Christmas Concert 2009

Saturday 12 December 2009

St Marys Church, Banbury
A Family Christmas Festival of Music
in association with The Rotary Club of Banbury

Programme 1

Welcome to our concert!

Hello and welcome to our Family Christmas Concert 2009
(In association with The Rotary Club of Banbury)

A Programme of Seasonal Music and Christmas Carols.

Carols: A Selection from David Willcocks Arrangements of : God Rest

You Merry, O Come All Ye Faithful, Unto Us A Son is Born, The First
Nowell, Hark The Herald Angels.

Elegy, for Charles Harrison. The first performance of a new work in

honour of Orchestra member and friend Charles Harrison. Composed
by Nick Planas.

Polovetsian Dances, from 'Prince Igor' - Alexander Borodin, arranged

by Borodoin and Rimsky Korsakoff.

Night on Bare Mountain - Fantasy - Modest Mussorgsky,

Orchestrated and arranged by Rimsky Korsakoff.

Sleigh Ride - Leroy Anderson

Christmas Festival Overture - Leroy Anderson

Skaters Waltz - Emil Waldteufel, Arranged by Alfred Pfortner.

'Roses from the South', Waltz - Johann Strauss, Op. 388

'Rudolf the Rednose Reindeer' - Composed by Jonny Marks, arranged

for Orchestra by Nicholas Hare.

Paul Willett Conductor

Paul Willett studied violin, singing and piano as
a student but his main instrument was the
French horn. When Paul was 16, he gained his
Performance Diploma from The Royal College
of Music playing French horn. Paul then went
on to read music on scholarship at The Queens
College, Oxford, and studied for his teaching
certificate in Music and Physical Education at
Reading University.
For several years Paul combined teaching and freelance playing. He has given solo
recitals and performed concertos throughout the country. He was a member of The
Five Winds, a group that performed both at home and abroad, and also on BBC
radio. Paul also worked as a brass teacher for Oxfordshire Music Service and was
director of a Saturday Music School of 200 students.
Paul now combines class teaching with conducting various ensembles, both adult
and youth. He is also in demand as an adjudicator for both adult and student
competitions. Paul is currently Acting Assistant Head Teacher at Didcot Girls School.
Anna Fleming - Leader
Anna was born in South Africa where she started
playing the violin at the age of ten. While studying
music at secondary school, Anna became a member of
the South African National Youth Orchestra. After
successfully completing her music degree, majoring in
orchestral studies, Anna joined the Cape Philharmonic
Orchestra in 1992.
Anna moved to England in late 1996. Keen to continue
her orchestral playing, Anna joined the Banbury Symphony Orchestra in 1997 and
became the leader of the orchestra in 2000, a post that she has held ever since. As a
committed Christian, Anna plays an active role in church music. Focusing primarily
on private violin tuition, Anna particularly enjoys helping adults to learn to play and
she can be contacted on 01295 780017.

NICK PLANAS, 1959

Since 2000, Nicks life has consisted entirely of
composing, performing and teaching music. As
the son of a professional clarinet and saxophone
player, Nick learnt to play music at an early age
on a variety of instruments, but only began his
formal musical education aged 11, studying the
flute privately under Geoffrey Hall and
Christopher Taylor. At the same time, greatly
influenced by his father who would sit and go
through whole scores of orchestral music with
him, he began to compose music, which remains
his true passion. He has had many of his works
performed, including four orchestral suites, two operas, three musicals and several
chamber and jazz pieces.
Nick has just completed a Dance Musical, Hare & Tortoise, which will be performed
in November by the Starlight Dance Academy. Current and future projects include a
work for solo bass clarinet for former Banbury Young Musician Lucy Downer, a piano
concerto and a marimba concerto.
Nick is a member of the British Music Writers Council, and plays flute and piccolo
with the Banbury Symphony Orchestra. He is also a guest musical director for the
Banbury Operatic Society and their youth arm YOBOS, and recently conducted Jesus
Christ Superstar with the Musical Youth Company of Oxford. He also directs a
number of orchestras and ensembles in Northamptonshire.
The BSO has previously performed four of Nicks works: A Nightful of Fleeting
Dreams (2002), A Midsummer Nights Dream Suite (2006) and a short light-hearted
Christmas piece, Dance of the Elves (2007), and he was delighted when, in July 2008
they premiered Banbury 400 under the baton of Paul Willett, celebrating 400 years
of the Banbury Charter.
Nick lives in Brackley with his wife and daughters.

