Mark Padmore & Simon Lepper

It was an absolute privilege to sit in on a lunch time recital at the Colchester Institute on the 18th September, given by internationally acclaimed Tenor Mark Padmore & accompanist Simon Lepper. The recital was part of the Roman River Festival’s education programme for students. Swinburne Hall was filled with young musicians in the making, who were all studying various music courses at the Institute.

Mark Padmore talks to students during the lunchtime recital

Mark and Simon began their programme with an incredible performance of Der Doppleganger from Franz Schubert‘s Schwanengesang which was amazing to see and hear at such close quarters. Mark also spoke about each piece before it was performed. This enabled the students to understand more about the music and the way the duo interpreted it, using voice and piano together with great skill, thus bringing the music to life, leaving the young students completely spellbound.

Mark Padmore after his recital at the Roman River Festival

During the evening Mark and Simon got together once again at Fordham Church giving an outstanding performance in this intimate venue, which was enjoyed by all. Their captivating evening programme included pieces by Shubert, Hayden, Beethoven and Mozart, finishing with a piece that was a late addition to the programme that ended the recital on a lighter note.

The Roman River Festival offers young musicians or groups aged under 30 the opportunity to perform a short work ‘in the spotlight’, at the start of their main Festival concerts.  Young Tenor Zachary Kleanthous sang Flow My Tears by John Dowland at the beginning of the concert after being introduced by Festival organiser Orlando Jopling as part of the young performers programme.

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Singing workshop with Ken Burton

 University of Essex Choir Workshop 

Bass soloist Benjamin Bevan in rehearsal with Richard Cooke and the University of Essex Choir

The University of Essex Choir are holding a singing workshop on Saturday 14th November 2015, which will be lead by conductor, composer and performer Ken Burton. The workshop will cover a variety of works ranging from the Vivaldi Gloria, a Bach Chorale, Quick Songs, Spirituals and Gospel music, meaning there will be something to suit everyone. Music for the workshop will be provided and singers of all abilities are welcome. Fees for the workshop are £15 per singer or just £5 for students.  More information can be found on the  University of Essex Choir website.

Tenor soloist Jamie McDougall in rehearsal with Richard Cooke and the University of Essex Choir

The  University of Essex Choir is directed by Richard Cooke (now in his 34th season as musical director) and future concerts include Mozart Requiem / Ave Verum Corpus on 30th January 2016 in the Ivor Crewe Building on the university campus, followed by Hayden’s Nelson Mass / Vivaldi Gloria at Snape Maltings on 30th April 2016.

The photos here show the choir in rehearsal for their performance of The Kingdom (Edward Elgar) at Snape Maltings earlier this year. Soloists were Sarah Fox soprano, Gaynor Keeble mezzo soprano, Jamie Mcdougall tenor and Benjamin Bevan bass. Listening to the choir and soloists in rehearsal was great however, the actual performance was even better!

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Music at St Mary’s

This year was the 21st season of lunch time concerts at St Mary’s Church in Frinton on Sea and what a fab season it was. There were several great piano recitals this year including performances by Raul Jimenez,  Andrew Wilson and Panos Karan (here is a little snipet of Panos and Raul playing an excerpt from Stravinsky Rite of Spring, which shows just how high the standard of performance was this year).

Soloist Gemma Hope accompanied by Ian Ray

One concert that stood out was given by Gemma Hope on clarinet. Gemma’s programme began with Summertime (from Porgy and Bess) by George Gershwin, which flowed very nicely and was deftly accompanied on piano by Ian Ray. This was followed by Five Bagatelles (Gerald Finzi), a selection of Romanian Folk Dances (Bela Bartok) and Sonata in E flat major Opus 120 no. 2 (Brahms). Gemma played with flair and dexterity, offering up a beautiful tone throughout that was most pleasing to hear. She ended her performance with Stranger on the Shore by Acker Bilk which seems to be a favourite encore piece for many, yet still remains pleasing to hear.  This years series of nine summer concerts was brought to a close with an organ recital given by Duncan Archard. Let us hope that the Music at St Mary’s concerts continue onto their 22nd season in much the same way.

