08:09 Season

Set Sail
with the RSNO
Dear Friends
As the RSNO’s musical ‘captain’, I am thrilled to introduce to you
our 08:09 Season!
This year we will dive into the ocean and explore together a selection
of evocative responses to the mighty, mysterious and ever-changing
sea, including aquatic musical pictures by Wagner, Glazunov, Debussy,
Bridge, Sibelius, Ravel, Mendelssohn and, of course, Vaughan Williams’
epic Sea Symphony. We will also breathe in the fresh air of the
countryside in pastoral works such as Beethoven’s Sixth Symphony,
Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending, Roussel’s Le poème de la forêt
and Brahms’ Second Symphony.
The Season is going to be an exhilarating journey and the Orchestra
and I are looking forward to some incredible highlights. Dame Felicity
Lott will join us to sing Poulenc’s La voix humaine; the Chorus and a
fantastic trio of international singers join us for The Damnation of Faust;
and we even have two delightful mini-Festivals, one of which celebrates
the 200th anniversary of Mendelssohn’s birth and the other which takes
us to the streets of Paris for two special concerts of music written in,
and inspired by, this most magical of capitals where I used to live!
Add to this wonderful music more of the world’s greatest musicians
and I hope you will agree, we are in for another astounding year at the
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall.
I look forward to sharing all these events with you, and as the French
song says, to go “somewhere, beyond the sea”...

Stéphane Denève
RSNO Music Director
 

Classic Bites:
Sample the Season
SAT 27 SEPT 2008: 6.00PM
Fill up on this year’s tasty selection of classical
titbits as RSNO chef d’orchestre, Maestro
Denève, serves up the annual early evening
celebration of the Season ahead. This popular
concert is both a perfect introductory taster
for classical newcomers and an ideal aperitif
for seasoned concertgoers.
Presented and conducted by
RSNO Music Director Stéphane Denève and
Assistant Conductor David Danzmayr.

Your Subscription Choices at a Glance

Denève conducts Mahler 5 4 OCT 08
Subscribe Beethoven and Strauss favourites 11 OCT 08
whenever you Osborne plays Brahms’ Piano concerto No2 18 OCT 08
see this symbol Bruch’s Violin Concerto 25 OCT 08
The magic of Mozart 8 NOV 08
Järvi conducts Sibelius and Prokofiev 15 NOV 08
Pre-concert Dame Felicity Lott sings Poulenc 22 NOV 08
talk at 6.45pm, St Andrew’s Party with Phil AND Aly 29 NOV 08
usually in the The Damnation of Faust 6 DEC 08
Exhibition Hall
Lill Plays Liszt 13 DEC 08
Beethoven’s Fifth 22 JAN 09
Lazarev conducts borodin 2 31 JAN 09
Beethoven and BartÓk concertos 7 FEB 09
Romantic Valentine’s Classics 14 FEB 09
A Mendelssohn Celebration 21 FEB 09
Stéphane Denève David Danzmayr
Mendelssohn Violin concerto 26 FEB 09
Big Band meets the Orchestra 5 MAR 09
SPRINGTIME IN PARIS: paris with style 21 MAR 09
SPRINGTIME IN PARIS: a parisian portrait 28 MAR 09 “Excellent value, good fun and
The Lark Ascending 18 APR 09 superb music:10/10”
Kristjan Järvi with Håkan Hardenberger 25 APR 09 Classic Bites 2007 downloader
Vaughan Williams’ Sea Symphony 9 MAY 09
Season Finale: Brahms’ Second 16 MAY 09
ALL TICKETS £10 + U16s GO FREE + U26s £5

Naked Classics For details of our Naked Festive Concerts For details of our box office: 0141 353 8000
Classics concerts see pages 4, 15 and 21 Festive Concerts see pages 12 and 13
online: www.rsno.org.uk


A Flying Start Inspiring Romantics

Denève conducts Mahler 5
SAT 4 OCT 2008: 7.30PM
The new Glasgow Season sets sail with a spectacular
programme, as Stéphane Denève continues his critically
acclaimed Mahler cycle with his most popular symphony,
the Fifth. Journey through a vast musical landscape: funereal
darkness, boisterous dancing, a joyous finale – and, of course,
the hauntingly beautiful Adagietto, famously used in Visconti’s
Death in Venice.
Wagner Overture to The Flying Dutchman
Szymanowski Sinfonia concertante
Mahler Symphony No5
Stéphane Denève (conductor)
Piotr Anderszewski (piano)
Michael Tumelty
Beethoven and Strauss favourites
SAT 11 OCT 2008: 7.30PM
The perfect ingredients for an evening of elegant favourites with
the RSNO: one of the most popular overtures of the concert
stage, a pianist famous for his Beethoven interpretations, and
two of Richard Strauss’ best-loved works, including the orchestral
suite from his lavish opera Der Rosenkavalier.
Beethoven Leonore Overture No3
Beethoven Piano Concerto No2
R Strauss Rosenkavalier Suite
R Strauss Till Eulenspiegel’s Merry Pranks
Stéphane Denève (conductor)
Paul Lewis (piano)
David Danzmayr (RSNO ASSISTANT CONDUCTOR)

Paul Lewis Sat 11 OCt

Piotr Anderszewski Sat 4 OCt

box office: 0141 353 8000

Durness, Sutherland
 

Naked Classics: The Great Concertos:

johannes’ 2ND joanna concerto Osborne plays Brahms
THU 16 OCT 2008: 7.30PM SAT 18 OCT 2008: 7.30PM
“Some little piano pieces,” said Johannes Brahms of his massive The RSNO’s introductions to Roussel in the concert hall and on CD
Piano Concerto No2. The work is so big, in fact, that some say have thrilled audiences across the nation and won major awards
it should be called a symphony, not a concerto. But what’s the around the world. This evening they explore his pastoral and
difference? And does it matter? These questions and more are impressionistic ‘Poem of the Forest’. Plus Steven Osborne, one of
tackled, using graphics, excerpts, lighting, interviews and solos Scotland’s most renowned classical soloists, performs his favourite
by presenter Paul Rissmann, conductor Stéphane Denève and concerto: Brahms’ intense, moving and dramatic Second Piano
guest soloist Steven Osborne. Concerto.
ALL TICKETS £10 + U16s GO FREE + U26s £5 Berlioz Roman Carnival Overture
Roussel Symphony No1 Le poème de la forêt
Brahms Piano Concerto No2
Never been to a Naked Classics concert before?
Find out more at www.nakedclassics.org.uk Stéphane Denève (conductor)
Steven Osborne (piano)
Rowena Smith

