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The Royal Northern Sinfonia have another exciting season coming up which will feature both a world premiere and the return of many well-loved classics. Stephen Oliver reviews the 2013/14 season which has just gone on general sale and talks to Musical Director Thomas Zehetmair.
The forthcoming season will see Musical Director Thomas Zehetmair say “Auf Wiedersehen” for the final time, bringing the end to a relationship that started in 2002. Back then The Guardian reported Zehetmair’s appointment as “the best signing since Alan Shearer”. A lot has changed for Britain’s only full-time chamber orchestra in that time – the most notable being the move across the River Tyne from Newcastle City Hall to Sage Gateshead. A number of recordings have been made which show the virtuosity and range of the music that Royal Northern Sinfonia play. The programme for the new season mirrors this range and does not shy away from including new work too. In June 2013 it was announced that the Queen has bestowed the title "Royal" on Northern Sinfonia, the first such title to be awarded in more than 20 years. Thomas Zehetmair remarked that “It is a wonderful title! I am very grateful to Her Majesty for rewarding these outstanding musicians. I feel very honoured too! The North East has become an important mark on the cultural map, and it makes me proud to be a part of it.”
The seven movements of Johannes Brahms' A German Requiem kicks the season off on Sunday 29th September. This was Brahms' longest work and represents a major large scale work for Zehetmair to lead both the Sinfonia and the Sinfonia Chorus, which was formed 40 years ago. Soprano Elizabeth Atherton, who was described by Rupert Christiansen of The Daily Telegraph as someone who “sings with consummate intelligence”, completes the line up. Unusual for a Requiem, Brahms chose to produce the libretto in German rather than in Latin. Thomas notes that a large scale production has its challenges: “We have developed a very distinct language for Brahms during our enthusiastically received Brahms - Schumann Cycle, and to perform Brahms' most important choral work now is the logical consequence. I look forward to working again with the excellent Northern Sinfonia Chorus in this piece as well as in Beethoven's Missa Solemnis and in Bach's St. Matthew's Passion.”
Whilst Christmas is still a fair way off it is worth noting that the Royal Northern Sinfonia will be performing a number of events which have a tendency to sell very well and hence early booking is recommended. The Christmas concerts starts on Sunday 1st December with Handel’s Messiah. On the weekend of the 14th and 15th December Angela Rippon will be the guest presenter for “Rejoice!” which is the annual festive concert with Royal Northern Sinfonia and Chorus led by the wonderful Simon Halsey. Expect seasonal music, readings and carols to join in with. The New Year begins with 2 performances of a stunning array of traditional Viennese waltzes, polkas and marches from the wonderful Johann Strauss. The Conductor for this New Years Day event is the well travelled Joseph Swensen.
Once again the Sinfonia will be performing The Snowman (23-27th December) which is always extremely popular and is an ideal introduction to live music for the younger members of the family. There are 6 opportunities to hear the orchestra perform Howard Blake’s score live whilst watching the film on the big screen.
Another highlight will be to see the charismatic Leader, Bradley Creswick bringing the stunning and ever popular The Lark Ascending to life. Ralph Vaughan Williams piece continues to feature in all time lists around the world. The subtle elegance of the piece is in start contrast the Great War which was starting around the time that it was composed. It is still possible to buy the EMI recording of this piece with former Artistic Director Richard Hickox conducting and Bradley Creswick with the Royal Northern Sinfonia in full flow. The performance on the 21st February also features work from Mozart (Overture: Cosi fan Tutte & Piano Concerto No. 21) and Beethoven’s second symphony.
June brings the classical season at the Sage to the close with 2 magnificent shows. Zehetmair’s finale as Musical Director is on the 11th June with four well chosen pieces. The show will include Mozart’s Don Giovanni Overture and one of Bartok’s final works - his powerful Viola Concerto featuring Ruth Killius on the viola. Killius founded the Zehetmair Quartet with Thomas Zehetmair in 1994 and has performed numerous times with him. Royal Northern Sinfonia has a reputation for showcasing new music and there will be the world premiere of Bradford born John Casken’s That Subtle Knot. Thomas Zehetmair believes that this represents a significant new work: “Every violin-viola duo will be grateful to The Sage Gateshead and to Ruth and me for having co-commissioned a new double concerto! The great composer John Casken has been very close to the Northern Sinfonia and the Sage for several years, Ruth and I can't wait to premiere That Subtle Knot! New good music is an important sign that our music scene is alive and blossoming.” Representing the popular end of the classical spectrum, Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, featuring possibly the most famous classical introductions of them all, closes the historic evening.
A number of other orchestras will also feature at the Sage including Manchester’s Halle. The Orchestra and Chorus of the Opera North will perform the final chapter of Wagner’s Ring Cycle with the Huddersfield Chorus on the 28th June. Gotterdammerung is a powerful opera and the production will reach new levels of intimacy and spectacle.
Royal Northern Sinfonia, who celebrated their 50th Anniversary in the 2008/09 season continue to go from strength to strength. The new programme is varied and will be challenging for the highly skilled performers. It will be a privilege to hear them in the season ahead. The Sinfonia also takes an active role in the Young Musicians Programme at the Sage and this encourages the next generation of performers to train. Multibuy discounts are offered on 4 or more concerts bought at the same time. The fabulous acoustics of the Sage mean that even the cheaper seats present an opportunity to hear great live music by an orchestra at the top of their game.
So how long will it be before we see Thomas performing at the Sage again once the season finishes? He replied “The orchestra and I have created a very strong relationship; it will be my pleasure to return regularly!”
Words: Stephen Oliver
Picture: Mark Savage
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