Norwich City Concert Band at Chapelfield Gardens

On the afternoon of Sunday 18th August 2013 I attended the Norwich City Concert Band Bandstand Concert at Chapelfield Gardens, Norwich. This was in the series of concerts organised by Norwich City Council and Brian Dermott on every Sunday from June to August in various Norwich parks. The Lord Mayor of Norwich was in attendance to present Brian Dermott who was conducting the Norwich City Concert Band with a certificate to celebrate fifteen years of organising the Norwich Parks Bandstand Concerts.

Norwich City Concert Band (NCCB) was the brain-child of Bill Moore (an ex-military musician) who after discovering that Norwich had its own Municipal Military Band earlier in the twentieth century set about forming a band, together with players of an ensemble called “Enigma”. In March 1997, after many years of playing with friends in “The Enigma Ensemble”, Bill and four members of the ensemble, (Nicola Ingham, Louise Ladiman, Sue Wensley and Ann Wilson), decided to turn Bill’s vision into a reality. Thanks to the financial support from the Norwich City Council and Arts 4 All, auditions were held in August 1997.

The band held it’s first rehearsal in October 1997. This took place at Bignold First and Middle School, on Wessex Street, in Norwich. Peter Smith was appointed as the Director of Music. The band’s first year was successful with a debut concert on the 22nd March 1998 in Blackfriars Hall, Norwich. The band performed an open air concert as part of the Lord Mayor’s Celebrations in June 1998.

The Norwich City Concert Band opened the concert with the Gladiators Entrance and then entertained us with music from Les Miserables. They also performed the Dam Busters March and a medley of The Beatles hits. They finished the concert with Handel's Royal Fireworks Suites 1 and 4. This was a wonderful afternoon in Chapelfield Gardens full of fantastic music and beautiful sunshine.

Eve Daniell and Tom Primrose at St. Peter Mancroft Church

On Saturday 22nd June 2013 I attended the Eve Daniell and Tom Primrose Summer Recital at St. Peter Mancroft Church, Norwich. I just made the start of the Recital after watching The Lions beat Australia with a two minute dash from Timberhill.

The programme consisted of Mio Caro Bene from Rodelinda - Handel, An die Musik - Schubert, Standchen - Schubert, La Diva de L'Empire - Satie, Schlagende Herzen - Richard Strauss, Befreit - Richard Strauss and On this island - Britten.

British/Canadian soprano Eve Daniell is attending the Royal Academy of Music in London. She attended the University of Victoria and holds performing diplomas in voice and piano from the Royal Conservatory of Music. She has performed as Witch and Mother in Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel and Sorceress in Purcell's Dido and Aeneas.

Tom Primrose is studying piano accompaniment at the Royal Academy of Music. Before this he was Assistant Organist and Director of the Girls' Choir at Norwich Cathedral. He is director of the Symphony Choir at the UEA, working regularly with the Symphony Orchestra. He is also Artistic Co-Director of the Southrepps Classical Music Festival.

This was a wonderful Recital at St. Peter Mancroft Church with both Eve Daniell and Tom Primrose giving splendid performances. Thanks to both of them for standing in at short notice for this Mancroft Music Summer Recital. It was fantastic to hear Benjamin Britten's On this island in his Centenary Year.

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.

Coronation Music at St. Peter Mancroft Church

On the evening of Saturday 20th April 2013 I attended the Keswick Hall Choir with Norwich Baroque's Coronation Music concert directed by Christopher Duarte at St. Peter Mancroft Church, Norwich. This event was planned to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's coronation in 1953.

The programme consisted of Zadok the Priest - Handel, The King shall rejoice HWV - Handel, The Lord God is a sun and a shield - Blow, Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem - Boyce, My heart is inditing Z.30 - Purcell, The King shall rejoice - Boyce, Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem Z.46 - Purcell, The Lord is a sun and a shield - Croft, Let thy hand be strengthened HWV 259 - Handel and My heart is inditing HWV 261 - Handel.

Handel's anthem Zadok the Priest has been a feature of every coronation since that of George II in 1727 and is a great way to start any concert. Zadok the Priest and Nathan the Prophet anointed Solomon King. And all the people rejoiced and said: God save the King! Long live the King! May the King live forever. Alleluia. Amen. As well as George Frideric Handel there was music by John Blow, William Boyce, Henry Purcell and William Croft on a night of royal celebrations at St. Peter Mancroft Church.

