CONCERTS2019-2020

73rd season

www.musicinpeebles.org.uk

World-class chamber music concertsin the Eastgate Theatre, Peebles

Patron: Gina McCormack

WelcomeOur 2019/20 season marks another stage in thedevelopment of Music in Peebles as, after 72 years,we replace membership with subscription. We believethis better reflects our determination to avoid any hintof exclusivity, and it also allows us to offer oursubscribers the advantages of the box office facilitiesprovided by our wonderful Eastgate Theatre (onlinebooking, payment by credit card etc). We hope youwill welcome these changes.Some things, however, stay the same: the quality ofmusic and the calibre of performers remain of thehighest order, and there is the usual wide diversity ofrepertoire. We welcome back some distinguishedguests in the form of the Fitzwilliam String Quartet,whose authority in Shostakovich is unmatched, andthe peerless combination of James Gilchrist andAnna Tilbrook, similarly without equal in Schubert.Two of the world’s most exciting young pianists,Japanese Yu Kosuge and Romanian Florian Mitrea,bring fascinating programmes, whilst from closer tohome, concerts by the Bach Ensemble of Edinburghand Trio Ecossaise feature all-baroque and all-female composers respectively.We are delighted to repeat one of the great successesof 2018/19 in the form of our Patron’s Concert, inwhich Gina McCormack will present another showcaseof outstanding young musicians from the RoyalConservatoire of Scotland. Finally, we invite you to letyour hair down at the end of the season in the companyof the Ugly Bug Ragtime Three. Never let it be saidthat you don’t get variety at Music in Peebles!Enjoy all this, save money and enjoy other benefits bybuying a season ticket - details are at the end of thisbrochure. Whether or not you become a subscriber, Ilook forward to welcoming you to our concerts.John FoxPresident, Music in Peebles

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Sunday 8 September 20197.30pm, Eastgate Theatre & Arts Centre, Peebles

Fitzwilliam String QuartetLucy Russell & Marcus Barcham Stevens (violins)

Alan George (viola), Sally Pendlebury (cello)

Earl of Kellie String Quartet in C minorSchubert String Quartet No.12 in C minor, D.703Shostakovich String Quartet No.11 in F minor, Op.122Tchaikovsky String Quartet No.2 in F, Op.22

The legendary Fitzwilliam String Quartet, now in its 50thyear, makes a widely anticipated return to open ourseason, as it did to great acclaim in 2013/14.Thomas Erskine, who became the 6th Earl of Kellie, wasan eminent musician in 18th century Scotland and his Cminor quartet (one of six) is an impressive work, full of‘Sturm und Drang’. Far better known is Schubert’smuch-loved ‘Quartettsatz’, here with Brian Newbould’scompletion of the Andante second movement.The Fitzwilliam has long championed the music ofShostakovich and this performance of his enigmatic 11thquartet (which they have played for the composer’s sonMaxim) is sure to be compelling. The programme endswith Tchaikovsky’s generally dark but ultimately exultantsecond quartet.

“The Fitzwilliam String Quartet, in my opinion, is,and has been for many years, Britain's premierstring quartet…a flagship British ensemble thatshould be the pride of the nation.” (Fanfare)

Tuesday 1 October 20197.30pm, Eastgate Theatre & Arts Centre, Peebles

Bach Ensemble of Edinburgh

Bach Orchestral Suite No.2 in B minor, BWV1067Vivaldi Concerto in A minor, Op.3, No.8Vivaldi Concerto in D, Op.3, No.9Vivaldi Concerto in A minor, Op.3, No.6Handel Concerto Grosso in B flat, Op.6, No.7Bach Brandenburg Concerto No.5 in D, BWV1050

The Bach Ensemble of Edinburgh brings together someof Scotland’s best-known string players to perform musicof the great masters of the Baroque era. Its concerts inEdinburgh’s Canongate Kirk have been highlights of thecity’s Festival over several years.Joining the string ensemble are one of Scotland’sforemost accompanists and continuo players, JohnCameron and young Edinburgh flautist Hannah Foster.Hannah is making a welcome early return to Peebles,having been a star of last season’s Patron’s Concert.We will hear three string concertos from Vivaldi’s L’EstroArmonico set and one of Handel’s wonderful Opus 6Concerti Grossi. Framing these are two iconic works byJ.S. Bach, the second of his four Orchestral Suites andthe fifth of his six Brandenburg Concertos, both featuringvirtuosic writing for a solo flute.