Steven
Osborne
SAT 18 OCT

Katherine MacKintosh
RSNO Associate Principal Oboe

www.rsno.org.uk


Musical Fantasies Halloween Classics

Bruch’s Violin Concerto
SAT 25 OCT 2008: 7.30PM
An evening of ever-changing musical pictures as Glazunov’s
fantasy of stormy seas and shifting oceans gives way to
the most beautiful and popular of violin concertos, Bruch’s
G Minor. Leopold Stokowski’s brilliant and spectacular
arrangement of Pictures at an Exhibition follows. And who
better to conduct it than José Serebrier, who watched, learned
and conducted at Stokowski’s side?
Glazunov La mer
Bruch Violin Concerto in G Minor
Mussorgsky/Stokowski Pictures at an Exhibition
José Serebrier (conductor)
Rachel Barton-Pine (violin)
Katherine Wren (RSNO VIOLA)
Spooky favourites for all the family
FRI 31 OCT 2008: 7.30PM
Join Christopher Bell and the Orchestra (as you’ve never seen them
before!) for the biggest and best Halloween event in Glasgow, a
rowdy ghost-ride through the spookiest classical tunes imaginable.
Perfect for all ages and music lovers new and old.
Concert includes:
Arnold Tam O’Shanter
Mussorgsky Night on a Bare Mountain
Wendel Ride of the Headless Horseman
Christopher Bell (conductor & presenter)
NEW FAMILY PRICES FOR HALLOWEEN!
ALL ADULTS £12.50 + U16s GO FREE
PRIZES FOR THE BEST COSTUMES

Ruth Rowlands Robert Yeomans

RSNO Cello RSNO Violin

box office: 0141 353 8000

Machair, Isle of Iona
 

Too many notes! Fire and Ice

The magic of Mozart
SAT 8 NOV 2008: 7.30PM
An unmissable evening, featuring two of Mozart’s greatest
symphonies and completed by the dazzling Act II soprano arias
from Abduction from the Seraglio – of which the Austrian
Emperor Joseph II is said to have remarked to Mozart “Too many
notes! And too beautiful for our ears!”
Mozart Symphony No38 Prague
Mozart Arias from Abduction from the Seraglio Sibelius The Oceanides
Mozart Symphony No41 Jupiter
Christof Perick (conductor)
Heidi Elisabeth Meier (soprano)
David Danzmayr (RSNO ASSISTANT CONDUCTOR)
Järvi conducts Sibelius and Prokofiev
SAT 15 NOV 2008: 7.30PM
The great Neeme Järvi returns for what is sure to be another
memorable and explosive performance! Prokofiev’s mighty Fifth
Symphony is his most popular: its big, driving melodies do not
so much glorify the human spirit as sear right through it. Expect
emotional and technical fireworks too in Sibelius’ Violin Concerto,
one of the best-loved in the repertoire.
Sibelius Violin Concerto
Prokofiev Symphony No5
Neeme Järvi (conductor)
Vadim Gluzman (violin)
Supported by the Jennie S Gordon Memorial Foundation

Gordon Bruce (RSNO DOUBLE BASS)

Heidi Elisabeth
Meier
SAT 8 Nov

Neeme Järvi
SAT 15 Nov

www.rsno.org.uk


Gripping Emotion A St Andrew’s Party!

Dame Felicity Lott sings Poulenc An evening with Phil AND Aly
SAT 22 NOV 2008: 7.30PM SAT 29 NOV 2008: 7.30PM
An evening of exquisite music by three French masters: Ravel’s Join Phil Cunningham and Aly Bain, “simply the best traditional
glittering miniature Une barque sur l’océan, Debussy’s sumptuous musicians you are ever likely to hear” (The Herald), as they join
La mer and Poulenc’s dramatic monologue La voix humaine, the RSNO and some special guests for a concert celebrating
a one-act opera based on the 1932 play by Jean Cocteau. A the very best of Scottish traditional music and virtuoso playing.
woman tries to get through to her ex-lover on the telephone, but
the line keeps on breaking. This is the last time that the pair will Phil Cunningham (accordion/keyboard)
speak before the man – never heard during the work – marries Aly Bain (fiddle)
the next day. Poulenc’s depiction of her desperation is absolutely
gripping – expect a heart-rending interpretation from Dame
Felicity Lott.
Ravel Une barque sur l’océan
Debussy La mer
Poulenc La voix humaine*
*WITH PROJECTED SURTITLES
Stéphane Denève (conductor)
Felicity Lott (soprano)
Phil & Aly
Christopher Underwood SAT 29 NOV

Felicity Lott
box office: 0141 353 8000 SAT 22 NOV
Isle of Harris, Outer Hebrides
 the Musical Event of the Year

The Damnation
of Faust Sat 6 Dec 2008
10

The Damnation of Faust

SAT 6 DEC 2008: 7.30PM

Choral symphony, opera, cantata or as Berlioz termed it, ‘dramatic

legend’. The Damnation of Faust is all of these things, and a marvel
to hear in the flesh. Occasions to experience Berlioz’ masterwork are
all too rare, and with a renowned Berlioz specialist in Music Director
Stéphane Denève, as well as the very finest soloists, this will be an
evening to remember.
Berlioz The Damnation of Faust*
*WITH PROJECTED SURTITLES
Stéphane Denève (conductor)
Jennifer Larmore (MEZZO-soprano)
Gregory Kunde (tenor)
Nicolas Cavallier (bass)
RSNO Chorus

Michael Tumelty

0141 353 8000

box office:

Jennifer Larmore Gregory Kunde
The Damnation of Faust
Hector Berlioz (1803-1869)
the Work
Hector Berlioz’ great masterwork had a long
gestation but speedy – and relatively easy – birth.
Long before The Damnation ever came into
being, Berlioz composed ‘Eight Sketches from
Faust’ which laid a foundation but went no
further than that. He hated the results and, in a
fit of rage, destroyed his copies and withdrew
the music from publication! What Berlioz had in
mind for the Faust legend was music on a much,
much grander scale...
When composition finally began (during a tour of
Central Europe in the mid-1840s), the marvellous
ideas and vast orchestral canvas appear to have
poured forth without too much hinderance:
“...I composed the score with an ease such as
I have very rarely experienced with any of my
other works...I did not have to search for ideas; I
let them come and they presented themselves in
the most unpredictable order...”.
Nicolas Cavallier Stéphane Denève
The Story
Berlioz took Goethe’s Faust and produced his
own libretto, translating as well as re-writing
different sections as required. Faust is the victim
of Mephistopheles’ cunning and trickery. His
love for Marguerite is the eventual reason
for his pact with the devil which, in order to
ensure her place in heaven, secures his eternity
in hell. Faust’s ‘Ride to Abyss’ and the ensuing
pandemonium is blood-curdling, and contrasted
with the serenity of Marguerite’s apotheosis.
Berlioz himself alluded to the beauty of this
sublime moment in a perfect description of his
own music: “The predominant features of my
music are passionate expression, inward intensity,
rhythmic impetus, and unexpectedness. When I
say passionate expression I mean expression bent
on reproducing the essence of its subject, even
when that subject is the opposite of passion, and
gentle, tender feelings are being expressed, or
the most profound calm – the sort of expression
that people have claimed to find in L’enfance du
Christ and, even more, in the scene in heaven in
La damnation de Faust...”
11
The Cast
The RSNO’s French Music Director Stéphane
Denève heads an international cast of soloists
who will bring to life the three main characters
of the Faust legend.
Playing Faust himself is American tenor Gregory
Kunde. Regarded by many as the one of the
most elegant and accomplished singers on the
opera stage, he recently performed the role with
the San Franciso Symphony, Dallas Symphony
and Welsh National Opera.
Nicolas Cavallier sings the role of
Mephistopheles. A bass of great renown and
experience, he studied drama in Paris and singing
at the Royal Academy in London before going
on to the National Opera Studio. He has already
explored the character of Mephistopheles in
another great French masterwork, the Faust of
Gounod.
Outstanding American mezzo-soprano Jennifer
Larmore completes the cast. She has made over
70 recordings, making her the most recorded
mezzo of all time. In 2002 she was made
‘Chevalier des artes et des lettres’ by the French
Government.
www.rsno.org.uk
12

RSNO Favourites: RSNO Festive Concerts:

Lill Plays Liszt Rsno Big Band with Jacqui Dankworth
SAT 13 DEC 2008: 7.30PM THU 18 DEC 2008: 7.30PM
“The best of all,” said Tchaikovsky of his Pathétique Symphony. Swinging seasonal favourites with the fantastic RSNO Big Band
Composed at the peak of his creative powers, this most and, back by popular demand, one of the world’s leading jazz
passionate of works expresses the composer’s own love and singers, Jacqui Dankworth.
struggle with life; tragically, the beloved composer was dead
within days of conducting its premiere. Liszt’s popular Piano Jacqui Dankworth (VOCALS)
Concerto No1 is one of the most virtuosic in the repertoire – but RSNO Big Band
its heights will be dramatically conquered by the great John Lill.
Liszt Les préludes
Liszt Piano Concerto No1
Tchaikovsky Symphony No6 Pathétique
Jun Märkl (conductor)
John Lill (piano)

Katherine Wren (RSNO VIOLA)

JOHN LILL JAcqui Dankworth

SAT 13 DEC THU 18 DEC
 13

RSNO Festive Concerts: RSNO Festive Concerts:

The RSNO Christmas Concerts Handel’s Messiah
SAT 20 DEC 2008: 3.00PM FRI 2 JAN 2009: 3.00PM
SAT 20 DEC 2008: 7.30PM
Since its first performance in 1742, Handel’s masterpiece Messiah
The RSNO’s annual Christmas celebration, perfect for all the has become one of the most popular choral works in the
family! A celebration of Christmas classics, singalong carols and, world. The RSNO and RSNO Chorus are proud of its tradition of
of course, the magical family film The Snowman. performing the oratorio annually on 2 January, and this year the
Orchestra is delighted to welcome back Nicholas McGegan, a
Blake The Snowman conductor renowned for his special relationship with Messiah.
Christopher Bell (conductor) Handel Messiah
RSNO Junior Chorus (3.00PM)
RSNO Chorus (7.30PM) Nicolas McGegan (conductor)
(Soloists TBC)

RSNO Festive Concerts:

Viennese Gala concert
SAT 3 JAN 2009: 7.30PM
Join the RSNO to celebrate the New Year in traditional Viennese
style with a fine collection of favourite waltzes, polkas, marzukas
and arias – led, of course, by the music of the ‘Waltz King’
– Johann Strauss Junior. The RSNO’s Austrian Conductor, David
Danzmayr, makes his Season debut with the Orchestra.
David Danzmayr (conductor)
(guest soloist tbc)

