Orchestral workshop
with Tony Houghton
Stravinsky Petrushka
Burlesque for Orchestra - ballet in 4 scenes (1947 version)
Saturday, 23rd November 2024 from 10.00 am - 5.00 pm
MACCLESFIELD COMMUNITY CENTRE (Senior Citizen’s Hall), MACCLESFIELD, SK11 6UR
Adults (18 and over): £25
KEMS Members: £20
Students: £10
This is a rare opportunity to rehearse and play the wonderful Petrushka,
one of three groundbreaking Stravinsky ballet scores. The orchestral workshop day is hosted by
the KEMS Macclesfield Symphony Orchestra, with rehearsal sessions throughout the day and an
informal performance at 4pm.
There will be short breaks in the morning at which tea and coffee will be
provided. A lunch break will allow for your own lunch in the hall, or at one of the many local
cafes close to the Hall.
The Ballet Petrushka, created in 1912 was the second of the ballet scores
commissioned by Diaghilev for his Ballets Russes – the first was Firebird 1910 and Petrushka
was closely followed by the Rite of Spring 1913. Choreographed by Fokine and starring Nijinsky,
in his prime as a dancer, he made the title role his own. In the following year he was to
choreograph the Rite of Spring, with its famously shocking and riotous premiére in Paris.
These three Stravinsky scores established the composer’s unique, colourful
style and wonderful orchestration and have become orchestral staples in the concert hall.
Petrushka in particular, with its distinctly Russian rustic flavour and energy, is wonderfully
written for a large orchestra, with exciting and challenging parts for everyone. You will enjoy
thrilling rhythmic challenge in the wild dances and heartrending melodies in this fantastic music.
TONY HOUGHTON
MSO Conductor Tony Houghton is looking forward to sharing his knowledge and love
of this special work, which he first experienced as a clarinettist in several performances of the
ballet with the London Festival Ballet Company, (eventually to become the English National Ballet).