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Robert Houssart organ recital

The church organ at St Nicholas, Harwich

Robert Houssart gave a fantastic organ recital during the recent Harwich Festival on the 27th June 2015. The recital took place at regular festival venue St Nicholas Church, as part of a series of wonderful free lunch time concerts. During the recital Robert played a varied selection of works such as Toccata, Adagio and Fugue, BWV564 by J S Bach  and Ligeti’s Hungarian Rock. Throughout the recital Robert played with great dexterity and detail, making it most enjoyable to be able to sit and listen to the various pieces that he had selected for his programme.

Some of the audience sat in the stage area of the church during the recital so as to try to catch a glimpse of Robert whilst he was playing, as the church organ is sited above the entrance door. Toccata for organ and tape which was written in 1980 by Jonathan Harvey for Martin Neary and is performed alongside a tape part created at IRCAM in Paris was stunning and well worth hearing, as was the final piece in the recital Fantasia in F minor, K608 by WA Mozart.

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Tendring Brass Quintet

Mayoress of Harwich Charity Strawberry Tea

Tendring Brass provided a quintet for the event

A quintet formed by members of Tendring Brass Band  played a selection of musical favourites at the Mayoress of Harwich Charity Strawberry Tea on Sunday 5th July. The group entertained guests from their position under the Tower Hotel garden gazebo, performing an enjoyable hour and a half of music during the afternoon. Thankfully the rain held off allowing everyone to enjoy the afternoon….and a strawberry cream tea of course!

Tendring Brass playing up a storm under the Tower Hotel gazebo

Tendring Brass Band also performed a great set recently on the LV18 Lightship opening  the Harwich Music Festival  providing a great opening to this years festival with it’s ‘Leading Lights’ theme. As the sun went down the light ship was lit up signifying that the 2015  music and arts festival was now open.

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Re-Invention!

                                                   Jane Chapman

                         Re-inventing the way we feel about the Harpsichord!

Jane Chapman at the Harpsichord

Last Sunday 5th July, at the Harwich Festival,  Jane Chapman  the extraordinarily gifted harpsichordist gave an absolutely stunning recital at St Nicholas Church, which was one of the high points of this great local music festival. Jane performed a wide ranging programme of varying styles throughout the recital, wowing the audience with both traditional harpsichord repertoire and more up to date compositions during her performance. This truly was a breathtaking performance throughout, as every piece was stylishly played, with such a great understanding of the music. It certainly is easy to see why Jane has been called ‘The hippest harpsichordist around’ (London Metro) and ‘The Sorceress of the harpsichord’ (Radio Times). There was plenty of keyboard alchemy going on during the recital, as piece after piece became transformed into ever more beautiful versions of their original parts in Jane’s hands.

Jane Chapman at the Harpsichord during her stunning recital at St Nicholas Church

The performance began with the delightful ‘Chromatic Fantasy’ in D min (BWV 903) by JS Bach, which was followed by an interesting new composition created for the Harwich Festival by Diana Burrell (former Artistic Director), entitled Gemini. This was one of two World/ UK premieres at the recital, with the second composition Baobab, by Andi Spicer being the slightly more pleasing of the two pieces. Although both pieces stood out and were performed by Jane Chapman to a truly breathtaking standard, Baobab was simply easier to listen to.

Within the programme there were 4 Bach Inventions, (interspaced between other pieces) which were a delight to listen to. Terekkeme a piece created by Michael Finnissy and inspired by the folk music of Azerbaijan showed yet another side of Jane Chapman’s harpsichord repertoire that made for interesting  and enjoyable listening.

Throughout the recital everything Jane played showed great poise and style, making for a very stylish and polished performance that was well worth heading to Harwich for. The final piece in an already outstanding programme was Continuum composed by György Ligeti in 1968, which is played in such a way as to create the impression of almost continuous sound. This piece sounded like it could have been a collaboration with the king of synth disco/ electronic dance music Giorgio Moroder in another life, as it had an almost electronic feel about it that was spellbinding to hear Jane play.

The amazing harpsichord from Allan Gotto Norwich, played by Jane Chapman at the recital

Not forgetting the amazing harpsichord Jane Played. As if I could!

After the performance it was great to be able to check out the beautiful instrument Jane played during the recital, which came from Alan Gotto Harpsichords in Norwich.

This harpsichord is based on a Pierre Donzelague design 1711/ 16. The instrument features a double manual keyboard in ebony and boxwood, a fantastic marbled case, a walnut stand and flemish papers to the key well.