Martin GIbson
RSNO PRINCIPAL TIMPANI

www.rsno.org.uk
14

RSNO Favourites: Drama and Virtuosity

Beethoven’s Fifth
THU 22 JAN 2009: 7.30PM
Roberto Abbado conducts a classical concert with real Italian
flavour. Mario Brunello plays Respighi’s beautiful, rhapsodic
Adagio and Variations, followed by Hadyn’s joyful Concerto
No1. Then Beethoven’s great Fifth Symphony: sublime,
groundbreaking, organic and pure, it is a work that continues to
transfix and transform all who hear it.
Rossini William Tell Overture recounting the campaign of the Russian Prince Igor against
Respighi Adagio and Variations the Polovtsian tribes.
Haydn Cello Concerto No1
Beethoven Symphony No5
Roberto Abbado (conductor)
Mario Brunello (cello)
Jeremy Fletcher (RSNO ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL CELLO)
Lazarev conducts borodin 2
SAT 31 JAN 2009: 7.30PM
Rich, lyrical and seamless, Glazunov’s Violin Concerto is
held in high regard by violinists and audiences alike for its
demanding virtuosity – packed full of astounding technical
effects – as well as its many warm melodies.
Borodin’s action-packed Second Symphony is based, as with
his famous opera, on an epic 12th Century East Slavic poem,
Dvořák The Water Goblin
Glazunov Violin Concerto
Borodin Symphony No2
Alexander Lazarev (conductor)
Alexandra Soumm (violin)
Elita Bungard (RSNO ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL VIOLIN)

Roberto Abbado
Thu 22 JAN Alexandra soumm
SAT 31 JAN

box office: 0141 353 8000

Cromarty Firth
 15

Naked Classics: The Great Concertos:

the orchestra’s star turn! Beethoven and Bartók
THU 5 FEB 2009: 7.30PM SAT 7 FEB 2009: 7.30PM
Exiled Hungarian Bela Bartók’s hunger for his homeland Two giant works of the repertoire: Beethoven’s monumental Violin
rumbles in his humongous Concerto for Orchestra. Most Concerto is played by one of the world’s undisputed masters of
concertos showcase the talents of just one star soloist but the instrument, Frank Peter Zimmermann. And Bartók’s Concerto
tonight, for your enjoyment and delectation, there’s nearly for Orchestra is a platform for skill and virtuosity from every single
one hundred topping the bill – how’s that for value? Join player – a stunning showpiece for Denève and his wonderful
presenter Paul Rissmann, conductor Stéphane Denève musicians.
and a stage full of prima donnas as they explore and
expose the facts and music behind this remarkable work! Beethoven Violin Concerto
Bartók Concerto for Orchestra
ALL TICKETS £10 + U16s GO FREE + U26s £5
Stéphane Denève (conductor)
Never been to a Naked Classics Frank Peter Zimmermann (violin)
concert before? Find out more at
Sir Alexander Gibson Memorial Concert
www.nakedclassics.org.uk

Sophie Lang (RSNO VIOLIN)

Frank Peter ZimmermanN

SAT 7 FEB

Susannah Lloyd RSNO Violin www.rsno.org.uk

16

Music, the Food of Love

Romantic Valentine’s Classics
SAT 14 FEB 2009: 7.30PM
Relax and enjoy an intoxicating evening of the most romantic music imaginable, including
Tchaikovsky’s achingly passionate ‘Fantasy Overture’ based on Shakespeare’s tale of the fated young
lovers, Romeo and Juliet, and Grieg’s phenomenally popular Piano Concerto, performed on this
special evening by Korean star pianist Sunwook Kim, who won the 2006 Leeds International Piano
Competition aged only eighteen.
Ravel Boléro
Grieg Piano Concerto
Mahler Adagietto from Symphony No5
Morricone Cinema Paradiso
Tchaikovsky Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture
David Danzmayr (conductor)
Sunwook Kim (Piano)

SUNWOOK KIM
SAT 14 FEB

Simon Lowdon Zoe Kitson

RSNO Principal Percussion RSNO principal Cor Anglais

box office: 0141 353 8000

Sound of Raasay, Skye
A celebration of Mendelssohn’s Birth

Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)
In 2009 we celebrate the 200th anniversary of the great
composer, conductor and pianist Felix Mendelssohn. To this list
we might also add accomplished artist, linguist, poet, scholar,
traveller, Royal piano tutor...even sportsman! Mendelssohn,
during his short but intensely full 38 years, was an amazing
conduit of Romantic energy.
Stephen Hough
SAT 21 FEB
Voyages and Dreams
A Mendelssohn Celebration
SAT 21 FEB 2009: 7.30PM
Mendelssohn’s First Piano Concerto garnered instant praise,
especially from Liszt, who went on to make the concerto his
own in performance. With its cascading chords and breathless
runs it is easy to see why it became such a showpiece and why
internationally-acclaimed pianist Stephen Hough is the natural
choice for a piece of such beautiful virtuosity.
The incidental music to A Midsummer Night’s Dream is so light,
so delicate and so magical that it is hard not to believe it the
creation of one of Shakespeare’s faeries: a true testament to the
musical genius of this most talented composer.
Mendelssohn Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage
Mendelssohn Piano Concerto No1
Mendelssohn A Midsummer Night’s Dream (complete)
Andreas Spering (conductor)
Stephen Hough (piano)
(Soloists TBC)
Ladies of the RSNO Chorus
Ben Parry
RSNO Chorus
SAT 21/thu 26 FEB
 19

The Great Concertos: Classic West End

Baiba Skride plays Mendelssohn Big Band Meets The Orchestra
THU 26 FEB 2009: 7.30PM THU 5 MAR 2009: 7.30PM
Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto was the first Romantic concerto for the From the old time musical magic of Gershwin
instrument, and set the benchmark for all to come in both its technical and Porter to more recent classics from the likes
challenge and emotional satisfaction. The RSNO welcomes the incredible of Sondheim and Lloyd Webber, the Orchestra
young Latvian violinist Baiba Skride to play this most popular and cherished teams up with some razor sharp jazz musicians
concerto of the repertoire under the baton of RSNO Conductor Emeritus and vocalists, to create that lush Big Band
Walter Weller. sound from the Golden Era. A swingin’ evening
celebrating the best of the West End – packed
Schubert Overture to Rosamunde with songs from the great Broadway shows.
Mendelssohn Violin Concerto
Haydn Nelson Mass With guest vocalists
Walter Weller (conductor)
Baiba Skride (violin)
(Soloists TBC) Produced in Association with
RSNO Chorus
Frikki Walker

Baiba Skride Walter Weller

thu 26 FEB thu 26 FEB
Two musical soirées, each in three parts, inspired by the magic of Paris.

