*there are two separate identical 75-minute concerts starting at 2pm & 7pm*
the performers:
City of London Sinfonia
the programme:
Haydn String Quartets, Op.76, No.2 (I: Allegro) + Ligeti Six Bagatelles for wind quintet (II: Rubato. Lamentoso) + Haydn Symphony No.104 ‘London’
about the music:
The concert kicks off with the first movement of one of Joseph Haydn’s string quartets (opus 72, number 2) - a great example of a classical string quartet. Listen to its bold and vibrant opening here.
The next piece features a wind quintet performing the second movement of Ligeti’s Six Bagatelles. The word Bagatelle translates as ‘a short unpretentious instrumental composition’, and this fun collection by the innovative Hungarian-Austrian composer György Ligeti is exactly that.
The first movement of Ligeti’s Bagatelles uses just two notes to create all of the musical material, then a new pitch is added in each movement.
By the time we get to the the final movement, all twelve pitches are in use. This movement was actually censored from the piece’s premiere in the late 1960s due to authorities’ concerns that the dissonance caused by the clashing notes posed a danger to the public.
The City of London Sinfonia will be playing the fifth movement of the original set, which is made up of six pitches. Listen to how the oboe darts around revealing the six pitches one at a time.
The second movement is the most serious of the collection, but we would definitely recommend listening to the rest of the set which is full of Hungarian folk music and speedy dances. This recording by CARION is fantastic, and starts with the second movement.
To finish the concert everyone will come together to perform Haydn’s ‘London’ symphony. This was the composer’s 104th and final symphony, full of grand fanfares and fun folky tunes.
Premiered on the West End at the King’s Theatre in May 1795 (now called Her Majesty’s Theatre, home up until this year to Phantom of the Opera), Haydn wrote in his diary that ‘the whole company was thoroughly pleased and so was I. I made 4000 gulden [Haydn’s local currency] on this evening: such a thing is possible only in England.’ It’s remarkable that the piece is still performed and loved in the city it was written for well over 200 years later.
To find out more, check out the Philharmonia Orchestra’s great guide to the symphony:
about the performers:
This will be the first time City of London Sinfonia perform a full-scale symphony in over seven months, and they’re so excited to play music for you again! They bring a distinctive, seriously informal style to everything they do, breaking down the barriers between their musicians and audiences.
The concert will feature a piece by both the string quartet and the wind quintet, before they join forces for the Haydn symphony - led by Alexandra Wood (Director/Violin).
the venue:
The Cathedral is simply stunning, and is in one of London’s most exciting areas - both Borough & Bankside are packed full of cool bars, quirky cafes and historic pubs.
The venue will be transformed for this concert to create an intimate experience whilst ensuring maximum safety for all. Seats will be set out in the nave, the central part of the building, in the number that you have booked to aid social distancing, and you’ll also be able to walk around the Cathedral and perch wherever you wish - you’ll have to BYO cushion, mind!
the price:
Seated tickets £15 (£1 for under 16s), or roaming tickets for £10 (£5 for concessions & under 25s, £1 for under 16s)