CLASSICAL SEASON 2013/14 FEATURING NORTHERN...

CLASSICALSEASON2013/14FEATURINGNORTHERNSINFONIA

GREAT MULT IBUY DEALSACROSS THE SEASON – SEE PAGE 11

Northern Sinfonia, Orchestra of SageGateshead, is joined by a star-studdedroster of guest ensembles and artists for a programme packed full of exciting,beautiful and fascinating concerts withmusic from the 16th to 21st centuries,from Stravinsky to Sleigh-Ride.

With a typically varied programmeThomas Zehetmair, Northern Sinfonia’slongest serving Music Director, embarkson his 12th and final season at the helm.Known for his dedication to style andinterpretation, he leads the orchestralprogramme at Sage Gateshead andconducts Northern Sinfonia in theirdebut series at Milton Court, London.Marking their 40th anniversary,Northern Sinfonia Chorus also joinsThomas and the orchestra for threesignificant and memorable concerts as well as performing under theirfounding Chorus Master Alan Fearon.

In 2013 the country remembers itsmost celebrated composer, BenjaminBritten, and in the first half of theseason we follow suit featuring his music in Hall One, Hall Two and through our Join In projects. In thespring and summer months we focus on internationally-renowned Britishcomposer John Casken with a series of performances that culminate in the world premiere of his new concertofor violin and viola ‘That Subtle Knot’.Opera North concludes its epic RingCycle with the dramatic and powerful‘Götterdämmerung’ and we turn ourattention to a new programme cycle:Beethoven’s complete Piano Sonatas.From the grandeur of Wagner in HallOne, we look to the intimate setting of Hall Two for this fascinating set ofworks performed over several seasonsby the celebrated Palestinian-Israelipianist Saleem Abboud Ashkar.

Among the many wonderful guests of Northern Sinfonia are leadinginstrumentalists who each perform a concerto and then conduct theorchestra for the first time, bringingtheir unrivalled musicality to thepodium. Violinist Julian Rachlinperforms Mendelssohn, pianist LarsVogt takes on Mozart and Beethovenand astounding trumpeter HåkanHardenberger presents Bach, Haydnand Stravinsky.

WELCOME

Welcome to the2013/14 ClassicalSeason where world-class precision andexcellence, pairedwith stunning, crystal-clear acoustics arethe foundations ofevery performance.

Ticket Office: 0191 443 466102

Thomas Zehetmair

Our popular Classic FM Series,featuring Principal Conductor MarioVenzago, continues with a selection ofthe most loved concerti from classicalmusic and many pieces from ClassicFM’s ‘Hall of Fame’, whilst Late Mixinspires and challenges the mind withmusic from throughout time. Chambermusic is a unique and integral part of thework of Northern Sinfonia, highlightedin our Hall Two series which includesworks from Brahms to Schoenbergwhilst Section Leader Flute, JulietteBausor, performs a vivid recital as anECHO (European Concert HallOrganisation) Rising Star.

To learn more about the musicians andthe music they play, ‘Northern SinfoniaSpotlight’ performances give you thechance to hear individual playersperforming their own choice of solorepertoire whilst beautiful music youmight not yet know is featured in‘Northern Sinfonia Presents…’

Both series are presented after Hall Oneconcerts whilst the pre-concert talks area fascinating insight into the backgroundof the music from the artists’ perspective.Outside the auditorium, our ExploringMusic talks offer an in-depth study of all genres of music from every angle.

Before all of that, our 2013 SummerSeries features Northern Sinfonia playersin ensembles from duos to octets contrastedby regular guests the Hallé who providean injection of symphonic excitement.

Whether you attend one concert or takeadvantage of our multibuy deals, therewill be something on offer for everyone.We look forward to welcoming you toour performances.

Craig West, Head of Classical Music

www.sagegateshead.com 03

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BIOGRAPHY


Northern Sinfonia, Orchestra of SageGateshead and the UK’s only full-timechamber orchestra, has built adistinctive reputation as a fresh-thinkingand versatile orchestra. Under itslongest serving Music Director, ThomasZehetmair, Northern Sinfonia has taken a dedicated approach to stylisticexcellence in all genres and hasdeveloped an extensive and ambitiousrepertoire. Core classical music remainsat the heart of the programme whilstprecision, excellence and deep musicalunderstanding are equally applied to its chamber, contemporary, lightmusic and cross-genre performances.All performances are underpinned by Zehetmair’s maxim; to perform “as if the ink was still wet on the page.”

Founded in 1958, the orchestra hasbeen integral to the cultural life of theregion and reached new heights with the opening of Sage Gateshead in2004 as its world-class home. Acritically acclaimed cycle of BeethovenSymphonies marked the orchestra’s50th anniversary and the orchestra has since given equally laudedsymphonic cycles by Schubert, Brahmsand Schumann, the piano concertos of Beethoven and the completeBrandenburg Concerti by JS Bach whilst continuing to explore thesymphonies of Tchaikovsky and Sibelius.Northern Sinfonia has worked withmany of the most in-demand artists in the world including Sir Mark Elder,Yannick Nezet-Seguin, Gidon Kremer,Ian Bostridge, Pierre Laurent-Aimardand Heinz Holliger whilst also offeringopportunities for the next generation of

star conductors and musicians. The orchestra’s commitment tocontemporary music is highlighted byfrequent commissions and premieres,most recently by Simon Bainbridge,David Lang and John Woolrich.Performances of the most currentcomposers are a regular feature of the orchestra’s work. A unique and extensive programme of chamber music celebrates the individual talent of Northern Sinfonia musicians withperformances in the intimate setting of Hall Two as well as regular solo andconcerto performances by leadingplayers in Sage Gateshead’s Hall One.

Part of a vibrant programme of music at Sage Gateshead, Northern Sinfoniatakes regular opportunities to collaboratewith artists from other art formsincluding Sting, Pet Shop Boys, JoannaNewsome, Efterklang, Spiritualised andRaul Malo. The orchestra has also takenan active role in Sage Gateshead’sflagship festivals’ including GatesheadInternational Jazz Festival andSummerTyne Americana Festival.

Performances in its landmark home are complemented by an extensiveprogramme of activity in the local andregional community as well as nationallyand internationally. Residencies at theAldeburgh Festival and Hong Kong Arts

Festival with Thomas Zehetmair areamong the many recent invitations toperform at venues and festivals aroundthe country and abroad with visits toGermany, Sweden, Portugal, Hollandand South Korea as well as the regularperformances at the BBC Proms andinvolvement in the 2013 The Rest isNoise festival at London’s Southbank.The orchestra is broadcast on radio each season whilst recordings on its own label are complemented by regularcommercial releases on AVIE, Signum,Naxos and NMC.

Northern Sinfonia continues tocontribute to the cultural life of theregion through its work with adults and youngsters alike. Performances for families and schools, gala concertswith community choirs and workshopsand premieres of student compositionsare regular projects whilst the individualmembers play a key role coaching and mentoring in Sage Gateshead’sYoung Musicians’ Programme and In Harmony project.


SUMMERCONCERTS

NORTHERN SINFONIASUMMER CHAMBER SERIESHall Two, 7pm

Sunday 30th June, 2013Beethoven Trio for Violin, Viola and Cello in C minor Op.9/3 Mozart Oboe QuartetBartók Selection of Duos for two violinsTchaikovsky String Quartet No.1

Thursday 18th July, 2013Beethoven Trio for Violin, Viola and Cello in D Op.9/2Prokofiev Sonata for two violinsFrançaix Wind Quintet No.2Bruch Octet for Strings

Wednesday 31st July, 2013Beethoven Trio for Violin, Viola and Cello in G Op.9/1Francaix Wind Quintet No.1 Telemann Gulliver Suite for two violinsWieniawski Caprices for two violins, Nos. 1, 4, 6Verdi String Quartet in E minor

Tickets: £16

HALLÉSunday 14th July 2013, 7.30pm, Hall One

The Hallé return with conductor Stephen Bell for a spectacularnight packed full of classics. From the serenity of Saint-Saën’s‘The Swan’ and the stately pomp of Elgar’s ‘Nimrod’ to the riproaring excitement of Tchaikovsky’s ‘1812 Overture’ - there’ssomething for everyone from one of Britain’s most respectedorchestras.

Tickets: £10-£33


interest in the country’s most celebratedcomposer with performances of threesong-cycles, each performed withspecially selected singers; establishedtalent Werner Güra and Julie Fuchs and rising star Samuel Boden.