A Parisian Portrait

Springtime SAT 28 MAR 2009: 7.00PM*

Stéphane Denève and world-renowned pianist Jean-Yves
Thibaudet open with an intimate salon-style selection of
piano music and song, recalling the hey-day of private
Parisian performances. The soirée continues with a

Paris
celebration of the New Parisians, including the world
premiere of Guillaume Connesson’s Piano Concerto.

in
Ravel’s jazz-infused Piano Concerto and Gershwin’s famous
depiction of an American in Paris bring an intoxicating end
to two concerts of delirious Parisian atmosphere.
A Paris Salon
The New Parisians including
Conneson Piano Concerto
Ravel Piano Concerto in G Major
Gershwin An American in Paris

Paris with Style Stéphane Denève (conductor/PIANO)

Jean-Yves Thibaudet (piano)
SAT 21 MAR 2009: 7.00PM*
PLUS special pre & post-concert events in the foyer
French Music Director Stéphane Denève is joined by three of
the greatest keyboard players of our time for this musical foray
*PLEASE NOTE THE EARLIER START TIME OF THESE CONCERTS
to Paris. From the charm of Mozart’s joyous Paris Symphony, via
Poulenc’s cosmopolitan Concerto for Two Pianos and the antique
atmosphere of his Concert champêtre, to the café culture of
Offenbach’s Can-Can in Gaîté Parisienne, relax and enjoy this
whirlwind tour of Parisian society.
Mozart Symphony No31 Paris
Poulenc Concerto for Two Pianos
Poulenc Concert champêtre
Offenbach Gaîté Parisienne
Stéphane Denève (conductor)
Frank Braley & Eric Le Sage (piano)
Jory Vinikour (harpsichord)
PLUS special pre & post-concert events in the foyer Jean-Yves Thibaudet
sat 28 mar

Further details of Springtime in Paris festival events will be released nearer the time.
 21

Naked Classics: By Sea, By Land, By Air

Beethoven’s pastoral Symphony
THU 16 APR 2009: 7.30PM
Join presenter Paul Rissmann, conductor James Judd
and the Orchestra for a frolic in the fields with Beethoven.
The great composer (the greatest, according to many)
takes delight in rustic, rural life and the fresh air of nature.
But this is a countryside not unlike our own, coming
complete with a massive rainstorm and a collection of merry
peasants…
ALL TICKETS £10 + U16s GO FREE + U26s £5
Never been to a Naked Classics
concert before? Find out more at
www.nakedclassics.org.uk
The Lark Ascending
SAT 18 APR 2009: 7.30PM
Frank Bridge is Britain’s most underrated composer, and The Sea
is his masterpiece. It is eloquently partnered by Vaughan Williams’
peerless The Lark Ascending, voted by Classic FM listeners their
favourite classical work. With Beethoven’s Pastoral in the second
half, this will be an evening of serenity and inner peace.
Bridge The Sea
Vaughan Williams The Lark Ascending
Beethoven Symphony No6 Pastoral
James Judd (conductor)
(violin TBC)
This concert is dedicated to the Lillie Bequest Fund in honour of the RSNO Foundation
Lisa Davidson (RSNO VIOLA)

janet richardson
Pool Roag, Skye RSNO principal piccolo www.rsno.org.uk
22

The Sound of Brass Behold the Sea

kristjan järvi with Håkan hardenberger
SAT 25 APR 2009: 7.30PM
Kristjan Järvi’s spectacular recent performances with the RSNO have
installed him as a favourite with Scottish audiences. Tonight he
conducts an evening of dynamic music, taking in Dvořák’s ebullient
Scherzo capriccioso, Bruckner’s majestic Sixth Sympony and a new
concerto for Håkan Hardenberger, the most acclaimed trumpeter in
the world.
Dvořák Scherzo capriccioso
Schwertsik Divertimento Macchiato
for Trumpet and Orchestra
Bruckner Symphony No6
Kristjan Järvi (conductor)
Håkan Hardenberger (trumpet)
Marcus Pope (RSNO TRUMPET)
Vaughan Williams’ Sea Symphony
SAT 9 MAY 2009: 7.30PM
The mighty forces of the RSNO Chorus, Sir Thomas Allen,
Christine Goerke, Stéphane Denève and the Orchestra
unite to unleash the power and strength of the ocean
in Vaughan Williams’ romantic choral symphony, taking
inspiration and text from poems by Walt Whitman. This
huge work is preceded by some of the most sublime
music ever written: Wagner’s orchestral music from
Tristan und Isolde.
Wagner Preludes to Acts I and III and
‘Liebestod’ from Tristan und Isolde
Vaughan Williams Symphony No1 Sea Symphony
Stéphane Denève (conductor)
Christine Goerke (soprano)
Sir Thomas Allen (baritone)
RSNO Chorus

Sophie Lang (RSNO VIOLIN)

Sir Thomas Allen

sat 9 may
Håkan
Kristjan järvi hardenberger
sat 25 apr sat 25 apr

box office: 0141 353 8000

Port of Ness, Isle of Lewis
 23

Season Finale
Brahms’ Second Symphony
SAT 16 MAY 2009: 7.30PM
Denève conducts a popular and varied programme to bring the Season
to a rousing conclusion. The evening opens with Prokofiev’s exotic,
raucous and hedonistic The Love for Three Oranges. Tchaikovsky’s Rococo
Variations, an elegant homage to Mozart, will draw a wide range of
timbres and sounds from the cello of Grammy-nominated soloist Sol
Gabetta. Premiered on the same day in 1877 as Tchaikovsky’s Variations,
Brahms’ Second Symphony is a most beautiful symphony; gentle, pastoral,
cheerful and confident.
Prokofiev The Love for Three Oranges Suite
Tchaikovsky Rococo Variations
Brahms Symphony No2
Stéphane Denève (conductor)
Sol Gabetta (cello)

Michael Tumelty

sol gabetta
sat 16 may

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Principal Sponsors and Donors

