GABOR: Ten days in the Life
Posted on September 25, 2011
Manchester Camerata’s new Music Director Gábor Takács Nagy always conducts with such energy, enthusiasm and passion despite having one fo the most hectic schedules in the world of classical music. Here’s a flavour of the great Hungarian musician’s diary in his inaugural month! |
| After a hectic Summer of performances across Europe, Gábor turns his attention to the concerts he’s conducting with Manchester Camerata. The first few weeks in September are spent researching and preparing his scores for the works to be performed. |
| Tuesday 13 September – Gábor arrives in London for a couple of chamber music masterclasses.
Afterwards he squeezes in a number of media interviews including an appearance on InTune on BBC Radio 3 chatting to Sean Rafferty. While at Broadcasting House he also meets Ben MacDougall from BBC Radio Cumbria to talk about Camerata’s residency in Ulverston. Later – with his family is in town – he heads for a West End show! |
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Monday 19 September – Gábor is an early riser, and is studying scores for future performances before the phone . BBC Music Magazine call for a quick interview for their online edition Classical-Music.com.
Wednesday 21 September – Manchester Town Hall. A quick rehearsal in the Great Hall with the orchestra who will be performing for assembled dignatories and guests. Gábor is welcomed officially to the city by the Leader of Manchester City Council Richard Leese. |
| Thursday 22 September – An early start. Gábor meets some of the orchestra’s players for a photoshoot in the prestigious Midland Hotel.
The concept sees Gábor ‘conducting’ some of the staff at the hotel where he’ll be staying after his performances at the Royal Northern College of Music and The Bridgewater Hall. Then – into the car up to Ulverston for the opening season concert of Manchester Camerata at The Coronation Hall. |
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| Friday 23 September – On the road again down to Stafford for the first concert in the new season at The Gatehouse Theatre. |
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Saturday 24 September – a full on day at the RNCM in Manchester. Gábor holds rehearsals during the afternoon with the Orchestra and guest soloist Jean-Efflam Bavouzet at the piano. There’s an clear rapport between the two men as they put some final touches to the evening’s programme.
A fire alarm at the RNCM means a quick change of plan – a pre-concert talk is shifted to later in the evening. A Manchester audience experiences the Gábor Takács-Nagy effect for the first time with him as Music Dorector. |
| Sunday 25 September – Gábor Takács-Nagy and a small group fo the orchestra’s string players take part in Camerata’s first Unwrapped event – aiming to shed light on the conductor’s role in performance and interpretation – examining closely Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings. |
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Sunday 25 September – Job done, for now! Gábor heads of to Manchester Airport and then back home ot Switzerland.
Next day it’s nose to the grindstone again preparing material for planned concerts ion Reinhalle, Berne, Zurich – and of course for Manchester Camerata’s next concerts in Doncaster and Manchester in October. |
Browse Manchester Camerata’s 2011-12 Season Concerts |