with Hannah Foster (flute)& John Cameron (piano)

Tuesday 5 November 20197.30pm, Eastgate Theatre & Arts Centre, Peebles

Yu Kosuge (piano)Janáček In the MistsBeethoven Piano Sonata Op.31, No.2 (’Tempest’)Debussy Selections from Preludes, Book IStravinsky Firebird

and music by Daquin, Couperin & Rameau

Yu Kosuge has become one of the world's most notedyoung pianists. She appears at the most importantvenues around the world, with critics praising her"acutely poetic sensibility, wit, drama, and lyricism". In2017, she won the prestigious Suntory Music Award, inrecognition of her outstanding contribution to thedevelopment of Western music in Japan.In her ongoing ‘Four Elements’ project, Yu Kosugeexplores how Water, Wind, Fire and Earth, in her words,“inspired composers' imaginations to create not onlyimages or impressions but also works with profoundmetaphoric messages”.The programme she has chosen for us combines two ofthe elements, Wind and Fire, the latter represented byStravinsky’s own stunning piano version of his ever-popular ballet, ‘The Firebird’.

“Kosuge's interpretation was equal partsemotional and cerebral. Fleeting moments ofcrystalline textures and pastoral hues gave way tobold, tempestuous waves.” Washington Post

Tuesday 3 December 20197.30pm, Eastgate Theatre & Arts Centre, Peebles

Trio Ecossaise comprises three of Scotland’s finestchamber musicians who, in addition to their own busycareers, have enjoyed playing chamber music togetherfor fifteen years. Their repertoire combines original worksand arrangements, and both are represented in theirprogramme for us, showcasing female composers.

Louise Farrenc was a highly respected musician, teacherand composer in 19th century France (the only femaleprofessor at the Paris Conservatoire in that century), andher clarinet trio is a fine example of her individual voice.Gwyneth Walker is a prolific composer with over 350works to her name. Her 1990 ‘Craftsbury Trio’ is anaffectionate homage to a small town in her home stateof Vermont. The final work needs little introduction, andit will be fascinating to compare this arrangement withthe original piano trio that we heard in November 2018.

“Holy Trinity Church was filled with wonderful musicperformed by the hugely talented Trio Ecossaise...the combination was sublime... a superbperformance.” Crail Festival, 2017

Jennifer Brown (clarinet), Harriet Davidson (cello)Claire Haslin (piano)

Trio Ecossaise

Louise Farrenc Trio in E flat, Op.44Gwyneth Walker Craftsbury TrioClara Schumann Trio in G minor, Op.17

Sunday 12 January 20202.30pm, Eastgate Theatre & Arts Centre, Peebles

Schubert Die schöne MüllerinFour years on from their heart-stopping performance of‘Winterreise’, these supreme interpreters of Schubert’sgreat song cycles make an eagerly awaited return toPeebles.For this recital, the programme consists of the first ofthose cycles, ‘Die schöne Müllerin’ based, likeWinterreise, on poems by Wilhelm Müller. Written whenSchubert was only 26 (with a mere five years of his liferemaining), it is considered one of his finest works.Unlike the later cycle, the atmosphere of which is gloomyfrom the very outset, the opening here is cheerful andcarefree, but the mood descends into anguish anddespair as the young protagonist, rejected by the miller’sbeautiful daughter of the title, descends inexorablytowards his tragic fate.This is music, and music-making, of the very highestorder - you quite simply must not miss it!

“Gilchrist and TiIlbrook prove themselves hereamid distinguished competition with a beautifullyrealised and individual interpretation.” (ClassicalMusic Magazine - review of Die schöne Müllerin)

James Gilchrist (tenor) &Anna Tilbrook (piano)

Sunday 9 February 20202.30pm, Eastgate Theatre & Arts Centre, Peebles

Patron’s Concert

Our first ever Patron’s Concert was one of the greathighlights of 2018/19. We are delighted that our Patron,Gina McCormack, will present another Young Musicians’Showcase this season, for which she will again hand-picksome of the finest young musicians from Scotland’sexcellent national conservatoire.Already lined up is a string quartet from the BroenEnsemble (pictured), led by Michelle Dierx, who madesuch an impact as a soloist in last season’s showcase.Check the website nearer the time for further details!

