Nottingham is a city well known for its music scene, including dubstep, indie and rock – but what about classical music? You may not be aware, but Nottingham is also home to some unmatched classical music venues which hold incredible performances by artists and orchestras from around the world. Neil Bennison, the Music Programme Manager for Nottingham’s Royal Concert Hall, answers some questions for students who may not yet have experienced classical music.
Platform: Why should I go to a classical concert?
Neil: I guess for the same reasons that you’d go and see any live music performance – to be thrilled by hearing some fantastic musicians playing at the top of their game. I’d also say that hearing a live orchestra is a pretty amazing experience. We hear orchestras a lot more than we might think – in film soundtracks, episodes of Doctor Who, even computer games – but hearing a big orchestra in full cry can be genuinely hair-raising. The range of sound is breathtaking and, believe it or not, the volume you can experience can rival a rock concert. Sometimes the sound is so powerful you can feel it hitting you – and that’s without any amplification.
P: What can I expect? Is there a dress code?
N: These days’ orchestral concerts are pretty informal events. You can wear what you like and you don’t have to be some kind of expert on the music. In fact, I always think the atmosphere is livelier when there are lots of newcomers because the experience can be so powerful if you haven’t been before. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned concert-goer, you can always look forward to really exciting sounds, particularly in a hall with a great acoustic like the Royal Concert Hall. It’s a massive venue – the biggest capacity outside London – yet the sound is so immediate, even if you’re sat at the back of the second tier – it’s that good.
Are there different styles of classical music?
Neil Bennison, Royal Concert Hall
N: Definitely, ‘Classical Music’ is a bit of a misleading label because it actually refers to a particular period in musical history when composers like Mozart and Haydn were writing. There’s actually more than 600 years of music covered by the general term, ‘Classical Music’ so you’d expect a vast range of styles as music developed during that time.
These days’ orchestras are working more closely with bands and contemporary ensembles. The Hallé (Britain’s oldest professional symphony orchestra) recently performed with Elbow in Manchester, for instance, and this year indie band James will be performing with the Orchestra of the Swan here in Nottingham.
What would be the best act for a beginner to see?
N: I’d always recommend going to see something really loud and lively! As it happens we’ve got one of those on Thursday 24 November, when the Hallé Orchestra are playing an evening of orchestral spectaculars. The programme includes Dukas’ The Sorcerer’s Apprentice (made famous in the Disney film Fantasia) and Respighi’s Pines of Rome – one of the greatest orchestral showpieces ever written.
We also have a programme of late night performances – After Hours – after the main orchestra concerts which feature contemporary music and these are free if you’ve attended the main concert. They’re just £3 if you want to come to the late night performances only.
Where can I go in Nottingham?
N: If you want to hear the big orchestral works then the Royal Concert Hall is the place to go. If you’re after smaller scale classical music then the Djanogly Recital Hall at Lakeside Arts Centre has a superb programme of solo performers, trios and string quartets, plus some more cutting-edge ensembles specialising in contemporary music. If Opera’s your thing then you can see brilliant productions by Opera North at the Theatre Royal in the autumn and spring.
The other thing is jazz – Nottingham has a terrific jazz programme, which takes place at the Bonington Theatre in Arnold, on the north side of Nottingham. It’s a bit of trek across town but some of the best jazz artists in the world take part.
I play an instrument, is there a way for students to get involved?
N: There are plenty of ensembles in the city that are looking for new recruits. There are two orchestras in the city – Nottingham Philharmonic and Nottingham Symphony Orchestra – that perform regularly in Nottingham’s Albert Hall and Royal Concert Hall. There are also several choirs that perform at a really high standard. The entry requirements are different for each ensemble and they’re always pleased to hear from potential players.
Nigel Kennedy, 4th June 2012, Royal Concert Hall Nottingham.
Neil’s Top 5 Recommendation’s for this season:
24th November – The Hallé
9th November – City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
12th October – Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra
20th February 2012 – BBC Philharmonic
4th June 2012– Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Nigel Kennedy (the violinist with attitude)
For a full listing of events and performances at Nottingham’s Royal Concert Hall you can visit the website at www.trch.co.uk
Louise Dickens – Platform Online
Tags: city, classical, freshers, Music, neil bennison, nigel kennedy, nottingham, nottingham trent university, Royal Concert Hall, the halle
