& Bedford Choral Society

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1 Bedfordshire Orchestral Society & Bedford Choral Society 2017/18 Concert Season

2 Welcome Welcome to the 2017/18 concert season of the Bedfordshire Orchestral Society and the Bedford Choral Society. We are tremendously excited to be welcoming three big names to Bedford this season. In January, the Sinfonia will be joined by award-winning British mezzosoprano Kitty Whately. Kitty, born in Bedfordshire, was supported by the County's music service and gained her early operatic experience with Bedfordshire Youth Opera. She now sings on concert, opera and recital stages across the UK and internationally. Currently a BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artist, she is also an HSBC Laureate for the Aix-en-Provence Festival and was the winner of the Kathleen Ferrier Award in In February the distinguished and ever-popular visitor to Bedford, Jaroslav Nadrzycki, will be playing the Sibelius violin concerto, and in May, the internationallyacclaimed cellist Adrian Brendel, who has performed at the world's most prestigious festivals and concert halls, visits us to play Dvořak's fabulous cello concerto. Other exciting soloists, both vocal and instrumental, will be performing with us in each of this season's concerts. And, for something a little different, the Sinfonia will be bringing in the fun with a children s concert in April, presenting Poulenc s enchanting music for Babar the Elephant. We hope you ll find plenty to entertain and delight you this season. Kitty Whateley Jaroslav Nadrzycki Adrian Brendel

3 Introduction Baroness Barbara Young, President of Bedfordshire Orchestral Society The Orchestras and the Choral Society are a great asset for Bedfordshire s cultural life. The season promises some great nights out and opportunities to admire the talent of our local musicians. I do hope the variety and range of the programme means we will see music lovers across the county joining in these celebrations of music and community. Sir Samuel Whitbread, President of Bedford Choral Society Once again, it is a great honour for me to be invited to serve as President of the Bedford Choral Society. The 150th Anniversary season was launched with a highly successful Concert with works by two local composers Tim Grant-Jones and Paul Edwards. This was balanced by two more familiar works, by Vaughan Williams and Mendelssohn. I hope the concerts this season will continue to attract wide support as in previous years. Photograph by Bob John

4 Bedford Choral Society The Bedford Sinfonia Formed in 1867, this calendar year is Bedford Choral Society s 150th anniversary season. It is the 7th oldest Choral Society in the country. We celebrated our actual 150th Anniversary with a concert on 30 April 2017, exactly 150 years to the day since the first ever concert by the Choral Society. We perform a varied repertoire three or four times a year, usually in Bedford s Corn Exchange. We have currently approximately 130 members. Our Musical Director is Ian Smith, our Guest and our Assistant Chorus Master Tim Grant-Jones. We rehearse on Monday evenings at St. Gregory s School, Biddenham Turn, Bedford. We always welcome new singers. If you would like to sing with us or support us by becoming a Friend of the Society, please contact the chorus secretary, Sarah Stephenson on for further information. We continue to be very grateful to our sponsors in this, our 150th Anniversary Year. We are proud to acknowledge the generosity, in particular, of The Harpur Trust and Goldings of Bedford. With the help of such sponsorship, Bedford Choral Society is spreading its appeal to many more potential concert-goers across Bedfordshire and beyond. The widely acclaimed performing standard of this orchestra is the result of the talent and enthusiasm of its members and the skilled direction of its founder, Michael Rose. Membership is by invitation. It specialises in programming chamber orchestra works, wind ensemble and string orchestra items and a healthy selection of 20th century pieces. Bedfordshire Symphony Orchestra The BSO, also conducted by Michael Rose, is a larger group of local players of all ages, including talented young musicians. Its programme is diverse and includes major symphonies and concertos. It rehearses in Bedford every Wednesday evening during term time. Those interested in playing should contact Clive Bachmanis on or clive@bachmanis.com. Goldings of Bedford IRONMONGERS

5 From Russia with love From the Theatre of Life Sat 7 October pm St Paul s Church Soloist Julian Metzger (cello) Sibelius Suite: Pelléas et Mélisande Schumann Cello Concerto Beethoven Symphony No.6 (Pastoral) Maeterlinck s play was premièred in 1893, and within 12 years four celebrated composers Debussy, Fauré, Schoenburg, and Sibelius had been sufficiently intrigued by the play to write music for it. We shall be able to contrast Sibelius' impressions of the play with Faure's version later in the season. Next we welcome Julian Metzger to perform Schumann s Cello Concerto. The work is full of lyrical beauty, even longing, with the occasional flash of fire. Finally we present a great favourite Beethoven s Pastoral Symphony. Beethoven gives us a programme for this symphony, and we hear sounds of the countryside, people enjoying a holiday, a storm cutting short the revels, and finally a song of thanks for the wonders of nature. Sat 18 November pm Soloist Mengyang Pan (piano) Tchaikovsky Overture: Romeo and Juliet Rachmaninov Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini Musorgsky Pictures from an exhibition You will be delighted that the BSO has chosen to open its first concert of the season with Tchaikovsky s overpowering depiction of Shakespeare s play Romeo and Juliet. Everything is here the love sparking off the whole story, the enmity between the families, the tragedy of the deaths Tchaikovsky reflects all these in his wonderful music. The brilliant pianist Mengyang Pan then takes the stage for Rachmaninov s Rhapsody. The variety of the variations on Paganini s theme is quite astonishing, and will have us sitting on the edges of our seats. After the interval we are transported to an art exhibition. We will appreciate the insight with which Musorgsky reflects the works on show in his Pictures from an exhibition, originally written for piano and brilliantly orchestrated by Ravel. Balcony/Tier 15, Flat 12 Concessions 13/ 10 Children/Students 5 Adults 12 Concessions 10 Children/Students 5

