UPCOMING CONCERT
Friday 19 June 2009, 8pm
Civic Hall, Stratford-upon-Avon
Shakespeare Summer Proms
Orchestra of the Swan
Haydn’s Farewell
Mozart- Symphony no 13 in F, K112
Haydn- Cello Concerto in C Major
Nick Stringfellow, cello
Mendelssohn- Songs Without Words
Haydn- Symphony no. 45, “Farewell”
I’m very excited to be making my first appearance with the wonderful ensemble Orchestra of the Swan this week at their exciting new summer festival, the Shakespeare Summer Proms. Orchestra of the Swan are fast becoming recognized as one of the more exciting and innovative orchestras in the UK, and have been featured on a number of TV shows within the last year. They have an exceptionally strong record for commissioning new works, and their Spring Sounds Festival is now one of the hottest tickets in the region.
I’m so excited to be conducting music so close to my heart. I love all Haydn, but as a cellist, the two concertos are pieces I’ve loved and lived with for many, many years. They’re a joy to play, but I’m happy this time to leave the cello duties to the orchestra’s principal cellist, the up and coming virtuoso Nick Stringfellow.And the Farewell? Well, we’ve all had our experiences with it, but I’ve found and learned so much working on it this time that we’ll need a separate blog post. For now, let me just tell you that you don’t want to miss it…
Should be a great show, do join us.
Tickets- £11.50 to £21.50
Box Office 01789 207100
Tell me about the audience! Your first instinct was pretty traditional, but maybe this audience can take a little shaking up? Also, not being familiar with Sawyers’ work, does it have any relationship to either of the other pieces (similar thematic material? anything?). That might influence your choice as well. Any reason you aren’t considering Sawyers/Haydn/Beethoven?
Its ALWAYs best to leave a concert with Haydn in the ears in my experience: bethvn, sawyer, haydn
I always like to leave a concert humming something very familiar to me… puts me a good mood. So open and end with Haydn or Beethoven and put the new piece in the middle. You don’t want to open with the loud piece because then it would seem like a downhill slide. (just my 2 cents)
I agree with Ms. Westervelt, Ken. Make a Viennese sandwich for Mr. Sawyer’s piece. Begin with Haydn and end with Beethoven. Whichever classical symphony you play after the new work will have the benefit of being heard with ‘fresh ears’ and through the aural prism of Sawyer’s composition. (Schiff’s comment seems to me a tad pretentious…)
Players perspective here………start with Sawyers, then Haydn. Beethoven second half. New challenging work first up whilst you have the attention of the audience nice and fresh. The players can then also enjoy the rest of the concert in the knowledge that the Sawyers is done and dusted!! :) Sorted!!!!