News and Reviews

News: London Calling
Nov 27 2009

sinfonia ViVA's popular New Year's Eve Classical Gala at Nottingham's Royal Concert Hall will this year treat concert goers to a quintessentially English programme.

The toe-tapping programme is a patriotic celebration focusing on the music written and inspired by the nation's capital, appropriately entitled London's Calling. As ViVA's 'Mr New Year's Eve' and Principal Guest Conductor Nicholas Kok, explains, this year's programme is like opening up a treasure chest of the nation’s best loved music and discovering hidden gems...

Nicholas Kok: "This year's programme is full of well-loved classics plus some quite fascinating surprises. William Walton's Crown Imperial is a stunning opener, full of robust pomp and upbeat energy. Then comes Variations on America by Charles Ives, the first major surprise. I don't want to give too much away until the night but, suffice to say, that this glorious, witty and pretty piece will amaze anyone who hasn't heard it before."

"I got the idea of performing a movement from a Haydn Symphony from last year's New Year's Day concert in Vienna. The energy and zest for life in the final movement of the Symphony No.104 in D Major, London, is utterly gripping and when one considers the stage at which it was written in Haydn's life – it is truly remarkable."

"Ralph Vaughan Williams' The Lark Ascending needs no introduction and I am so looking forward to doing with with ViVA's Leader Benedict Holland who is a wonderful violinist and a delightful colleague. Elgar's famous Pomp and Circumstance March No.4 takes us to the interval which is followed by the Knightsbridge March – the theme tune to the TV show In Town Tonight which is written by Eric Coates - a local composer of enormous natural ability."

"Another local connection on the night will be our own lead percussionist Graham Hall who is making a spectacular and most welcome return with the world premiere of his arrangement of Sherwin's A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square. Salut d’Amour by Elgar is one of my very favourite pieces of music. Its gentle and elegant nostalgia is extraordinarily touching. And finally this year's Strauss' selection is full of surprises on many fronts as well as favourites."

"ViVA's New Year's Eve concerts have been some of the most enjoyable musical occasions of my career. The atmosphere in Nottingham's Royal Concert Hall is incredibly exciting and special, due in no small way to the feeling of us all being at a party! It never ceases to amaze me that really fine music making can sit so comfortably alongside the ‘rowdy sing-along’ fun side of the concert. It really is a rare and wonderful event."

Early booking is advised for this hugely popular concert, which has been sold out for the past two years. Popular Premium seats are again available and the booking includes a free programme, a £3 bar voucher on the night and a free Vaughan Williams CD (which includes The Lark Ascending).

Tickets are on sale now from the Royal Centre Box Office, Tel 0115 989 5555. Prices start from £7.50

Media enquiries: Sarah Jenkin-Jones - Tel: 01332 515102/07951 945 665 sarah@jjpublicrelations.co.uk