Naked Classics reveals popular composer’s ‘greatest work’
Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony next under the RSNO’s multi-media microscope
Naked Classics in October saw over 1,000 people new to RSNO concerts
The symphony which Ludwig van Beethoven declared, “One of my best …” will be deconstructed, analysed and played in full by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO) in the next instalment of its landmark Naked Classics series in January.
Naked Classics - in association with media partners The Evening Times and The Edinburgh Evening News - is a ground-breaking concert presentation featuring Paul Rissmann and the RSNO. Naked Classics explores the stories behind the world’s greatest masterpieces using an innovative mixture of projections, lighting, excerpts from the Orchestra and interviews with conductor and players. The concert format first appeared in Glasgow in 2006 and, following the Orchestra’s return to the Usher Hall in October 2009, made its Edinburgh début earlier this year.
Naked Classics also extends beyond the concert venue. Prior to every concert, musicians visit community groups, providing ‘show and tell’ presentations, inspiring them to attend their first orchestral concerts. Through these community partnerships, over 100 local group members were able to attend the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall and the Usher Hall, Edinburgh in October.
RSNO Chief Executive, Simon Woods: “Naked Classics is one of the most innovative audience development initiatives run by any British orchestra, bridging the gap between community engagement and live concerts. Our October performances of The Planets had more than 1,000 people coming to the RSNO for the first time, and we know that many of them had never been to live orchestral music before. The incredible public reaction to these concerts is a matter of huge pride to us. Naked Classics is something we are genuinely proud of and a great example of the RSNO's core belief in extending classical music to the widest possible audience.”
Dancing with Beethoven will be conducted by former Assistant Conductor of The Cleveland Orchestra Andrew Grams and is on at the Usher Hall, Edinburgh on Friday 8 January and at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on Saturday 9 January – the first time that Naked Classics has been given a prime Saturday evening slot. Both concerts start at 7.30pm.
The third and final Naked Classics concerts of the 2009-10 Season focus on Dmitri Shostakovich’s triumphant Fifth Symphony led by RSNO Music Director Stéphane Denève and will be at the Usher Hall, Edinburgh on Friday 23 April and the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on Saturday 24 April. More information is available by visiting www.nakedclassics.org.uk.
Naked Classics 2009:10 Season Concerts
Naked Classics: The Planets
Thursday 29 October 2009 Glasgow Royal Concert Hall (In association with The Evening Times)
Friday 30 October 2009 Usher Hall, Edinburgh (In association with The Edinburgh Evening News)
Holst The Planets
David Danzmayr (conductor), Paul Rissmann (presenter), Ladies of the RSNO Chorus
Naked Classics: Beethoven Seven
Friday 8 January 2010 – Usher Hall, Edinburgh (In association with The Edinburgh Evening News)
Saturday 9 January 2010 – Glasgow Royal Concert Hall (In association with The Evening Times)
Beethoven Symphony No7
Andrew Grams (conductor), Paul Rissmann (presenter)
Naked Classics: Shostakovich Five
Friday 23 April 2010 – Usher Hall, Edinburgh (In association with The Edinburgh Evening News)
Saturday 24 April 2010 – Glasgow Royal Concert Hall (In association with The Evening Times)
Shostakovich Symphony No5
Stéphane Denève (conductor), Paul Rissmann (presenter)
How to book
You can book for one concert at a time or for all three at once. All the usual forms of payment are accepted. The Box Office staff will help you choose your seat – for Naked Classics all seats are £10 (£5 for U26, free for U16s*).
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
Online www.rsno.org.uk
Phone 0141 353 8000
In Person Glasgow Royal Concert Hall Box Office, 2 Sauchiehall Street (10am-6pm Mon- Sat)
Usher Hall, Edinburgh
Online www.rsno.org.uk
Phone 0131 228 1155
In Person Usher Hall Box Office, Lothian Road
- Log in to post comments