Professor Peter Aston Memorial Concert

On the evening of Friday 14th March 2014 I attended the UEA Symphony Orchestra and Choir's Professor Peter Aston Memorial Concert at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich. This concert was dedicated in memory of Professor Peter Aston and also marked Sharon Andrea Choa's last concert as UEA Director of Music and UEA Symphony Orchestra Conductor.

The programme consisted of Nimrod - Elgar, O Sing unto the Lord a New Song, If ye Love Me, O be Joyful in the Lord, The True Glory - Peter Aston and Symphony No.9 - Beethoven. The Orchestra was conducted by Sharon Andrea Choa and the Choir was conducted by Tom Primrose. Soloists on the evening were Lisa Cassidy, Eleanor White, Iain Milne and Andrew Weeks.

This was an emotional night at St. Andrew's Hall which included sacred choral music by Peter Aston. Elgar's Nimrod and Beethoven's Symphony No.9 were both performed brilliantly with Sharon Andrea Choa conducting the UEA Symphony Orchestra for the last time before taking up her appointment at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts.

UEA Symphony Orchestra's English Connection Concert

On the evening of Friday 15th November 2013 I attended the UEA Symphony Orchestra's The English Connection Concert at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich. This was a Sir Colin Davis Memorial Concert. The orchestra were conducted by Sharon Andrea Choa and featured soloist Paul Silverthorne (viola).

The programme consisted of Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85 (transcribed for viola) - Elgar and Symphony No. 8 in G major, Op. 88 - Dvorak.

Elgar's Cello Concerto is the last of four expressively linked works together with the Violin Sonata, String Quartet and Piano Quintet he wrote in 1918 and 1919. The chamber works have a wistful and eerie enchantment, to which the concerto adds an unmistakably tragic tone. Viola player Lionel Tertis worked tirelessly to establish the viola as a solo instrument in its own right and made a transcription of Elgar's concerto in 1929.

Dvorak wrote the Eighth Symphony in 1889 and was published by the London firm of Novello and Co in 1892. The Eighth is thought of as the sunniest and most relaxed of Dvorak's symphonies, but there is considerable emotional darkness in the slow movement, as well as light and tranquillity.

This was a wonderful evening at St. Andrew's Hall as the UEA Symphony Orchestra performed splendid pieces by Elgar and Dvorak. This was a fitting memorial concert in memory of Sir Colin Davis.

BBCSO and Lisa Batiashvili at the BBC Proms

On the evening of Wednesday 21st August 2013 I attended Prom 52 of the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall in London which featured the BBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by Sakari Oramo and violinist Lisa Batiashvili. The BBC Symphony Orchestra were making their second appearance with its new Chief Conductor Sakari Oramo.

There was a geographically wide ranging programme consisting of Cave of Luminous Mind - Param Vir, Violin Concerto in D minor - Sibelius, Celtic Symphony - Bantock and Enigma Variations - Elgar.

This was the world premiere of the BBC commission Cave of Luminous Mind by Param Vir, who turned to Tibetan Buddhism for inspiration and specifically to the remarkable life of the 11th century sage Milarepa. This was the composer's musical response to Milarepa's meditational journey towards enlightenment. The piece was dedicated to the late Jonathan Harvey.

Sibelius composed his Violin Concerto in 1903 with a revised version being published in 1905. Sibelius began his musical career with high hopes of becoming a concert violinist. When destiny forged another path for him, then he expressed his relationship with his instrument through this, his only concerto, a work that combines intense virtuosity with profound depths of expression.

Bantock's Celtic Symphony is his homage to the Hebrides, an area he greatly loved. This piece was composed in 1940 for string orchestra and harps. The world of Celtic myth and legend was one of the several locales that appealed to Bantock for musical inspiration.

The first performance of Elgar's Enigma Variations took place in 1899. It was Elgar's most ambitious orchestra works to date and helped establish him as a composer of international importance. Elgar turned to his friends for inspiration for his Enigma Variations offering personal yet sharply etched characterisations in the work that made his name.

This was a fantastic evening at the Royal Albert Hall with the BBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by Sakari Oramo providing us with a wonderful and interesting programme of music. The Georgian violinist Lisa Batiashvili performed an outstanding Sibelius Violin Concerto which is a piece that she has made an acclaimed recording with Sakari Oramo. There was a brilliant atmosphere which made this a special night at the BBC Proms.

