CONCERTS 2016-2017 70th season

World-class chamber music concerts in the Eastgate Theatre, Peebles

www.musicinpeebles.org.uk

Welcome to the 70th season of Music in Peebles I am delighted to introduce another series of seven top quality chamber music concerts in the Eastgate Theatre. The usual wide range of repertoire and mix of established and emerging performers results in a programme that has something for everyone. Real excitement surrounds our two opening concerts. Both feature internationally renowned musicians, Quartetto di Cremona and Angela Hewitt, playing repertoire with which they are most closely associated, both in concerts and in highly-praised recordings. We also have two special themed concerts, one a celebration of Christmas with acclaimed Early Music group The Musicke Companye, and the other a homage to Scottish Island life a century ago, through the medium of archive film and specially composed music played by the distinguished Cuillin Sound wind trio. It is always a great pleasure to welcome back familiar faces from earlier seasons, and 2016/17 features three such return visits. Gina McCormack and Nigel Clayton delighted us on their previous appearance with one of our highest-rated concerts, and they return with another mouth-watering programme. Since his previous visit, Philip Higham has established himself as one of the foremost cellists of today and his all-Bach recital will be unmissable. Having memorably opened our 2014/15 season, the Gildas Quartet bring 2016/17 to a magnificent close as they join forces with another outstanding young ensemble, the Aurea Quartet, to play Mendelssohn’s glorious octet. All these concerts are open to everyone, and details of how to buy tickets are inside the back page. However, the best way to enjoy all this music-making is to become a member of Music in Peebles - you will make a considerable saving and at the same time show your commitment to the continuation of high quality live chamber music in the town. You will also be made very welcome! John Fox, President, Music in Peebles

Tuesday, 4th October 2016 7.30pm, Eastgate Theatre & Arts Centre, Peebles

Quartetto di Cremona Cristiano Gualco & Paolo Andreoli (violins) Simone Gramaglia (viola), Giovanni Scaglione (cello)

Haydn Mozart Beethoven

String Quartet No.66 in G, Hob.III:81 String Quartet No.16 in E flat, K.428 String Quartet No.15 in A minor, Op.132

Since its formation at the Stauffer Academy, Cremona, in 2000, the Cremona Quartet has established a global reputation for “extremely mature and lyrical sound” (The Strad). Although equally at home in contemporary music, it is in the great classical masterpieces that the Cremonas have caused the greatest sensation and their concert for us comprises three such works. The opening Haydn quartet is filled with a joy and energy that give no hint of the composer’s failing health - he completed only one more quartet after this. The Mozart quartet that follows was dedicated to Haydn and is one of the younger composer’s finest. The concert ends with one of the greatest of all string quartets, Beethoven’s Op.132, with its massive central slow movement, the sublime ‘Hymn of Thanksgiving’. In the Cremonas’ hands, this is sure to be an intensely moving experience. “This is the most exciting new disc of string quartet playing that I have come across for a long time.” BBC Music Magazine (reviewing Cremona Quartet recording of Beethoven Op.132)

Sunday, 13th November 2016 2.30pm, Eastgate Theatre & Arts Centre, Peebles

Angela Hewitt (piano) Scarlatti Mozart Beethoven Beethoven

Sonatas (a selection) Sonata No.13 in B flat, K.333 (‘Linz’) Sonata No.17 in D min Op.31/2 (‘Tempest’) Sonata No.13 in E flat Op.27/1

Canadian-born Angela Hewitt is unquestionably one of the world’s leading pianists, having appeared in major venues, and with top orchestras, all around the globe. Her extensive repertoire ranges from the baroque to the present; The Guardian hailed her as "the pre-eminent Bach pianist of our time", and she is also noted as a champion of new music. Among Angela Hewitt’s impressive discography, her recent recording of Scarlatti Sonatas was BBC Music Magazine’s ‘Instrumental Choice’ in March 2016, and her recital opens with a selection from the 550 he wrote. Her current project to record all 32 sonatas by Beethoven is meeting with great critical acclaim and we will be treated to performances of two of these great works, the dramatic ‘Tempest’ sonata and the unjustly overlooked companion piece to the famous ‘Moonlight’ sonata. “…a positive sensation. …one of the reliably mesmerising musicians of the day” Sunday Times “Not since the great Hans Richter-Haaser has a pianist produced Beethoven playing of such trance-like purity and vision” Sinfinimusic

