LSO Discovery
Friday
Lunchtime Concert
Friday 8 April 2022
12.30pm
Welcome to LSO St Luke's and this Free Friday Lunchtime Concert.
YOUR DIGITAL CONCERT GUIDE
You can use your phone to view this digital guide during the concert, and discover more about the music and performers.
Navigate using the menu icon (≡) at the top of the screen.
There is free WiFi available in the Jerwood Hall. Connect to the 'hawksmoor' network.
So that everyone can have the best experience, please set your phone to silent and only use it during the performance to read these notes. Photos can be taken during applause at the end of the concert.
Today's Programme
Joseph Haydn Piano Trio No 44 in E major
Reena Esmail Saans
Belinda McFarlane violin
Jennie Brown cello
Elizabeth Burley piano
Rachel Leach presenter
Franz Joseph Haydn
Piano Trio No 44 in E major
✒️ 1797 | ⏰15 minutes
Joseph Haydn was a very, very important composer in Austria in the 1700s. He 'invented' the symphony and revolutionised the string quartet, as well as transforming many Baroque techniques and forms. He taught both Amadeus Mozart (the two were great friends), and Ludwig van Beethoven (unsuccessfully, Haydn was critical of Beethoven's loose interpretation of the 'rules') and generously promoted their careers at the expense of his own.
This piano trio was published in 1797 but probably written a few years earlier whilst on a successful visit to London (where Haydn was a major celebrity). It is dedicated to a very famous pianist called Therese Jansen Bartolozzi, so there are many moments of virtuosity in the piano part. The opening movement unusually features a lot of pizzicato (plucking the strings). The middle movement is dark and strange with a huge piano solo, and the finale features several harmonic twists and turns. Haydn was in his 60s when he wrote this but with these innovations, he showed that he was still very much at the top of his game.
Note by Rachel Leach
Reena Esmail
Saans
✒️ 2017 | ⏰9 minutes
Reena Esmail is an Indian-American composer who works to combine Indian and Western classical music. She is based in LA. After studying for degrees in composition from Julliard and Yale she travelled to India to study Hindustani music. She is now writing a doctoral thesis on combining these two musical worlds.
Saans (Breath) was written in 2017. Inspired by the story behind Cesar Franck’s Violin Sonata, written for his wife as a wedding present, Esmail adapted a movement from her Clarinet Concerto as a present for her best friend on her wedding day. The piece was then played by her friend and future husband the day before her own wedding day two years later.
Note by Rachel Leach
About the Artists
Belinda McFarlane
LSO Second Violin
From Adelaide, South Australia, Belinda McFarlane came to London as Leader of the Australian Youth Orchestra for the BBC Proms. She liked it so much, she stayed – and continued further studies with Emanuel Hurwitz and Carmel Kaine. After a period of freelancing and busking, Belinda joined the Second Violin section of the LSO.
A passionate advocate of the power of communication through music, Belinda has led workshops for LSO Discovery and with her piano trio fiorini (named after her Fiorini violin) around the world, and returns frequently to Australia to direct orchestras and training workshops for the Australian Youth Orchestra and the Australian World Orchestra. Belinda was a member of the Board at one time in the position of Vice-Chair. She now serves on the LSO Discovery Advisory Committee. For many years Belinda was married to LSO Trumpet, the late Nigel Gomm.
Jennie Brown
LSO Cello
Jennie Brown was born in London into a family of eminent musicians. She studied at the Royal Academy of Music where she won many prizes. Following in the family’s footsteps, Jennie became a member of the orchestra of the Royal Opera House aged 21 and was appointed Sub-Principal the following year. After five years, Jennie moved to her current position as cellist in the LSO, working with some of the world’s finest soloists and conductors. Jennie has travelled extensively in Japan with her string quartet.
As a member of the Tzigane Piano Trio, Jennie has recorded the complete piano trio works by Cécile Chaminade. Jennie has been appointed an honorary Associate of the Royal Academy of Music for distinction in the profession.
Today's Lunchtime Concert marks Jennie's final performance with the LSO before her retirement.
Elizabeth Burley
piano
© Kevin Leighton
Elizabeth Burley enjoys a varied career as chamber musician and orchestral pianist. She has given concerts throughout the United Kingdom, Europe, Japan and North America with many leading soloists including Håkan Hardenberger, Michael Collins, Isabelle van Keulen, Philippe Graffin and Robert Cohen. She has made numerous chamber music recordings including piano duets with Kathryn Stott. As orchestral pianist, Elizabeth performs regularly in concerts, tours and recordings with orchestras including the London Symphony Orchestra, BBC Symphony Orchestra and the Philharmonia. In the 2004 Proms season she made her debut as a solo artist in a performance with the BBC SO. She has broadcast regularly on BBC radio and television and for many years was official accompanist of the BBC Young Musician of the Year Competition. She is a member of the keyboard faculty at the Royal College of Music.
Next Friday Lunchtime Concert
Friday 29 April 12.30pm
Programme and performers to be announced
Rachel Leach presenter
Experience the LSO at the Barbican for just £10
We would love to welcome you to a concert with the full London Symphony Orchestra at our home in the Barbican. Exclusive for Friday Lunchtime Concert audiences, get tickets to our next Half Six Fix concert for just £10.
Wednesday 27 April 6.30pm
Half Six Fix: The Seven Deadly Sins
Satire and insidiously catchy melodies. Travel with Magdalena Kožená (Anna) through seven cities, and seven encounters with the deadly sins, in Kurt Weill's take on a money vs morals tale.
Book online using the code 10HSF22 to get tickets for just £10. *
* Plus booking fee. Max two tickets per customer.
'The London Symphony Orchestra’s regular Half Six Fix is a quick shot rather than the full classical cocktail: one hour; one symphony; no messing around.'
The London Symphony Orchestra is hugely grateful to all the Patrons and Friends, Corporate Partners, Trusts and Foundations, and other supporters who make its work possible.
The LSO's return to work is generously supported by DnaNudge.