BBC National Orchestra of Wales at the BBC Proms

On the evening of Wednesday 24th July 2013 I attended Prom 16 of the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall in London. This performance from the BBC National Orchestra of Wales conducted by Jac van Steen with cellist Raphael Wallfisch was a programme of music from three British composers and the first in this season's Tchaikovsky symphony cycle.

The programme consisted of Falstaff - Elgar, Sapphic Poem - Bantock, Henry V - Touch her soft lips and part; Death of Falstaff - Walton and Symphony No. 4 in F minor - Tchaikovsky.

Elgar's Falstaff was premiered in 1913 which the composer called a symphonic study because it was a portrait not just of Falstaff, but of Shakespeare and all human life. Falstaff is a character from Henry IV Parts 1 and 2 who was a thoroughly bad, if sometimes lovable influence on the future Henry V, who disowns his ancient friend when he succeeds to the throne.

The Sapphic Poem was composed by Bantock in 1906. The version for cello and orchestra was published in 1909. It is closely associated with Bantock's Sappho, a vocal cycle setting fragments from the 7th century BC poetess of Lesbos, in translations by Bantock's wife Helena. This was the Proms premiere of the Sapphic Poem.

Touch her soft lips and part and The Death of Falstaff are from the 1944 film Henry V, for which William Walton composed the music in close collaboration with the film's director and star Laurence Olivier. Touch her soft lips and part is a romantic piece where Pistol bids farewell to his new wife before setting off for France. The Death of Falstaff is a series of variations founded on the Elizabethan drinking song Watkyn's Ale from the Fitzwilliam Virginal Book.

Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 4 was written between 1877 and 1878 and was considered by the composer as a reflection of his emotional strife. Tchaikovsky referred to the symphony's opening fanfare as fate, the force of destiny. During the composition of the Fourth Symphony Tchaikovsky started to benefit from the regular allowance sent to him by the wealthy, eccentric widow Nadezhda von Meck. The Fourth Symphony is dedicated to her.

The BBC National Orchestra of Wales conducted by Jac van Steen performed a wonderful programme of music with the highlight being Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 4.  Raphael Wallfisch who celebrates his 60th birthday this year gave an intimate performance of Bantock's Sapphic Poem. There was also an encore of Bantock's Hamabdil. This was a fantastic Prom at the Royal Albert Hall which I greatly enjoyed.

Dexterity Trio at St. Peter Mancroft Church

On Saturday 29th June 2013 I attended the Dexterity Trio Summer Recital at St. Peter Mancroft Church, Norwich which was the last in this season's Mancroft Music Summer Recital Series. The Dexterity Trio are Anna Hopkins - flute, Maja Passchier - cello and David Morgan - piano.

Anna Hopkins studied for four years at the Royal College of Music. She is a private and peripatetic flute teacher and is also an examiner for London's Trinity College. Maja Passchier studied cello at the Utrecht Conservatoire. She now lives in Norwich and teaches cello in schools and privately. David Morgan was a lecturer of music at Norwich City College and he was Organist at St. Edmunds, Acle.

The programme consisted of Trio No.28 in D major - Haydn, Trio Op.36 - Steel and Trio on English Folk Songs - Rowley. They were due to play Sonate en Concert - Damase but played pieces by Elgar, Faure and Mendelssohn instead. The Dexterity Trio told us they would play Sonate en Concert at a later date.

This was a wonderful recital at St. Peter Mancroft Church which proved to be a fantastic finish to this Summer's Recital Series. This has been another successful series for Mancroft Music as yet again they have provided the people of Norwich with lots of splendid music.

Ashley Grote Organ Recital at Norwich Cathedral

On Monday 27th May 2013 I attended the Ashley Grote Bank Holiday Organ Recital at Norwich Cathedral which featured a special programme of music to celebrate the 60th anniversary of The Queen's Coronation. Ashley Grote is the Master of Music at Norwich Cathedral, he directs the Cathedral boy's and girl's choirs as well as Norwich Cathedral Consort.

The programme consisted of Coronation March - Orb and Sceptre - Walton, Prelude on Rhosymedre - Vaughan Williams, Trumpet Tune - Purcell, Organ Concerto in F Op 4 in G - Handel, Pomp and Circumstance March No.4 in G - Elgar, Prelude in E flat BWV 552 - Bach and Variations on America - Ives.

This was a wonderful morning's music at Norwich Cathedral which marked the 60th anniversary of The Queen's Coronation. Charles Ives write Variations on America in 1891, which he premiered at a recital celebrating the Fourth of July. The piece takes the tune of God Save The Queen through a series of fairly standard but witty variations. This proved to be an amazing and perfect way to finish this fantastic organ recital.

