All events Friends event

Open Rehearsal: Santtu conducts Bernstein, Copland and Gershwin

Royal Festival Hall
£7
Book tickets Become a Friend

Mark van de Wiel with Santtu-Matias Rouvali on stage at the Royal Festival Hall

Artists

Santtu-Matias Rouvali – conductor
Mark van de Wiel – clarinet
Frank Dupree – piano


Programme

Bernstein On the Waterfront Suite

Dove Clarinet Concerto, 'Rainbow'

— Interval —

Copland Clarinet Concerto

Gershwin Rhapsody in Blue

Tonight’s concert celebrates the clarinet, and the outstanding playing of Mark van de Wiel.

Mark first performed in the Royal Festival Hall as a member of the National Youth Orchestra, and was the Philharmonia’s Principal Clarinet from 2000 to 2025. He plays a brand new concerto commissioned from his friend Jonathan Dove CBE. Dove’s music often expresses feelings of wonder at the natural world. His third concerto to feature a soloist scanning the skies (following Stargazer and Northern Lights), Rainbow showcases Mark’s virtuosity and lyricism.

The celebration continues with Aaron Copland’s glorious Clarinet Concerto, commissioned by jazz legend Benny Goodman. Then Mark hands over to the Philharmonia’s new Principal Clarinet Maura Marinucci for the unmistakable glissando opening of Rhapsody in Blue. On piano, Frank Dupree brings his infectious energy and enthusiasm to Gershwin’s masterpiece.

To open, Santtu has chosen the suite from Bernstein’s Oscar-winning score for On the Waterfront, a tale of violence and corruption on the New Jersey docks starring Marlon Brando. Bernstein’s music is full of brassy bravado, but there are moments of tender hopefulness too.

All you need to know

Price

£7

 

Join the Friends from only £6.70 a month to get access to Open Rehearsals and more.

Join today

Running time

Approximately 2.5 hrs (subject to change)

Recommended age

From 7+

Programme notes

Digital programme notes available closer to the rehearsal.

Contact the Friends team

Phone: 020 7921 3906
Email: friends@philharmonia.co.uk

Concerto and Symphony Friends

Concerto and Symphony Friends members can claim their complimentary open rehearsal tickets by emailing friends@philharmonia.co.uk.

About

Open rehearsals are not performances. Playing may be paused at various intervals in order for the conductor, soloist and orchestra to agree on specific styles and dynamics.

Open rehearsals will take place in the auditorium where the concert is due to be performed, unless otherwise specified. Times and repertoire being rehearsed will be confirmed prior to the rehearsal date, as these schedules are subject to change.

Please note that open rehearsals are working processes for the conductor and the Orchestra, we cannot guarantee that pieces will be played in their entirety. Timings are subject to change and every endeavour will be made to let ticket holders know in advance about any such changes. Please check our website for up-to-date information.

Venue

Royal Festival Hall

Royal Festival Hall

Southbank Centre
Belvedere Road
London
SE1 8XX

View on Google Maps

Get closer to the music

Become a Philharmonia Friend for discounts on tickets, access to Open Rehearsals, priority booking, and opportunities to meet our players – all without booking fees.

Join now

2025/26 London Season

Our 80th birthday season at Royal Festival Hall.


Browse concerts

Book tickets
£7
Top