CAROLS
A Selection from David Willcocks Arrangements of: God Rest You Merry, O Come All
Ye Faithful, Unto Us A Son is Born, The First Nowell, Hark The Herald Angels.
Sir David Valentine Willcocks CBE MC (born 30 December 1919) is a British choral
conductor, organist, and composer.
He is particularly known for his widely-used choral arrangements of Christmas
carols, most of which were originally written for the Service of Nine Lessons and
Carols at King's or the Bach Choir's Christmas concerts. They are published in the
five Carols for Choirs anthologies (19611987), edited by Willcocks with Reginald
Jacques and John Rutter. He is currently Music Director Emeritus of King's College
Choir, and an Honorary Fellow of King's College, Cambridge.

ELEGY
to the memory of Charles Harrison

Charles Harrison played the horn with the orchestra for many years, and I had
several pleasant chats with him over this time. This piece is intended simply as an
Elegy to Charles memory, and is not an attempt to describe his life or character.
There are, however, a few features which pay direct homage to him, one being the
number of bars (67) which corresponds to the years of his life, and also the fact that
the horn section plays the main theme of the work, often in a four part
arrangement.
Every instrument has the opportunity to speak in the piece (to pay its own homage
to Charles), so when the second theme appears at Bar 26 it is played firstly on the
flutes, then oboes, then after a few bars, by the trumpets, then bassoons, then
clarinets, then strings and tuned percussion. The vibraphone is also a significant
factor in this music; this is an instrument which is a recent addition to the modern
day symphony orchestra. There is also a soundswirl in bars 31 and 32, where a note
is (if the churchs acoustics allow it) heard to swirl around the orchestra in a sort of
Mexican wave.
The later part of the Elegy is somewhat dark in mood, however this is suddenly
interrupted by a sequence of grand fortissimo chords played by the whole orchestra,
and as these die away we briefly hear the original Elegy theme revisited on the
horns. As the music dies away we are left once again with the horns holding a final,
briefly swelling major chord.
Nick Planas

THE POLOVETSIAN DANCES

The Polovetsian Dances (or Polovtsian Dances) are perhaps the best known
selections from Alexander Borodin's opera Prince Igor (1890). They are often played
as a stand-alone concert piece as one of the best known works in the classical
repertoire. In the opera the dances are performed with chorus, but concert
performances often omit the choral parts.

NIGHT ON THE BARE MOUNTAIN

Night on Bald Mountain is a composition by Modest Mussorgsky that exists in at
least two versions a seldom performed 1867 version or a later (1886) and very
popular 'fantasy for orchestra' arranged by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, A Night on the
Bare Mountain ( , Noch' na lysoy gorye), based on the vocal
score of the "Dream Vision of the Peasant Lad" (1880) from The Fair at Sorochyntsi
with some revisions, most notably the omission of the choir. There is also a version

orchestrated by twentieth-century conductor Leopold Stokowski; this is the version

used in the now-classic 1940 Walt Disney animated film Fantasia.

Inspired by Russian literary works and legend, Mussorgsky made a

witches' sabbath the theme of the original tone poem, completed on
June 23, 1867 (St. John's Eve). St. John's Night on the Bare Mountain
and Rimsky-Korsakov's 'musical picture' Sadko (also composed in 1867) share the
distinction of being the first tone poems by Russian composers.
As with so much of Mussorgsky's music, the work had a tortuous compositional
history and was arranged after his death in 1881 by his friend and fellow member of
the Mighty Handful Rimsky-Korsakov. It was never performed in any form during
Mussorgsky's lifetime. The Rimsky-Korsakov edition premiered in 1886, and has
become a concert favorite.

