FINAL MAG

Photography courtesy of Betina Skovbro
SPRING WINTER 2017 2016 THE TROMBONIST
G & T
BY MATTHEW GEE & MARK TEMPLETON
Another instalment of G & T sees
plenty of big names and some
equally as big rep. being performed
all over the UK. Without further ado:
LIVERPOOL PHILHARMONIC HALL:
MNOZIL BRASS
One of the finest brass ensembles in
the world return with their latest show
Cirque. They are literally unmissable
and with the enigmatic (is that the right
word?) Zoltan Kiss leading the charge
it is sure to be memorable. Who knows
exactly what this show has in store,
but if their plethora of YouTube clips
is anything to go by it is going to be
another smash. May 5th, 19:30.
BRIDGEWATER HALL, MANCHESTER:
BBC PHILHARMONIC AND THE HALLÉ
ORCHESTRA
Two of the UKs finest orchestras team
up to deliver Arnold Schoenberg’s
colossal Gurrelieder under Sir Mark
Elder. This will be a visual and aural
spectacle, with huge brass forces and an
equally large choir thrown into the mix.
A truly epic way for both orchestras to
close their respective seasons.
June 4th, 18:30.
LEEDS, NOTTINGHAM, HULL,
LIVERPOOL AND GATESHEAD:
OPERA NORTH
Following on from their critically
acclaimed Ring Cycle, Opera North
concert-stage Puccini’s final opera
Turandot. This is a cracking opera with
great trombone parts, played by an inform
orchestra under maestro Alexander
Markovic. Expect sell-out performances.
LEICESTER/LONDON: PHILHARMONIA
ORCHESTRA
With Gustav Holst being a trombone
player, you’d expect his trombone parts
to be well written, but his writing for all
brass in The Planets is brilliant. April
22nd, De Montfort Hall and 22nd April,
Royal Festival Hall, 19:30 and 15:00
respectively.
ROYAL FESTIVAL HALL, LONDON:
ROYAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
Walton’s First Symphony is a riot for
brass and contains a full spectrum
of what a trombone section can do;
brilliantly written choral passages,
crisp rhythmic motifs and menacingly
powerful melodies. Hear it for yourself.
June 6th, 19:30pm.
ROYAL FESTIVAL HALL, LONDON:
ENGLISH NATIONAL BALLET
Here is a real treat for you. The ENB will
be performing Prokofiev’s ballet Romeo
and Juliet with choreography by Rudolf
Nureyev. The score alone contains
some of the most tragically beautiful
music, but to see it performed as it was
intended, costumes, sets etc, will be
glorious. August 1st – 5th.
CARDIFF/SWANSEA: BBC NATION
ORCHESTRA OF WALES
Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring is a good
workout for the trombone section. This
piece requires lots of precision and good
section radar. Throw in a few cheeky
high notes, some searing chords and
some wicked rhythms and you have a
twentieth century classic. June 8th, St
David’s Hall 19:30, June 9th, Brangwyn
Hall 19:30.
brass. April 26th The Lighthouse, and
April 27th Colston Hall, both 19:30.
THE BARBICAN HALL, LONDON:
LONDON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Shostakovich’s 15th Symphony is pretty
bonkers. There are quotes from Mahler,
Glinka, Wagner and most noticeably
Rossini (William Tell). There are several
little solos for first trombone and a
slow, rich one in the 2nd movement
which needs a big, warm sound. Despite
some very angular harmonies, this is
a really accessible piece and being
Shostakovich’s last symphony, definitely
worth a listen. May 7th, 19:00.
THE BARBICAN HALL, LONDON: BBC
SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Minimalist music doesn’t often feature
in G&T, but Dr Atomic by John Adams,
telling the story of Oppenheimer and
the first atomic bomb, is a powerful and
engaging opera. Lots for the bones to do,
some tricky rhythms and a great shout up
for first trombone. John Adams himself
conducts. April 25th 19:00.
That concludes G&T for another issue.
Hope something takes your fancy.
Tweet us if you go to any of these gigs
and what you thought of them.
Follow Matt by visiting
www.matthewgee.info or on Twitter
@Geetrombone
Follow Mark on Twitter
@mbonetempleton
GLASGOW CITY HALLS: BBC SCOTTISH
SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
The two days preceding the big
Trombone festival in Glasgow, hear
trombone concertos by Jan Sandström,
Kalevi Aho and Christian Lindberg, POOLE/BRISTOL: BOURNEMOUTH
played by Christian, Jörgan van Rijen SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
and Simon Johnson. Top players and I always love playing Mahler Five. It
Follow interesting the rep. BTS – on this Twitter: has to @britishtrombone be one of the doesn’t and Like have us as on many Facebook glory moments to receive regular dates for your diary.
highlights Submit your of own the decade. events June on the 22nd BTS and website as www.britishtrombonesociety.org the second or third symphonies and but they will be included on social media, the BTS
MT
MG
23rd, website 19:30. and right here in the magazine. there is some sublime writing for the low
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