Alongside the dedication to his art,Thomas’s time with Northern Sinfonia hasbeen defined by ambition. A Beethovensymphonic cycle over two weeks,conductor-less performances andrecordings of numerous violin concertiincluding Stravinsky and Brahms,exploration of the symphonic works ofTchaikovsky and Sibelius or the manyworld-premieres, including works by Philip Cashian, John Woolrich and SimonBainbridge, are just some of the examplesof how Thomas and the orchestra have setnew targets and challenges and met themwith critical acclaim. This final season ledby Thomas culminates with a fittingly epicprogramme including the world-premiereof John Casken’s concerto for violin and viola, directed and performed byThomas and guest Ruth Killius, alongsideBartók’s powerful Viola Concerto andBeethoven’s saluting Fifth Symphony.

Stunning musicianship, heartfeltcommitment and endless ambitionunderpin a season of masterful works andmemorable performances that are a fittingend to this wonderful musical relationship.What Thomas has undertaken andachieved in his 12 seasons is unrivalled and has made a profound difference to the musical heritage of the region andthe future of Northern Sinfonia. Wedon’t say goodbye as there are still somany projects and ideas to explore in the future but we say ‘thank you’ Thomasfor 12 seasons of pure musical joy.

‘VIELEN DANK’THOMAS

In the 12th and final season of ThomasZehetmair’s tenure as Music Director ofNorthern Sinfonia, the orchestra’s longestserving Director presents a typicallyvaried programme that shows the fullrange of musical wonders that have been a feature of their work together.

Upon joining Northern Sinfonia, Thomasquickly established a crucial philosophy to the music-making seeking to perform“as if the ink was still wet on the page”,something that now underpins theorchestra’s whole approach to all music.With a pure dedication to style and adeep musical interpretation, NorthernSinfonia’s performances of the classicalrepertoire with Thomas have been world-class, recognised nationally andinternationally. The Complete BachBrandenburg Concerti at the EdinburghFestival, Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony atthe Aldeburgh Festival and an acclaimedcycle of Brahms Symphonies at Sage

Gateshead are just some of theperformances that live long in the memorywhilst the orchestra under Zehetmair havebeen described as “one of the most daringlyresponsive Mozartian orchestras in thecountry” (Alfred Hickling, The Guardian).This season, major choral works by Bach,Beethoven and Brahms and the three last symphonies of Mozart feature withThomas’s ethos and the orchestra’sdedication showcased to the highest level.

Thomas’s commitment to music from the 20th century has been regularlyhighlighted in concert programmes eachseason. This passion was reflected in ashort festival of music from the 20thcentury over one week with music fromSchoenberg to Oliver Knussen, whilst in2008 Thomas and the orchestra gavethe world premiere performance andrecording of several new discoveries fromthe pen of Benjamin Britten. Britten’smusic more than any other has been a key part of Thomas’s 20th centuryrepertoire with most of the chamberorchestra works performed. In Britten’sanniversary year Thomas continues this

Thomas Zehetmair

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from his time at the Royal College ofMusic. At the centre of our celebration inOctober and November are three songcycles from different stages of Britten’slife, each charged with vivid imagery andemotion: ‘Les Illuminations’ written in hisAmerican period but embracing not onlythe French language but also elements of French style; the most famous of thethree works, his Serenade for Tenor,Horn and Strings written during WorldWar II for the celebrated horn playerDennis Brain; and finally Nocturne,written in the late 1950s and, like somany other works, premiered by PeterPears. At opposite ends of thecompositional scale are his ‘YoungPerson’s Guide to the Orchestra’ and his‘Phantasy Quartet’ for oboe and stringspresented by the Hallé in October andNorthern Sinfonia soloists in Novemberrespectively. Britten had strong links to Russian musicians Shostakovich and Rostropovich and it was thoserelationships that influenced his CelloSymphony, altogether more ambitiousthan a concerto, performed in March byour Section Leader Cello Louisa Tuck.

Before the main series performancesbegin, our young musicians collaboratewith Samling Academy singers topresent his comic opera, ‘Albert Herring’and throughout the season we will beworking with local schools to create newworks inspired by Britten’s incompleteradio plays in our composition project“What would Britten have written?”Performances and projects from YoungSinfonia, Quay Choirs and our YoungMusicians Programme will featureBenjamin Britten and details ofperformances and showcase events will be featured on our website.

As we move into the second half of ourseason, we look ahead to June 2014 andthe world premiere of a new concerto forviolin and viola jointly commissioned byThomas Zehetmair and Northern Sinfoniafrom John Casken. Entitled ‘That SubtleKnot’ the work is inspired by the poem‘Ecstasy’ by John Donne and will receiveits second performance days after itspremiere in Northern Sinfonia’s LondonSeries at Milton Court. John Casken wasComposer-in-Association for NorthernSinfonia from 1990 to 2001 writingnumerous works for the orchestraincluding his Cello Concerto written forHeinrich Schiff, ‘Darting the Skiff’ forstrings, and ‘Maharal Dreaming’ a tonepoem based on his opera ‘Golem’,performed this season by Mario Venzagoin April 2014. The orchestra and chorushave continued to perform his music,most recently his ‘Farness’ – threepoems of Carol Ann Duffy and ‘TheKnight’s Stone’ for chorus and flute whichfeatures in Late Mix in February 2014.

John studied in Poland and formed a closerelationship with Witold Lutosławski, invitingboth him and the Japanese composer ToruTakemitsu to Durham University, where he taught, to receive honorary doctoratedegrees, a link that inspires a special LateMix concert curated and conducted byJohn in April 2014. Emeritus Professor of Music at the University of Manchester,having been Professor from 1992 to2008, John now lives and composes in Coquetdale and influences of theNorthumberland landscape are just one source of inspiration for his music.


BRITISH CONNECTION

This season we feature two Britishcomposers of international repute whobetween them have contributed to themusical life of the country for the last 80years: Benjamin Britten and John Casken.

With such a varied and often unusualcatalogue, the music of Benjamin Brittenis frequently featured by orchestras largeand small as well as chamber ensembles,soloists and opera companies. In thefirst half of our season we reflect thatvariety with performances across all our series and programmes.

We start our focus on Britten with LateMix pitching his first published work withone of his last. The late String QuartetNo.3 could be seen as his final musicalstatement before his death whilst hisOp.1 Sinfonietta is a self-assured work

John Casken


NORTHERN SINFONIACHORUS AT 40

For 40 years Northern Sinfonia Chorushas been an integral, ever-present part of the Northern Sinfonia musicalfamily drawing on talented andcommitted singers from across theNorth of England.

Choruses allow an orchestra to presentthe great, stand-out works from history;Mozart’s Requiem, Bach’s Passions andHaydn’s Masses and performances ofthese have formed the core repertoirefor Northern Sinfonia Chorus. Howeverits role in Sage Gateshead’s classicalprogramme is altogether more ambitiousmatching the breadth of repertoire of theorchestra itself. Regular performances of the classics are frequently placedalongside modern masterpieces and thechorus now regularly features in both Hall One and our more eclectic Hall Twoseries, Late Mix.

Former Northern Sinfonia TimpanistAlan Fearon founded the chorus andcontinues to lead them whilst playing a crucial role in the choral and vocalstrategy at Sage Gateshead. The chorushas worked with many guest conductorsand with every Music Director sinceRudolph Schwartz, the orchestra’ssecond Music Director, including for the last 12 seasons Thomas Zehetmair.

From 2004 to 2012 renowned choralconductor Simon Halsey led the chorus as Principal Conductor ChoralProgramme. In this 40th seasonNorthern Sinfonia Chorus once againfeature in a full range of programmes

with Thomas Zehetmair and Alan Fearonand in a final flourish give their first everperformance of Beethoven’s stunning‘Missa Solemnis’.

As we say farewell to Thomas as Music Director one thing remainscertain, that Northern Sinfonia Choruswill continue to play a major role in the classical programme and we lookforward to embarking on their nextmusical adventures.

Beethoven’s status as one of the mostimportant composers of all time isundisputed, the advances in compositionalstyle and form, and a more radicalmusical sound-world, despite the factthat he battled with profound deafnessfor much of his career, are all well-known.We explore these aspects of Beethoven’swork in the medium he composed for the most – the solo piano.

