This is an edited version of the Havant Orchestras newsletter which is provided in printed form (or e-mailed in PDF format, if requested) to players and Friends of the Orchestras.
From the Chairman ...
A Very Happy New Year to you all.
We (the players) were so disappointed when the concert was postponed last month. However with a great deal of co-operation from the staff at Oaklands School, the concert will go ahead on SATURDAY next - 8th January!
Happy smiling faces will be the order of the evening and we are sure you will enjoy our music-making and we urge all those who have not bought tickets to take the plunge and telephone Margaret on 01243 377430 - and please encourage your friends to do the same!
All the ‘housekeeping’ details are below including the concert information. As you will see, there are no changes to the musical content but there are a few re-arrangements to the players – some who were able to play on 4 December cannot come on Saturday while others who couldn’t play in December are now available. The two important names are those of our soloist Cordelia Williams (see below) and our leader Cathy Mathews who has a longstanding recital engagement on Saturday. We are pleased that Brian Howells (leader of HCO) is happy to take her place and we wish both of them a music-full evening in their respective locations.
I look forward to seeing you on The Day.
Tony Gutteridge
(023 9247 4681 or acg@waitrose.com)
Information for Saturday 8 January
Before you get to the Hall ….
if you are coming from A/M27 remember the exit from the A3(M) is JUNCTION 4.
It’s the 2nd school on the right in Stakes Hill Road and a steward with a torch will be at the entrance. If you overshoot, go round the roundabout, then the school is about 100 yards on the left.
There are ‘disabled’ parking spaces near the hall.
Inside the Hall ….
Margaret will be selling tickets; Rosemary will looking after programmes; Tony, Sandra, Beryl and Geoff will be on hand and there will be other folk to show you to the locations of toilets(!), drinks, pre-concert talks and music, CD and book sales and THE CONCERT!
Refreshments ….
will be served from 6.30pm and in the interval. There will be tea, coffee, fruit juices, red and white wine and water on sale at very reasonable prices. Wine – £2 a glass; water – with our compliments, the remainder – 50p a cup or glass.
Vouchers for Interval drinks will be on sale before the concert.
This is a public event and alcohol is served under the normal licensing rules. Your co-operation will be appreciated.
Our Honoured Guests
We are delighted that the Mayor of Havant, Cllr Mrs Yvonne Weeks and her Consort, Mr Brian Weeks are able to come on Saturday and we offer them both a very warm welcome.
Programmes, programmes!
If you have not collected your 2010-2011 Programme yet, please bring the Voucher which should still be attached to your Season Ticket.
Peter’s thoughts on Nielsen …
Like Elgar’s in Froissart, Nielsen’s handprints are clearly discernible in this early symphony - from his use of modal folkisms, rapidly fluctuating but persuasive key changes, repeated-note chatterings and bouncy dotted-note rhythms. All are there, albeit in embryo compared with the later, tougher symphonies. I am certain that you will encounter much to captivate and excite in this youthful piece.
As for the second movement, Lance Dearsley (in his programme note) feels that ‘melancholy rules’, but I believe that the movement has an inner radiance which we have not yet attained in rehearsal but are getting nearer and by the time of the performance.
Eric Coates’ charming Summer Days Suite provides an admirable foil to the ceremonial Elgar and presents a challenge of an altogether different kind to Sam Draper who will conduct it.
Saturday’s Timetable
| 6.30 |
Pre-concert talk – David Goodall Nielsen and Grieg – ‘Things Danish’ |
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| and for younger listeners | |||||||||||
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Upbeat Club – Elgar and his music Try his moustache; find out about his famous money and his life; play his music. Becky Hill has the answers. |
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| 7.00 |
Interlude by Students at Oaklands
School – details to be arranged. and - CDs, Sheet Music, Opera Videos, Books and Miniature Scores on Sale (10% to the Orchestras’ Funds) |
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| 7.30 |
The Concert
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| 9.35 |
approx End of concert … and have a safe journey home. |
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Saturday’s Soloist
Cordelia Williams is very disappointed to be otherwise engaged on Saturday but James Willshire, a Making Music Young Concert Artists’ Award winner in 2008 has agreed to take her place.
In 2000 when he was only 15, James became the youngest British pianist to receive an Educational Scholarship in the London International Piano Competition. He has also won the Julius Isserlis Scholarship, the Myra Hess Award, the Countess of Munster Musical Trust and The Martin Musical Scholarship. James has performed at many festivals in the UK and has appeared at the Barbican, the Bridgewater Hall and the Royal Festival Hall where he gave his debut recital in 2008.
An enthusiastic performer of contemporary music, James has recently recorded Rory Boyle’s complete piano music for Delphian Records.
CDs for the February concert
Rossini Overture Italian Girl in Algiers
Zagreb Festival Orch / Halasz
c/w other overtures
Naxos 8.550236 Bargain price.
Purcell Suite The Married Beau
The Parley of Instruments
Hyperion CDA 67001/3 - 3 CD set.
Beethoven Piano Concerto No 2
F-F Guy / Radio France PO / Jordan
c/w Piano Cto 3 Naïve V5179 Full price
Vorisek Symphony in D
Scottish CO/ Mackerras
c/w Arriaga Symphony in D and Los esclavos felices
Hyperion CDA 66800 Full price (It comes
highly recommended by Peter C.)
Society Contact Details are at the back of the current Programme Book.
Contact information can also be found on the Contacts page within this web site.