Ben Morris Organ Recital at Norwich Cathedral

On Thursday 18th April 2013 I went to Norwich Cathedral for the Ben Morris Big Screen Lunchtime Organ Recital. This was another opportunity for the music lovers of Norwich to experience more splendid organ music at this historic venue.

The programme consisted of Toccata in F BuxWV 156 - Buxtehude, Dies sind heilgen zehen Gebot BWV 678 - Bach, Prelude and Fugue in C BWV 547 - Bach, Chanson de Matin Op.15 No.2 - Elgar trans. A Herbert Brewer, Invocation and Dance - Morgan, Allegro vivace from Symphonie No.1 in D minor Op.14 - Vierne and Toccata from Pieces de Fantaisie Suite No.2 Op.53 - Vierne.

Ben Morris is Junior Organ Scholar and a Foundation Scholar at Jesus College, Cambridge, in his second year studying for a degree in Music. As Organ Scholar he accompanies the College's two choirs for regular Chapel services, assists the training of the boys choristers, occasionally conducts rehearsals and services, and accompanies their numerous concerts, tours and recordings.

I very much enjoyed this Organ Recital which included music composed by Dietrich Buxtehude, Johann Sebastian Bach and Louis Vierne. These big screen events are now becoming established at Norwich Cathedral and are a welcome addition to the music events in the fine city of Norwich.

New Year's Day Organ Recital at Norwich Cathedral

On Tuesday 1st January 2013 I attended the New Year's Day Organ Recital from Kris Thomsett at Norwich Cathedral which delivered some New Year cheer with a varied programme of organ favourites. The programme consisted of Carillon de Westminster - Vierne, Praeludium in C Bux137 - Buxtehude, Wachet Auf Ruft Uns Die Stimme BWV 645 - Bach, Dialogue Sur Les Mixtures - Langlais, Radetzky March - Johann Strauss, Toccata (Symphony No.5) - Widor and Hornpipe Humoresque - Rawsthorne.  Elgar's Nimod was added to the programme by Kris on the day.

Kris Thomsett is currently Organ Scholar of Norwich Cathedral, a post he will hold for the next three years whilst completing a degree in music at the University of East Anglia. Prior to coming to Norwich, Kris was Organ Scholar of Chelmsford Cathedral in Essex for his gap year. His role in Chelmsford, similar to that here, involved accompanying the daily services and regularly playing for the Cathedral Girls Choir.

Kris started the organ at the age of twelve, and at the age of fourteen was appointed Organ Scholar of All Saints parish church in Maidstone (Kent). After being there for just over a year, Kris then moved on to become Organ Scholar of the King's School in Rochester where he accompanied the schools' services in the Cathedral. Whilst there, Kris studied the organ with Roger Sayer. As well as playing the organ, Kris enjoys singing and has sung counter-tenor in Rochester, Chelmsford, and now Norwich, Cathedrals

This was a wonderful way to start the New Year as Norwich Cathedral was filled with wonderful organ music from the brilliant piece by Buxtehude to the traditional march from Johann Strauss. Kris Thomsett finished the recital with the jolly Hornpipe Humoresque which put lots of smiles on faces in the audience.

UEA Symphony Orchestra celebrate Britten

 
On Friday 23rd November 2012 I attended the UEA Symphony Orchestra's Britten Centenary Celebration Concert at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich with two unfinished masterpieces being performed. The orchestra were conducted by Sharon Andrea Choa. Soloists were Simon Smith - violin and Paul Silverthorne - viola. The programme consisted of Double Concerto for Violin, Viola and Orchestra in B minor - Britten and Symphony No.3 - Elgar/Payne.

Britten wrote the Double Concerto at the age of 18 but never realised the orchestral parts, nor sought to have it performed. The work only received its premiere in 1997, after completion by Colin Matthews. Anthony Payne (UEA’s Composer in Residence) had a great deal less material to work with – no score, but 130 pages of sketches – when he set out to complete Elgar’s unfinished 3rd Symphony, which also received its first performance in 1997, to great acclaim, at the BBC Proms.

This was a wonderful evening at St. Andrew's Hall to celebrate the centenary of Benjamin Britten which included a brilliant performance of his Double Concerto for Violin, Viola and Orchestra. Anthony Payne was in attendance with Elgar's Symphony No.3 being performed. This piece finishes on a fade out ending, with a ghostly echo of the symphony's opening in the very last bars. Payne took this cue from The Waggons Passes, from Elgar's 1930 Nursery Suite.