Northern Sinfonia has performed thecomplete Beethoven symphonies in twoweeks and all the piano concerti in oneseason, and both the Lindsays and theBelcea Quartet have performed acomplete cycle of string quartets. Overseveral seasons we present the mostambitious of Beethoven’s cycles withthe complete Piano Sonatas. The 32sonatas were composed between 1795and 1822 with almost all being writtenafter the point that Beethoven’s hearingbegan to deteriorate. It is unlikely thatthey were conceived as a set and it wasnot until after Beethoven’s death thatthe sonatas were performed in a cycle,

by the influential pianist Hans vonBülow. It was Bülow who described the works as “The New Testament ofMusic” with Bach’s ‘The Well-TemperedClavier’ being “The Old Testament”.Whether planned as a cycle or not, what is clear is that each sonata is in itself a masterpiece and they all regularly feature in the piano recital repertoire.

To take on a cycle of such challengingand intense works takes courage andambition and an artist who has acomplete affinity with the composer.We are delighted to welcomePalestinian-Israeli pianist SaleemAbboud Ashkar, already a masterinterpreter of Beethoven’s work, to take us on this epic musical journey.Championed by Daniel Barenboim,Saleem made his Carnegie Hall debutaged 22 and has performed with theworld’s leading orchestras andconductors in all the finest concert halls. His interpretation of Beethoven is magical and has been criticallyacclaimed, Germany’s leadingnewspaper commenting on Saleem as “A formidable musician … who has amixture of warmth and clarity, intensityand freshness that simply grabs you: Pure Beethoven joy.” Die Welt.

In this first season, Saleem AbboudAshkar presents the first two recitals in Hall Two featuring the popular‘Moonlight’ Sonata and his E flat major ‘Les Adieux’.

Book tickets early. This is a cycle not to be missed.

BEETHOVENPIANOSONATAS– SALEEMABBOUDASHKAR

10 Ticket Office: 0191 443 4661

Saleem Abboud Ashkar

Book a multibuy deal and save more and more on your concerts*:

4-7 concerts 10% off



20+ concerts 25% off*Does not apply to Opera North, Summer Concerts or Christmas events.

Multibuy deal bookers also benefit from:

• A choice of payment options,including a six month payment plan.

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• Special offers and promotions.

• Priority booking period for nextseason.


• Principal Partners, Sage Supportersand Northern Sinfonia Friends presale:Friday 10th May

• 2012/13 season package bookerspresale: Friday 24th May

• General onsale: Sunday 9th June

If you would like to join one of ourmembership schemes and benefit from priority booking please contactTicket Office on 0191 443 4661.

Pre-concert talks take place forselected concerts, an hour before thestart time. ‘Northern Sinfonia Spotlight’and ‘Northern Sinfonia Presents...’follow a 20 minute break after the end of the main performance.

MULTIBUY DEALS

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A GERMANREQUIEMSunday 29th September, 7.30pm, Hall One

In 1857, encouraged by his mentorRobert Schumann, Johannes Brahmsbegan work on his choral masterpiece ‘A German Requiem’. Schumann hoped Brahms would deliver “wonderfulglimpses of the spirit world”, and he wasn’t disappointed. What Brahmscreated was a Requiem unlike any other:a piece that carried the gift of spiritualcomfort rather than the threat ofimpending judgment, conveying theweight of Germany’s cultural tradition in the process – a poignant opening to Thomas Zehetmair’s final season as Music Director.

With a pre-concert talk and post-concert ‘Northern Sinfonia Spotlight’

Buses from Alnwick, Hexham and Carlisle.

Tickets: £10-£33

Brahms A German Requiem

Conductor:Thomas ZehetmairSoprano:Elizabeth Atherton Northern SinfoniaNorthern SinfoniaChorus


Sponsored by

Founding PatronThomas Zehetmair

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FROM PLAYERTO PODIUM:JULIAN RACHLINThursday 3rd October, 7.30pm, Hall One

Two of Mendelssohn’s most carefreeand radiant works meet in this concertfeaturing the remarkable violinist JulianRachlin as both soloist and conductor.After the serenity of Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto – a gift to one of hisclosest friends and collaborators – comes the thrusting brilliance of his Italian Symphony, the composer’sfascinating take on symphonic theorytinged with poetry and romance.

With a post-concert ‘Northern SinfoniaPresents...’

Buses from Alnwick, Hexham andCarlisle.

Tickets: £10-£29

Mozart Overture: TheMarriage of Figaro

Mendelssohn Violin Concerto in E minor (HOF: 45)

Mendelssohn Symphony No.4 in A,‘Italian’ (HOF 209)

Conductor/Violin:Julian RachlinNorthern Sinfonia

HOF: Classic FM’s Hallof Fame 2013 position

S E R I E S


Julian Rachlin

“Mr. Rachlin has a brilliant high-octane technique that he deployedto great ovation-producing effect.”The New York Times

LATE MIXBRITTENTuesday 8th October, 9pm, Hall Two

A fascinating juxtaposition of youthfulenergy and vibrancy and an unknowingfinal musical statement, NorthernSinfonia members perform music fromthe student Britten and the experiencedBritten. Colin Matthews, who was and is a great supporter of Britten and hismusic, features with his Oboe Quartetwritten for Nottingham University whilst Thomas MacMillan’s ‘A ThousandPlateaus’ was created just this year aspart of his studies at NewcastleUniversity.

Tickets: £16

Britten Sinfonietta

Thomas MacMillan* A Thousand Plateaus

Colin MatthewsOboe Quartet No.1

Britten String Quartet No.3

*Conductor:Mark EdwardsNorthern Sinfonia


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HALLÉSunday 13th October, 7.30pm, Hall One

When the 19-year old student DmitriShostakovich handed in the score for hisfirst symphony in 1925, his tutors werestunned. Shostakovich’s dramatic, impulsiveand strident work seemed to combineTchaikovsky’s emotional fervour, Prokofiev’splayful joie de vivre and Scriabin’s intenseheat. Rory Macdonald and the Halléperform Shostakovich’s eye-wideningfirst symphony alongside Rachmaninov’sdevious dance after Paganini and Britten’smonumental celebration of the orchestra.

With a pre-concert talk

Buses from Alnwick and Hexham.

Tickets: £13-£36

Britten The Young Person’sGuide to theOrchestra

RachmaninovRhapsody on aTheme of Paganini

ShostakovichSymphony No.1 in F minor

Conductor:Rory Macdonald

Piano: Andrew Tyson

Hallé



ILLUMINATIONSThursday 17th October, 7.30pm, Hall One

Mysterious, urgent, complex andunprecedented, Mozart’s last threesymphonies seemed to appear fromnowhere but at the same time carried a underlying power and passion that no generation has been able to ignore.Thomas Zehetmair conducts all three withthe enchanting Salzburg Divertimenti,beginning here with the joyous explosionthat is the Symphony No.39 andluminous songs by Benjamin Brittenfrom the ice-pure voice of Julie Fuchs.

With a post-concert ‘Northern SinfoniaSpotlight’


Tickets: £10-£33

Dedicated to the memory of Jan Dyer

MozartDivertimento in D‘Salzburg SymphonyNo.1’

Britten Les Illuminations(with three additionalmovementsorchestrated byColin Matthews)

MozartSymphony No.39 in E flat

Conductor:Thomas Zehetmair Soprano: Julie Fuchs Northern Sinfonia

Julie Fuchs

“one of the most daringly responsive Mozartian orchestras in the country”Alfred Hickling, The Guardian on Northern Sinfonia

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“the young Palestinian IsraeliSaleem Abboud Ashkar, hasthe slender looks of a matineeidol, and his playing too wasfabulously well-groomed,light-fingered and neat.”The Telegraph



BEETHOVENSONATAS:MOONLIGHTTuesday 22nd October, 8pm, Hall Two

Championed by Daniel Barenboim andrenowned for the clarity and feeling ofhis Beethoven playing, pianist SaleemAbboud Askhar begins his series,reaching across the coming seasons, of the seminal piano sonatas of Ludwigvan Beethoven with the outward glitterof the C major Sonata, the fate-filled Cminor Sonata and the almost naïvepurity of the sonata in E flat. Finally he plays the most famous of all – thesinging restraint and brooding unrest ofBeethoven’s iconic ‘Moonlight’ Sonata.

