City Halls, GlasgowBox Offi ce: 0141-353 8000bbc.co.uk/bbcsso

four daysfi ve concerts

all free!

18-21june 09

four days five concerts

all free!

Less than a hundred years ago, orchestras were shocking the bourgeoisie – they had the whole ‘rebellious music-thing’ going on. Today, pop music is pretty ubiquitous but whenever it needs some transcendent grandeur, what does it add? An orchestra! Luxury and power - the orchestral music scene has it in spades.

listenhere! is the time when the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra once again throws open the doors of its home at City Halls in Glasgow’s Merchant City to host its very own Big Weekend of orchestral Music. With four days of completely FREE music-making, five specially selected events cover the full range of the orchestra’s musical output with quality and entertainment as standard.

In the superb acoustics of the City Halls, you can expect a varied mix of some of the most moving classical and contemporary music the orchestral scene has to offer - from global household names to brand new composers closer to home. Symphonic spectacles, a choral love-in, adventures in new music, family entertainment – it’s all here – over a single weekend and all under one roof.

We’re sure you’ll be hooked. After all, an orchestra’s for life, not just for the weekend…

18-21june 09

The BBC SSO’s Chief Conductor Ilan Volkov is a musical dynamo! After seven years in the post, he’s stepping down to become Principal Guest Conductor, but before that he leads the orchestra through this fabulous programme showcasing the BBC SSO. Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings is as romantic as music gets, and Ravel’s La Valse has a finale that will lift you out of your seat. Ace Scottish pianist Steven Osborne shows what a world-class talent he is in Stravinsky’s concerto and, after the concert, he’ll let his musical hair down in a short solo spot with a nod to the greats of jazz piano.

Tchaikovsky Serenade for StringsStravinsky Concerto for piano and wind instrumentsRavel Alborada del graciosoRavel La valse

Steven Osborne, pianoIlan Volkov, conductor

TICKETS FREE (unreserved seating) Limited to 4 tickets per application Box Office – please see information on back page

If you’ve never been to a concert before, then this is the one for you! And if you’re a seasoned concert-goer, then you’re sure to love every piece! There’s the drama of Mendelssohn’s Scottish-inspired overture Fingal’s Cave, the calming flow of Handel’s gentle Water Music, the dynamic trumpet playing of the orchestra’s top brass in Haydn’s trumpet concerto, and the intricacies of the orchestra will be unravelled before your eyes, and ears, in Britten’s Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra. Prepare to be thoroughly entertained!

Mendelssohn Overture: Fingal’s Cave Haydn Trumpet ConcertoHandel Water Music Berlioz Overture: Beatrice and BenedictBritten The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra

Mark O’Keeffe, trumpet Tecwyn Evans, conductor

TICKETS FREE (unreserved seating) Limited to 4 tickets per application Box Office – please see information on back page

Friday, 19 June, 7.30pm

The Maestro’s Choice Thursday, 18 June, 7.30pm

The Young Person’s Guide To The Orchestra

Join the BBC SSO and members of the world famous BBC Singers to sing choral highlights from Haydn’s great masterpiece, The Creation. One of Haydn’s most loved and audacious works, The Creation is scored for orchestra and chorus, and threads choruses and arias into a dramatic musical depiction of Creation.

Gordon Stewart, conductor

Previous experience of choral singing is not essential and everyone is welcome. To take part in this unique event please visit: www.bbc.co.uk/bbcsso and return your completed application form no later than Friday 5 June.

If successful, confirmation of a place will be sent to you by e-mail along with further details outlining the morning’s rehearsal and performance schedule.

Please note: this is not a concert; it is open to singing participants only.

In Scotland the BBC SSO is the leading performer of new music, and with Ilan Volkov it has become renowned across the world for its performances of new works. Here it shows its support for four composers, and presents some brilliantly conceived music that promises to challenge your pre-conceptions and assault your senses. What a fitting climax to Ilan Volkov’s fantastic seven-year leadership of the BBC SSO!

Martin Suckling Breathe (Scottish Premiere)

James Clapperton Songs and Dances of Death (UK Premiere)

David Fennessy This is how it feels (Another Bolero) (UK Premiere)

David Horne Submergence (Scottish Premiere)

Ilan Volkov, conductor

TICKETS FREE (unreserved seating) Limited to 4 tickets per application (please be advised that this event is not suitable for children under the age of 12)Box Office – please see information on back page

Saturday, 20 June, 7.30pm

The New CeltsSaturday, 20 June, 10.00-1.00pm

Let There Be Light!

Everyone loves stories, and in this concert we’ve a symphonic selection to match a library full of children’s literature from The Lord of the Rings to Harry Potter. We remind ourselves of the Pied Piper of Hamelin, Long John Silver, and The Cat in the Hat, as well as hearing music inspired by the Arabian Nights and Alice in Wonderland, before settling down to hear Alasdair recount the tale of The King’s New Clothes.

Matthew Coorey, conductor

TICKETS FREE (unreserved seating) Limited to 4 tickets per application Box Office – please see information on back page

Sunday, 21 June, 3.00pm

From Hamelin To HogwartsPresented by Alasdair Malloy

The information carried in this brochure was correct at the time of publishing. The BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra reserves the right to amend artists and programmes for any of the listed concerts if necessary.

Please Note BBC Scotland endeavours to ensure that personal details about customers, taken by box offices, are held in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998. Patrons should be aware that if consent has previously been indicated, or is given at the time of ticket purchase, this information will be passed to the BBC SSO and from time to time may be used to contact you with information about forthcoming concerts or BBC events. These details will not be passed on to any third party. If you feel your consent has been wrongly applied, your details are incorrect or you would like to withdraw from the BBC SSO mailing-list, please write to: BBC SSO mailing-list at the address opposite.

Booking InformationCity Halls Box Office Candleriggs, Glasgow G1 1NQ

Glasgow Royal Concert Hall Box Office2 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow G2 3NY

Box Office opening hours at City HallsMonday-Saturday 12noon-6.00pm (later on concert evenings)Sunday: Opening hours may varyPlease contact the Box Office to confirmTelephone: Monday-Saturday 10.00am-6.00pm

With the exception of From Hamelin to Hogwarts all concerts will be recorded for future broadcast on either:

BBC Radio 3: bbc.co.uk/radio3 or BBC Radio Scotland: bbc.co.uk/radioscotland

Please be advised that the events on the 18 and 19 June are also recordings for BBC Radio and may not be suitable for young children

How to BookTelephone: 0141-353 8000

Monday-Saturday 10.00am-6.00pm

Online: www.glasgowconcerthalls.comBox Office: Monday-Saturday 12noon-6.00pm (later on concert evenings)

Tickets are also available from the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall Box Office

Booking ChargesAlthough tickets are free for all the concerts listed in this brochure, the following charges apply if tickets are not booked and collected in person from the City Halls Box Office:

Online: £1.00 per transactionTelephone: £1.00 per transactionTickets by post: £0.50 per transaction

BBC Scottish Symphony OrchestraBBC Scotland, City Halls, Candleriggs Glasgow G1 1NQ

Tel: 0141-552 0909 E-mail: bbcsso@bbc.co.ukbbc.co.uk/bbcsso