This was the first time that the Keswick Hall Choir and Norwich Baroque had performed together. The Coronation Music concert proved to be a great success as a large audience were treated to a wonderful programme of music that filled both this historic church and our hearts. Kings shall be thy nursing fathers and Queens thy nursing mothers.

Israel in Egypt at St. Andrew's Hall

On the evening of Saturday 28th April 2012 I was back in Norwich City Centre for the Keswick Hall Choir and Academy of St. Thomas concert at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich when they performed Handel's Israel in Egypt. This performance featured Nicki Kennedy - soprano, Rebecca Mundy - soprano, Andrew Radley - countertenor and Joshua Ellicott - tenor. The Academy of St. Thomas were conducted by John Alpin.

Handel’s oratorio Israel in Egypt was written three years before the Messiah in 1738 and, like the Messiah, is somewhat atypical of the composer’s oratorios. Scored for double chorus and an orchestra using trombones, trumpets, timpani, woodwinds and strings with continuo, Israel in Egypt contains relatively little solo material but is dominated by large-scale virtuosic choruses that fully exploit Handel’s lavish and sophisticated word-painting.

This was a wonderful night at St. Andrew's Hall as the Keswick Hall Choir and the Academy of St. Thomas brought us a performance of the highest quality of this splendid piece from Handel. The Lord shall reign for ever and ever. I will sing unto the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously, the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.

HarmonieMusik at St. Thomas' Church

On the evening of Wednesday 11th April 2012 I attended the HarmonieMusik concert at St. Thomas' Church, Norwich which turned out to be a splendid night of wonderful chamber music at this great venue for live music on Earlham Road.

 The programme consisted of Trio Sonata in G minor (flute, oboe and harpsichord) - Handel, Mr Marvels (wind quartet) - Frost, Trio (flute, oboe and piano) - Dring, Trois pieces pour une musique de nuit (wind quartet) - Bozza, Trio sonata in D minor (2 treble recorders and harpsichord) - Sammartini and Trio Pathetique (clarinet, bassoon and piano) - Glinka.

There is always variety in the programming of HarmonieMusik concerts with pieces ranging from baroque sonatas of the early eighteenth century to works written specially for them. This was a brilliant evening which was enjoyed by the audience with my personal highlight being the Glinka piece for clarinet, bassoon and piano.

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.

Trio at Norwich Assembly House

On Friday 20th January 2012 I attended the Britten Sinfonia at Lunch concert at Norwich Assembly House which featured works for oboe, bassoon and piano. There was a large crowd at this historic venue for a colourful and varied programme that showed the full range of musical possibilities with this combination of instruments.

With a line-up of Nicholas Daniel - oboe, Sarah Burnett - bassoon and Huw Watkins - piano Britten Sinfonia brought us a programme that consisted of Trio Sonata No.24 - Handel, Trio for piano, oboe and bassoon - Andre Previn, The Homing Call - Elspeth Brooke and Trio for oboe, bassoon and piano - Poulenc.

Half way through the final piece of music being played a member of the audience collapsed and unfortunately brought the concert to an early finish. As you would expect the music played was of the highest standard and was the world premiere of Elspeth Brooke's The Homing Call. This was a jazz influenced concert and showed Britten Sinfonia's commitment to playing in Norwich.

Sounds of Splendour fill St. Peter Mancroft with joy

On Saturday 8th October 2011 it was the first of the Autumn 2011 Recitals at St. Peter Mancroft Church, Norwich  with the Sounds of Splendour featuring music for trumpet and organ. John Coulton and David Dunnett were back by popular demand to have our ears jumping for joy.

John Coulton has worldwide experience recording and performing live with some of the world's best musicians. He has performed the Shostakovich Concerto for Piano and Trumpet at the Proms and is a regular on the East of England music scene.

David Dunnett is the Organist and Master of Music at Norwich Cathedral as well as choral conductor of the Norwich Philharmonic Society. Along with John Coulton he has recorded Sounds of Splendour and Sounds of Grandeur featuring music for trumpet and organ.

The programme consisted of Prelude to the Te Deum - Charpentier, La Rejouissance - Telemann, Suite in D major for Trumpet and Strings - Handel, Trois Prieres Sans Paroles - Damase, The Prayer of Saint Gregory - Hovhaness, Marche Triomphale - Guilmant, Shenandoah - Traditional and Tico Tico - Abreu.