Tickets: £16-£20

Beethoven Piano Sonata Cycle

Piano Sonata No.3 in C

Piano Sonata No.5 in C minor

Piano Sonata No.13in E flat, ‘Sonataquasi una fantasia’

Piano Sonata No.14in C sharp minor,‘Moonlight’

Piano: SaleemAbboud Ashkar

Saleem Abboud Ashkar

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SERENADEFriday 25th October, 7.30pm, Hall One

One century ago, a musician was bornwho did more to encapsulate thegeographical and linguistic qualities ofEngland than any other composer hadmanaged before or has since. In hishaunting Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings, Benjamin Britten set poetryby Blake, Tennyson and Cotton with a intensity, penetration and unity ofatmosphere that hadn’t been heardbefore. We hear the Serenade herealongside the second of Mozart’s carefree‘Salzburg’ Divertimenti and his frantic,eerie but compelling Symphony No.40.



Tickets: £10-£33

MozartDivertimento in B flat ‘SalzburgSymphony No. 2’

BrittenSerenade for Tenor,Horn and Strings

MozartSymphony No.40 in G minor

Conductor:Thomas Zehetmair Tenor: Werner Güra Horn: Peter FrancombNorthern Sinfonia


Werner Güra


“a commanding stage presence”LA Times on Veronika Eberle

LEGENDS –DVORÁK ANDTCHAIKOVSKYFriday 8th November, 7.30pm, Hall One

Tchaikovsky’sheart-on-sleeveshowpiece, hisunforgettableViolin Concertois played by theunforgettableVeronika Eberle.

You may never have heard them before,but prepare to be enchanted by AntonínDvořák’s ‘Legends’ – ten charmingorchestral pictures exploring elementsof human character with all the beguilingimagination and heartfelt rapture thatdemonstrates the best from thiscomposer, not least the exquisitesecond of his ‘Slavonic Dances.’


Tickets: £10-£33

Dvořák Legends Nos.1, 9 & 2

Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto in D

Dvořák Legends Nos.4, 5, 6,7, 8, 10 & 3

Dvořák Slavonic Dance No.2

Conductor:Christian Zacharias Violin: Veronika EberleNorthern Sinfonia

Veronika Eberle

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BEETHOVENSEPTETTuesday 12th November, 8pm, Hall Two

Beethoven’s celebrated Septet for windsdidn’t just take the composer’s writing toa new level; it helped make his name inVienna. In this inventive and colourfulpiece there is, according to musicologistPeter Holman, “grandeur, intimacy,virtuosity and informality”. Wind soloistsof Northern Sinfonia invite you into theSeptet’s alluring twist and turns in thisconcert, after playing similarly engagingand celebrated chamber works byAugust Klughardt and Benjamin Britten.

Tickets: £16

Klughardt Wind Quintet

BrittenPhantasy Quartet

Beethoven Septet

Northern Sinfonia



MozartDivertimento in F‘Salzburg SymphonyNo. 3’

BrittenNocture for Tenor andChamber Orchestra

MozartSymphony No.41 in C, ‘Jupiter’

Conductor:Thomas ZehetmairTenor: Samuel BodenNorthern Sinfonia

NOCTURNEFriday 22nd November, 7.30pm, Hall One

“It is thestrangest andremotest thing”,Britten said ofhis voice-and-orchestra workNocturne as heworked on it in

the summer of 1958, (“but then dreamsare remote and strange.”) Fast-risingtenor Samuel Boden sings Britten’scurious and unsettling piece, beforeThomas Zehetmair conducts Mozart’sfinal symphony – a staggering anduncanny marriage of technical wizardryto emotional profundity and the peak of Mozart’s orchestral achievements.



Tickets: £10-£33

Samuel Boden

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BEETHOVENEMPERORFriday 6th December, 7.30pm, Hall One

One composer’s first great symphonymeets another’s last great pianoconcerto. Mozart discovered histrademark symphonic brilliance andtunefulness for the first time in the 35thSymphony, a piece whose joyous finalewith its rushing scales and lungingchanges in texture and volume are heard here after a truly landmark work – Beethoven’s mammoth ‘Emperor’concerto, as heroic and virtuosic as it is touching and profound.



Tickets: £10-£29

RossiniOverture: Italian Girl in Algiers

BeethovenPiano ConcertoNo.5 in E flat,‘Emperor’ (HOF: 6)

SchubertOverture in D, ‘In the Italian Style’

MozartSymphony No.35 in D, ‘Haffner’

Conductor:Enrique Mazzola: Piano: Cédric Tiberghien: Northern Sinfonia


S E R I E S


Cédric Tiberghien “the brilliant French pianist”The New York Times on Cédric Tiberghien


LATE MIXCABARET - FROMBOHEMIA TOTHE BLACK SEAThursday 12th December, 9pm, Hall Two

This season’s ‘cabaret mix’ features musicfrom Bohemia to the Black Sea in thefirst half of the twentieth century, a timewhen traditional, folk and dance musicinspired the greatest composers from theregion. Martinů and Dvořák provide therugged Bohemian sounds whilst Enescuflourishes in the south. In between arethe great Hungarian folk-song collectorsBartók and Kodály. Northern Sinfoniamusicians feature in this informal andenjoyable concert.

Tickets: £16 (Cabaret Layout)

EnescuCantabile et Presto

MartinůDuo for Violin andCello

KodályDances from Marosszek

DvořákExtracts from‘Cypresses’

BartókRhapsody No.1 forViolin and Piano

EnescuConcert piece forViola and Piano

MartinůSextet for Piano and Winds

Northern Sinfonia

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TRANSFIGUREDNIGHTThursday 9th January, 8pm, Hall Two

In 1899 Schoenberg was falling in lovewith the sister of a colleague. At thesame time he read a poem by RichardDehmel, telling of a couple walking atdusk in a wood; the woman confessesthat she is pregnant by another lover,before the forest fills with moonlight andthe man proclaims that the strength oftheir love will make the child their own.The smitten Schoenberg was inspired tocreate his most touching work, playedhere against colourful, rich chamberworks by Dvořák and Martinů.

Tickets: £16

MartinůString Sextet

SchoenbergVerklärte Nacht

BeethovenRondino in E flat forWind Octet

DvořákSerenade in D minor

Northern Sinfonia



CITY OFBIRMINGHAMSYMPHONYORCHESTRAFriday 17th January, 7.30pm, Hall One

Andris Nelsons and the CBSO come to Sage Gateshead for music of beautyboth sumptuous and raw. RichardStrauss’s late songs shot through withtearful resignation, a resigned goodbyeto the world, are heard after his rollickingrollercoaster ride ‘Don Juan’ from 60years earlier. They finish with Stravinsky’s‘Petrushka’ – a playful yet disturbingscore in which the composer returned to his roots, depicting Russia with, in his own words, “quick tempos, major keys, smells of Russian food, sweat andglistening leather boots.”



Tickets: £13-£36

Strauss Don Juan

Strauss Four Last Songs

Stravinsky Petrushka

Conductor:Andris NelsonsSoprano: Erin WallCity of BirminghamSymphony Orchestra

“The greatest and brightest hope on theinternational conductor’s scene. The 30-year-old Latvian is a paragon of musicality.”Der Tagesspiegel on Andris Nelsons

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FROM PLAYERTO PODIUM: LARS VOGTSaturday 25th January, 7.30pm, Hall One

‘We shall never be able to do anything likethat’ proclaimed a near-overwhelmedLudwig van Beethoven when he heardMozart’s dramatic, minor-key PianoConcerto No.24. Beethoven, of course,went on to produce a lot like it in thesame C minor key and of similardramatic fortitude and emotionalstrength. His Fourth Symphony isneither tragic nor heroic, but an exercise in energy, life and joy –uncannily carefree and wholly uplifting.


Tickets: £10-£33

BeethovenCoriolan Overture

Mozart Piano ConcertoNo.24 in C minor

Beethoven Symphony No.4 in B flat

Conductor/Piano:Lars Vogt Northern Sinfonia


Lars Vogt

“one of the most extraordinary musiciansof any age group that I have had thefortune to be associated with.”Sir Simon Rattle on Lars Vogt


BRUCH VIOLINCONCERTOFriday 31st January, 7.30pm, Hall One

On 22nd July1919 an audiencesat quietly in frontof Pablo Picasso’sdrop-curtain at London’sAlhambratheatre, waiting

for the first sounds of Manuel de Falla’s newballet the ‘Three Cornered Hat’. Picasso’scolourful images got them in the mood forthe sensuous sounds of Falla’s music – itsintoxicating rhythms, bold colours and vividdescriptions of Iberian life. Also performedhere is Falla’s darker, more intimate andsupernatural score ‘El Amor Brujo (Love,the Magician)’, the perfect foil to Bruch’sbeauteous and gregarious Violin Concerto.



