New Bristol Sinfonia - Archive

New Bristol Sinfonia present their first concert of 2007

In the first concert of this season, we are joined by pianist and composer Simon Smith whose piece The Time That Remains opens tonight's concert. The piece takes its title from François Ozon's 2005 film 'Le Temps qui reste' - for its English-language release the title was translated as Time to Leave, but Smith has taken a more literal translation of the title. As well as being greatly moved by the film, Smith was struck by Ozon's choice of music for it. The Time That Remains, as well as being in some way a product of Smith's emotional reaction to Ozon's film, is also in part a 'homage to Silvestrov', whose music, albeit little known, features prominently within this.

Composed in 1876, Dvorak's Piano Concerto is the least well-known of his three concertos, unjustly overshadowed by the popularity of the Cello and Violin Concertos. Increasingly regarded by musicians and audiences alike as a neglected masterpiece, equal to Beethoven's keyboard works, it features a melody in its slow movement that rivals either Rachmaninov or Dvorak's own 9th Symphony. In 1919, a prominent Czech educationalist, Professor Vilem Kurz, tried to eliminate the prevailing unpopularity of the Concerto by giving it a thorough overhaul, however tonight, we hear Dvorak's original version.

The Symphonic Dances, written in 1940 when he was convalescing in the USA after a minor operation, were Rachmaninov's final composition. The premiere took place in January 1941 in Philadelphia, with Eugene Ormandy conducting. The critics were not enthusiastic but the dances have gradually gained in stature since Rachmaninov's death, and are now recognised as among his finest works. The work includes a chromatic, sinister-sounding waltz (the slow movement) and themes derived from religious melodies - the Latin 'Dies Irae' plainsong, and a Russian orthodox chant 'Blessed is the Lord' (which he had already used in his earlier Vespers). The work builds up to an exhilarating conclusion.

Concert

Date: Saturday 24 March, 2007

Programme:

• Smith: The Time That Remains
• Dvorak: Piano Concerto
• Rachmaninov: Symphonic Dances Op 45

Conductor: James Lowe
Piano: Simon Smith

Time: 7.30pm

Venue: Victoria Rooms, Clifton, Bristol. Click here for a map

Tickets:
We recommend booking in advance with our Box Office: 0117 983 5922. (Cheques are accepted and there is no booking fee.) Pre-booked tickets will be posted to you or can be picked up at the door.

Most seats for this concert are numbered and can be reserved in advance. Click here to see a seating plan of the Victoria Rooms. The Box Office can advise on which seats are available and which have the best view.

The ticket prices are:

• £13 (£11 concessions) balcony
• £10 adults (£8 concessions) stalls
• £5 students
• £2 children/school parties

Pre-concert talk:
James will be presenting a pre-concert talk at 6.45pm. This is open to all and entry is free.