aaamusic | On 15, Aug 2011

 

American Express® Symphony At The Park

20 and 21 August 2011, Chiswick House and Gardens, London, www.symphonyatthepark.com

“I’d like to wish Abbey Road an extremely happy 80th anniversary”, says Sir Paul McCartney. “I have so many special memories from there and it’s still such a great studio today. The Symphony At The Park concerts are a great way to celebrate a truly iconic symbol of British music. I hope everyone has a fabulous time there and I wish Abbey Road all the best for another 80 rocking years.”

American Express Symphony At The Park is the fabulous inaugural event to celebrate Abbey Road Studios 80th Anniversary. Held over two days, the majestic surroundings of West London’s Chiswick House and Gardens will play host to one of the UK’s most prestigious orchestras; the Royal Philharmonic.

For the first time ever, boutique orchestral arrangements of both new and classic rock, pop and epic film scores with an indelible attachment to Abbey Road Studios legacy, will be performed, led by world class conductors Nick Ingman and Joel McNeely.

On Saturday August 20 the audience will enjoy full symphonic versions of timeless rock and pop anthems from The Beatles, Elgar, Radiohead, Oasis, Kate Bush, Queen, Elbow, The Hollies and more.

On Sunday August 21, the many epically-moving film scores recorded at Abbey Road Studios will be heard in all their soaring majesty. These include music from Harry Potter, Star Wars, Raiders Of The Lost Ark, The English Patient, Braveheart, Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Batman and 2001 A Space Odyssey.

Performing alongside the eighty-six strong Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, will be the forty singers of the Crouch End Festival Chorus, plus guest soloists. Symphony At The Park presents the concert premiere of Joel McNeely’s music for Disney’s Peter Pan sequel, Return to Neverland.

Other exclusives include a new arrangement of Radiohead’s High And Dry by Julian Kershaw and Time by Pink Floyd, re-scored by Jaz Coleman. Plus, for the first time ever, you can hear an exclusive piece from Alex North’s 2001 A Space Odyssey soundtrack, that wasn’t featured in the final movie cut.

Bring, friends, family (kids are welcome), a picnic and a rug. Relax alfresco on the grand lawns with views across the tranquil lake and stunning house. With a VIP ticket, savour a handpicked hamper of food and refreshments, which can be enjoyed from the private VIP marquee and lawn.

There will also be a sumptuous variety of food for all to choose from, provided by carefully selected local suppliers and market traders with a dedication to sustainably-sourced food and organic produce, as well as an array of vegetarian options.

Symphony At The Park forms part of American Express’ Preferred Seating Programme that provides Cardmembers with exclusive access to inspirational music and cultural events throughout the year. From priority tickets, best seats in the house to meet and greet opportunities, Cardmembers benefit from a premium service that gets them closer to the events, bands and stars that inspire them.

American Express Symphony At The Park
Chiswick House, London, Middlesex W4 2RP

Gates open at 5.30pm on both days. We invite you to enjoy food & drinks in the beautiful gardens before the evening’s performance begins at 7.15pm. It ends at 10pm.

Tickets on general sale 18 July.
One-day general admission concert ticket: £45.00
Weekend general admission concert ticket: £75.00

One-day VIP package at £150.00 includes:

· A pre-concert champagne reception and string quartet
performance from 5.30, to take place in the main house and
reserved outdoor terrace with views over the lake.
· A gourmet picnic hamper including a bottle of wine, cutlery and
glassware.
· VIP guests have exclusive access to a private, furnished marquee (including a cash bar) and luxury toilets. The marquee features a viewing platform and reserved picnic area furnished with rugs and hay bales.
· Post performance, a complimentary champagne reception will be on offer for all guests in the VIP marquee until 10.45pm
· A complimentary concert programme

www.ticketmaster.co.uk/amex
www.symphonyatthepark.com
0844 248 5045

Nick Ingman
Nick has arranged hit records for Sade, Everything But The Girl, Oasis, Blur, Suede, Manic Street Preachers, Diana Ross, David Bowie, Eric Clapton, Madonna, Robbie Williams, Elton John and Radiohead. His work as an arranger of pop records has culminated in 13 No. 1 records and five double platinum records in the UK alone. He has been nominated for 3 Grammys and in 2010 he was inducted into The Musician’s Union Hall Of Fame.
Ingman’s association with composer Stephen Warbeck produced a number of highly acclaimed films such as Shakespeare in Love, Billy Elliot and Captain Corelli’s Mandolin. Nick is frequent guest conductor with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

Joel McNeely
Joel McNeely is an Emmy Award-winning, Grammy-nominated composer for film and television. He has worked with some of Hollywood’s most influential producers and directors including James Cameron, John Lasseter, Seth MacFarlane and George Lucas. McNeely has produced and written songs for Burt Bacharach, Ronan Keating, Carly Simon, Norah Jones, Linda Ronstadt plus Crosby, Stills and Nash.
McNeely received the Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Music Composition for The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles as well as an ASCAP Film and Television Award for Air Force One and a Gramophone Magazine Award for his recording of the motion picture score of Vertigo.

Abbey Road Studios:
Symphony at the Park celebrates recordings spanning Abbey Road Studios’ amazing 80 year legacy at the heart of music recording.
Abbey Road Studios are the most famous recording studio complex in the world and an iconic symbol of British music. They have been home to countless landmark recordings and pioneering advances in recording technology. Opened in November 1931, the Studios celebrate their 80th anniversary this year. Many of the world’ s most famous artists have recorded some of their greatest work at Abbey Road Studios including The Beatles, Pink Floyd, The Hollies, Cliff Richard, Kate Bush, Oasis, Elbow, Florence and the Machine, Kasabian and Stereophonics.
Also one of the worlds premiere locations for movie scoring, since the 1980s films such as Raiders of the Lost Ark, Star Wars, the Lord of The Rings Trilogy, Braveheart and The Kings Speech have been recorded there. The list continues to many other major titles including Cold Mountain, The Golden Compass, Shrek, Prince Caspian and Harry Potter.