Tickets: £10-£29

Rossini Overture: TheBarber of Seville

Bruch Violin Concerto No.1in G minor (HOF:13)

Faure Pelléas et MélisandeSuite

FallaThe Three-CorneredHat: Suite No.1

FallaRitual Fire Dancefrom ‘El Amor Brujo’

Conductor:Christian Vasquez Violin: Jennifer PikeNorthern Sinfonia


S E R I E S

Jennifer Pike

“Britain’s foremost young fiddler”

“simply spectacular”The Independent on Jennifer Pike

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NUITS D’ÉTÉThursday 6th February, 7.30pm, Hall One

When Berlioz encountered a set of poemsby his friend Théophile Gautier which toldof love passionate, unrequited and lost, his reaction was typically intense. Berliozimmediately set the songs to music – firstfor soprano with piano, then with orchestra.In the colour, sensuousness and grace of‘Nuits d’été’, Berlioz “sowed the seeds for the entire musical lyricism of the nineteenthcentury in the French language”, according to one musicologist. Ryan Wigglesworthalso includes Mozart’s most miraculouspiano concerto, Ravel’s plangent memorialto lost friends and his own ‘Inventions’.


Buses from Alnwick and Hexham

Tickets: £10-£33

Ryan Wigglesworth First Book of Inventions

Mozart Piano Concerto No.9in E flat, ‘Jeunehomme’

Berlioz Nuits d’été

Ravel Le Tombeau deCouperin

Conductor/Piano:Ryan WigglesworthSoprano: Sophie Bevan: Northern Sinfonia


Sophie Bevan


“Sophie Bevan is puresunshine: like the legendaryElisabeth Schumann, shesings for joy, on a breeze...an enchanted performer”The Telegraph

“Wigglesworth writes musicstamped with iridescenthues, instrumental finesse,shapely ideas and a lyricalimpulse that stays withinreach even when texturesturn prickly… [his] brightear for glinting textures, hisflair for taut motivicinterplay, his conjuror’sability to cast a spell.” The Times

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LATE MIXMOTETSaturday 15th February, 9pm, Hall Two

The motets of Bach and Bruckner areestablished sets of works that showcase the individual talents of each composer inwriting for voices. Bruckner’s are full of theexpressive, dynamic and harmonic rangesthat we associate with his symphonies whileBach’s are full of the interplay that was sofundamental to his music, sometimesthrough counterpoint and sometimes withdouble choirs. John Casken’s ‘The Knight’sStone’ with solo flute is the newest work inthe Northern Sinfonia Chorus repertoryand completes this programme of stunning,beautiful music.

Tickets: £16

BachDer Geist Hilft

BrucknerAve MariaAfferentur RegiVirga JesseChristus Factus Est

John Casken The Knight’s Stone

BachJesu meine Freude

Conductor:Alan FearonNorthern SinfoniaChorus



“His playing is intelligent and refined, andhe commands a prodigious range ofkeyboard touch and colour, combinedwith remarkable powers of articulation...Piemontesi’s playing is always a delight.” The Guardian on Francesco Piemontesi

MOZART PIANOCONCERTOFriday 21st February, 7.30pm, Hall One

After itsmelancholicpredecessor,Mozart’stwenty-firstpiano concertomust haveseemed like a

sudden step into daylight. With longerthemes, more musical conversation, a bigger orchestra and a freer way with harmony, this most majestic piecereduced its first audience to tears. Forall the radiance therein, and in the flightof Vaughan Williams’s ‘Lark’, there’smore emotional struggle in Beethoven’sinsistent symphony, one of thecomposer’s first musical protests against his encroaching deafness.



Tickets: £10-£29

MozartOverture: Così fan Tutte

MozartPiano Concerto No.21in C (HOF: 53)

Vaughan WilliamsThe Lark Ascending(HOF: 2)

Beethoven Symphony No.2 in D

Conductor:Mario Venzago Piano: FrancescoPiemontesiViolin:Bradley Creswick Northern Sinfonia


S E R I E S

Francesco Piemontesi

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SCHUBERT’SGREATThursday 6th March, 7.30pm, Hall One

From its monolithic opening themekick-starting a cycle of inexorablemomentum like a giant pendulum,to the breathless dash of its finale,Schubert’s Ninth offers one of the mostriveting journeys of any symphonicwork. No wonder it attracted the title‘Great’. “Write for the cello everythingthat your heart tells you” said the greatsoloist Mstislav Rostropovich whenasking Britten for a new work. Brittenresponded with his remarkable‘Symphony’ for cello and orchestra, an inspiring musical journey fromdarkness to light.



Tickets: £10-£33


Louisa Tuck

Purcell (tr. Britten)Chacony

Britten Symphony for Celloand Orchestra

SchubertSymphony No.9 in C, ‘The Great’

Conductor:Paul Watkins Cello: Louisa TuckNorthern Sinfonia


SCOTTISHSYMPHONYThursday 20th March, 7.30pm, Hall One

It wasSchumann’sunflinching lovefor his pianistwife Clara thatspawned thePiano Concerto– a love letter in

music that offers a touching insight intoone of the most famously passionateromances of the nineteenth century.Joshua Weilerstein also conducts Ligeti’sflavoursome ‘Concert Romanesc’ andMendelssohn’s most inspired symphony– the free-flowing, rugged forty minutesof musical brilliance that is his ‘Scottish’.



Tickets: £10-£33

Supported by the Vardy Foundation

LigetiConcert Romanesc

Schumann Piano Concerto in A minor

Mendelssohn Symphony No.3 in A minor, ‘Scottish’

Conductor:Joshua Weilerstein Piano: Jonathan BissNorthern Sinfonia

Jonathan Biss

“Biss never does anything just foreffect, and everything here had a pointand musical purpose. He has few peersas a Schumann pianist today.” The Guardian on Jonathan Biss

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JULIETTEBAUSOR: ECHORISING STARFriday 28th March, 8pm, Hall Two

NorthernSinfonia SectionLeader FluteJuliette Bausorfeatures as oneof this season’sECHO(European

Concert Hall Organisation) Rising Stars,a first for a Northern Sinfonia member.In a fascinating mix of old and newJuliette performs music from Bach toGubaidulina and presents an excitingnew addition to the flute repertoire byCharlie Piper, culminating in one of themost striking works for Flute and Piano- Prokofiev’s Sonata in D.

Tickets: £16

Dutilleux Sonatine

BachSonata in E

Sofia Gubaidulina Allegro Rustico:Klänge des Waldes

Charlie Piper New commission

MessiaenLe Merle Noir

Bach Sonata in E minor

Prokofiev Sonata in D

Flute: Juliette BausorPiano:Alasdair Beatson


Juliette Bausor

“radiating composure andcommand in equal measure” The Times on Juliette Bausor


LATE MIXJOHN CASKENPRESENTSTuesday 8th April, 9pm, Hall Two

Northern Sinfonia introduces the musicof John Casken and his influences in this Late Mix concert curated by thecomposer. Music that plays on wordsand images is a feature of much of hismusic and ‘Shadowed Pieces’ for violinand piano and ‘Winter Reels’ forensemble both conjure and inspire.Influences on John Casken’s musicinclude his mentor, Witold Lutosławski,and Toru Takemitsu showing the diversityof musical styles that make John Caskenone of Britain’s foremost composers.

Tickets: £16

John Casken Shadowed Pieces

TakemitsuEntre-temps

Lutosławski Partita

John Casken Winter Reels*

*Conductor: John CaskenNorthern Sinfonia

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SHOSTAKOVICHPIANOCONCERTOFriday 11th April, 7.30pm, Hall One

A conductor of total charisma andcommitment makes his debut at SageGateshead in this concert. AndrewGourlay includes Shostakovich’s touchinglysimple and disarmingly witty PianoConcerto under the fingers of AlexandraDariescu, and finishes with Beethoven’smost impulsive symphony – a journeythrough steady, poignant contemplationto one of the most momentum-filledmusical fireballs ever written.



