18.03.11 - THE GRAND NATIONAL

Philharmonic composer writing theme for Grand National

Liverpool musician to compose fanfare for Liverpool Day
A special fanfare is being composed in celebration of this year’s Liverpool Day at the John Smith’s Grand National Festival.
The music will be played by a brass ensemble from the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra before the first race on Thursday 7 April – providing a dramatic blast-off for the three-day meeting at Aintree.
The racecourse has commissioned renowned composer Ian Stephens, who created the Capital of Culture fanfare, The World in One City.
Ian, of West Kirby, said: “When I was asked to compose a piece for Liverpool Day I immediately thought it should be played by brass instruments. There will be two trombones and two trumpets, because they look and sound like a medieval fanfare – powerful and exciting.
“It is very thrilling for me to have this commission; the Grand National is such a high profile event and so many people will be watching it and they won’t be the traditional fans of classical music, they will be coming for the racing.
“It means the music will be an added extra for them and I want to create something unexpected which I hope people will like!”
As the musicians play their fanfare on the track in front of the stands, the music will be relayed around the racecourse on big screens for all the racegoers to enjoy.
Emma Owen, marketing manager for Aintree, said: “We’re very excited at the prospect of having our very own tune for Liverpool Day. Music is such a huge part of the city’s culture that it is perfect to have something created especially for our celebrations on Liverpool Day. We are all really looking forward to hearing the music.
“The Grand National as a worldwide sporting spectacle is a unique event in the Liverpool calendar. If you’ve never been to the Grand National before then this is the year to celebrate it – we’ve got a bumper line-up of entertainment!”
Also performing on Liverpool Day will be West Everton Super Strings, a group of four young musicians in Year 7 and Year 8, that has emerged from West Everton Children’s Orchestra, established in 2009 through Liverpool Philharmonic’s In Harmony community development programme, based at Faith Primary School in West Everton.
A full programme of top class acts includes the legendary Mersey band The Farm; Alternative Radio; bands from the Merseycats; The Paul Kappa Band; and a number of new artists from the Threshold Festival.
As well as non-stop performances on stage in the Equestrian Centre, lots of other attractions around the course will keep the crowds entertained throughout the day and evening.
Grandstand seats are still available for Liverpool Day with West Tip seats starting at £24.  Restaurant hospitality is available from £158.
To book tickets for Liverpool Day at the 164th John Smith’s Grand National Meeting at Aintree Racecourse, visit www.aintree.co.uk <http://www.aintree.co.uk <http://www.aintree.co.uk/> > or call 0844 579 3001. Hospitality is also available from £158 (inc VAT). For details call. 0151 522 2911.
 
About Ian Stephens:
Ian Stephens, 36, began composing while in his early teens and studied music at Bristol University. Active as a cellist, double-bassist and music lecturer as well as a composer, he lives with his wife and children in West Kirby.

His music has been performed by orchestras including the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, City of Birmingham Symphony, Bournemouth Symphony, Ulster Orchestra and Malaysian Philharmonic, and choirs including the BBC Singers and the National Youth Choir of Great Britain.
His piece for ensemble … through the affrighted air … was broadcast on BBC Radio 3 in 2009. His children's entertainment We're Going on a Bear Hunt has been performed by many orchestras around the UK; the RLPO repeats it on Sunday 26 June 2011.

Ian's fanfare The World in One City, celebrating Liverpool’s selection as Capital of Culture 2008, was composed on the day that the result was announced, and performed many times during 2008. He composed and arranged the opening sequence of Liverpool The Musical, performed at the Echo Arena during the opening weekend of Capital of Culture year.
His original piece Oxbow and his orchestral arrangements of songs by OMD were performed in 2010 by the RLPO in Liverpool and Shanghai. Also in 2010 he was commissioned to write a piece to celebrate the 200th birthday of the Liverpool law firm Hill Dickinson.
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For more information call Caroline Kenyon on 07843 243913 or Rachael Tinniswood on 0151 706 9966 or 07846 406487