Celebrate at St. Peter Mancroft Church

On Saturday 30th June 2012 I attended the Julian Haggett Organ Recital at St. Peter Mancroft Church, Norwich in the Mancroft Music Summer Recital series. Celebrate was a recital marking the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. The music chosen included works by Walton and Elgar to mark this special year.

The programme consisted of Praeludium in F BuxWV 145 - Buxtehude, Crown Imperial - Walton, Nimrod - Elgar, Nun danket alle Gott BWV 657 - Bach, Chorale Prelude on Eventide - Parry, Chorale Prelude on Croft's 136th - Parry, Voluntary in A - Prelleur and Toccata from Symphony No.V - Widor.

This was a wonderful Summer Recital at St. Peter Mancroft Church in Norwich City Centre with a programme of music which celebrated the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in splendid style. Julian Haggett put on a delightful performance with Crown Imperial and Nimrod especially putting us all in a Jubilee mood.

Sea Pictures coming home to Norwich

On the evening of Saturday 26th May 2012 I attended my last event at this year's Norfolk and Norwich Festival as the London Philharmonic Orchestra along with the Festival Chorus at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich brought Elgar's Sea Pictures home. It's world premiere was at the Norfolk and Norwich Festival in 1899.

The programme consisted of Nocturnes - Debussy, Sea Pictures - Elgar and Gloria - Poulenc. The concert featured David Parry - conductor, Fflur Wyn - soprano, Anna Stephany - mezzo-soprano and John Andrews - chorus master. A wonderful programme of music to celebrate a piece of history. Seabirds are asleep, the world forgets to weep, sea murmurs her soft slumber song on the shadowy sand of this elfin land.

There was a special atmosphere at St. Andrew's Hall as the London Philharmonic Orchestra along with the Festival Chorus brought this year's Norfolk and Norwich to a glorious finale. We all partied like it was 1899 as the audience imagined how it was like with Edward Elgar conducting with Clara Butt as soloist at the world premiere at the same venue 113 years ago. I'm sure David Parry must have enjoyed conducting this performance.

Fflur Wyn and Anna Stephany were both in fine voice on a night that the London Philharmonic Orchestra brought worldclass classical music to Norwich. Along with Elgar's Sea Pictures there was memorable music by Debussy and Poulenc. Gloria was the perfect way to finish the concert. Gloria in excelsis Deo. Et in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis.

I Was Glad to be at St. Peter Mancroft Church

An Evening of English Song awaited us on the evening of Saturday 11th February 2012 at St. Peter Mancroft Church, Norwich from the Norwich Music Group with conductor Philip Aldred and leader Frances Banham. This concert was in support of Central Norfolk Stroke Services at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.

The programme consisted of The Clock Symphony - Haydn, Aria - Handel, Dear Lord and Father - Parry, Lux Aeterna - Elgar, Jerusalem - Parry, Faint with Love - Hawes, Love's Echo - Hawes, The Seals Lullaby - Whitacre, The Bluebird - Stanford, Quanta Qualia - Hawes, Blessed Pair of Sirens - Parry and I Was Glad - Parry.

One of the country's most popular and inspirational composers Patrick Hawes was in attended on the evening to make this a truly special night. Haydn's Clock Symphony is called this because of the ticking rhythm throughout the second movement and was a wonderful way to commence the concert. Veronica Grint gave a splendid performance of Handel before a trio of songs took us to the interval included a rousing version of Jerusalem which had the audience on their feet.

After the interval Patrick Hawes witnessed three of his own compositions which were performed to the highest standard by the Norwich Music Group and Sonia Waters. Faint with Love, Love's Echo and Quanta Qualia are all wonderful pieces that delighted us all at St. Peter Mancroft Church. The evening came to an end with two classic compositions from Parry. Blessed Pair of Sirens and I Was Glad which are always a delight to listen too and especially on an evening like this.

Bank Holiday Organ Recital at Norwich Cathedral

On Bank Holiday Monday 2nd January 2012 I attended the Norwich Cathedral Organ Recital from the Cathedral's Organ Scholar Kris Thomsett which attracted a large audience including some from the faraway land of Kent.