Monday, 12th December 2016 7.30pm, Eastgate Theatre & Arts Centre, Peebles

The Musicke Companye Philippa Hyde (soprano), Tim Carleston (counter-tenor) Daisy Vatalaro (baroque cello), Helen Rogers (harpsichord)

A Yuletide Tale Poetry, diaries and words by Samuel Pepys, John Evelyn, William Austin and Helen Rogers Music by Monteverdi, Grandi, Scarlatti, Purcell, Arne and Mozart alongside traditional carols The Musicke Companye was formed in 1991 to explore the rich and varied world of baroque vocal chamber music, bringing together superb musicianship and stagecraft in highly original and dynamic programmes. Since then, the ensemble has been in increasing demand, performing regularly throughout Europe on stage, radio and TV to great critical acclaim. To get us into the festive spirit, The Musicke Companye has devised a sequence of songs, music and readings. The age-old story of Christmas is interwoven with tales of sumptuous feasts, bitter frosts and even some dancing at a magnificent New Year's Ball. A fabulous evening of drama and revelry! “One of the most gifted and more musically intelligent of all the early music groups currently before the public” Musical Opinion

Sunday, 15th January 2017 2.30pm, Eastgate Theatre & Arts Centre, Peebles

Gina McCormack (violin) & Nigel Clayton (piano) Fortississimo! Franck

Violin Sonata in A, M.8

Ferguson Fauré

Violin Sonata No.2, Op.10 Violin Sonata No.1 in A, Op.13

Gina McCormack is one of the UK’s foremost violinists, renowned as soloist, chamber musician (formerly leader of the famous Sorrel and Maggini Quartets) and teacher. With her duo partner, pianist Nigel Clayton, she has toured extensively across the UK and Europe; their concert for Music in Peebles in 2012 recorded one of our highest audience ratings. For this very welcome return visit, Gina and Nigel have devised a fascinating programme, featuring violin sonatas by three composers whose names begin with ‘F’ - hence the title! Framing the concert are two of the finest and best-known of all sonatas, both written in France within ten years of each other at the end of the 19th century. Between them is a less familiar, but also very fine, piece written in 1946 by Belfast-born Howard Ferguson (a student of Vaughan Williams). “…an excellent violinist, fluent, suave in tone, and technically at ease…” The Scotsman

Sunday, 12th February 2017 2.30pm, Eastgate Theatre & Arts Centre, Peebles

Cuillin Sound Dana Morgan (flute), Sarah Watts (clarinets) Laurence Perkins (bassoon)

Handel/Halvorsen Passacaglia David Bennett Thomas Syzygy Edward McGuire Celtic Knotwork Distant Lands - A Hebridean Journey A programme of live music to three Scottish Archive films

Cuillin Sound features three of Britain's leading woodwind players, all soloists or principal players in their own right, and the trio is now one of the UK's leading chamber ensembles. As well as unrivalled musicianship, what also sets Cuillin Sound apart from other ensembles is their approach to programming and presentation, often placing classical and contemporary pieces alongside evocative settings of traditional folk melodies from Scotland. This special concert includes screenings of three vintage films of life in the Hebrides in the early 20th century, accompanied by specially composed music which uses melodies from the places featured in the films. Before that come three short pieces illustrating Cuillin Sound’s diversity of musical interests. “Constant variety and imaginative programming topped off by very high quality playing” Double Reed News

Tuesday, 7th March 2017 7.30pm, Eastgate Theatre & Arts Centre, Peebles

Philip Higham (cello) J.S. Bach

Cello Suite No.1 in G, BWV1007 Cello Suite No.2 in D minor, BWV1008 Cello Suite No.4 in E flat, BWV1010