We had the extremes of the pair playing in front of us to them playing in the heavens of the church which made for an exciting and varied recital. This was a wonderful and splendid way to start the new series of Autumn Recitals presented by Mancroft Music.

The Madness of George III at Norwich Theatre Royal

On Monday 19th September 2011 I attended The Madness of George III by Alan Bennett at Norwich Theatre Royal. The King was played by David Haig as we were taken back to London,Winsdor and Kew in 1788-89.

King George III was struck down by a series of physical and psychiatric symptoms which meant he couldn't carry on his duties as sovereign and an Act of Regency loomed. Doctors were summoned to give a diagnosis of the King's illness including Dr Francis Willis who would recommend fresh air, regular exercise and farm work in the Lincolnshire countryside.

With wonderful costumes and great use of the stage scenery we were treated to an amazing evening's entertainment. Complete with the music of Handel there were many laughs throughout the play which resulted in a standing ovation at the end. You would be mad to miss it!

Come and Sing at St. Peter Mancroft Church

On Saturday 17th September 2011 Norwich based Viva Voce Singers put on a wonderful concert of music at St. Peter Mancroft Church, Norwich complete with a Come and Sing Choir.

Directed by Jody Butler the programme for the evening was Ave Maria, O vos omnes, Jesu dulcis memoria, O quam gloriosum - de Victoria. The Gipsy's Wedding Day, Dalvisa (Swedish Folk Song Melody), Country Gardens - Grainger. Zadok the Priest - Handel and Gloria in D RV589 - Vivaldi.

It was brilliant to hear the Viva Voce Singers perform the Tomas Luis de Victoria works in this historic Norwich church. O how glorious is the kingdom in which all the saints rejoice with Christ. Clad in robes of white, they follow the Lamb wherever he goes.

When it came to Percy Grainger we all had smiles on our faces and great fun was had by all. Country Gardens being a big crowd pleaser.

It was then time for the Come and Sing Choir to join the Viva Voce Singers to create a big wall of sound which filled the whole church. Everyone was singing with great enthusiasm first with Handel's Zadok the Priest followed by Vivaldi's Gloria.  We all rejoiced in the moment on another very enjoyable night of glorious music at St. Peter Mancroft Church. 

Sounds of Norwich Cathedral

I can hear the violin being played at Norwich Cathedral. Faster and faster the sounds go around my head. Handel and Bach with notes from long ago that still excite. My hearts starts to beat in rhythm to the music, full of thrills complete with sonatas and concertos.

Oh Mr Piano man play some Franz Liszt maybe a Hungarian Rhapsody that will fill the nave with pretty notes that will have my fingers tapping. A musical poem on the keyboards that gets my brain thinking.

For a thousand years beautiful noises have echoed around this splendid building, from the time of The Normans to the present day. Take a bow to the loud applause as the crowd asks for an encore of Dvorak's Three Slavonic Dances.

The Brook Street Band at the Eaton Concert Series

On Sunday 4th September 2011 I made my way to St. Andrew's Church, Eaton, Norwich for the first of the Sunday afternoon concerts in the Eaton Concert Series for the 2011/12 season. The opening date saw a performance from The Brook Street Band performing a splendid programme of Baroque Music including works from Handel, Bach and Vivaldi.

The programme for the concert was Violin sonata in D major Op 5 No 1 - Corelli, Cello sonata in C major Op 3 No 10 - Jacchini, Lascia ch'io pianga - Handel, Cello sonata in B flat major No 1 RV 47 - Vivaldi, Violin sonata in F major HWV 370 - Handel, Allemande from Partita No 4 in D major BWV 828 - Bach, Cello sonata in D Major - Telemann and Violin sonata in D minor Op 5 No 12 La Follia - Corelli.

Farran Scott on Baroque violin, Tatty Theo on Baroque cello and Carolyn Gibley on Harpsichord provided us with wonderful performances of the highest quality which were greatly enjoyed by the audience. With great enthusiasm and expert commentary between works The Brook Street Band was an inspired choice to open this season's Eaton Concert Series.

Sunday afternoon at Norwich Assembly House

The Assembly House, Norwich venue for the
Ensemble Millefleurs concert

On Sunday afternoon I attended the UEA School of Music concert at The Assembly House, Norwich. This performance was from the Ensemble Millefleurs with Erika Arul as Conductor and Kumaran Arul as Pianist Soloist.

