NW Sinfonietta Celebrates Benjamin Britten Centenary
Northwest Sinfonietta (NWS) joins the international musical community in celebration of one of England’s finest composers with two of his greatest creations. Britten is undoubtedly a brilliant original who forged an unmistakable voice during years of great turmoil for his country and during its long reconstruction. A central figure in 20th Century music, Britten excelled in all forms, particularly in opera of which he wrote 15. His extraordinary gift for setting words into music reaches his apex in the Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings. His marvelous and fiercely original gift for orchestration is most apparent in his handling of strings in his Variations which find inspiration from a theme by his great teacher and most influential mentor, Frank Bridge.
Making his first appearance with NWS, tenor Christopher Cock has the perfect instrument for this very distinct vocal style which few can render well. NWS’ own Principal horn, Ryan Stewart, will be featured as his counterpart in one of the finest and most challenging parts for his notoriously challenging instrument. Christopher and Ryan promise to be a duo to be reckoned with!
Two more British giants complete the program: Purcell’s haunting Chacony in G minor (a composer for whom Purcell had the greatest admiration) and Elgar’s quintessential Victorian romantic string orchestra masterpiece: the Introduction and Allegro which features an independent string quartet with the orchestra.
The program will conclude with the orchestra performing Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance No. 1. The audience will be encouraged to join in by singing “Land of Hope and Glory” (words to be provided in the program), which has been the longstanding tradition amidst much flag-waving at the climax of the Last Night of the BBC Proms concerts. United Kingdom Consul Robin Twyman, the concert’s sponsor, said "It's terrific news that Northwest Sinfonietta is bringing Britten and the best of British classical music to the Puget Sound. I'm excited at their plans to recreate a bit of a Last Night of the Proms feel to the event too. I expect lots of red, white and blue!”
Performance information
Friday, November 15 - Nordstrom Hall at Benaroya, Seattle, 7:30 pm
Saturday, November 16 - Rialto Theater, Tacoma, 7:30 pm
Sunday, November 17 - Pioneer Pavilion, Puyallup, 2 pm
The British are Coming
Purcell: Chacony in G minor
Britten: Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings Op.
Christopher Cock, tenor, Ryan Stewart, horn
Elgar: Introduction and Allegro
Britten: Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge
Christophe Chagnard, conductor
Elgar: Pomp and Circumstance No. 1 (Land of Hope and Glory)