Music Classical
Sunday 25 Glasgow FREE Kelvingrove Sunday Organ Recitals Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, Argyle Street, 276 9599. 3–3.45pm. See Sun 18. ■ National Youth Choir of Scotland St Aloysius Church, 25 Rose Street, 287 2856. 6pm. £10 (£3–£8). A fundraising concert for 100 of Scotland’s finest singers who give a taster of the repertoire they are taking on tour to Germany this summer. The Choir will perform a selection of music from the British Isles. Edinburgh ■ Organ Recital St Michael & All Saints’ Church, Panmure Place, Tollcross, 5pm. Retiring collection. See Sun 18. ■ St Giles’ at Six St Giles’ Cathedral, Royal Mile, 226 0673. 6pm. Retiring collection. Napier University’s Madrigal Choir performs music by Weelkes, Bennet, Tomkins, Lassus, Gesualdo and others. Haddington ■ Piano Recital Town House, Court Street, 01620 826725 (Kesley’s Bookshop). 7.30pm. £20. For its fifth annual gala piano recital, Haddington Concert Society presents Greek virtuoso Martino Tirimo, who plays an impressive selection of music by Chopin. Champagne and mini-chocolate pianos for afters. Kirkcaldy ■ Kirkcaldy Choral Union Spring Concert St Bryce Kirk, St Brycedale Avenue, 01334 840234. 7.15pm. £8 (students £5). A diverse selection of music from across the ages, from madrigals to songs by Leonard Cohen. Tickets available from choir members or on the door. Stirling ■ Children’s Classic Concerts: Bongos and Brass Macrobert, University of Stirling, 01786 466666. 3pm. £10 (children £6; family ticket £29). Madcap musical mayhem and amazing virtuoso performances by percussionists and brass players, presented by Owen and Olly. Monday 26
Edinburgh ■ Jesus’ Blood Never Failed Me Yet The Queen’s Hall, 87–89 Clerk Street, 668 2019. 7.45pm. £10 (£7; school children free). Experimental music from the Scottish Ensemble with special guests Simon Smith on piano and Joby Burgess and Chris Brannick on percussion, including Gavin Bryars’ Jesus’ Blood Never Failed Me Yet and Band that Caused the Fire in the Sycamore Tree, John White’s Purple Passage and some early Howard Skempton. Presented by ecat. FREE ■ Noisy Nights Traverse Theatre, Cambridge Street, 228 1404. 8pm. Another night of experimental new sounds from emerging, underground and established composers. With Red Note Ensemble of saxophone, cello and acoustic guitar. Tuesday 27 Glasgow ■ RSAMD Junior Academy Ramshorn Theatre, 98 Ingram Street, 548 2558. 1.15pm. £4. Talented young musicians from the RSAMD’s junior department perform solo and ensemble music. ■ Fejes Quartet with the Alba Quartet Pollok House Art Society, Pollok Country Park, 2060 Pollokshaws Road, 07703 131457. 7.30pm. £15 (£10 if attending first concert). An evening chamber concert featuring Mozart’s Quartet in D minor, K 421,
82 THE LIST 15–29 Apr 2010
LA BOHÈME THEATRE ROYAL, GLASGOW, SAT 27 FEB ●●●●●
Two completely contrasting operas are on offer from Scottish Opera in the company’s spring foray to Edinburgh this year. Not that Edinburgh audiences are unfamiliar with Stewart Laing’s production of Puccini’s La bohème. First seen back in 2004, Laing’s take on one of the most popular operas of all time brings the 19th century struggling young Parisian intellectuals into the world of present-day New York. Young love is eternal across the centuries no doubt, but as poet Rodolfo meets coughing, utility- challenged neighbour Mimi in their airy loft-space apartments, this 21st century version doesn’t quite fire up the passion between them as much as carrying on with candles in Paris’s roof-top garrets.
