20/05/2008
The Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO) has announced a triple header of events, taking place in June at Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall. Okay, I know what you’re thinking. This is Planet Notion and Planet Notion doesn’t really do the whole classical shebang. Thing is, these three events have a bit of a twist. Not like a twisted ankle, ligament, or act (murder and the like), but a twist that – just like in the movies – makes you stand-back and shout: “WOAH!” Think Elvis Costello meets Super Mario for a dance-off to classical remixes of Ludwig van Beethoven and Fryderyk Chopin, and you’re half-way there…
We’ll start with the first event and work our way up to a mad crescendo; again, just like in the movies. The first of the three nights, taking place on Thursday 19th June, has been labeled ‘Concerto with Turntables’. As the name suggests, this is going to feature the RSNO playing live with two of the worlds finest (sic) DJs.
We’re talking hip-hop meets classical, which, if we were to put that into a visual sense, would be akin to a gang of hoodies wandering onto a bowling green and break-dancing with Elma, 90, from Badgers Mount, and 87-year-old Burt from Halstead. Interestingly, renowned garage DJ Gabriel Prokofiev - who has composed the collaboration - is the great grandson of the world famous Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev.
Alas, joining Gabriel will be founding member of the Mixologists DJ Crew, Beni G; mixing and scratching on the decks whilst the RSNO add their own classical interpretations. Sub-genres of dance, including hip hop and house music, will be incorporated into the performance; whilst Concerto for Turntables will be accompanied by New York composer Todd Levin’s Blur, ‘an eight minute fusion of orchestral and techno influences’, and Russian composer Alexander Mossolov’s 1928 ballet work Iron Foundry.
Speaking of the night, Chief Executive of the RSNO, Simon Woods, said: “We hope that Concerto for Turntables will open up thrilling symphonic sounds to a whole new audience and make some of today’s modern music genres accessible to those who have never encountered them before.”
Interesting, huh? Next-up, we have the legendary Elvis Costello who once said: “My ultimate vocation in life is to be an irritant”. Some people may say that Costello has reached that pinnacle; others will say that he’s a mesmerising musician - a legend whose ability knows no bounds. Forget the whole - was it a ‘ballad’ or was it a ‘rock’ song shebang that Costello created over some of his work; Costello has now moved into the classical scene and has written full-scale orchestral works.
Alas, Elvis Costello will be playing some of his best-loved songs on Saturday 21st June, including ‘Accidents will Happen’ and ‘God Give Me Strength’, with the full backing of the RSNO – who’ll also be performing excerpts from Costello’s first orchestral work, Il Sogno (The Dream). “This will be a unique event,” explained Simon Woods, “in the way it will merge three decades of iconic British pop music with the sound of a great symphony orchestra, and the fact that it will include some of Costello’s orchestral works as well as some of his best known hits will make it an unmissable event."
Next-up, we bring news that’ll have kids and big-kids (over 20s) up and down the country - who lock themselves in their rooms, close their windows, draw their curtains, turn their flat-screens up to volume 99, and batter their control-pads senseless - licking their lips like a necrophiliac in a mortuary. Yes, the RSNO are going to be performing the imaginatively titled video games concert, Video Games Live; a must for all computer game fanatics…
This has been labeled as (and I quote) “A dream combination for gaming fans of all ages”. It’s basically a concert in which the RSNO play loads of really cool songs from really cool computer games. The sting in the tail is that as well as the power and emotion of the orchestral performance, there’s also going to be stunning visual displays, state of the art lighting and even some interactive events taking place. Oh, and if you thought the music was just going to be from the likes of Halo, Final Fantasy, and Sonic - you’d be wrong. Retro classics will be churned out, including Pong, Donkey Kong and - ‘the game with the finest musical score in the history of consoles’ – Tetris!
“Video Games Live is a breathtaking event both sonically and visually, and the power of the RSNO will really bring it to life,” explained the main man, Simon Woods. “We are very pleased to bring this major production to Scotland for the first time. Symphonic music is pushing its traditional boundaries and Video Games Live is a fascinating step on the journey”. Indeed.
The RSNO will be joined by the RSNO chorus for the performance, which is being hosted by Tommy Tallarico and Jack Wall. If you’ve never heard of them and you play computer consoles, you’ll know their work. Both have composed soundtracks for countless games, including Tony Hawk Pro skater, Spider-Man, and Prince of Persia. Previous ‘Video Games Live’ events have featured appearances by costumed characters, including Sonic, Mario, and Lara Croft. I’m watching you computer geek; salivating like Dr. Math with a fourteen-digit number conundrum…
So there we go. Three events melding Scotland’s finest orchestra with everything from hip-hop to classic British rock- computer game music thrown in for good measure. It’s like the ultimate day-dream, wet-dream, any way you want a dream, rolled into one big lovely bundle of musical joy!
Concerto for Turntables
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
(0141 353 8000)
Thursday 19 June 2008
8.00pm
Turntables: Beni G (Mixologists)
Tickets: £12 (includes aftershow party)
U26s £5 with RSNO U26 card
Elvis Costello with the RSNO
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
(0141 353 8000)
Saturday 21 June 2008
7.30pm
Conductor: Clark Rundell
Tickets: £35 + concessions
Video Games Live
Glasgow Royal Concert Hal
(0141 353 8000)
Thursday 26 June 2008
7.30pm
Conductor: Jack Wall
Presenter: Tommy Tallarico
RSNO Chorus
Tickets: £32/£25/£19.50
f-t students/U16s half price
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