6 Christmas Carol Concert A Choral Masterpiece Sat 25 November pm Soloists Rebecca Bottone (soprano) Jeanette Ager (mezzo soprano) Ben Thapa (tenor) Andrew Slater (baritone) Conductor Ian Smith Elgar - The Kingdom The Kingdom is an oratorio composed by Edward Elgar in It was first performed at the Birmingham Music Festival that year, conducted by the composer. It is the second part of an unfinished trilogy depicting the community of the early church, Pentecost, and the events that followed. The first part of the trilogy is The Apostles. Both works portray the apostles as ordinary men reacting to extraordinary events. The Kingdom is considered by some, including the late Sir Adrian Boult, to be a greater work than The Dream of Gerontius. It has previously been performed by the Society on only two occasions, so come and hear a rare performance of this marvellous work! Sat 16 December pm Conductor Ian smith Our biennial Carol Concert concludes the 150th Anniversary Year of Bedford Choral Society. We welcome again Bedford Town Band to perform with us. The concert will include carols old and new, with some audience participation and some involvement of children. Come and start Christmas with a rousing and entertaining evening! Balcony/Tier 12, Flat 10 Concessions 11/ 9 Children/Students FREE Balcony/Tier 16 Flat 13 Concessions 15/ 12 Children/Students 6

7 Romantic Masterpieces Vive la France! Sat 27 January pm Soloist Kitty Whately (mezzo-soprano) Fauré Suite: Pelléas et Mélisande Berlioz Les nuits d été Debussy Petite suite Bizet Symphony in C Hooked on French music? Then this concert is a MUST. If any of it is new to you, then you have a real treat in store. Opening the concert is Fauré s suite from his incidental music to Maeterlinck s play Pelléas et Mélisande, commissioned by Mrs Patrick Campbell. She was enchanted by the music and considered that it perfectly mirrored the poetic purity of the play. Berlioz song cycle Les nuits d été follows; his songs evoke the huge range of emotions associated with a great love affair. It will be sung this evening by award-winning mezzo-soprano, Kitty Whately. Debussy s Petite Suite will charm us all, and finally we revel in Bizet s only symphony and marvel at the 17 year-old s astonishing mastery of the orchestra. Photograph by Mark Bowler Sat 24 February pm Soloist Jaroslav Nadrzycki (violin) Schumann Overture: Manfred Sibelius Violin Concerto in D minor Brahms Symphony No.2 in D Schumann s overture to his incidental music based on Lord Byron s poem Manfred is not only a splendid work in its own right, but also acts as a perfect herald to this concert. We welcome Jaroslav Nadrzycki once again, this time to play Sibelius' thrilling violin concerto. Its future was uncertain after a disastrous première in 1903 and it remained unknown until Heifetz championed the piece in the 1930s. The rest, as they say, is history. Brahms struggled to climb the symphony ladder, but having won the battle with his 1st symphony, his public did not have so long to wait for the 2nd symphony. What a wonderful work it is - the opening warm and welcoming, the slow movement tender and beautiful, the scherzo exhilarating and the final movement triumphant. Balcony/Tier 15, Flat 12 Concessions 13/ 10 Children/Students 5 Balcony/Tier 15, Flat 12 Concessions 13/ 10 Children/Students 5

8 A European Journey Sat 17 March pm Soloists Eve McGrath (soprano) Chris Williams (baritone) This concert explores the different musical languages of three European countries. The majesty and grandeur of Brahms music is displayed in two popular works. The Song of Destiny is considered one of Brahms best choral works, along with The German Requiem. In fact, Josef Sittard argues, Had Brahms never written anything but this one work, it would alone have sufficed to rank him with the best masters, and in the Academic Festival Overture Brahms creates a very boisterous potpourri of student drinking songs. This work sparkles with some of the finest virtues of Brahms orchestral technique. Photograph by Mark Bowler Brahms - Academic Festival Overture Brahms - Song of Destiny Vaughan Williams Toward the unknown region Fauré - Requiem Vaughan Williams frequently turned to the poetry of Walt Whitman for his libretti. This early work s enduring success stems from its remarkable marriage of music and text and identified Vaughan Williams as a new and important voice in English music. Fauré s ever popular Requiem combines powerful musical statement with utmost delicacy of musical language. A concert of contrasts to appeal to all. Balcony/Tier 16 Flat 13 Concessions 15/ 12 Children/Students 6

