CLASSICAL
NATIONAL YOUTH CHOIR OF SCOTLAND AND BBC SCOTTISH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
City Halls, Glasgow, Thu 20 Apr
Singing. It’s one of those basic human things that everyone does, even if only in the bath or a bit off-key along to the radio. Not so long ago, organised singing among young people, especially boys, was very much out of favour. Realising that this, and singing at a national level, presented a huge gap, conductor Christopher Bell decided to form a National Youth Choir of Scotland. ‘I wanted them to have music in their lives,’ he says, ‘and for it to touch their soul.’ In the ten years of its existence, choirs have sprouted the length and breadth of the country, there are special groups just for boys, including those with breaking voices, and singing has
generally become a cool thing to do.
At the top of all the flourishing grassroots activity is the main NYCoS, a group of 100 voices aged between 16 and 24. The quality of their singing and the passion and commitment they bring to it are second to none, as is borne out by five star reviews and repeat prestigious performing invitations. Their regular partner is the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, with whom they appear in celebration of the 10th anniversary in Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms, to be followed by a BBC Proms in London this July.
‘We didn’t ever sit down and decide what the end result should be’, says Bell. ‘It was more a case of once we’d done something, we’d move onto the next thing. We started area choirs, a national boys choir, we publish books, 005, a website and have just commissioned ten composers to write three songs each for a new songbook. Right across Scotland, NYCoS means something different to everybody, whether singer, parent, teacher, audience.’ For a rightly proud Bell, it is “simply one of the best things I’ve
done in my life.’ (Carol Main)
hanging out witlt Stravinsky. Julie Andrews and Frank Zappa. :Vlanhattan street musician Moondog also fotiiid time to pen 80 symphonies. 'l‘oniglit's l-l motifs combine his line of Bach with Native American rhythms and hree/y swing heats. Add to the mix some of the biggest names in ja/l and world music and the Britten Sinfonitt's star soloists for a wonderfully iinagiiiatiyc take on one of the immortal pieces of the classical repertoire.
Edinburgh
I Scottish Chamber Orchestra Queen's llall. (‘lerk Street. (ms 20“). 2.30pm. £8—£|-l. (‘liamher (‘oncert » (iael l-‘orce Winds performs the last of the season's Sunday afternoon chamber concerts with a Scandinay'iaii/Scottisli programme of works by (irieg. Nielsen. Sally Beamiin and Keyin .\le(‘rae.
Monday 24
Glasgow
I The Gate Crashers (‘iiy llalls. (‘aiidleriggs. 353 8000. 5pm. £40 for the ten week course. The first of ten weekly percussion sessions for young people led by Iain Sandilands. exploring an expansive range of‘ styles and percussion instruments from around the globe.
I World Rhythms (‘ity Halls. Ciiiidleriggs. 353 8000. 7pm. £l00 (One adult two children). £75 (one adult and one child). £50 (one adult) for all ten sessions. Pack your virtual bags and get
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ready for some aural globetroiting at this ten-week workshop for families w here you can hear and play a range of instruments and grooy'es from a plethora of international locations.
Edinburgh
I Paul Lewis Queen‘s llall. ('Ierk Street. (m8 20“). 7.45pm. £9 £l5
(£8 £l-l). The talented young pianist continues his Beethoyen cycle. The Iltlllllllt'l'lyltll'ft’l' attd I’m/oral hotlt feature in tonight‘s selection.
Glasgow
I Violin Prize RSAMI). I00 Renfrew Street. 333 5057. l0aiii. Free. ticketed. 'l'he llilda Bailey Him for Violin. demanding the highest standards of technical ability.
I Rush Hour Concert: RSAMD Chamber Orchestra RS.-\.\ll). l()() Renfrew Street. 332 5057. 5.30pm. £3. For the final Rtish llour concert of the year Lui/ Koehler conducts Nielsen's I'illllt’ (‘UIH'I'I'IU tllttl Beethoy'en's I.(’UIIUI'(' ()t't'l'llll't’ No 3. with fiautist Lindsay lillis. winner of the 2005 RSAMI) (‘oiicerto Competition.
I Connections Traditional Instrument Sessions for Beginners ('ity Halls. (‘andleriggx 353 8000. 7.30pm. £70 for the ten week course. [iyer wished you could play those traditional tunes we all know and low? Well now‘s your chance at this. the
first of ten weekly instrumental sessions on bodhiaii. fiddle. tiiiwliistle. mandolin .iiid claisacli. led by .i teaiii ot e\peit
I Moscow by Night Royal (‘onceii Hall. 3 Sauchiehall Street. 353 MN)“
7. 30pm £l5 50 £33 50 Stats ol the Red .\rmy l'.lt\etlll‘le head the cast in this glittering .iriay ot Soyiet talent. with legend.in \loscoyy ballet l .t (-lasslqtlc performing ballet tieats. ('ossack dancing. folk dancing aitd Russian gymnasts.
I Dame Felicity Lott and Sir Thomas Allen with Malcolm Martineaut’iiy llalls. ('andlciiggs. 35% 8000. 8pm. £l3.50 £l" 51). two illustrious stars from the British operatic scene ioin forces. With acciiiiipaiiiiiient from the peerless .\lalcolni \lai‘tineaii. this is a distinguished gathering of some of the best song iiitei'pieters in the business.
Edinburgh I Get Organised! l'sliei llall. l.t)llll.tll Road. 338 ll55. l.lllplll, £3 Sec ltie IS.