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please Support getting to the concert
STéPHANE’s Vision The RSNO performs in Glasgow at the magnificent Glasgow
Royal Concert Hall. You can enter via the Box Office entrance
on Buchanan Street or from the Killermont Street entrance
Music Director Stéphane Denève has thrilled and excited (opposite the Buchanan Street Bus Station). Convenient
audiences with his flair and passion for making music with parking is available at Concert Square, Buchanan Galleries or
the RSNO. His vision for the Orchestra extends far beyond the Cambridge Street car parks. The nearest Subway is Buchanan
concert halls into schools and local communities, bringing Street – a short walk from the Hall.
music to children and young people.
The RSNO is so committed to pre-school music that our
audiences of 3-5 year olds see and hear a full symphonic Renfr P Cambridge
Street
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orchestra. They are spellbound by this powerful sound and reet
amazed by the conductor and musicians. Sauch
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Bus Station
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We want to encourage children to make music part of their Bath s Royal
treet Concert
lives. You can help us to make this happen. We need your Hall P Buchanan
West Galleries
support to take music across Scotland. Regen
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Please fill in the donation box on your booking form and help

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Stéphane and the RSNO to take live music to more places, et U

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St Vin Queen
more children and more young people. cent s

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West
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Buch
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Waterlo
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We’re taking the train

so why don’t you?
First ScotRail is the Royal Scottish National Orchestra’s Official
Transport Provider for the 08:09 Season. RSNO Musicians
will not only be able to travel in comfort to all corners of the
nation, but will also be reducing the environmental impact of a
busy touring schedule.
We recommend you make tracks for our concerts by
taking the train – The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall is just
minutes from both Queen Street and Central Stations. With
convenient, fast and frequent services throughout Scotland
and a wide range of great value off-peak and group fares, First
ScotRail is bound to have just the ticket to hit the right note!
Visit www.firstscotrail.com or call 08457 55 00 33 to find
out more.
Photo of Stéphane with quote `Tous mes
vœux de bonne Musique pour cette
08:09 saison!’, photo of children
NoW book your tickets!
1. Save £s and Subscribe to Booking four or more concerts? Save up to 50%
by Subscribing and enjoy exclusive benefits.
the Season today! Complete and return your form today!

Under 26 £5 Card
26 or under? Full-time student? Sign-up online at
2. Single Concert Tickets www.rsno.org.uk for the RSNO’s free U26 Card.
There are 3 easy ways to book tickets to individual concerts: 07:08 cardholders need to re-register.

BY PHONE: 0141 353 8000* All concerts except Festive only £5 on production of this card. If
Open Monday – Friday: 9am to 6pm you are of working age and in receipt of unemployment benefit
Saturday: 10am to 6pm you may also be eligible for the card – please apply online. If you
don’t have internet access, please call 0141 225 3562.
ONLINE: www.rsno.org.uk* RSNO Patrons with disabilities
Patrons with disabilities are entitled to 50% off any single ticket
IN PERSON: price. Official carers can accompany patrons with disabilities for
Visit the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall Box Office at free. Please purchase tickets in advance. (Disabled concessions
2 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow G2 3NY. are not applicable to subscription prices.)
Open Monday – Saturday: 10am to 6pm
Wheelchair spaces (£5 each) are situated at the ends of Terrace
*a fee of 75p per transaction is charged for all phone and online bookings Blocks A & C. Access for the disabled is via the North Entrance
(Killermont Street). Lifts are available to all levels.
SINGLE TICKET PRICES School Groups
08:09 Season concerts: £32, £24, £17.50, £13, £10 School and school-age youth groups are most welcome to all
08:09 Festive Concerts: £32, £25, £20, £15, £12 RSNO events. All tickets, including accompanying adults, are £4
Classic Bites / Naked Classics: All tickets £10 (excluding Festive).*
Halloween Classics: All tickets £12.50
Great Discounts for Groups
Big Band Meets the Orchestra: Cabaret seating (6 per table) Groups of 6-10 save 20% off full price tickets.*
replaces the arena seating – swing in style for £32 per person! Groups of 11+ save 30% off full price tickets.*
Single tickets on sale from Tuesday 3 June 2008. RSNO Circle *Subject to availability.
members can priority book single concert tickets from Tuesday 20
May 2008.

U16s GO FREE
to all RSNO Season, Halloween, Classic Bites and
Naked Classics concerts.* For more information visit
www.rsno.org.uk/passport-to-music
*Children must be accompanied by a paying adult –
maximum 2 free children’s tickets per adult ticket.
(50% off for Festive Concerts.)
the more you book, the more you save!
subscribe today! YOUR incredible SUBSCRIPTION prices
Join thousands of people across the country and Subscribe to the RSNO
today! It’s easy – simply tick the number of concerts you’d like to attend PRICE PRICE PRICE PRICE PRICE
on the booking form, add them up and then see how much you’ve BAND BAND BAND BAND BAND
saved on the Table of Savings. A B C D E
Please make sure you complete both sides of the perforated booking
form. Bookings need to be processed carefully and so they cannot be Single ticket price
completed by phone or ‘while you wait’. Booking forms should be 1 £32 £24 £17.50 £13 £10
sent to the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall Box Office using the Freepost
address below: 2
start saving – DISOUNTS START
3 FROM ONLY 4 CONCERTS!
Box Office
Freepost RRJE-LXZY-UUEE 4 £102 £76 £56 £42 £32
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
5 £127.50 £95 £70 £52.50 £40
2 Sauchiehall Street
Glasgow G2 3NY 6 £153 £114 £84 £63 £48

7 £178.50 £133 £98 £73.50 £56

Subscriber Benefits
RSNO Subscribers are part of a large family of music lovers who enjoy 8 £176 £132 £96 £72 £56
many benefits from booking four or more concerts. As well as making
potential savings of over £350, you can: 9 £198 £148.50 £108 £81 £63
Spread your Subscription payments over 6 months by Standing 10 £220 £165 £120 £90 £70
Order – simple, convenient and free.
11 £242 £181 £132 £99 £77
Choose the seats you want – let us know where you like to sit
and we’ll do our best. Of course, the earlier you apply and the more 12 £228 £174 £126 £96 £72
concerts you book, the better chance you have of booking your
favourite seats. 13 £247 £188.50 £136.50 £104 £78

