Glasgow
I Music in the University: Roger Fisher (ilasgow lfniversity Memorial Chapel. The Square. off 1'niversity Avenue. 1.10 2pm. The organist performs a selection of works including l’ercy Whitlock‘s ()rgttn Sonata in C minor.
I Chilled Flute Ramshorn Theatre. ‘)8 Ingram Street. 552 348‘). 1.15pm. £4. lilautis’t Siobhan 1)aly performs a selection of works from the past hundred years. accompanied on the piano by Judith Keaney.
Edinburgh
Fitng Edinburgh Quartet Reid Concert Hall. lidinburgh l'niversity. Bristo Square. 650 2427. 1.10pm. The ensemble performs a contrasting programme comprising llaydn's Quartet ()p 20 .\'o 5 in 1“ minor and Seiber's Quartet No /.
I Organ Recital: Peter King St Mary's Metropolitan Cathedral. Broughton Street. 523 0106. 8pm. £5. Peter King from Bath Abbey is guest celebrity organist in this month's ‘third 'l‘uesday‘ recital. He plays Bach. Beethoven and Brahms as well as his own astonishing improv isations.
Linlithgow
I Celebrate Linlithgow Various venues. 01506 844645. Times and prices vary. See l-‘ri 17.
Glasgow I German Brass RSAfvll). l0() Renfrew Street. 332 5057. 7.30pm. £‘) (£6). The ten-piece ensemble. renowned for its wide repertoire and experimentation with different styles and genres. performs a motley mix of pieces. from religious works by Bach to Strauss' Wise/I 77'(I.\'(‘/I I’n/ktt.
Linlithgow
I Celebrate Linlithgow Various venues. ()1506 844645. Times and prices vary. See liri 17.
St Andrews
I Scottish Chamber Orchestra: Mork plays CPE Bach Younger Hall. North Street. ()1334 462226. 7.30pm.
£‘) £19 (£7.50 £15l.(’ellist'1‘ruls .\lork joins conductor liivind Aadland and the SC() for a performance of llayn's Svrnp/ionv .\'o [02. Cl’li Bach's ('i'llo ('onwrto .\'o 2 in Ifflut and Beethoven’s Symphony No / .
Glasgow
I Masterclass with German Brass RSAMI). 100 Renfrew Street. 332 5057. 1 1am. £tbc. Tips and advice from the renowned ten-piece brass ensemble.
I BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra: The Symphonic Collection 2 City Halls. Candleriggs. 353 8000. 7.30pm. £10 £23 (£8 £21 ). American conductor Andrew Litton returns to the BBC SS(). bringing with him fellow American John Mackey’s lively and colourful RW/lfllt’ 'Iimgo for its 17K premiere. and (iershwin's Piano Concerto in I". performed by tip-and— coming young pianist. Stewart (ioodyear. Finally. l.itton's particular affinity with Rttssian music promises a memorable and powerful performance of 'l'chaikovsky’s popttlar .S'_\'ntp/1on_v No 4. Litton discusses (iershwin in a Pre-Concert l’relude at 6.45pm. and (ioodyear performs in a Post-Concert Coda.
Edinburgh I Scottish Chamber Orchestra: Mork plays CPE Bach Queen‘s llall.
Class rear; Must.
Takacs Quartet One of the world’s top string quartets. the Takacs, originally formed in Budapest. but now based at the University of Colorado, get Edinburgh’s New Town Concerts Society's season off to a strong start with Mozart, Schumann and their authoritative Bartok. Queen's Hall, Edinburgh, Mon 20 Oct.
22: Scottish Opera: The Tum Widows Not often performed. this is the last chance to catch Smetana‘s rather delightful opera in a new production first seen at this year’s Edinburgh Festival. Kate Valentine and Jane mm are ideally cast as the two young widows and Francesco Corti makes a most favourable impression in his first appearance as Music Director of Scottish Opera. Theatre Royal, Glasgow, Fri 7 7 Oct.
Royal Scottish National Orchestra: The Great Concertos One of Scotland’s most popular and renowned soloists. Steven Osborne. appears with the RSNO in one of his own very favourite concertos — the Piano Concerto No 2 by Brahms — which was first heard. to great success, with the composer himself as soloist. Festival Theatre. Edinburgh, Fri 77 Oct; Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow, Sat 78 Oct.
87 8‘) Clerk Street. 668 201‘). 7.30pm. £8 £26 (£6 £19501. See “fed 22.
Forfar
I Scottish Opera: The Merry Widow Reid 11:111. (‘gtsllc‘ Sll't‘c‘l. 0844 847 1645. 7.30pm. £13 (£5). See Sat 18.
Linlithgow
I Celebrate Linlithgow Various venues. 01506 844645. Times and prices vary. See l‘ri l7.
Glasgow I Friday Lunchtime Concert Series: RSAMD Piano Department RSAMI). 100 Renfrew Street. 332 5057. 1pm. £‘) (£61. An afternoon of skilled ivory-(inkling with the talented staff and students of the RSAMD‘s piano department.
F'RIEIE Music in the University: Glasgow Pipeworks (ilasgow
l'niv ersin Memorial Chapel. The Square. off 1'niversity Avenue. 7.30pm. ()rganist Kevin Bowyer performs works by Brian Schober. Richard Stoker and Charles (‘amilleii
1t) .i()()t,12)(l(‘ltiTHE LIST 83