The design is completed by an amazing painted lid and a delicately painted soundboard creating an instrument that not only sounds amazing but is a thing of beauty to behold!

 

This photo shows the marbled case and painted lid of the instrument off to perfection.

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Hervey Benham Young Soloist’s Concert

 A Talented Trio of Young Soloists!

The SBMS Orchestra rehearsing for the concert, with Jonathan Abbott conducting

Colchester and the surrounding area really is brimming with so much musical talent! With plenty to see by way of live performances across so many genres, we are often spoilt for choice when it comes to thinking about which concert/ performance to attend.

Last Saturday 4th July the annual Hervey Benham Young Soloist’s Concert  hosted by the St Botolph’s Music Society took place at St Botolph’s Church in Colchester and what a delight it was to be able to see and hear three talented young soloists from the local area perform with the St Botolph’s Music Society Orchestra.

Sam Marde  aged 21, who has been a young organist since the age of 12 and who now studies with Colin Nicholson at St Botolph’s Church, is often to be found performing most Sundays at various churches in and around north London. The Hayden Organ Concerto No 2 in C, was Sam’s chosen piece for the concert, which he played with a very assured touch. It was most enjoyable to hear the organ used as both a solo instrument and as the continuo in this work.  Sam gave a subtle and stylish performance which was pleasing to hear.

Zachary Kleanthous, Kerenza Newcombe & Sam Marde with Colin Nicholson at the concert

Zachary Kleanthous is a 19 year old young tenor singer, who has gone from strength to strength since taking up singing three years ago. He was both Tendring Young Musician of the Year and Colchester Singer of the Year in 2014. Zachary will be joining the gentlemen of the Chelmsford Cathedral Choir as a Choral Scholar  in September. His programme began with a fine performance of ‘Forte e lieto’ from Handel’s opera Tamerlano, continuing with ‘Thou Shalt Break Them’ from Messiah and ‘In Native Worth and Honour Clad’ from Haydn’s Creation. Jonathan Abbott’s orchestration of ‘Chanson d’Amour’ by Faure was  lovely to hear, with Zachary’s tenor vocal line weaving in and out of the music so beautifully.  Warlock’s ‘Yarmouth Fair’ brought this varied programme and most enjoyable performance to a close.

Kerenza Newcombe  was the last of this talented trio to perform, but her performance was well worth waiting for.  She began learning the piano at age 5, took up the flute at age 9, the clarinet at 10 and the trumpet at 11, with this now being her main orchestral instrument. At just 14 years old Kerenza gave an assured performance of the Neruda Trumpet Concerto in E Flat that was a pleasure to hear.  The St Botolph’s Music Society Orchestra brought the evening to a close with Symphony No.6 ‘Pastoral’ by Beethoven rounding off this prestigious annual concert which is sponsored by the Hervey Benham Trust.

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What’s on? Sunday 5th July

Charity Strawberry Tea this Sunday

What’s on this Sunday  5th July, 2015

Once again there is so much to do in the local area including  the  Mayoress of Harwich Charity Strawberry Tea at the Tower Hotel, Main Road, Harwich which takes place from 2-30pm till 5-30pm.  Live music at the event will be provided by 5 members of the  Tendring Brass Band.  A delicious strawberry tea will be served and a bar will be available. There will also be a raffle, with all monies raised at the event raised going to Mayoress’ Charities which include Alzheimers Tendring, and the  Ark Family Resource Centre .

A strawberry Tea and entertainment from a live Brass Band what  great combo! Guess who already has a ticket! Tickets are £6, available at the door or by calling 01255 318825.

Roman River Music Festival. 17th September – 4th October 2015. Events Guide

Roman River Summer Mini Festival                                           

The Roman River Mini Summer Festival continues this Sunday 5th July,  with a fantastic concert at Fingringhoe Church this afternoon. Talented Marcus Farnsworth Baritone, will perform  Schubert Schwanengesang, D.957 with Anna Tilbrook Piano, as the mini festival comes to a close. Marcus replaces James Gilchrist who has had to postpone his appearance today (although he promises to perform at the 2016 festival). The concert will begin at 3pm at St Andrew’s Church, Fingringhoe, CO5 7BN, ending at approximately 4:15pm.