Tickets: £10-£29

Dedicated to the memory of Stuart Ayre

Tchaikovsky Serenade for Strings(HOF: 295)

Shostakovich Piano Concerto No.2in F (HOF: 34)

Beethoven Symphony No.7 in A(HOF: 21)

Conductor:Andrew Gourlay Piano:Alexandra DariescuNorthern Sinfonia


S E R I E S


Alexandra Dariescu“enormously impressive”

BBC Music Magazine on Alexandra Dariescu


STABAT MATERTuesday 15th April, 7.30pm, Hall One

Bernard Labadie and The EnglishConcert come to Sage Gateshead foran exploration of one of the mostmoving and iconic sacred texts everwritten. ‘The Stabat Mater’, attributedto Jacapone da Toni, portrays themother of Christ as she stands at thefoot of the cross which bears hercrucified son. Vivaldi responded to theoften unbearably moving words withsombre brilliance, and Pergolesi withmusic of acute intimacy and emotionaldirectness which never fails to move.



Tickets: £10-£33

VivaldiSinfonia ‘Al SantoSepolcro’

Vivaldi Stabat Mater

Pergolesi Stabat Mater

Conductor:Bernard LabadieSoprano: Roberta InvernizziMezzo sopranoSonia PrinaThe English Concert

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ST. MATTHEWPASSIONSaturday 19th April, 7pm, Hall One

11th April 1727might not haveseemed aparticularlyunusual day forthe workaholicchoirmasterJohann

Sebastian Bach, but even he realisedsoon afterwards that the music heunveiled that day – the ‘St MatthewPassion’ – achieved somethingunprecedented and profound that wasdestined to outlive its creator. This mostcommunicative of Bach’s works tells thePassion story through music so affectingand inspiring that it appears totranscend its religious context. ThomasZehetmair marks Easter Saturday 2014with Bach’s monumental masterpiece.


Tickets: £10-£33

Bach St. Matthew Passion

Conductor:Thomas Zehetmair Soprano:Rebecca Bottone Counter-tenor:Christopher AinslieEvangelist/tenor arias:James OxleyChristus: NicholasMerryweatherPilate/bass arias:Samuel EvansNorthern SinfoniaNorthern SinfoniaChorus


James Oxley


BEETHOVENSONATAS: LES ADIEUXTuesday 22nd April, 8pm, Hall Two

Saleem Abboud Ashkar’s secondconcert of Beethoven piano sonatasincludes the piece titled ‘the farewell’ – Beethoven’s goodbye to his friendArchduke Rudolph, exiled from Viennaas Napoleon’s troops took hold.Beethoven captures his feelings in the three-note ‘farewell’ motif, initiallydowncast but injected with inspiringoptimism as the sonata proceeds. The rich, solemn colours of the E minorsonata are followed by the oftenforthright and playful sounds ofBeethoven’s A major sonata, as now we begin to feel the full force of thecomposer’s keyboard virtuosity.

Tickets: £16-£20

Beethoven Piano Sonata Cycle

Piano Sonata No.11in B flat

Piano Sonata No.26in E flat, ‘Les Adieux’

Piano Sonata No.27in E minor

Piano Sonata No.28in A

Piano: SaleemAbboud Ashkar

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POETICCHOPINFriday 25th April, 7.30pm, Hall One

As Sibelius’ssymphonicjourney drew to a close, itgrew ever moreremarkable. Hisfinal symphonywas something

completely different: a single-movementepic of just twenty minutes, a workwhose compactness seemed toencapsulate everything the composerhad achieved to date. Sibelius might not have known it, but his Seventh’s big tune – now on a soaring trombone – was his farewell to the symphony.Preceding that, Chopin’s sparklingsecond piano concerto, Weber’s sharp-shooting overture and a short piecefrom John Casken.


Tickets: £10-£33

Weber Overture: DerFreischütz

ChopinPiano ConcertoNo.2 in F minor

John Casken Maharal Dreaming

Sibelius Symphony No.7 in C

Conductor:Mario VenzagoPiano: Alexej Gorlatch Northern Sinfonia


Mario Venzago


MOZARTCLARINETCONCERTOSaturday 3rd May, 7.30pm, Hall One

In his lastsymphony,inspired by thecity of London,Haydn went all-out. He created the grandest,most captivating

and most confident symphonic work of his career, affectionately capturingthe spirit of the town that had done so much to welcome him. Mozart’s last concerto is wholly different: itsautumnal golden browns speak ofresignation rather than celebration, a piece which feels like a goodbye even in its most carefree moments.


Tickets: £10-£29

Wagner Siegfried Idyll

Mozart Clarinet Concerto in A(HOF: 8)

Beethoven Romance No.1 in G forViolin and Orchestra

Haydn Symphony No.104 in D, ‘London’

Conductor:Mario VenzagoClarinet: Julian BlissViolin: Bradley CreswickNorthern Sinfonia


S E R I E S

Julian Bliss

“he reserved his subtlest powers for the endof the sublime adagio, delivered so quietlythat 6,000 people held their breath.” The Times on Julian Bliss playing Mozart's Clarinet Concerto

44

BRAHMSCLARINETQUINTETSaturday 10th May, 8pm, Hall Two

When Johannes Brahms heard thebeautiful strains of Richard Mühlfeld’sclarinet, he claimed the Meiningenmusician “the best wind player I know”.Brahms came out of retirement to writefor Mühlfeld, creating one of his mostprofound, intimate and strangelycoloured works the Clarinet Quintet.Here the Quintet’s fragile emotionsmeet the singing strength of AlbanBerg’s ‘Lyric Suite’ and the charming,open-air directness of Carl Nielsen’sbracing Wind Quintet.

Tickets: £16

Nielsen Wind Quintet

Berg Lyric Suite

BrahmsClarinet Quintet

Northern Sinfonia



“ the best trumpetplayer in the galaxy” The Times on Håkan Hardenberger

FROM PLAYERTO PODIUM: HÅKANHARDENBERGERThursday 15th May, 7.30pm, Hall One

A visit to Sage Gateshead from HåkanHardenberger, arguably the world’sfinest trumpeter, who brings with himmusic infused with the spirit of theBaroque. Stravinsky’s re-working ofmusic by the Italian Giovanni BattistaPergolesi is a bustling bag of Baroquetricks injected with Stravinsky’s ownbrand of 20th century irreverence and harmonic spice. Håkan picks up his trumpet for Haydn’s spectacularconcerto along with an exquisite pieceof Bach, ending with more Haydn: hispenultimate symphony, the ‘Drumroll’.



Tickets: £10-£33

Bach Suite No.3 in D forOrchestra

Haydn Trumpet Concerto in E flat

Stravinsky Pulcinella Suite

Haydn Symphony No.103in E flat, ‘Drumroll’

Conductor/Trumpet:Håkan Hardenberger Northern Sinfonia

Håkan Hardenberger

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LATE MIXMUSICALOFFERINGFriday 23rd May, 9pm, Hall Two

Frederick the Great, King and flautist,was not a fan of ‘high’ Baroque music,much preferring a more galant anduncomplicated style. So when the Kingof Prussia challenged the aging JS Bachto improvise on an awkward, chromatictheme he seemed to have completelyunderestimated the old master. Notonly did Bach astound the court with hisimprovisation on the ‘Royal Theme’ buthe later published it at his own expense,a work that is as ‘Baroque’ as it gets, a prominent flute part being his onlyreverence to his royal challenger.

Tickets: £16

BachMusical Offering

Northern Sinfonia



MISSASOLEMNISFriday 6th June, 7.30pm, Hall One

From 1819 to1823, Beethovenwas stirred by a new creativeenergy. Sketchedover this four-year period, on specially

enlarged manuscript sheets, was the workBeethoven himself came to admire aboveall others: the Missa Solemnis. Usingevery means of musical imagery available,Beethoven set about demonstrating his supreme mastery of the orchestral-choral model in a musical glimpse of the heavenly. The results get their firstperformance by Northern SinfoniaChorus in this not to be missedperformance; their last ever underThomas Zehetmair as Music Director.


Tickets: £10-£33

Beethoven Missa Solemnis in D

Conductor:Thomas ZehetmairSoprano:Sally MatthewsTenor: Peter BronderBaritone: DavidWilson Johnson Northern SinfoniaNorthern SinfoniaChorus

Sally Matthews

48

FINALEWednesday 11th June, 7.30pm, Hall One

Thomas Zehetmair’s last evening asMusic Director of Northern Sinfoniaarrives with a concert of big gestures:Mozart’s imposing overture, Bartók’sinsistent Viola Concerto, and JohnCasken’s inspiring picture of human loveand togetherness, commissioned forThomas and his partner Ruth. Butgestures don’t come much bigger thanBeethoven’s Fifth – an infamous musicaltussle with fate whose compellingnarrative and unfailing beauty changedthe way music was conceived, in thehead and on the stage. A fittingconclusion to a remarkable tenure.



