SOUTHBANK CENTRE’S ROYAL FESTIVAL HALL

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR AND PRINCIPAL CONDUCTOR CHARLES DUTOIT

OCTOBER 2012 -

MAY 2013

LITTON

MATTHEWS

AN

DREW

NIC

OLA

BENEDETTISIR W

ILLARD

WHITE

SALLY

CH

ARLES

DUTOIT

KIRILL

KARABITS

ZUKERMAN

PINC

HA

S

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra is the only London orchestra to offer a 50% discount on tickets for every own-promotion concert for a year.

Become a member from only £25 per year and enjoy benefits including:

• 50% off all RPO own promotion concerts (two tickets per concert)

• Exclusive RPO friends’ bar

• Priority booking and ticket allocation

• FREE rehearsal passes to selected concerts

• Discounted RPO CDs

• Regular newsletters and updates on the Orchestra’s activities and forthcoming events

To join the RPO friends, please telephone 020 7608 8855 or visit www.rpo.co.uk/friends

More music for less!riendsf

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra embarks on another exciting season at Southbank

Centre’s Royal Festival Hall, with an array of outstanding artists joining the Orchestra

for a series of unmissable concerts. Captivating violinist Nicola Benedetti is sure to

dazzle in Korngold’s lush Violin Concerto, directed by the up-and-coming conductor

Diego Matheuz, graduate of the famous Venezuelan Sistema. Anticipating Britten’s

centenary, the profoundly moving War Requiem will be sung by The Bach Choir –

the choir most associated with the work. Pinchas Zukerman is joined by his daughter,

soprano Arianna Zukerman, for Mahler’s Fourth Symphony, and a stellar cast gathers

under the direction of Charles Dutoit for what promises to be an unforgettable

performance of Berlioz’ masterpiece, The Damnation of Faust.

f

Andrew Litton Conductor

Natasha Paremski Piano

Mussorgsky, orch. Rimsky-Korsakov

Night on the Bare Mountain

Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No.1

Shostakovich Symphony No.5

A feast of Russian music, opening with Mussorgsky’s

thrilling Night on the Bare Mountain – a depiction

of the Witches’ Sabbath that brims with magic and

mischief. Mussorgsky described the piece to his friend

Rimsky-Korsakov, who completed the orchestration:

‘The form and character of my work are Russian and

original... hot-blooded and disordered.’ Shostakovich

came under fire for his own hot-blooded and disordered

music, which attacked the Russian regime. In the Fifth

Symphony, he toned down this style, finding new, subtle

ways of satirising the state. These fascinating works

frame Tchaikovsky’s First Piano Concerto, which boasts

one of the most famous of all opening themes.

RUSSIAN MASTERPIECES

Tuesday 16 October 2012, 7.30pm

Tchaikovsky Francesca da Rimini

Korngold Violin Concerto

Tchaikovsky Symphony No.6, ‘Pathétique’

An irresistible programme full of romance

and colour. Tchaikovsky tells the sad tale

of Dante’s Francesca da Rimini in his

compelling orchestral fantasy. Celebrated

violinist Nicola Benedetti performs the

gorgeous Violin Concerto by Korngold,

which sweeps the listener along in a stream

of lush orchestral sounds, vibrant violin lines

and rich harmony. The work was dedicated

to Alma Mahler, widow of Korngold’s

mentor, Gustav Mahler. Finally we are

treated to Tchaikovsky’s glorious ‘Pathétique’

Symphony. After an opening full of dark

mystery, the music blossoms into one of

Tchaikovsky’s finest themes, overflowing with

bittersweet longing and heartfelt passion.

KORNGOLD VIOLIN CONCERTO

Diego Matheuz Conductor

Nicola Benedetti Violin

Thursday 1 November 2012, 7.30pm

2

Britten War Requiem

An unmissable performance of this exceptionally

powerful work, in honour of Britten’s forthcoming

centenary and performed alongside The Bach

Choir – a choir conducted by Britten himself for his

seminal recording of the work. As a pacifist, Britten

relished the opportunity to explore the futility of war,

while paying tribute to its dead. The work combines

texts from the Latin Requiem Mass with poems by

the First World War poet Wilfred Owen. The result

is music of haunting power and exceptional beauty.