Marcus was awarded the Song Prize at the 2011 Kathleen Ferrier Competition, as well as First Prize at the Wigmore Hall International Song Competition in 2009. Next season he will make his début at Welsh National Opera, English National Opera and Paris Opera.  Tickets for this top class event can be purchased from Roman River Music. Prices are from £15, with restricted view tickets priced at £10. Tickets for anyone under 30 are just £5.

Harwich Festival Event Calendar. 24th June to 5th July 2015

The Harwich Festival

The Harwich Festival continues with a harpsichord recital by Jane Chapman at St Nicholas Church, Harwich. The recital will include Bach Inventions with  contemporary pieces by Ligeti, Cage, as well as a new festival commission from former festival artistic director Diana Burrell. Tickets for the event  which begins today at 1pm, may still be bought on the door, priced at £9.

The fantastic RCM Baroque Orchestra and Chamber Choir will perform this evening at the same venue (St Nicholas Church, Harwich), under the direction of Ashley Solomon (director since 2006). The concert promises to be a wonderful event. The performance includes Vivaldi: 4 Seasons, Purcell: Come Ye Sons of Art  and Handel: Coronation Anthems.  Regular external concert appearances include the London Handel Festival, Hatchlands Park, St-Martin-in-the-Fields and St John’s, Smith Square. Internationally the orchestra have undertaken a number of successful tours  and projects to Italy, Bolivia and Australia. Musicians from Historical Performance have also performed live for BBC Radio 3’s In Tune programme.

Tickets for the concert are priced at £12 and can be bought at the door. Those attending both  Harwich Festival concerts can buy a reduced price £19 day ticket at the door giving access to both events.

*Reposted blog from the morning of 5th July 2015

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What’s on this Saturday

The SBMS orchestra rehearsing

Saturday 4th July.  

What’s on?  Where and when?

There is so much going on in and around Colchester and the local area today, with plenty of live music on offer if you know where to look.

The Roman River Music Festival are continuing with their very own Summer Mini Festival at Boxted this weekend. Simon Blendis and Mia Cooper  on Violin, Edward Vanderspar Viola and Orlando Jopling ‘Cello, will be performing together, with a programme that promises some fantastic live music including Schubert String Quartet No. 13 in A minor, D. 804 “Rosamunde” and Schubert String Quartet No. 15 in G major, D. 887.

St Peter’s Church, Church Lane, Boxted,  is a lovely venue with a really pleasing acoustic that should compliment the music. The performance  starts at 6pm and will end at approximately 8pm. Tickets are priced at £15, £10 with restricted view and just £5 for anyone under 30 by visiting Roman River Events

The Harwich Festival have been treating us to some great music and art over the last 2 weeks, but there is still plenty to look forwards to as the Festival comes to a close this weekend. This evening Birmingham Town Hall Gospel Choir (Songs of Praise Gospel Choir of The Year) conducted by Colin Anderson will be performing at St Nicholas Church, Harwich at 7.30pm. Tickets priced at just £12 can still be bought on the door tonight.

Meanwhile punk band Tankus The Henge  are set to perform at the Kingsway Hall in Harwich at 7.30pm, in what promises to be a fun live set. Tickets for the evening are just £6 and should still be available at the door.

The Hervey Benham concert flyer

The annual Hervey Benham Young Soloist’s Concert  hosted by the St Botolph’s Music Society will take place this evening at St Botolph’s Church in Colchester. Three talented young soloists from the local area: Zachary Kleanthous – Tenor, Sam Marde – Organ and Kerenza Newcombe – Trumpet are set to perform with the St Botolph’s Music Society Orchestra. The event will take place at St Botolph’s Church, Colchester at 7.30pm,  Saturday 4th July, 2015.

Highlights of the evenings entertainment will include Haydn Organ Concerto No 2 in C, Beethoven Symphony No 6 Pastoral, Neruda Trumpet Concerto, Handel ‘Thou Shalt Break Them’ from Messiah, Warlock ‘Yarmouth Fair’ and Faure ‘Chanson d’Amour’.

Tickets are priced at £12.50, concessions £10. By phone on 01206 823662 or in person at the door.

Students may buy tickets at the door only for £5

My photo today was taken at the rehearsal for the concert, showing the orchestra being conducted by Jonathan Abbott.