Easily exchange tickets – if one of your Subscription dates becomes 14 £266 £203 £147 £112 £84
inconvenient, you can swap your tickets for another in the Season (24 15 £285 £217.50 £157.50 £120 £90
hours’ notice required, same price band, admin charge of £1 per ticket).
16 £280 £208 £152 £112 £88
Enjoy a range of exclusive offers and discounts from RSNO partners
– when you book your Subscription you’ll receive your own RSNO 17 £297.50 £221 £161.50 £119 £93.50
Subscriber Benefit Card along with your tickets.
18 £315 £234 £171 £126 £99
Please Note:
19 £332.50 £247 £180.50 £133 £104.50
All discounts are subject to availability. The RSNO reserves the right to introduce ticket discounts at any
time. We regret no refunds can be made. All details correct at time of print. The RSNO reserves the right to
change performance details without prior notice. 20 £320 £240 £170 £130 £100

£336 £252 £178.50 £136.50 £105

Patrons should be aware that when you book your details will be held on the box office computer system.
If your consent has previously been indicated or is given at time of purchase, this information will be passed
21
to the RSNO and from time to time we may contact you with information from the RSNO. We do not pass
your details to any third party organisations. 22 £352 £264 £187 £143 £110
If you feel your consent has been wrongly applied, your details are incorrect or you would like to withdraw
from the RSNO marketing list, please write to: The Database Manager, RSNO, 73 Claremont Street, 23 £368 £276 £195.50 £149.50 £115
Glasgow G3 7JB.
Booking form
circle upper circle circle

Terrace B

Terrace A Terrace C

Arena

1 Tick your SUBSCRIPTION concert choices (MINIMUM OF 4) 2 Please tell us the names of the subscribers this
booking form refers to:
Denève conducts Mahler 5 4 OCT 08
Subscriber 1
Beethoven and Strauss favourites 11 OCT 08
(this should be the name of the main billing contact who will be completing the
Osborne plays Brahms’ Piano concerto No2 18 OCT 08 remainder of this form, overleaf)
Bruch’s Violin Concerto 25 OCT 08
Subscriber 2
The magic of Mozart 8 NOV 08
Järvi conducts Sibelius and Prokofiev 15 NOV 08 Subscriber 3
Dame Felicity Lott sings Poulenc 22 NOV 08
St Andrew’s Party with Phil And Aly 29 NOV 08 Subscriber 4
The Damnation of Faust 6 DEC 08 IF UNDER 16 (FREE) PLEASE MARK THIS CLEARLY BESIDE NAME. Booking for more than
Four? please use a separate booking form or attach details on a new sheet.
Lill Plays Liszt 13 DEC 08
Beethoven’s Fifth 22 JAN 09
Lazarev conducts borodin 2 31 JAN 09 3 SPECIFY Your price band

Beethoven and BartÓk concertos 7 FEB 09 A B C D E (Please CIRCLE)

Romantic Valentine’s Classics 14 FEB 09
NOW INDICATE YOUR SEATS ON THE PLAN ABOVE
A Mendelssohn Celebration 21 FEB 09 (Please tick - WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO ACCOMMODATE YOU.
YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE EXACT!)
Mendelssohn Violin concerto 26 FEB 09
Big Band meets the Orchestra 5 MAR 09 (optional: SPECIFY Your row and seat number)
IF YOU ARE A PREVIOUS SUBSCRIBER AND KNOW YOUR USUAL ROW AND SEAT,
SPRINGTIME IN PARIS: paris with style 21 MAR 09 PLEASE SPECIFY HERE. PLEASE NOTE: WE CANNOT GUARANTEE THIS SEAT, ALTHOUGH
PRIORITY CONSIDERATION WILL BE GIVEN TO EARLY SUBSCRIBERS WHO BOOK FOR 12
SPRINGTIME IN PARIS: a parisian portrait 28 MAR 09 CONCERTS OR MORE.
The Lark Ascending 18 APR 09
BLOCK ROW SEAT
Kristjan Järvi with Håkan Hardenberger 25 APR 09
Vaughan Williams’ Sea Symphony 9 MAY 09
Season Finale: Brahms’ Second 16 MAY 09 4 cost of ONE subscription
(REfer to ‘YOUR POTENTIAL SUBSCRIPTION SAVINGS’ OPPOSITE)
£

TOTAL NO. of Concerts

NO. Of adult subscrIBERS ON THIS FORM
Are there any more concerts you’d like to attend?
Look again at the Table of Savings – you might find that you save money by Total cost of subscriptions £
adding a few more concerts to your subscription! (MULTIPLY THE TWO BOXES ABOVE)
5 Why not take this opportunity to Also book your 7 Payment
tickets to the RSNO Festive Concerts, Classic Bites,
Naked Classics and halloween performances now? Customer details
Name

FESTIVE Concerts Write the number of tickets in the boxes below.

Address
Price Band A B C D E
Adult / U16s-disabled (50% off) £32/£16 £25/£12.50 £20/£10 £15/£7.50 £12/£6 Postcode

BIG BAND THU 18 dec 08

Daytime Phone (INC Area Code) Email
CHRISTMAS 20 DeC 08 (3PM)
CHRISTMAS 20 DeC 08 (7.30PM)
total cost of SUBSCRIPTIONS (see Panel 4) £
MESSIAH FRI 02 Jan 09 (3PM)
Viennese Sat 03 Jan 09 other concerts (see Panel 5) £

TOTALS donation (see Panel 6) £

£
BOX OFFICE FEE (to cover postage) £ 50p
CLASSIC BITES
all tickets £10 / U16s (free) grand total amount payable £
SAT 27 SEPT 08 (6PM) £10 U16s (free)
Choose a method of payment
TOTALS £ Payment by Cheque
I enclose a cheque/postal order for
NAKED CLASSICS (please make payable to glasgow’s concert halls)
£
all tickets £10 / U16s (free)
Payment by Credit Card
Brahms’ piano no2 thu 16 oct 08 £10 U16s (free) I authorise you to debit my
Bartók’s Concerto THU 05 FEB 09 £10 U16s (free) mastercard/visa/switch for £
Card No.
Beethoven’s Pastoral THU 16 APR 09 £10 U16s (free)
TOTALS £
Valid From Expiry Date Issue No.

