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BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra Young violinist Nicola Benedetti performs an emotionally-loaded concerto from the Finnish composer, Sibelius, followed by Shostakovich’s epic Tenth Symphony. Shostakovich’s Tenth was the first the Russian composer had composed since he was denounced by Stalin’s regime in 1948. ■ City Halls, Glasgow, Thu 25 Feb
intense Symphony No 10, said to be strongly connected with the composer’s feeling about the recently-dead Stalin. Stefan Solyom conducts. ■ RSNO: A Roman Spectacular Royal Concert Hall, 2 Sauchiehall Street, 353 8000. 7.30pm. £10–£32 (concessions available). See Wed 24. Edinburgh ■ Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland Canongate Kirk, Royal Mile. 1pm. £tbc. Music for wind band with any proceeds going to a military charity. ■ The Sherlock Violin Concert Edinburgh World Heritage Trust, 5 Charlotte Square, 220 7720. 7pm. £tbc. Instrument maker Steve Burnett marked Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s 150th birthday by creating the ‘Sherlock’ violin from a sycamore tree the author climbed as a boy which had to be taken down due to disease. Feargus Hetherington performs on the instrument with pianist William Pickvance. Advance booking required.
Perth ■ Alasdair Beatson Concert Hall, Mill Street, 01738 621031. 7.30pm. £12–£15 (£8–£12). The pianist is joined by the Doric Quartet in performing a selection of pieces from the Romantic era including Schumann’s Abegg Variations and Mendelssohn’s Sonata in E, Op 6.
Friday 26 Glasgow ■ Tchaikovsky Piano Trio RSAMD, 100 Renfrew Street, 332 5057. 1pm. £9 (£6). The trio – Simon Blendis, Tim Gill and Fali Pavri – performs music by its namesake: Tchaikovsky’s lovely Piano Trio in A minor. FREE BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra City Halls, Candleriggs, 353 8000. 5pm. Sean Rafferty presents a concert of popular classics and obscure works, to be recorded for broadcast on BBC Radio 3’s In Tune. Featuring a very
special guest star. Max four tickets per application. Early booking is recommended. ■ RSAMD Symphony Orchestra and Baldur Bronnimann RSAMD, 100 Renfrew Street, 332 5057. 7.30pm. £10 (£7). Soprano Judith Howarth joins the orchestra and conductor Bronnimann for R Strauss’ haunting Four Last Songs in a concert that also includes Shostakovich’s Symphony No 4 and Polish composer Krzysztof Penderecki’s Prelude for Peace, composed last year to mark the 70th anniversary of the start of World War II.
Edinburgh FREE Artisan Trio Reid Concert Hall, Edinburgh University, Bristo Square, 650 2427. 1.10pm. Schubert’s Piano Trio in B flat major, Edward Harper’s The Devil and St Stephen and Brahms’ Piano Trio No 3. ■ The Da Vinci Trio Brunton Theatre, Ladywell Way, Musselburgh, 353 8000. 7.30pm. £13.50 (£11.50). The trio performs music by Beethoven, Ravel and Brahms. Falkirk ■ Cello and Piano Recital Falkirk Town Hall, West Bridge Street, 01324 506850. 7.30pm. £7 (students £1). Cellist Philip Higham and pianist Simon Lane perform works by Schumann, Bridge, Britten and Beethoven.
Saturday 27
Glasgow ✽✽ Scottish Opera: La bohème Theatre Royal, 282 Hope Street, 0844 871 7647. 7.15pm. £8.50–£63. Director Stewart Laing’s modern twist on Puccini’s lusciously scored romantic tragedy sees Paris’ vibrantly shabby bohemian quarter relocated to 21st- century New York. Conducted by Francesco Corti and featuring soloists Celine Byrne, Avi Klemberg and Nadine Livingston. ■ Kelvin Ensemble Bute Hall, University of Glasgow, University Avenue, 330 4092. 7.30pm. £8 (£4). Howard Blake’s concerto for marimba, Diversions, Prokofiev’s Symphony No 5 and John Adams’ Lollapalooza.
Edinburgh ■ Cappella Nova: Angels and Archangels St Mary’s RC Cathedral, York Place, 668 2019. 7.30pm. £12.50 (£10). Be among the first to hear the latest in James MacMillan’s oeuvre, a group of motets that forms the most recent instalment of his Strathclyde Motet series. ■ Edinburgh Studio Opera: The Cunning Little Vixen The Pleasance Cabaret Bar, 60 Pleasance, 07551 932767. 7.30pm. £14 (£8; students £6). Janácek’s offbeat opera, created by turning a serial comic strip from a local newspaper into a libretto.
Classical Music Hitlist THE BEST CLASSICAL & OPERA*
✽✽ Scottish Opera: La bohème It was a favourite when first seen in 2004, so Stewart Laing’s production of Puccini’s tragic love story makes a welcome return to Scottish Opera’s schedule this season. Set in 21st century New York, the cast includes Irish soprano Celine Byrne making her UK debut in the role of Mimi. Theatre Royal, Glasgow, Sat 27 Feb,Wed 3, Sat 6, Thu 11, Sat 13 Mar; Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, Sun 18, Tue 20, Thu 22, Sat 24 Apr. ✽✽ Romantic Bach: Joanna MacGregor in Recital/Pieter Wispelwey in Recital Glasgow’s International Classical Season presents its second series of afternoon recitals,focussing on the music of Bach in celebration of his influence on future generations. English pianist Joanna MacGregor gives the first recital; Dutch cellist Pieter Wispelwey the second. City Halls, Glasgow, Sun 21 Feb & Sun 28 Feb. ✽✽ RSNO: Järvi conducts Tristan and Isolde Back from a six-date prestigious tour of European concert halls, the RSNO is on home ground with Conductor Laureate, the legendary maestro, Neeme Järvi, who was Principal Conductor between 1984 and 1988. His interpretations of Sibelius and Wagner are not to be missed. Usher Hall, Edinburgh, Fri 19 Feb; Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Sat 20 Feb.
Never been to the opera? Try it for free. Get a taster at La bohème Unwrapped where the orchestra, singers and back-stage crew introduce you to the plot, characters and music and let you in on some behind-the-scenes secrets.
Tue 2 Mar 6-7pm | Theatre Royal Glasgow scottishopera.org.uk
18 Feb–4 Mar 2010 THE LIST 79