Not to be missed.

WAR REQUIEM

Tuesday 27 November 2012, 7.30pm

Poulenc Gloria

Canteloube Selection from Songs of the Auvergne

Duruflé Requiem

This programme celebrates French repertoire

which blends orchestral and vocal forces – with

magnificent results. Poulenc’s Gloria is one of

his most ambitious works, with solo soprano

and chorus expressing Latin texts for which, as a

devout Catholic, Poulenc felt a special reverence.

Canteloube’s sensual Songs of the Auvergne take

us from heavenly pleasures to earthly ones. These

glorious settings of Auvergne folk songs are sung

in the local dialect, Occitan, accompanied by

Canteloube’s colourful orchestration. Duruflé’s

Requiem dates from the mid-twentieth century,

but his use of Gregorian chant gives the work a

timeless and deeply spiritual quality.

A FRENCH CONNECTION

David Hill Conductor

Sarah Fox Soprano

Kitty Whately Mezzo-soprano

Benedict Nelson Baritone

The Bach Choir

Tuesday 5 February 2013, 7.30pm

David Hill Conductor

Sally Matthews Soprano

John Mark Ainsley Tenor

Alan Opie Baritone

The Bach Choir

Eltham College Trebles

Promoted in

association with

Promoted in

association with

Poulenc Gloria

Canteloube Selection from Songs of the Auvergne

Duruflé Requiem

This programme celebrates French repertoire

which blends orchestral and vocal forces – with

magnificent results. Poulenc’s Gloria is one of

his most ambitious works, with solo soprano

and chorus expressing Latin texts for which, as a

devout Catholic, Poulenc felt a special reverence.

Canteloube’s sensual Songs of the Auvergne take

us from heavenly pleasures to earthly ones. These

glorious settings of Auvergne folk songs are sung

in the local dialect, Occitan, accompanied by

Canteloube’s colourful orchestration. Duruflé’s

Requiem dates from the mid-twentieth century,

but his use of Gregorian chant gives the work a

timeless and deeply spiritual quality.

Borodin Prince Igor Overture

Prokofiev Piano Concerto No.3

Tchaikovsky Symphony No.1, ‘Winter Daydreams’

An enchanting programme of Russian masterworks

overflowing with inventive themes and glittering sonorities.

Borodin was a composer of colourful orchestration and

irresistible melodies. The Overture to his opera Prince Igor

begins in a mysterious vein, but is soon effervescing with

excitement. Prokofiev began sketching his Third Piano

Concerto in 1917, completing it in Brittany in 1921. Full

of evocative textures, the Concerto develops a relationship

between piano and orchestra that encompasses lively

dialogue and profound intimacy. In his First Symphony,

‘Winter Daydreams’, Tchaikovsky vividly conjures up blustery

and atmospheric scenes with his characteristic dramatic flair.

ENCHANTING RUSSIA Kirill Karabits Conductor

Alexei Volodin Piano

Wednesday 20 March 2013, 7.30pm

Berlioz The Damnation of Faust

Charles Dutoit is renowned as a supreme

interpreter of Berlioz’ epic masterpiece,

which was described by the composer as

a ‘légende dramatique’. Berlioz became

transfixed by Goethe’s version of the

Faust story, declaring: ‘I could not put it

down. I read it incessantly, at meals, in

the theatre, in the street.’ The tale that

so gripped Berlioz is illuminated by his

uniquely beautiful music, full of exquisite

orchestral colours and fluid vocal writing.

Charles Dutoit is joined for this concert

performance by a truly stellar cast, each

celebrated for their outstanding expressive

powers. Unmissable.