Other Concerts
all tickets £12.50 / U16s (free) Signature Date
Halloween Classics FRi 31 OCT 08 £12.50 U16s (free)
TOTALS £ Payment by standing order (spread payments over 6 months)
Name of Bank

NON-Subscription Concerts TOTAL £

bank Address

Postcode
6 A gift for the future
Account No. Sort Code
Please support Stéphane Denève’s vision by donating (see page 25).
I would like to gift £ to help bring music to the
next generation of RSNO music lovers. Please pay £ (The grand total divided by Six) on the
of every month, beginning september 2008 and with the final payment
If you are a UK taxpayer you can help the RSNO in february 2009 (A total of Six payments).
further by ticking this box. I would like the RSNO Signature Date
to treat this and all future donations I make to the
RSNO as Gift Aid Donations. I confirm that I am a UK
taxpayer and the amount of tax I pay exceeds the please pay bank of scotland sort code 80-54-01, gordon street, glasgow g1 3RS for
amount I would like the RSNO to claim. credit of royal scottish national orchestra, subscription account no 00956570
The RSNO Across Scotland: SEPTEMBER 2008 - MAY 2009
Danzmayr Conducts
L Wed 17 Sept 2008
I Fri 19 Sept 2008
Classic Bites
E Fri 5 Dec 2008
G Sat 27 Sept 08: 6.00pm G Sat 6 Dec 2008
Deneve Conducts Mahler 5
A Thu 2 Oct 2008
E Fri 3 Oct 2008
G Sat 4 Oct 2008
Beethoven and Strauss
Favourites
D Wed 8 Oct 2008
E Fri 10 Oct 2008
G Sat 11 Oct 2008
Naked Classics: Johannes’ 2nd
Joanna Concerto
G Thu 16 Oct 2008
Osborne Plays Brahms
E Fri 17 Oct 2008
G Sat 18 Oct 2008
Bruch’s Violin Concerto
E Fri 24 Oct 2008
G Sat 25 Oct 2008
Halloween Classics
G Fri 31 Oct 2008
The Magic of Mozart
A Thu 6 Nov 2008
E Fri 7 Nov 2008
G Sat 8 Nov 2008
Järvi Conducts Sibelius and
Prokofiev
D Thu 13 Nov 2008
E Fri 14 Nov 2008
G Sat 15 Nov 2008
Dame Felicity Lott Sings
Poulenc
E Fri 21 Nov 2008
G Sat 22 Nov 2008
All concerts start at 7.30pm unless noted otherwise
An Evening with Phil & Aly
Handel’s Messiah
G Sat 29 Nov 2008
G Fri 2 Jan 2009: 3.00pm
The Damnation of Faust
Viennese Gala Concert
G Sat 3 Jan 2009
Df Sun 4 Jan 2009
Lill Plays Liszt P Thu 8 Jan 2009
E Fri 12 Dec 2008 E Fri 9 Jan 2009
G Sat 13 Dec 2008 Beethoven’s Fifth
The RSNO Christmas Concert G Thu 22 Jan 2009
D Tue 16 Dec 2008* E Fri 23 Jan 2009
A Wed 17 Dec 2008 Lazarev Conducts Borodin 2
E Fri 19 Dec 2008
D Thu 29 Jan 2009
G Sat 20 Dec: 3.00pm*
G Sat 31 Jan 2009
G Sat 20 Dec: 7.30pm
Naked Classics:
RSNO Big Band The Orchestra’s Star Turn!
with Jacqui Dankworth
G Thu 5 Feb 2009
G Thu 18 Dec 2008
Beethoven and Bartok
A Sun 21 Dec 2008
E Fri 6 Feb 2009
G Sat 7 Feb 2009
* RSNO Junior Chorus
Romantic Valentine’s Classics
P Wed 11 Feb 2009
E Fri 13 Feb 2009
G Sat 14 Feb 2009
A Mendelssohn Celebration
I Thu 19 Feb 2009
E Fri 20 Feb 2009
G Sat 21 Feb 2009
Baiba Skride
plays Mendelssohn
G Thu 26 Feb 2009
E Fri 27 Feb 2009
Big Band Meets the Orchestra
G Thu 5 Mar 2009
Springtime in Paris:
Paris with Style
D Thu 19 Mar 2009
E Fri 20 Mar 2009: 7pm
G Sat 21 Mar 2009: 7pm
aberdeen 01224 641 122
Springtime in Paris:
A Parisian Portrait dundee 01382 434 940
dunfermline 01383 314 000
E Fri 27 Mar 2009: 7pm
edinburgh 0131 228 1404
G Sat 28 Mar 2009: 7pm
glasgow 0141 353 8000
Naked Classics: Beethoven’s
Pastoral Symphony Inverness 01463 234 234
Langholm 01387 381 196
G Thu 16 Apr 2009
perth 0845 612 6324
The Lark Ascending
E Fri 17 Apr 2009 PHOTO CREDITS
G Sat 18 Apr 2008 All RSNO photos ©Tom Finnie
© 2008 Macduff Everton
Kristjan Järvi with Håkan © 2008 Colin Prior, p8
Hardenberger © Terry Whittaker, Frank Lane
Pictures/CORBIS, p12-13
A Thu 23 Apr 2009
E Fri 24 Apr 2009
G Sat 25 Apr 2009
Vaughan Williams’
Sea Symphony
E Fri 8 May 2009
G Sat 9 May 2009
Brahms’ Second Symphony
A Thu 14 May 2009
E Fri 15 May 2009
G Sat 16 May 2009
The RSNO is
supported by the
Scottish Government.
73 Claremont Street
Glasgow G3 7JB
T: +44 (0)141 226 3868
F: +44 (0)141 221 4317
W: rsno.org.uk
Scottish Company No 27809
Scottish Charity No SCO 10702
VAT NO 316344770