Even just four years down the line, Laing’s IT- inspired set, with cables and screens everywhere, looks dated, its clinical whiteness, however, reflecting the chill felt by the four young artists’ lack of heat. Irish soprano Celine Byrne and French tenor Avi
Klemberg, both making their Scottish Opera debuts, didn’t manage to gel in their body language as the love-struck couple on opening night, although both voices are impressive and well-suited to the roles. More convincing theatrically is Nadine Livingston as a tipsy Musetta, with real dramatic tension between her and artist boyfriend Marcello. Playing at full throttle for conductor Francesco Corti, the Scottish Opera Orchestra gives exciting edge to Puccini’s score, even though now and again at the expense of the young voices on stage above them. Well known for her stage work, but surprisingly never before with Scottish Opera, is mezzo Frances McAfferty, who appears in the role of the wonderfully named Fanny Novakova in Janacek’s The Adventures of Mr Broucek. Receiving its Scottish premiere, it’s a comically offbeat opera and should be a complementary companion to La bohème in the company’s Edinburgh residency. (Carol Main) ■ Scottish Opera, Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, Wed 14 Apr, Thu 15 Apr, Fri 16 Apr (The Adventures of Mr Broucek); Sun 18 Apr, Tue 20 Apr, Thu 22 Apr, Sat 24 Apr (La bohème).
Shostakovich’s Quartet No 8 and Beethoven’s Quartet No 15 in A minor. ■ North Lanarkshire Schools Concert Royal Concert Hall, 2 Sauchiehall Street, 353 8000. 7.30pm. £10. Over 700 young musicians performing in various groups from rock band to pipe band, choirs to wind and jazz bands. Edinburgh FREE ■ Karelia String Quartet Reid Concert Hall, Edinburgh University, Bristo Square, 650 2427. 1.10pm. Clarinettist Calum Robertson joins the ensemble for Howells’ Rhapsodic Quintet, performed alongside Britten’s 3 Divertimenti and music by Edward Harper. ■ Bridging the Gap The Queen’s Hall, 87–89 Clerk Street, 668 2019. 8pm. £12 (£10). Patsy Reid’s violin concerto Bridging the Gap, originally composed for Celtic Connections 2008, draws on both classical and traditional genres. St Andrews ■ University of St Andrews Symphony Orchestra Younger Hall, North Street, 01334 462226. 7.30pm.
£3–£7. Works by Vasks, Grieg and Nielsen, conducted by Thomas Butler. Wednesday 28 Glasgow ■ Orchestral Seascapes Barony Hall, Castle Street, 353 8000. 8pm. £8 (£4–£6). Strathclyde University Symphony Orchestra, Chorus and Chamber Choir perform a maritime programme of works by Mendelssohn, Britten, Bax and Henry Wood, and are joined by baritone Philip Gault for Stanford’s Songs of the Fleet. Conducted by Gerard Doherty. Edinburgh FREE ■ Edward Harper Memorial Concert Reid Concert Hall, Edinburgh University, Bristo Square, 650 2427. 7.30pm. Edinburgh-based composer was on the staff at the University of Edinburgh’s Faculty of Music from 1964 until his death in April last year. Musicians from the university pay tribute to the composer with a concert of his works. Peebles ■ Bridging the Gap Eastgate Theatre & Arts Centre, Eastgate, 01721 725777. 7.30pm. £12 (£10). See Tue 27.
Thursday 29 Glasgow ■ BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra: North by North-East 4 City Halls, Candleriggs, 353 8000. 7pm. £10–£32 (concessions available). The Rachmaninov symphony cycle continues with the magnificent second, his most popular and packed full with lush strings and gorgeous melodies. This all-Russian concert also sees violinist Boris Brovtsyn perform Stravinsky’s Violin Concerto, and begins with Lyadov’s colourful Eight Russian Folk Songs. Vassily Sinaisky conducts. With a Pre- Concert Prelude at 6.15pm and a Post- Concert Coda. Edinburgh FREE Live Music Now: Flutes en Route National Gallery Complex, The Mound, 624 6200. 6–6.30pm. The flute quartet performs music from the 1830s through to the 21st century, with a performance of Offenbach’s Can Can. Dunfermline ■ Bridging the Gap Carnegie Hall, East Port, 01383 602302. 7.30pm. £12 (£10). See Wed 28.