Queen Anne's School Weekend of Music - 11-12th February 2012
This is now only 2 weeks away and Jerry has kindly provided his thoughts and links on the music that we will be performing...
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Reflections On The Thames, Westminster (Grimshaw) Listen to symphony using 'Youtube' Movement 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=502iuCmkWR4 Movement 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsT0KFZZ3lM&feature=related Movement 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w51xQW6I90k&feature=related Movement 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJNgyTQ9CGw&feature=related |
Ralph Vaughan Williams: A LONDON SYMPHONY
From his study in the attic of 13 Cheyne Walk, Chelsea, Vaughan Williams had a wonderful view of the Thames. He had earlier made sketches for a symphonic poem about London, but it was George Butterworth who had said to him one evening in 1911: 'You know, you ought to write a symphony'. He worked on the symphony thoughout 1912 and 1913, and it was first performed on the 27th of March 1914. It was subsequently revised and slightly cut for performances under Adrian Boult in 1918, and the score was published in 1920, dedicated to Butterworth.
Influences of the English folk song revival are evident, and also of Elgar's Cockaigne and Debussy's La Mer. The work is scored for large orchestra, but with his usual practicality Vaughan Williams made it playable by slightly reduced forces. The first movement (Lento - Allegro risoluto) is in sonata form. A quiet introduction evokes London just before dawn. On harp and clarinet the Westminster Chimes sound the half hour, and a woodwind crescendo leads to the strident main theme. A cantabile passage progresses to the second subject which is suggestive of holiday gaiety on Hampstead Heath. Vaughan Williams described the second movement (Lento) as 'Bloomsbury Square on a November afternoon.' Its main theme is first given on the cor anglais over muted strings. The highly original third movement (Scherzo (Nocturne) - Allegro vivace) is perhaps the finest of the symphony. It is full of themes, with many irregular length phrases. Vaughan Williams: 'If the hearer will imagine himself standing on Westminster Embankment at night surrounded by the distant sounds of the Strand, with its great hotels on one side, and the 'New Cut' on the other, with its crowded streets and flashing lights, it may serve as a mood in which to listen to this movement.' The finale (Andante con moto - Allegro - Epilogue) opens with a tragic outburst for the full orchestra, a prelude to a solemn march. The allegro section reaches a mighty climax. A reference to the first movement and the Westminster Chimes sounding the third quarter lead to the Epilogue, ending with a gentle violin solo and solemn chords, representing the Thames - 'run softly, till I end my song'.
Richard Wagner: Overture to THE MASTERSINGERS OF NUREMBERG
This overture is a highly organised and complete movement, well able to stand apart from the opera it introduces. It opens with the Mastersingers' theme, pompously delivered by the full orchestra. A short link, associated with Walter's love songs, leads to the Guild Banner theme, based on ascending triads and featuring the brass section. This is extended by a development of the Mastersingers' theme, and the music modulates from the tonic C major into E major, where Walter's prize song alternates with other themes that the Masters rejected. This is the most romantic and sensual section of the work. The Apprentices' Dance which follows is a sprightly staccato section which pokes fun at the Mastersingers' theme by halving the note values, gradually climaxing in a return to the tonic key and the triumphant simultaneous combination of half the tunes in the opera in a contrapuntal tour de force. A slightly slower tempo (Molto pesante) concludes the overture with the opening phrase of the Mastersingers' theme and a fanfare-like figure in the trumpets.
Listen to using 'Youtube' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nhcTllJgIY
Below are images showing moments from last year's event
The magnificent rehearsal hall and the orchestra from February 2011
Last year's orchestra
Rapt attention for Stephen's speech at lunchtime last year
The magnificent steak pie, especially produced for SMO
The menu for the weekend is displayed below
Saturday lunch
-Tomato and basil soup.
-Cheese and tomato quiche, sliced gammon, pieces of salmon, salads (mixed leaf, pomegranate and bean, potato and chive, watercress and pear, spicy couscous), coleslaw, and a selection of breads.
-Rice pudding and jam.
Saturday dinner
-Coq au vin, vegetable tartlets [V], new potatoes, broccoli.
-Lemon tart with raspberries and cream.
Sunday lunch
-Winter vegetable soup.
-Roast pork with stuffing, roasted vegetable risotto [V], roast potatoes, roast parsnips, carrots, broccoli.
-Traditional apple pie and custard.
Music to be played is Vaughan Williams' Symphony No. 2 (The London) and Wagner's Meistersingen Overture. The part scores for both pieces can be found at
http://imslp.org ....and then 'Browse by Composer'
Patrick has supplied a timetable for 11-12th February. This is shown below.....
Saturday 11th February 2012
09:00: Gather with coffee & tea.
09:30: Rehearsal 1.
10:45: Coffee & tea.
11:15: Rehearsal 2.
12:30: Aperitifs.
13:00: Lunch.
14:00: Break (including quiz).
15:00: Rehearsal 3.
16:30: Tea & coffee.
17:00: Rehearsal 4.
18:15: Aperitifs.
19:00: Dinner
20:00: Lighter music TBC
Sunday 12th February 2012
09:00: Gather with coffee & tea.
09:30: Rehearsal 5.
10:45: Coffee & tea.
11:15: Rehearsal 6.
12:30: Aperitifs.
13:00: Lunch.
14:00: Final run-through.
ca 15:15: Tea & coffee.
ca 16:00: Depart.
Cost
Whole weekend: £66.
Rehearsal - 7th January 2012
The orchestra was privileged to have Rachael Gibbon as a guest soloist for the rehearsal on Saturday 7th January 2012. Rachael travelled down from Manchester especially for the rehearsal. Rachael played the Weber Concertino for Clarinet and Orchestra, Op 26 and also the 2nd Movement of Mozart's Clarinet Concerto in A, K622.
Many thanks Rachael for providing us with the opportunity to explore these musical works....
A message from our Chairman:
SMO Chairman smochairman@gmail.com
Hello everyone,
I hope you’ve all had a good Christmas, are well rested and are raring to go with SMO again. We restart this coming Saturday, 7th January. Further details of the term dates and other information is on the orchestra website, www.saturdaymorningorchestra.co.uk, soon to include Jerry’s notes for the upcoming repertoire.
Could I also take this opportunity to remind you all that if you are unable to make a rehearsal, if at all possible it is very helpful if you arrange for a deputy to play for you. If you cannot manage to get a deputy it helps Jerry to know in advance. He can be reached at jerry.lanning@virgin.net
Regards
Dan
Alison Potts (1966-2011)
All members of SMO and NCLSO that knew her, were saddened to hear of Alison's death over Christmas. She had MS but also had a fall. Her funeral took place on Thursday 29th December in Woodley.
Alison joined NCLSO (which became DC in 2003) when it started in 1995, on violin. Alison moved on to the Saturday Morning Orchestra which she enjoyed until multiple sclerosis stopped her playing. She still came to the SMO "friends and loved ones" performances whenever she could. She made the most of what she could still do.
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