The programme consisted of In Dulci Jubilo BWV 729 - Bach, Imperial March - Elgar, Fantasia Ut re mi so fa - Byrd, La Nativite Du Seigneur - V - Les Enfants De Dieu - Messian, From the Orgelbuchlien: Herr Christ, Der Ein'Ge Gottes-Sohn BWV 601, Lob Sei Dem Allmachtigen Gott BWV 602, Von Himmel Hoch, Da Komm' Ich Her BWV 606 - Bach, Noel etranger - D'Aquin, Passacaglia in D BuxWV 161 - Buxtehude, Hymne d'actions de graces Te Deum (from Trois paraphases gregoriennes Op.5) - Langlais and Festmusick from Vag a leve (Dare to live) - Takle.

This was a wonderful and varied programme that thrilled everyone in attendance at Norwich Cathedral at the beginning of a new year. A time to celebrate and as the closing piece states dare to live. 

Elgar back home at Norwich's St. Andrew's Hall

I was back at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich on Saturday 10th December 2011 for the latest Norwich Philharmonic Orchestra concert which always means a large audience at this historic venue. This was a special night due to the links between Sir Edward Elgar and concert sponsors Hansells. The composer become good friends with Norwich solicitor Walter Hansell when he came to Norwich in 1905 to rehearse for the triennial Norwich Music Festival. The night's concert featured Elgar's Cello Concerto.

On the evening the Norwich Philharmonic Orchestra were conducted by Matthew Andrews with Philadelphia born Bartholomew LaFollette as cello soloist. the full programme consisted of Helios Overture - Nielsen, Cello Concerto in E minor - Elgar, Egdon Heath - Holst and Symphony No.5 in E flat - Sibelius.

The opening piece of the evening Helios Overture was composed by Nielsen in 1903 while in Athens and inspired by the sight of the sun rising over the Aegean Sea. This was followed by Elgar's Cello Concerto in E minor which included an incredible performance from soloist Bartholomew LaFollette who along with his cello made St. Andrew's Hall his own which resulted in loud and warm applause from the enthusiastic audience.

After the interval we were given a splendid performance of Egdon Heath, Holst's portrait of a landscape which was inspired by Thomas Hardy's The Return of the Native. This was followed by my highlight of the night with music by one of my favourite composers. Sibelius composed his Symphony No.5 in E flat as part of the celebrations for his fiftieth birthday in 1915 though the definitive score was not released until 1919.

This was a mighty way to finish the concert and how better to conclude then with the six massive majestic strokes at the end of the Symphony. This was a night of triumph for the Norwich Philharmonic Society who for 171 years has it's main object to promote and perform orchestral and choral music. Tonight they performed orchestral music that they can be very proud of.

Music of the Spirit

On the evening of Saturday 26th November 2011 I made my way back to St. Peter Mancroft Church, Norwich for The Jay Singers Music of the Spirit concert directed by Neil MacKenzie who is their new conductor and is a graduate of Clare College, Cambridge. He was a founder member of The Sixteen and later joined the BBC Singers.

The programme consisted of Der Geist Hilft - Bach, Looquebantur - Tallis, Justorum Animae - Byrd, Justorum Animae - Stanford, Never Weather Beaten Sail - Campian, Five Folksongs - Williams, My Spirit Sang All Day - Finzi, Deep In My Soul - Elgar, Ave Maris Stella - Grieg, The Gallant Weaver - MacMillan and Five Negro Spirituals - Tippert.

The Jay Singers have been in existence for more than 15 years as one of the foremost choirs in East Anglia and what a joy it was to be at St. Peter Mancroft Church on Saturday evening with singing of the highest quality. Byrd's Justorum Animae was out of this world. A wonderful time was had by all as we celebrated the music of the spirit.

Henry Macey Organ Recital

St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich was full of the Henry Macey Fan Club on Tuesday lunchtime as we were treated to an Organ recital that warmed our hearts. With a varied programme there was something for everyone.

The programme consisted of Voluntary No.3 in C - Beckwith, Passacaglia and Fugue in C minor BWV 582 - Bach, Pastorale (Six Pieces) - Franck, Eucharistia, Meditation on East Aklam - Watson, Pomp and Circumstance March No.4 in G major - Elgar, Le Cygne (The Swan) - Saint-Saens and Toccata - Lanquetuit.

Henry Macey is organist at Aylsham Parish Church and gave a wonderful performance in this splendid historical Norwich Hall. When a swan swims it sits on the water. When you hear great organ music you feel very privileged. This was a lunchtime treat not to be missed.