Note on the title: The Russian word "" (lsaya) literally means "bald", but is
used in this case figuratively for a mountain supposedly barren of trees. In English,
the titles A Night on the Bare Mountain or Night on Bald Mountain are used.
Rimsky Korsakov edition (1886)
In the years after Mussorgsky's death, his friends prepared his manuscripts for
publication and created performing editions of his unfinished works to enable them
to enter the repertoire. The majority of the editorial work was done by RimskyKorsakov, who in 1886 produced a redacted edition of A Night on the Bare
Mountain from the Dream Vision of the Peasant Lad vocal score and premiered at
the first of the Russian Symphony Concerts:

"When I started putting it in order with the intention of creating a workable concert
piece, I took everything I considered the best and most appropriate out of the late
composers remaining materials to give coherence and wholeness to this work."
Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov
He apparently did not make use of the original tone poem of 1867 in making his
revision. The published score of his edition states "Completed and orchestrated by
N. Rimsky-Korsakov, 1886". If he had the score of the 1867 tone poem at hand, he
would have noticed that it was both completed and orchestrated. He also did not
remember Mussorgsky's letter to him announcing that he had finished the work on
St. John's Day, and had composed the work directly into full orchestral score, a
practice unusual for him. Mussorgsky's manuscript is believed to have been in the
keeping of Balakirev at the time.
However, Rimsky-Korsakov remembered that an orchestral score was Mussorgsky's
original intention, and because he had no manuscript of that score, he orchestrated
what he considered as an "unfinished" vocal score of the Dream Vision of the
Peasant Lad, omitting the vocal parts. Rimsky-Korsakov has made some
"corrections" typical of him (as he did with Boris Godunov, Khovanshchina, etc.),
which means that he preserved the thematic structure, but occasionally added or
omitted bars and changed harmonic structures.

SLEIGH RIDE
"Sleigh Ride" is a popular light orchestral piece composed by Leroy Anderson. The
composer had the original idea for the piece during a heat wave in July 1946; he
finished the work in February 1948. Lyrics, about a person who would like to ride in
a sleigh on a winter's day with another person, were written by Mitchell Parish in
1950. The orchestral version was first recorded in 1949 by Arthur Fiedler and The
Boston Pops Orchestra. The song was a hit record on RCA Victor Red Seal 49-0515
(45 rpm) / 10-1484 (78 rpm), and has become the equivalent of a signature song for
the orchestra. The 45 rpm version was originally issued on red vinyl. This original
mono version has never been available on CD, although the later 1959 re-recording
is available in stereo. The orchestra has also recorded the song with John Williams,
their conductor from 1979 to 1995, and Keith Lockhart, their current conductor.
Leroy Anderson recorded his version of "Sleigh Ride" in 1950 on Decca 9-16000 (45
rpm) / 16000 (78 rpm). This monaural version is available on CD as well as his 1959
stereo re-recording. This recording hit the Cashbox magazine best sellers chart when
re-released in 1952. Mitch Miller also did a version of this song in 1961, found in the
best-selling LP Holiday Sing Along With Mitch.
Although "Sleigh Ride" is often associated with Christmas, and often appears on
Christmas compilation albums, the song's lyrics never specifically mention any
holiday or religion except certain "Sleigh Ride" versions (the Carpenters and Air
Supply being examples). In fact, the mention of pumpkin pie in the last verse might
suggest an association with Thanksgiving rather than Christmas.
According to the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers [ASCAP]
review of Christmas music, "Sleigh Ride" consistently ranks in the top 10 list of most
performed songs written by ASCAP members during the Christmas season
worldwide.
According to author Steve Metcalf in the book Leroy Anderson: A Bio-Bibliography
[Praeger 2004], "Sleigh Ride"... has been performed and recorded by a wider array
of musical artists than any other piece in the history of Western music."

