Summer 2014 at the RNCM
It’s 100 years since the beginning of the First World War and our commemoration of this momentous event in history is a recurrent theme throughout the season.
We begin, however, with Tools for Unknown Futures; the RNCM’s first festival collaboration with FutureEverything which combines innovative art and performance with new devices, insightful discussion and playful social experimentation. This marks one of two festivals taking place this season, as we bring voices in abundance to the Royal Exchange Theatre for our annual Day of Song.
The commitment to contemporary classical music is a signal feature of RNCM programmes and summer 2014 includes performances by the Brand New Orchestra, presenting new works for symphony orchestra. Junior RNCM’s New Music Day showcases solo and chamber works alongside new compositions written for the Junior New Music Ensemble, and we have an exciting treat fromFoden’s Bandwhich premières Andy Scott’s A Child Like You, a powerful work based on words by writer and broadcaster LemnSissay.
As we continue to work closely with jazz, international and contemporary music promoters Serious, this season’s line-up is as eclectic as ever with performances ranging from Pink Martini and The Von Trapp Singers, through Phronesis and Benjamin Clementine to Neil Innes’ legendary Beatles parody, renowned as the Prefab Four, The Rutles.
With the continuation of our Concert Hall refurbishment, RNCM performances are evident around the city and include Stephen Sondheim’s Company at the Capitol Theatre, and performances at the Holy Name Church and Bridgewater Hall. Highlights at the RNCM include International Artist Diploma recitals, featuring the Zelkova Quartet and the haunting tenor voice of Kang Wang, in addition to our series of prizes.
The theme of the First World War resonates strongly through the Summer as we commemorate the centenary with a variety of events.
War Correspondents by composer Helen Chadwick and choreographer Steven Hoggett translates personal experiences of war journalists into theatrical representations with song and music evoking compassion, contemplation and even humour. And expectation is high as mezzo-soprano Kathryn Rudge returns with pianist James Baillieu to perform an evening of English songs, ballads and wartime tunes.
Haydn’s Mass for Troubled Times, or Nelson Mass as it became known, will be performed by our Chamber Orchestra and Choir at the Holy Name Church - an evocative setting for such a powerful piece - and our Symphony Orchestra visits The Bridgewater Hallfor a performance of Stravinsky’s Fireworksand Shostakovich’s epic Seventh Symphony, Leningrad.
The season finale takes the theme of war to its natural resting place: the Imperial War Museum North. In a significant three day project entitled After the Silence….Music in the Shadow of War, every emotion is exposed and examined. From fanfares to stillness, this unique event features major works and lesser known gems. Elgar’s poignant Nimrod and his heartfeltSospiriare juxtaposed with the grittiness of Paul Max Edlin’sFifth Trumpet and Penderecki’s anguished Threnody for the Victims of Hiroshima.
Aaron Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man will be familiar to many whilst a new work for eight cellos by Martin Ellerby, written specifically for the RNCM and based on The Changi Murals, will be heard for the very first time.
Rautuavaara’sSoldier’s Mass, Stravinsky’s A Soldier’s Tale and the ethereal beauty of Messiaen’sQuartet for the End of Time evoke images of war from personal perspectives whilst Strange News by Rolf Wallin and Josse de Pauw bring the drama to the forefront of the music with Ugandan narrator Arthur Kisenyi and film projections that will transform the walls of the museum. And just to balance the musical senses, throughout our residency the museum café will reverberate to a soundtrack of Ragtime and the post-WWI Jazz age, Charlestoning its way into the Roaring Twenties and headlong towards Glenn Miller and the big bands that were to follow.
For more information or to request interviews, images and press tickets, please contact Liz Rowley, PR and Media Relations Officer, at or 0161 907 5369.
ENDS