Wednesday 26 .
Glasgow
I Guitar Competition: Dundee Guitar Festival Scholarship RSAN“). lllll Renfrew Street. 33.: SUSHI Illam. l-ree. ticketed. Students lioiii the guitar department present a piece of their ow It choice alongside a work lt‘ottt tlte modern Scottish repertoire.
I Chamber Music Competition RS:\.\ll). lllll Renlt'eyy Street. 3.33 SUST 2pm. l-‘i'ee. ticketed. 'l'lie l)ttnbat‘ (ierbct' l’ri/e ('oinpetition lor ('hainbei .\lusic is a chance for ensembles to present the rich cltaiiiher music repertoire ol the I‘ltli and 30th centuries.
I The Merchant Voices (‘iiy llalls. (’andleriggs. 353 8000. 7pm. l-‘i'ee. Brand new community choir led by tenor and conductor Dominic l’eckliani. coy ei'ing a broad yocal repertoire. ()pen to adults ol all ages. no prey iotis musical e\pei‘ience is required just lots of enthusiasm? Week one of let).
I Glasgow Philharmonic Male Voice Choir: Spring Concert ('iiy llalls. ('andlei'iggs. 353 8000. 7.30pm. £8 £ l 2. 'l‘lie annual spring concert from this respected (ilasgow choir which is set to celebrate its Slst birthday later this year.
I Glasgow Phoenix Choir Royal ('onccrt Hall. 3 Sattcltichall Street. 437 0005. 7.30pm. £5 £l5. 'l'lie l’lioeiii\ ('hoii' are joined by (ilasgow Youth (‘hoii‘ and Wind Band to perform music and songs for all ages.
I Strathclyde University Symphony Orchestra: La Vie Parisienne Barony llall. (“asile Street. 3538000. 8pm. £7 (£5. students £3). (icrard I)olierty leads the orchestra. and flautist Stephen ('lark. through a celebration of the musical life of 20th century l’aris. including ballet suites by .\lilhatid and Stray insky. the flute concerto by lbert. and l)cbussy 's eyocation of Spain. l/u'riu.
Edinburgh
I Edinburgh Telephone Choir (ieorge Square ’l‘lieatre. l'iiiyersity of lidinburgh. (ieorge Square. 050 84()|. 7.30 0.45pm. £(i. l’opular light music from the lidinhurgh 'l‘elephone ('lioir.
I Clara Cernat and Thierry Huillet Stockbridge Parish (‘liiirch. Saye (‘oburg Street. (ms 20“). 7.30pm. £l3.5l)
(£ l 7.50 including post-concert reception). l‘ollow ing the success of their 2004 performance. the Romanian-l‘i'ench \iolin and piano duo perform music by .\lo/art. l’rokofiey. Rachmaninoy. Albetiil. Turina and Sarasate iii aid of Music in Hospitals Scotland.
Dundee
I Scottish Ensemble Concert Series Marry at Hall. (‘ity Square. ()l382 43-19-ll.7.3()pin. £8.50 £l3.5() (£3). The grand finale of Scotland‘s
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THE BEST CLASSICAL & OPERA
3|: Kremerata Baltica Formed by Latvian violinist Gidon Kremer (pictured) this outstanding ensemble of young professional instrumentalists has been handpicked by their director from around the Baltic States of Estonia. Latvra and Lithuania. It's an unusual example of these countries working together. but has been genuinely inspirational in building bridges through cultural cooperation. Usher Hall. Edinburgh, Sat 22 Apr.
3|! Hebrides Ensemble Following the success of various recent musrc theatre productions. the ever innovative Hebrides now bring together virtuoso performers. from such companies as Opera Circus and Scottish Dance Theatre. fora dramatic cycle of new and recent music by Nigel Osborne and featuring film by award-winning animator Rachel Bevan Baker. Reid Hall, Edinburgh, Fri 27 Apr. * RSNO: Deneve Conducts Verdi’s Requiem Operatic in style. with oft-stage trumpets and arias packed with drama and emotion, Verdi‘s ever-splendid Requiem receives the full works treatment from Deneve and supporting cast and the RSNO Chorus in magnificent. thrilling voice. Usher Hall, Edinburgh Fri 2 7, Apr; Royal Concert Hall. Glasgow, Sat 22 Apr.
premiere string ensenible's season celebrates l-inland's gieat affinity with string music. featuring work by two of its most famous sons. Sibelius and Ratitayaai'a.
Glasgow
I BBC 550 Thursday Night Series ('in llalls. ('andleriggs_ 353 8000. 3pm. £5. The BBC SSUK new associate guest conductor. Stefan Solyoiii. conducts Brillen's .S'r'l'i'limli' fur 'Ii'nm; Hum um/ .S'Iriney and Sibelius' dramatic Sump/mm .Vu 3 in his first liye broadcast for BBC Radio 3's .‘l/It'l'llllllll I’r'rlumtulii ('.
I Scottish Ensemble Concert Series ('ity llalls. (’andleriggs. 353 8000. 7.45pm. £8.50 £l3.5()
(£3 U05“). See “ed 30.
Edinburgh
I Edinburgh Telephone Choir (ieorge Square Theatre. l'niyersity of lidinhurgh. (icorge Square. 050 84‘”. 7.30 9.45pm. £6. See Wed 26.
"1—27' PM 2’10". THE LIST 83