Tickets: £10-£33

Mozart Overture: Don Giovanni

Bartók Viola Concerto

John Casken That Subtle Knot(world premiere)

Beethoven Symphony No.5 in C minor

Conductor/Violin:Thomas Zehetmair Viola: Ruth KilliusNorthern Sinfonia


“Zehetmair’s Northern Sinfonia do play like angels.” The Arts Desk


GÖTTERDÄMMERUNGSaturday 28th June, 3.30pm, Hall One

The season ends with the ultimatemusical conclusion – the last chapter in Wagner’s epic ‘Ring Cycle,’ performed by Opera North under music director Richard Farnes. With‘Götterdämmerung’, the Ring reachesnew levels of intimacy and spectacle.On top of Wagner’s surging orchestralocean, the stolen ring is fought overwith even greater guile and fierceranger, testing the hero Siegfried’squalities of love and valour. In the end,the world will change – against thebackdrop of the most overwhelmingoperatic music ever written.


Tickets: £18-£47

WagnerGötterdämmerung

Conductor: Richard Farnes: Orchestra and Chorusof Opera NorthHuddersfield ChoralSocietyBrunnhilde: AlwynMellorSiegfried: DanielBrennaHagan: Mats AlmgrenGutrune: Orla BoylanGunther: Eric GreeneAlberich: Jo PohlheimWaltraute: Susan BickleyWoglinde: Katherine BroderickWellgunde:Madeleine ShawFlosshilde: Sarah Castle

Staging and Design,Lighting andProjection Design:Peter MumfordVocal Consultant:Dame Anne Evans

2013/14 CHRISTMAS CONCERTS

Sunday 1st December, 7pm, Hall One

MESSIAHHandel MessiahConductor: Alan FearonSoloists from Samling Scholars and Samling AcademyNorthern SinfoniaNorthern Sinfonia ChorusTickets: £10-£33

Saturday 14th December, 7.30pm and Sunday 15th December, 3pm, Hall One

REJOICE! WITH NORTHERNSINFONIA SPECIAL GUEST PRESENTER,ANGELA RIPPON

Conductor: Simon HalseyTickets: £10-£33Supported by The Vardy Foundation

Monday 23rd December, 2pm & 5pm, Tuesday 24th Friday 27th December, 11am & 2pm, Hall One

THE SNOWMAN

Tickets: £15-£17, Family ticket: £50 (four people, must include at least one child)

Wednesday 1st January 2014, 3pm & 7pm, Hall One

NEW YEAR VIENNESE Conductor/Violin: Joseph Swensen Tickets: £10-£33

MUSICALPARTNERSHIPS

The Newcastle International ChamberMusic Society is the oldest chambersociety in the country, promoting itsfirst concerts in 1880. Having presentedannual series in Newcastle’s OldAssembly Rooms, King’s Hall andPlayhouse, the society moved to HallTwo at Sage Gateshead in 2005. World-renowned artists have made upthe enviable programmes throughout its history and the society continues to present the most current andtalented ensembles and artists on theperforming circuit.

Samling is a charity that since 1996 hasworked consistently with the best in theworld to make a significant contributionto art and music in the United Kingdom,focussing on excellence. Internationalopera star Sir Thomas Allen leadsSamling Masterclass, an intensiveresidential programme led by world-class artists, teachers and experts. It attracts outstanding young singersand pianists from around the world.Major projects are regularly undertakenincluding two acclaimed operaproductions with Northern Sinfonia

and Thomas Zehetmair. The newlyformed Samling Academy bringsmentoring expertise and performanceopportunities to younger singers fromacross the North of England. Thisseason Samling Scholars and SamlingAcademy students perform withNorthern Sinfonia in Handel’s ‘Messiah’in December 2013.

Founded by cellist Jonathan Bloxham,the Northern Chords Festival brings the best young and dynamic talent from around the world to the NorthEast. Established and emerging soloistsare pitched together as chambermusicians to perform timeless classics to modern masterpieces presentingconcerts of energy and passion. With adeep commitment to the region’s nextgeneration of musicians, in 2010 TheNorthern Chords Young Musician of theYear Award was created complementingits burgeoning Schools Programme.

See our website or events diaries fordetails of performances.

Classical music atSage Gateshead isa collaborative mix of projects andpromoters and we’repleased to be able to work with threeregional partnerorganisations topresent the broadestrange of music to our audience.

51www.sagegateshead.com

We deliver a range of music programmesand projects across the whole of theNorth East and Cumbria as well as at SageGateshead. These include classes for earlyyears and families; schools and adults as wellas a Silver Programme for people over theage of 50. We also deliver two music degreecourses with the University of Sunderland(BMus in Popular, Contemporary andJazz and BA in Community Music).

There are opportunities to explore andcreate all kinds of music, for people of all ages, at every level of ability andexperience. So, whether you are youngor old, a beginner or have years ofexperience; you want to pursue musicprofessionally or as a social pastime orwould just like to join a choir, play in aband, brush up on your music theory, or learn the steel pans – we are sure you will find an opportunity to join in,enjoy and learn with us.

All our programmes and classes aredelivered by a highly experienced teamof community musicians and tutors,many of whom perform regularly acrossthe region, nationally and internationally.

For more information, please visitwww.sagegateshead.com/join-in/You can also email us [email protected] or call 0191 443 4661.

Check out our Exploring Music talks and broaden your musical horizons. Ourweekly series of introduction to music talks covers a wide range of musical topics, such as What is classical music?’; ‘ChoralMusic’; ‘The Music of Burt Bacharach’;‘The Romantic Period’; ‘Jazz Scores fromthe Big Screen’; and the life and music ofcomposers, such as Britten, Mendelssohn,Mozart, Purcell and Tchaikovsky.www.sagegateshead.com/tour-dates/exploring-music

JOIN IN

Sage Gateshead is both a live musicvenue and a centrefor music educationthat enables everyoneto become involvedin, stimulated andexcited by music of any genre.

52 Ticket Office: 0191 443 4661

54

TAKE YOUR SEATMAKE YOURSELFAT HOME HERE WHY NAME A SEAT?

Be a part of the new 10th Birthday Appeal by naming a seat in Hall One for yourself, afamily member or a friend. Your support will be invested into an endowment and provide a contribution every year to help sustain the future of music in the North East.

SO MUCH MORE THAN A PIECE OF FURNITUREFrom £250, you can have a plaque with yourname or the name of someone special attachedto one of the iconic auditorium seats and becomepart of the history of Sage Gateshead. We willsend you, or the recipient of the gift, a certificatewith the details of your seat and arrange a quietand convenient time for you to come and see it.

MAKE YOUR GIFTYou can ‘take your seat’ today by making a gift as a one-off payment or in instalments.Please contact Rosie Thomas on 0191 443 4641or [email protected]



THANK YOU

Sage Gateshead values its partnershipswith individuals, trusts and foundationsand companies. Core Revenue support is also provided by Arts Council England,North East and Gateshead Council. As a registered charity (number1087445) this support is vital to allow us to continue and develop our work.

Founding PatronsThe Sage Group plcThe Barbour TrustNorthern Rock FoundationGarfield Weston FoundationJoan and Margaret Halbert

Founding Endowment DonorsThe Shears FoundationThe David Goldman ProgrammeThe Go-Ahead group plcNorthern Arts BoardFenwick LtdNorthumbrian WaterBenfield Charitable TrustThe Sir James Knott TrustGreggs plcThe David Boardman TrustRoland Cookson Fund1989 Willan Trust

Legacy BequestsStuart AyreJan Dyer

10th Birthday Appeal DonorsThe Barbour TrustThe Vardy FoundationMr & Mrs M HowardMs W Oloman

Trusts and Foundation SupportersBaring FoundationEsmee Fairbairn FoundationJ Paul Getty JNR Charitable TrustPaul Hamlyn FoundationThe Foyle FoundationGarfield Weston FoundationThe Hadrian TrustThe Monument TrustThe PRS for Music FoundationThe Sir James Knott TrustThe Shears FoundationThe Vardy FoundationThe WA Handley Charitable TrustYouth Music

Corporate PartnersPlatinum Partners

Gold Partners

Silver Partners

Bronze Partners• RSM Tenon • The Open University • Barclays • O'Brien Waste Recycling

Solutions • Rutherford Wilkinson Ltd

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EVERY GIFT IS IMPORTANT TO US AND THERE

ARE MANY WAYS YOU CAN SUPPORT NORTHERN

SINFONIA AND THE WORK OF SAGE GATESHEAD


Join our Sage SupportersMembership starts from £40 per yearBenefits include:• Discounts in the Shop, Bars and Brasserie• Advance notice of concerts• Special eventsFor more information visit Ticket OfficeVisit www.sagegateshead.org/[email protected]

Become a Principal PartnerWhether you have a passion for classicalmusic, a taste for the Timpani or youparticularly admire one of the orchestra’smany characters, why not supportNorthern Sinfonia by becoming aPrincipal Partner for just £167 per month?Benefits include:• Direct association with one of

Northern Sinfonia’s Principal Playersor Music Director

• Crediting in all Northern SinfoniaConcert Programmes

• Personalised priority booking to theClassical Season

• Opportunities to meet the musicians• Invitations to exclusive open rehearsals

and [email protected] call 0191 443 4651 for more information.