9 Children s concert Sun 22 April pm Bedford School Roger Quilter Children s Overture Poulenc Babar the Elephant And now for some fun with stories, songs, and general excitement. See how many nursery rhymes you can recognise in Roger Quilter s overture, and see whether you think the orchestra is playing them as well as you can sing them. Then listen to our narrator tell the story of Babar the Elephant, enhanced by music by Francis Poulenc; just right for Babar and Celeste and all their friends. Adults 9 Children 5 Family Ticket (2 adults, 2 children) 22

10 Rossini s Operatic Mass From West to East Sat 19 May pm Soloist Adrian Brendel (cello) Holst A Somerset Rhapsody Dvořak Cello Concerto Rachmaninov Vocalise Tchaikovsky Symphony No.2 (Little Russian) Three folk songs from Somerset form the backbone of Holst s A Somerset Rhapsody : The sheepshearing song, High Germany and The lovers farewell. Holst arranged them into a kind of narrative, and the result, performed in April 1910, was considered by Holst as a defining moment in his career. We then travel South-East, and welcome Adrian Brendel as our soloist in Dvořak s glorious Cello Concerto. Brahms well-known comment, If I had known it was possible to write a cello concerto like this, I d have written one long ago, sums up the quality of Dvořak s masterpiece. Rachmaninov s Vocalise forms a fine bridge to Tchaikovsky s spirited Little Russian symphony. Little Russia was once the popular name for the Ukraine, and the composer quotes Ukrainian folk melodies. Balcony/Tier 15, Flat 12 Concessions 13/ 10 Children/Students 5 Photograph by Mark Bowler Sat 9 June pm Soloists Tim Grant-Jones (piano) Roy Tipping (harmonium) Conductor Ian Smith Rossini - Petite Messe Solennelle Rossini intended this mass for performance in a venue other than a church. Despite the title it is not petite (lasting over an hour), but it is, by Rossini s standards, solemn. A more operatic mass it is difficult to find. It is full of wonderful operatic-style melodies. The scoring is unusual, being for piano and harmonium alone. It was this scoring that Rossini preferred. This work is entertaining, memorable and perfect to enjoy on a summer evening. Come and hear this delightful work! Balcony/Tier 16 Flat 13 Concessions 15/ 12 Children/Students 6

11 Sinfonia Out and About 1 & 8 July pm As in previous years, Sinfonia members will be escaping from the metropolis this summer to take their music out into rural Bedfordshire. These Out and About concerts give the players the opportunity to embrace a different repertoire, typically focussing on the rich variety of early music from the Baroque and Renaissance periods. This year our Out and About concerts will be at Blunham Church on Sunday 1 July, and at Houghton Conquest Church on Sunday 8 July. For both concerts the Sinfonia will be joined by the fabulous Cantamus choir, directed by Gary Mudd and Henry Vann. Full details of the concert timings and programmes will follow on the BOS website, on our Facebook page and in other publicity. We hope to see you there! Photograph by Mark Bowler

12 Booking Information Tickets are available from: The Central Box Office, Harpur Suite, Harpur Square, Bedford, MK40 1LE Prices 5-16 (concessions available) All major credit / debit cards accepted. 24 hour reservations and booking at Bedfordshire Orchestral Society is a registered charity: No The Bedfordshire Orchestral Society wishes to express its grateful thanks to all those Charitable Trusts, Commercial Sponsors, Friends and Advertisers for their financial support, notably: Major Supporters The Harpur Trust, for a a three-year grant to help the Society to build larger audiences and therefore revenues, and encourage students in their playing, music studies, listening and enjoyment. The Gale Family Trust for its generous support. The Wixamtree Trust for its generous grant. The Bedford Borough Council; in the form of discretionary grants from both Councillor David Fletcher, and Councillor Luigi Reale. Supporters In Kind The Making Music Network, (National Society of Music Societies) of which the Society is a member. Steve Monico Limited, of Goldington Road. Accountants, who advise and audit the Society's accounts and Charity Commission filings. Jet the Dog, who design our programmes and posters. White Hart Press, who produce our programmes, posters and leaflets. Mark Bowler, who supplied some photography Bedford Choral Society is a registered charity: No The societies gratefully acknowledge the support of the organisation below: Friends Over many years the Society has been able to thrive by generous donations and bequests from audience members and members of the Society. New contributions are always needed and most gratefully appreciated. The Society benefits from tireless unpaid work from some 20 members of both Orchestras to organise the endless arrangements for rehearsals, performances, membership, accounting, websites, social media, and secretarial, for which we are all very grateful, and without which the running of the Society would be unaffordable. If you are interested in making a contribution no matter how small, or have ideas or contacts for potential sponsors, or wish to place an advert in future programmes, then please contact our Treasurer, Mark Jeffery at bos.treasurer@hotmail.co.uk