Gina McCormack is one of the UK’s leading violinists.Since May 2019, she has been First Violin with theworld-renowned Brodsky Quartet and is also a highlyrespected teacher, holding positions at both the RoyalConservatoire of Scotland and the Royal NorthernCollege of Music.With Gina will be her regular duo partner, Nigel Claytonwho, in addition to his career as soloist, accompanistand chamber musician, is Professor of Piano at theRoyal College of Music and Visiting Professor at theNorth East of Scotland Music School.

Young Musicians’ Showcase

Gina McCormack (violin) & Nigel Clayton (piano)with students and recent graduates from the

Royal Conservatoire of Scotland

Tuesday 3 March 20207.30pm, Eastgate Theatre & Arts Centre, Peebles

Florian Mitrea (piano)

British/Romanian pianist Florian Mitrea was a doubleprize winner at the 2017 Scottish International PianoCompetition, adding to an already vast array of globalcompetition successes. Having studied in Bucharestand at London’s Royal Academy, where he nowteaches, Florian has given concerto performances,chamber music concerts and solo recitals acrossEurope and in Asia and the USA.In the first half of his recital for us, Florian marks the250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth with two of hisbest-loved sonatas, the early ‘Pathétique’ and themiddle-period ‘Waldstein’, considered one of hisgreatest. The second half is given over to two virtuosicshowpieces by Liszt: the Gothic horror inspired secondBallade and the remarkable, revolutionary Sonata.

“...phenomenal technique and ravishing musicalintelligence." (Cambridge Independent)“a super account of Liszt's B minor Sonata.”(Seen and Heard International)

Beethoven Sonata No.8 in C min, Op.13 ('Pathétique')Beethoven Sonata No.21 in C, Op.53 ('Waldstein')Liszt Ballade no. 2 in B minorLiszt Piano Sonata in B minor

Tuesday 31 March 20207.30pm, Eastgate Theatre & Arts Centre, Peebles

Jazz concerts used to appear regularly in the Music inPeebles calendar and always proved very popular. For our‘something completely different’ slot this season, wewelcome the Ugly Bug Ragtime Three, comprising a trio ofScotland's finest jazzers. John Burgess has played onstages and in jazz clubs all over the world and features onover 100 recordings. Ross Milligan has appeared with,among many others, singer Ute Lemper and the BBCSO,and has written music for film and TV. Andy Sharkeytoured with the hit show ‘Rat Pack’, appeared regularly withclarsach player Rachel Hair and is also a tutor atStrathclyde University.Describing themselves as “the wee band with the big, bigsound”, the Ugly Bugs promise a wonderful mix of finevintage ragtime jazz from the 1920s and ‘30s, all deliveredwith real drive, swing and verve. Romantic ballads rubshoulders with rags and stomps by Jelly Roll Morton andFats Waller, and blues-drenched standards band upagainst swinging show tunes. A treat for the heart and feetin equal measure!“Great fun, and a classy, authentic act.” (Scotlandon Sunday)

John Burgess (clarinet), Ross Milligan (guitar and banjo)Andy Sharkey (bass)

Ugly Bug Ragtime Three

Jazz standards, rags and bluesfrom the golden age of jazz

Prices for 2019-20Season Ticket (all 8 concerts) £80Single Tickets £15Discounted tickets* £7School pupils/Students under 25 Free* Available to members of Biggar Music and toadults accompanying children under 12.

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Eastgate Theatre & Arts CentreEastgatePeeblesEH45 8AD

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substantial saving over single ticket prices;� half-price entry to concerts at Biggar Music;� an invitation to the next Season Launch event,

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Music in Peebles2019-20

Sunday 8 September 2019 at 7.30pmFITZWILLIAM STRING QUARTET

Earl of Kellie, Schubert, Shostakovich, Tchaikovsky

Tuesday 1 October 2019 at 7.30pmBACH ENSEMBLE of EDINBURGH

Bach, Vivaldi, Handel

Tuesday 5 November 2019 at 7.30pmYU KOSUGE

Beethoven, Debussy, Stravinsky etc

Tuesday 3 December 2019 at 7.30pmTRIO ECOSSAISE

Louise Farrenc, Gwyneth Walker, Clara Schumann

Sunday 12 January 2020 at 2.30pmJAMES GILCHRIST & ANNA TILBROOK

Schubert

Sunday 9 February 2020 at 2.30pmPATRON’S CONCERT

Young Musicians’ Showcase

Tuesday 3 March 2020 at 7.30pmFLORIAN MITREA

Beethoven, Liszt

Tuesday 31 March 2020 at 7.30pmUGLY BUG RAGTIME THREE

Vintage ragtime jazz from the 1920s and ‘30s