Beethoven’s Emperor
Piano Martin Roscoe
Violin and director Sarah Brandwood-Spencer
Haydn Symphony No. 104 London
Ives The Unanswered Question
Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 5 Emperor
Saturday 14 October 2023 7.30pm
The King’s School, Macclesfield
Tickets: £27.00 | Under 30s £17 | Full Time Students and Under 18s Free
Martin Roscoe is one of the UK’s greatest pianists and works regularly with many of its leading orchestras. Making a welcome return to the NCO, he performs Beethoven’s fifth and final piano concerto, the Emperor. Whilst the origin of the title remains unknown, the piece has a majesty and grandeur that well befit its name. The American composer, Charles Ives (1874 – 1954), was ahead of his time in the liberal use of 20th century compositional techniques. Within a mere six minutes The Unanswered Question asks about the meaning of existence and, unsurprisingly, fails to find the answer. The programme opens with Haydn’s final symphony, the London. Premiered there in 1795, its commanding introductory fanfare makes a fitting start to the season.
The concert is directed by Sarah Brandwood-Spencer, who has toured the world as principal and soloist with the European Union Chamber Orchestra. She was formerly a principal violinist of the Hallé Orchestra and now enjoys a varied career as guest principal with many of the country’s leading orchestras.
This concert has been generously sponsored by Michael and Joanna Sambrook.
