The Royal Scottish National Orchestra - Stéphane Denève (Music Director)


	The piano concertos of the Russian composer, conductor and pianist Sergei Rachmaninov (1873-1943) are amongst the most memorable ever written. Their famous themes never fail to stir the heart – whether performed on the concert platform, on a film soundtrack, as an inspiration to a pop tune or as a sensuous musical backdrop to a romantic evening. In this midsummer weekend, Stephen Hough and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra will perform three of these masterworks (Piano Concertos 2 and 4, and the popular Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini) alongside music from Russia, Italy and America. Rachmaninov was a pianistic wizard and for this special weekend the RSNO is delighted to welcome modern-day genius of the keyboard, Stephen Hough, to perform these three great concertos.

STEPHEN HOUGH Piano

Stephen Hough is widely regarded as one of the most important and distinctive pianists of his generation.
His performance biography reads like a Who’s Who of world orchestras and chamber music collaborators. Many of his 40 CDs have garnered international prizes including his best-selling ‘live’ recording of the Rachmaninov Piano Concertos.
A published writer (with an interest in theology), Professor of Music and prolific composer of piano and orchestral works, it comes as no surprise that he was awarded a prestigious MacArthur Fellowship in recognition of his unique contribution to contemporary life.


	GIANCARLO GUERRERO Conductor A new name for European audiences, Guerrero was born in Nicaragua, raised in Costa Rica and has been steadily making his name in the USA as an oustanding, award-winning young conductor. Now in his fifth season as Music Director of Oregon’s Eugene Symphony he has made several critically-acclaimed appearances with the major US orchestras, including the Cleveland, Baltimore, Dallas and the LA Philharmonic. Remember where you saw him first!

1. Rachmaninov and The Russian Tradition
Friday 22 June 2007: 7.30pm
PRE-CONCERT TALK WITH STEPHEN HOUGH AT 6.45pm

Featuring three popular works from Rachmaninov’s Russian homeland and his Piano Concerto No2 – arguably the best loved classical piece of them all. Consistently voted Classic FM’s Hall of Fame No1, this most romantic of concertos was famously used in the film Brief Encounter.

Mussorgsky Night on a Bare Mountain

Tchaikovsky Francesca da Rimini
Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No2

2. Rachmaninov: the Italian Connection
Saturday 23 June 2007: 7.30pm
PRE-CONCERT TALK WITH STEPHEN HOUGH AT 6.45pm

Whilst Tchaikovsky was inspired by the vitality of Italian life and folk song when on holiday in Rome, Respighi portrayed the mighty ancient Romans in his tour de force tone poem. Arensky used a Tchaikovsky melody for his popular Variations and the ubiquitous theme by Italian musician Paganini was used perhaps most famously by Rachmaninov, in his incredible, virtuosic Rhapsody.

Tchaikovsky Capriccio Italien
Rachmaninov Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini

Arensky Variations on a Theme of Tchaikovsky
Respighi Pines of Rome

3. RACHMANINOV IN THE NEW WORLD
Sunday 24 June 2007: 3.00pm
PRE-CONCERT TALK WITH STEPHEN HOUGH AT 2.15pm

America was the hottest place to be for great 20th Century composers. The land of the free undoubtedly had a huge influence on Rachmaninov’s music and it was here that he composed, performed and recorded the last of his four great concertos – although it had begun life in Russia, twenty-four years previously. Round off a weekend’s indulgence in fine music with this relaxing Sunday matinee concert.

Copland Suite from Billy the Kid
Gershwin Catfish Row: Suite from Porgy and Bess

Rachmaninov Vocalise (for orchestra)
Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No4

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