The programme consisted of Concerto Grosso Opus 6 No.2 - Handel, Appalachian Spring - Copland and Piano Concerto No.5 Opus 73 "Emperor" - Beethoven.

This was a delightful way to spend a Sunday afternoon at this historic Norwich building with a programme of wonderful music. Starting with Handel's Opus 6, No.2 that was performed in the style of the early twentieth century.

We were then treated to Aaron Copland's Appalachian Spring that evokes the spirit of the American pioneers. A Spring celebration of a bride and her marriage to a farmer starting a new life in their Pennsylvania farmhouse.

The highlight of the concert was Beethoven's Piano Concerto No.5 Opus 73 "Emperor" which was composed in 1809 after the composer had survived Napoleon's bombardment of Vienna. As with the Handel performance this was performed with inspiration from the earliest recordings of this work.

At the end of the concert there was a retiring collecting for Come Singing! This is a singing group in Norfolk for people of all ages living with dementia.

Messiah at the Barbican

On Good Friday I made my way to London for the Huddersfield Choral Society's performance of Handel's Messiah at the Barbican Centre which was part of their 175th anniversary season. Also performing were Elizabeth Watts - Soprano, Dame Felicity Palmer - Mezzo-soprano, Mark Le Brocq - Tenor and Christopher Purves - Baritone. Conductor for the evening was Joseph Cullen with the City of London Sinfonia.

My journey to the Barbican included a train from Norwich to Ingatestone then coach to Newbury Park before catching the tube to Liverpool Street. It's only a ten minute walk to the Barbican from Liverpool Street where I enjoyed a coffee and chocolate brownie before making a visit to the Museum of London. Before the performance I returned to the Barbican to enjoy a delicious cauliflower and sweet potato curry.

Handel composed Messiah in London during the Summer of 1741 and premiered the work in Dublin the following year. Handel repeatedly revised the work until reaching it's most familiar version in 1754. Part One is the prophecy and realisation of God's plan to redeem mankind by the Coming of the Messiah. Part Two is the accomplishment of redemption by the sacrifice of Jesus, mankind's rejection of the offer, and mankind's utter defeat.

I was particularly looking forward to the performance of Elizabeth Watts who was a chorister at Norwich Cathedral. She won the Rosenblatt Recital Song Prize at the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World competition in 2007. Her excellent recording of Bach Cantatas was released this year. I've also been listening to the Huddersfield Choral Society's new recording of Messiah that I highly recommend.

It was a splendid evening with brilliant performances from all the soloists complemented by the choir and orchestra. The acoustics at the Barbican are top class along with the excellent facilities at the venue made this such an enjoyable experience. Messiah is a much loved work that is very closely associated with the Huddersfield Choral Society. Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth, goodwill towards men.

Norwich Cathedral echoes to the sound of Baroque!

Norwich Cathedral echoes to the sounds
of Bach and Handel

Norwich Cathedral Consort and Norwich Baroque presented an evening of music from Bach and Handel last night. I made my way to the Cathedral in the cold looking forward to and evening of vibrant baroque music.

Norwich Cathedral is a beautiful and stunning venue to experience classical music. The programme of events were Bach's Zadok The Priest and Dixit Dominus. After the interval it was Bach's Magnificat.

Conductor for the evening was David McKee. Leader - Philip Yeeles. Sopranos - Jayne May-Sysum and Billie Robson. Countertenor - Tim Carleston. Tenor - Richard Pratt. Bass - Paul Charrier.

Zarok the priest and Nathan the prophet anointed Solomon king and all the people rejoiced and said: "God save the king. Long live the king. May the king live forever. Amen."

Zarok the priest was composed by Handel using texts from the King James Bible, written to be played at the coronation of George II. It's a very rousing piece of music full of Amens with the chorus ending on "Allelujah". 

Dixit Dominus was written by Handal during his first three year visit to Rome in 1707. This is a majestic masterpiece that brings to life Psalm 110. The Lord said unto my Lord: "Sit thou on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy foot-stool."

During the interval I had an orange juice and relaxed in this truly stunning building. The second half of the programme was devoted to Bach's Magnificat that was composed in 1723 for the Christmas Vespers in Leipzig. The text was later altered by Bach to make it suitable for year-round performance. Magnificat is very striking and joyous that uplifted the spirits of everyone in attendance last night.

Thank you to the Norwich Cathedral Consort and Norwich Baroque for a brilliant night of music. They proved Baroque can be a way of life!