When he performed for Music in Peebles in December 2010, Edinburgh-born Philip Higham was already a rising star among young cellists. Today he is recognised internationally as “a major talent, [offering] object lessons in lyrical sensitivity, musical architecture and expressive insight” (Washington Post). The six cello suites by J.S. Bach are generally considered to be the pinnacles of the solo cello repertoire, endlessly challenging, fascinating and rewarding to cellists and listeners alike. Philip Higham’s recent recording of all six suites has been widely hailed as revelatory, bringing fresh insights to these great masterpieces. We are delighted and very excited that Philip has chosen to play three of the suites on his much-anticipated return to Peebles. This is sure to be one of the hottest tickets of the season! “…a masterly accomplishment…compelling… spellbinding…consistently revealing…the highest possible recommendation” The Herald (review of Philip Higham’s recording of all six Bach Cello Suites)

Tuesday, 4th April 2017 7.30pm, Eastgate Theatre & Arts Centre, Peebles

Aurea & Gildas String Quartets Philip Brett, Rosemary Attree, Christopher Jones, Gemma Sharples (violins) Christine Anderson, Kay Stephen (violas) Abby Hayward, Anna Menzies (cellos)

Strauss Korngold Mendelssohn

String Sextet from 'Capriccio', Op.85 String Sextet in D major, Op.10 String Octet in E flat, Op.20

Come and hear one of the most exciting new collaborations in UK chamber music. These two dynamic young string quartets have already established impressive reputations, and accumulated numerous awards, and are now joining forces to play larger-scale repertoire. Mendelssohn’s glorious octet, written when he was only sixteen, remains the greatest work in this genre and brings our season to a magnificent close. Preceding it are two works for string sextet, the first being the bittersweet movement that Strauss wrote as an introduction to his final opera, ‘Capriccio’. Completing the programme is another teenage work of genius, by Erich Wolfgang Korngold, whose richly-textured string sextet is widely regarded as his finest chamber work. “…it's hard to imagine a more elegant, graceful performance.” The Scotsman (review of Aurea Quartet) “…the gifted Gildas Quartet...” The Times

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Email: [email protected]

Phone: Tickets: Eastgate Theatre, 01721 725777 Membership: Tony Bell, 01721 722788 General enquiries: John Fox, 01721 729984

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Music in Peebles is subsidised by Enterprise Music Scotland, supported by the National Lottery through Creative Scotland.

Music in Peebles is a registered Scottish charity (SC006906)

Prices for 2016-17 Membership

£70

Single Tickets

£14

Adult accompanying child under 12 School Students

£7 Free

Buying Tickets Ÿ In person

By phone Ÿ Online

Box Office Eastgate Theatre & Arts Centre Eastgate Peebles EH45 8AD 01721 725777 www.eastgatearts.com

Membership Becoming a member of Music in Peebles entitles you to: Ÿ entry to all concerts in the main series at a substantial saving over single ticket prices; Ÿ advance information and priority booking for forthcoming seasons, allowing you to secure a favoured seat; Ÿ regular newsletters and updates about Music in Peebles events and other musical activities in the area; Ÿ influence over concert planning and the operation of Music in Peebles. It also shows your commitment to high quality live chamber music here in the Borders and helps Music in Peebles to plan future seasons with confidence. To apply for membership, please complete the enclosed application form or go to the Membership page of the Music in Peebles website. For more details, please see the website or contact the Membership Secretary, Tony Bell (01721 722788).

Music in Peebles 2016-17 Tuesday, 4th October 2016 at 7.30pm

QUARTETTO DI CREMONA Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven

Sunday, 13th November 2016 at 2.30pm

ANGELA HEWITT Scarlatti, Mozart, Beethoven

Monday, 12th December 2016 at 7.30pm

THE MUSICKE COMPANYE ‘A Yuletide Tale’

Sunday, 15th January 2017 at 2.30pm

GINA McCORMACK & NIGEL CLAYTON Franck, Ferguson, Fauré

Sunday, 12th February 2017 at 2.30pm

CUILLIN SOUND Handel/Halvorsen, Thomas, McGuire ‘Distant Lands’ - A Hebridean Journey

Tuesday, 7th March 2017 at 7.30pm

PHILIP HIGHAM Bach

Tuesday, 4th April 2017 at 7.30pm

AUREA & GILDAS QUARTETS Strauss, Korngold, Mendelssohn

All concerts are in the Eastgate Theatre & Arts Centre, Peebles