A Christmas Festival
Famous for his concert music with a pop quality (his own words), Leroy Anderson
(1908 - 1975) possessed not merely a skill in technique and a rich melodic gift, but
also an engaging sense of humor. He was particularly successful in creating
descriptive pieces that effectively borrowed sounds and rhythms of the extramusical
world, such as the ticking of a clock, the clicking of a typewriter, and the ringing of
sleigh bells. Anderson first studied music with his mother, who was a church
organist. He earned a B.A. degree in music at Harvard University in 1929 and an
M.A. degree in foreign language there the following year. As a student, he
conducted the Harvard Band from 1928 to 1930. He became a music instructor at
Radcliffe College from 1930 to 1932 and returned to Harvard as band conductor
from 1932 to 1935. Later, he served as a church choir director, an organist, a
conductor, and a composer-arranger, whose works in the encore category have
few equals.
A Christmas Festival combines tunes from the secular and religious celebration of
the holiday. Anderson has encompassed the joy, celebration, and solemnity of
Christmas in his arrangements of: Joy To The World, Deck the Halls, God Rest Ye
Merry Gentlemen, Good King Wenceslas, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, The First
Noel, Silent Night, Jingle Bells, O Come, All Ye Faithful.

THE SKATERS WALTZ

Les Patineurs or The Skaters or Die Schlittschuhlufer (German) op. 183 is a waltz by
Emile Waldteufel.
Known in English as The Skaters' Waltz, it was composed in 1882 and was inspired
by the Cercle des Patineurs or 'Rink of Skaters' at the Bois de Boulogne in Paris. His
introduction to the waltz can be likened to the poise of a skater and the glissando
notes invoke scenes of a wintry atmosphere. The other themes that follow are
graceful and swirling, as if to depict a ring of skaters in their glory. Bells were also
added for good measure to complete the winter scenery. It was published by
Hopwood & Crew and was dedicated to Ernest Coquelin who was the younger
brother of two celebrated actor brothers of the Comdie Franaise.
Arturo Toscanini recorded the waltz with the NBC Symphony Orchestra in 1945 for
RCA Victor.

RUDOLF THE REDNOSE REINDEER

Rudolph the RedNosed Reindeer is a long-running Christmas television special
produced in stop motion animation by Rankin/Bass. It first aired December 6, 1964,
on the NBC television network in the USA, and was sponsored by General Electric
under the umbrella title of The General Electric Fantasy Hour. The special is based
on the song by Johnny Marks, which was in turn taken from the 1939 poem of the
same title written by Marks' brother-in-law, Robert L. May.
Rudolph is a reindeer who is tormented by his dad Donner, and fellow reindeer
because of his shiny nose. The only reindeer who likes his nose is Clarice, a doe.
Along the way, Rudolph meets Hermey, an elf who quits his job so he can be a
dentist, and is facing problems with the other elves. They run away and meet Yukon
Cornelius, a prospector. They are attacked by the Bumble, an abominable snow
monster. They escape and go to the Island of Misfit Toys. They are told by the toys
to tell Santa to find kids who want them. Rudolph leaves his friends because he fears
the Bumble will find them because of his shiny nose.
Rudolph looks for his missing mother and father as well as Clarice. He finds them
trapped by the Bumble. Rudolph tries to stop him, but is knocked out by the
Bumble. Hermey and Yukon stop the Bumble by taking out his sharp teeth. Yukon
then pushes the Bumble into a pit, but the Bumble pulls Yukon into the pit with him.
Rudolph and the others go home, sad. Yet once they get home, they soon meet
Yukon and the Bumble, and Yukon tells them Bumbles bounce (bouncing out of the
pit unharmed). The toys on the island get children who love them, Hermey gets his
own dentist shop, Yukon finds a mine of peppermint and Rudolph gets to lead
Santa's sleigh, who needs his help because the weather is foggy out and he cannot
see without Rudolph's shining nose.
All programme notes with the exception of Planas taken from Wikipedia