Become a Northern Sinfonia FriendMembership starts from £27.50Benefits include:• Priority booking for the classical season• Exclusive member’s evenings• Quarterly newsletterFor more information visit Ticket OfficeVisit www.sagegateshead.org/[email protected]

Make a regular donation to Northern SinfoniaWe welcome donations by monthlydirect [email protected] or call 0191 443 4651 for a donation form.

Make a gift in your willMaking a gift in your will is one of themost enduring gifts you can make. As wellas tax benefits, you have the satisfactionof knowing your donation will go onsupporting our work long into the future.Email [email protected] call 0191 443 5038 for furtherinformation.

Make a donation to the 10th BirthdayAppealEmail [email protected] call 0191 443 4641 for more information.

Ticket top up – you will notice a spaceon the booking form to make a one off donation to support the work ofNorthern Sinfonia. Please considermaking a gift when placing your ticketorder for the season. Gift Aid canincrease the value of your donation by 25% so please tick the box if you are an eligible taxpayer.

ORCHESTRA LIST

Northern Sinfonia

First ViolinBradley Creswick, LeaderKyra Humphreys, Co-LeaderSara Wolstenholme, PrincipalIona Brown, PrincipalAndrew Harvey Jane Nossek Sarah Roberts Alexandra Raikhlina

Second ViolinSophie Appleton Jenny Chang Jonathan Martindale

ViolaMichael Gerrard, Section LeaderMalcolm Critten, PrincipalTegwen Jones James Slater

CelloLouisa Tuck, Section LeaderDaniel Hammersley, PrincipalJames Craig Gabriel Waite

Double BassSiân Hicks, Principal

FluteJuliette Bausor, Section Leader

OboeSteven Hudson, Section LeaderMichael O’Donnell, Principal

ClarinetJessica Lee, Principal

BassoonStephen Reay, Section LeaderRobin Kennard, Principal

HornsPeter Francomb, Section LeaderChristopher Griffiths, Principal

TrumpetRichard Martin, Section LeaderMarion Craig, Principal

TimpaniMarney O’Sullivan, Section Leader


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Anthony Sargent – General Director

Classical Music ProgrammeRos Rigby – Performance Programme DirectorCraig West – Head of Classical MusicFrances Axford – Concerts ManagerFergal Harkin – Orchestra ManagerHannah Reynolds – Planning ManagerClaire Yim – LibrarianAlice Benzing – Concerts and Tours AssistantMichael Dawson – Stage and Transport Assistant

STAFFLIST

Sage Gateshead is ahome for music andmusical discovery,offering performanceand participationprojects across allgenres of music. Over500 people work in, from or for SageGateshead, too manyto mention here, but this is a short listof the members of the team who focusmost on the classicalprogramme.

Marketing and Communications,Fundraising and Customer ExperienceDominic Parker – Director ofCommunications and DevelopmentEmily Taylor – Head of Marketing and CommunicationsKirsten Swanston – Marketing andCommunications ManagerKate Holland – Programme EditorKelly Enderwick – Tessitura andResearch CoordinatorKatherine Leadbeter – Head of FundraisingKaren Kirkup – Head of Fundraising(maternity cover)Jennifer Rycroft – Acting Fundraising ManagerJoyce Porter – Northern SinfoniaFriends CoordinatorCorin McEwan – Ticket Office ManagerMandy Baines – Set Up Manager

Learning and ParticipationKatherine Zeserson – Director ofLearning and ParticipationEdward Milner – Head of Music LearningWendy Smith – Head of Strategy andEnterpriseSally Kat – Head of Community ProgrammeJacqui Cameron – Young MusiciansProgramme ManagerBritta Koerber – Schools and Early Years ManagerRobin Purser – Cross Programme ManagerEmma Ogle – Northern Sinfonia Chorus Producer



BOOKING INFO:

You can book:In person at Ticket OfficeBy phone on 0191 443 4661Online at www.sagegateshead.com (please note thatpackages are not yet available through our website)By completing and returning the booking form– if you would like a booking form, do give us a call on 0191 443 4661.When buying a package, you can pay in six monthlyinstalments – ask at Ticket Office for more details.

Ticket Office is open seven days a week – 10am-8pm on show days and 10am-6pm on non-show days. OnSundays and Bank Holidays phone booking closes at 6pm.

ConcessionsConcessions for under 16s, students, people over 60 and unemployed are available at £2 off for all of the concerts in this brochure. For every performance,one free ticket is available for the essential carer ofthose who need assistance to attend the performance. Ask Ticket Office for details and bookings.

ConditionsA copy of our full conditions is available on our websiteor by requesting a copy by sending us a stampedaddressed envelope. Handling fees of £2.50 apply pertransaction for telephone, internet and postal bookings(fees do not apply when booking a package). We regretthat no refunds can be given except where an event iscancelled. We will always attempt, where possible, toexchange unwanted tickets for concerts as long as wehave the tickets returned to us at least 24 hours priorto the performance, for an administration fee of £2.50(fees do not apply when exchanging within a package).

TravelWe have our own car park directly behind the building,with pedestrian lift access. There are spaces for bluebadge holders by the lifts in the car park or otherspaces immediately to the rear of the building along the rear access road. There is a drop off and pick uppoint in St Mary’s Square adjacent to our West (TyneBridge) doors. Thanks to the generosity of Nexus youcan travel free on the Metro to and from Gateshead ifyou have a ticket for a concert here: simply retain yourconcert ticket for inspection on the Metro. We are also on the Q1 Quaylink bus service (the yellow buses)which drops off in St Mary’s Square.

BusesWe run buses from Hexham (via Corbridge) Alnwick (via Felton and Morpeth) and Carlisle to a selection of our concerts. You can book a space on the bus for£6.50 return per concert. Please book your bus ticketswhen you book your event tickets.

Seating:Hall One: seating plans and pricing vary.

Hall Two is a flexible, ten-sided space, and is set up for each concert according to what will provide the best experience for the audience: there are threelevels, and levels 2 and 3 are gallery-style spaces.

In seats on the sides of levels 2 and 3 in both halls, youhave to lean forwards to obtain a full view of the stage.Please ask our staff for more information.

For most concerts, level 3 and the areas behind thestage will not initially be on sale. Please ask at TicketOffice when booking.

Full seating plans are available on our website:www.sagegateshead.com/your-visit/seating-plan/

Level 1 Stalls

Stage

Level 2

Level 3

Stage

Stage

Sage GatesheadSt Mary’s SquareGateshead Quays GatesheadNE8 2JR

Chairman: Lord Falconer of Thoroton

Visit www.sagegateshead.com for information on all ourprojects at Sage Gateshead, around the region and nationwide.


Welcome Desk: 0191 443 4666

Photography: Mark Savage, Dan Brady, Marco Borggreve, Felix Broede,Benjamin Ealovega, Chester Fildes, Peter Rigaud, Julia Wesely, F Ferranti,Monika Ritterhaus, Robert Bridgens, Eric Richmond, Sussie Ahlburg,TallWall Media, Faye Thomas, Alberto Venzago, Thomas Rabsch, JohanPersson, Snowman Enterprises Ltd. 1982, 2013, morguefile, openphoto(inc. Michael Jastremski), stock.xchng (Ravanous, smrcoun, desigu, Ayla87,Stanciuc, ahaarsager).

The information in this brochure is correct at the time of the going to print:we reserve the right to make changes which circumstances may necessitate.

North Music Trust is registered in England as a company limited byguarantee, number 4044936 and as a charity, number 1087445.

Concert Text: Andrew Mellor

Brochure Design: www.solutiongroup.co.uk

www.sagegateshead.com

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