We start amongst the shadowy landscapes of Northern Europe in Sibelius鈥檚 tone poem, Pohjola鈥檚 Daughter 鈥� its rich orchestration and charming cast of melodies depicting the troublesome pursuits of the great hero V盲in盲m枚inen as he attempts to win the trust of the fabled daughter of the North. Then, abandoning the mortal realm, a bewitchingly intense journey from one extreme to another in Gubaidulina鈥檚 鈥業n Tempus Praesens鈥�, a violin concerto which sees Tobias Feldmann deliver us from the murk of Hell to the heights of Heaven. Finally, brightness and bliss in Rautavaara鈥檚 Seventh Symphony, 鈥楢ngel of Light鈥�, an auroral tapestry of his childhood memories, prized for its deep spirituality.
Pre-concert entertainment
6.30pm In Stalls Caf茅 Bar
Ahead of the concert, Royal Northern College of Music students Jess Hopkins, Ruby Hendy, Si芒n Davies and Nico de Villiers will be performing in the Stalls Caf茅 Bar. The students are part of the RNCM Songsters.
The RNCM Songsters are a specially selected group of students at the RNCM - singers and pianists who are passionate about, and excel in the performance of art song. They perform in bespoke and innovative recital programmes of song at both events within the college, and at various other musical organisations and venues. They have performed for many music societies across the United Kingdom, as well as at a number of leading festivals of song, including Leeds Lieder and Manchester Song Festival. In 2019 they collaborated with pianist David Owen Norris on a recording project of the art songs of Arthur Sullivan. As part of their training, they get the opportunity to work with visiting tutors specialising in art song repertoire, including Julius Drake, Roderick WIlliams, Richard Stokes, Alice Coote, and David Owen Norris. The Artistic Director of the RNCM Songsters is Jonathan Fisher.
Pre-concert programme
Jess Hopkins / soprano
Delius: Twilight Fancies
Delius: Sweet Venevil
Ruby Hendry / soprano
Grieg: Sechs Lieder, Op. 48
Jess Hopkins / soprano
Sibelius: Arioso, Op. 3
Sibelius: Var det en dr枚m
Si芒n Davies / mezzo
Strauss: Traum durch die d盲mmerung
Strauss: Die Nacht
Quilter: Love鈥檚 Philosophy
Elgar: Pleading, Op. 48
Walton: Old Sir Faulk
Jess Hopkins (soprano)
Sian Davies (mezzo)
Ruby Hendy (mezzo)
Nico de Villiers (piano)
The students appear by kind permission of the RNCM.