Banbury Symphony Orchestra

Management Committee:
Jonathan Rowe (Chair), Kathryn Hayman (Secretary), Jenny Maynard (Treasurer)
Emma Callery, Estevan Ellul, Anna Fleming, Helen Payne, Andrew Waite
Conductor - Paul Willett
Violin I
Anna Fleming (Leader)
Jenny Maynard
Geoff Kent
Kathryn Hayman
Penny Tolmie
Peter Gorbing
Emma Blunt
Gill Walker
Norman Filleul
Marianne Robinson
Trish Evans
Clare Trivet
Violin II
Ian Smith
Emma Callery
Conrad Woolley
Sue Christie
Christine Morley
John Thomson
Kim Williams
Bryony Yelloly
Rachel Greene
Joe Cummings
Viola
David Bolton-King
John Maksinski
Jonathan Rowe
Annette Dorneich
Joe Pitt
Cello
Miranda Ricardo
Sarah Turnock
Peter Button
John Pimm
Michael Ghia

Double Bass
Robert Gilchrist
Jo Hammond

Bassoon
Ian McCubbin
Rachel James

Flute
Rachel McCubbin
Anna Teare
Nick Planas

Contra Bassoon
Ian White

Alto flute
Anna Teare
Piccolo
Nick Planas
Oboe
Estevan Ellul
Lyn Gosney
Mairead Smyth
Cor Anglais
Lyn Gosney
Clarinet
Helen Payne
Lorna Edwards
Jo Williams
Eb clarinet
Celia Bolton-King
Bass clarinet
Alice Palmer
Alto/tenor saxophones
Lorna Edwards

Horn
David Settle
Richard Hartree
Sharon Curtis
Edward Bolton-King
Trumpet
Tony Chittock
Ron Barnett
Terry Mayo
Trombone
Paul Macey
Gary Clifton
Malcolm Saunders
Tuba
James Bolton-King
Percussion
Justin Rhodes
Huw Morgan
Dave Hadland
Sue Woolhouse
Dave Martin
Harp
Karina Bell
Piano
Nia Williams

Website
Please visit our website for more information
www.banburysymphony.org

Patrons of Banbury Symphony Orchestra

S. E. Corsi, Esq.

Mrs H. M. W. Rivett

Lady Saye and Sele

We are very grateful to our patrons for their financial support.

If you would like to make a donation, please send a cheque made payable to
Banbury Symphony Orchestra to the treasurer Jenny Maynard, The White House,
Hill, Leamington Hastings, Rugby, CV23 8DX or email her on
j.maynard@coventry.ac.uk
Please also fill in a Gift Aid declaration that can be obtained from Jenny, which
enables the orchestra to claim an additional 25p for every 1 donated by taxpayers.

Our Sponsors

Banbury Symphony Orchestra has welcomed Spratt Endicott as sponsors since the
start of 2006. Spratt Endicott is pleased to be associated with Banbury Symphony
Orchestra.
We place particular emphasis on delivering effective legal solutions to the
problems faced by businesses and private clients alike. Our approach is proactive
and we listen to our clients and take pride in our efforts to achieve their objectives.
Spratt Endicott

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Friends of the Banbury Symphony Orchestra enjoy the following benefits:
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If you would like to become a friend or would like to know more, please visit our
website, or contact Emma Callery on 01608 737249 or e-mail her:
emma@caller.demon.co.uk.

Are you interested in joining the orchestra?

If you play an instrument to a standard of Grade 7 or above and would like to play
with the orchestra, find out more by contacting Anna Fleming on 01295 780017. All
rehearsals take place at Banbury School during term time on Tuesday evenings,
7:309:30pm.

Dates for your diary

St Marys Church, Banbury. Saturday 27 March 2010 at 7.30pm

Banbury Symphony Orchestra concert including Waltons Spitfire Prelude and
Fugue, Elgars Nursery suite and Symphony by Arnold.

WISHING YOU A HAPPY CHRISTMAS!