THE DAMNATION OF FAUST

Charles Dutoit Conductor

Ruxandra Donose Mezzo-soprano

Paul Groves Tenor

Benedict Nelson Baritone

Sir Willard White Bass-baritone

London Symphony Chorus

New London Children’s Choir

Tuesday 30 April 2013, 7.30pm

2

Pinchas Zukerman

Conductor/ Violin

Arianna Zukerman Soprano

Mozart Piano Concerto No.25

Mahler Symphony No.1

Two expansive and powerful masterpieces, directed by

the inimitable Charles Dutoit. Louis Lortie performs Mozart’s

Piano Concerto No.25, with its impressive scale and

enthralling contrasts between light and shade. Mahler

told Sibelius that ‘the symphony must be like the world, it

must embrace everything’. Mahler’s First Symphony (initially

subtitled the ‘Titan’) does just that, opening with spacious

sounds evoking nature waking up. After a dancing second

movement comes the brilliantly macabre third, in which a

minor-key rendition of Frère Jacques – begun on double

bass – contrasts eerily with brash marching music. The

glorious finale resolves these conflicts, its final bars among

the most dazzling and life-affirming ever written.

‘TITAN’ SYMPHONY

Tuesday 14 May 2013, 7.30pm

Mozart Violin Concerto No.3, ‘Strassburg’

Mahler Symphony No.4

Elegant and moving music from two of the

finest composers ever to call Vienna their

home. Mozart’s Third Violin Concerto, written

when he was only nineteen, is full of youthful

charm, with a slow movement of tender

romance. The final rondo features a lively

dance tune associated with Strasbourg,

from which the Concerto gets its nickname.

Mahler’s Fourth Symphony, which opens with

jingling sleigh-bells, is one of his most delicate.

Yet there is all the contrast you’d expect

from Mahler: a quirky scherzo and a slow

movement of yearning beauty, ending with the

finale’s soprano solo unfolding a child’s vision

of Heaven.

VIENNA’S FINESTWednesday 29 May 2013, 7.30pm

Charles Dutoit Conductor

Louis Lortie Piano

‘TITAN’ SYMPHONY

Terms and Conditions: Concerts must all be booked in one transaction. Subscription discounts cannot be

combined with any other discounts. Offer available online at www.southbankcentre.co.uk

SEATING AREA2-3 CONCERTS

SAVE 15%

4-6 CONCERTS

SAVE 25%

7-8 CONCERTS

SAVE 30%

£55£46.75

£41.25£38.50

£42£35.70

£31.50£29.40

£35£29.75

£26.25£24.50

£28£23.80

£21£19.60

£22£18.70

£16.50£15.40

£17£14.45

£12.75£11.90

£12£10.20

£9£8.40

£9£7.65

£6.75£6.30

Transaction fees:

Telephone Bookings: £2.75

Online Bookings: £1.75

There is no transaction fee for

bookings made in person.

Group Bookings:

Group discounts of up to

35% are available for more

than 10 people.

A special school/college

ticket price is also available.

To find out more, please

call the RPO on

020 7608 8840.

£55

£42

£35

£28

£22

£17

£12

£9

Telephone Bookings: 0844 847 9910

Online Bookings: www.southbankcentre.co.uk

SUBSCRIPTION SERIES

Book for 2 or more concerts and make great savings!

BOOKING INFORMATION

“The strings are highly impressive...the RPO offers muscular

brass and first-class woodwinds. The rhythmic intricacies and

sharp contrasts in mood and tempi were dextrously handled by

Dutoit and the musicians delivered the music with fleet bravura.”

CHICAGO CLASSICAL REVIEW

“Hats off to the RPO who sounded reborn.”

THE INDEPENDENT

“Karabits has a superb ear for orchestral colour, and the

RPO do sensuousness uncommonly well. The end result

was rich yet delicate, with wonderfully liquid woodwind

solos and an exquisite sheen on the strings.”

THE GUARDIAN

www.rpo.co.uk

Details correct at tim

e of going to press

Design and print: w

ww

.graphicimpressions.co.uk

Notes supplied by Joanna W

yld

Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road,

London SE1 8XX