Reflections at Norwich Playhouse

On Saturday 21st January 2012 I made my way to Norwich Playhouse for The Paul Cross Memorial Concert presented by The Norfolk and Norwich Novi Sad Association. The concert was entitled Reflections and featured a piano recital from Rita Kinka. The concert raised money for the Milan Petrovic School for children with special needs in Novi Sad.

The programme consisted of An die ferne Geliebte (to the distant lover) transcription of the songs - Beethoven - Liszt, Gondoliera from Annees de Pelerinage, Italy 2nd year - Liszt, Jeux d'eaux - Liszt, Legende no.2 St. Franciscus marchant sur les flots - Liszt, Echoes - Mokranjac and Pictures at an Exhibition - Mussorgsky.

Serbian Rita Kinka gave a brilliant performance that delighted everyone in attendance at Norwich Playhouse on an emotional evening. The highlight of the recital had to be Echoes, a piece which is reflective and gentle composed by Vasilije Mokranjac who is probably the most famous Serbian composer.

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.

Ades conducts Ades at The Barbican

On Sunday 15th January 2012 I marked my birthday by attending the London Symphony Orchestra's concert at The Barbican which featured Thomas Ades - conductor, Nicolas Hodges - piano and Toby Spence - tenor. This was a concert when Ades conducted Ades on a wonderful evening in the City of London.

I made my way from Norwich to London by train via Cambridge and after a tea of thai red curry, aubergine, butternut squash and oyster mushroom, jasmine rice with flat bread and mango pickle at The Barbical Foodhall I eagerly looked forward to the concert.

The programme consisted of Hidd'n Blue - Francisco Coll, In Seven Days for Piano and Orchestra - Thomas Ades, Selection from Des Knaben Wunderhorn - Mahler and Tevot - Thomas Ades. To mark the start of 2012, the year of the London Olympics the London Symphony Orchestra has chosen to feature British music and the work of living British composers.

This was the world premiere of a revised Hidd'n Blue from Francisco Coll who is a current pupil of Thomas Ades. The composer described his work as 3D music for a virtuoso orchestra of the 21st century. This was an exciting start to the programme with a piece that was full of colour and the union of opposites.

In Seven Days was originally conceived as a joint work in collaboration with film-maker and video artist Tal Rosner. Tonight it was performed by piano and orchestra without the visuals. The piece has seven movements reflecting the seven days of Biblical creation. On the first day God created heaven and earth, and light and darkness. By day four we have stars, the sun and the moon. On day seven we reach contemplation.

Between 1887 and 1901 Gustav Mahler set two dozen poems from Des Knaben Wunderhorn which translate to The Boy's Wonder Horn, a collection of folk-style verse by Achim von Arnim and Clemens Brentano. Tonight we experienced a selection of these with tenor Toby Spence.

The concert concluded with Tevot which is another Thomas Ades composition. The Hebrew word tevot is the ordinary musical term for bars and can also mean words. It appears just twice in the Bible. For the ark built by Noah and for the reed basket made by Moses' mother to float him on the Nile.

The highlight of the concert for me was Tevot which gave us a magnificent uplifting sonic experience to crown a night of splendid music. The Barbican is a great place to be on your birthday especially with a programme of brilliant music. Thomas Ades and the London Symphony Orchestra are a winning combination.  

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. 

New Year celebrations at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich

Two hours later I made my way to St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich for the Norwich Pops Orchestra's New Year's Day Concert which featured a programme of traditional Viennese favourites. Conductor for the afternoon was Geoff Davidson who insists that Andre Rieu is after his spot but while he can still raise his baton the Austrian Waltz King will not grace this stage.

The programme consisted of Estudiantina Waltz - Waldteufel, Overture Morning, Noon and Night in Vienna - Von Suppe, Egyptian March - Johann Strauss II, Waltz Wine, Women and song - Johann Strauss II, Annen Polka - Johann Strauss II, Ballsirenen Waltz from The Merry Widow - Johann Strauss II, Schnellpost Polka - Johann Strauss II, Polka from Schwanda the Bagpiper - Weinberger, Gold and Silver Waltz - Lehar, Scene and Waltz from Swan Lake - Tchaikovsky, Leichtes Blut Polka Schnell - Johann Strauss II, Quodlibet A Guid New Year - Arr Geoff Davidson, Waltz On the Beautiful Blue Danube - Johann Strauss II and (Encore) Radetsky March - Johann Strauss II.

This was the sixth time that the Orchestra have brought the flavour of a traditional Viennese concert to New Year's Day at St. Andrew's Hall which was packed and resulted in the venue selling out of programmes. The concert was full of fun and humour as Geoff Davidson entertained us between the music. We all left the Hall humming the tunes with smiles on our faces looking forward to the new year.

New Year's Day Recital at St. Peter Mancroft Church

On Sunday 1st January 2012 there was no better way to welcome the new year then to attend the Mancroft Music New Year's Day Recital at St. Peter Mancroft Church, Norwich. This Organ Recital was given by Julian Haggett who is Organist at this historic Norwich Church.

The programme consisted of Praeludium in g No.1 - Tunder, Hymnus Rex Christe factor omnium (O Christ, our King, Creator, Lord) - Praetorius, Motet coloration Alleluja, laudem dicite deo nostro (Allejuia, declare praise to our God) - Scheidemann, Piece d'Orgue BWV 572 - Bach, Sonata No.II in d - Mendelssohn and 5 Chorale Variations on: Herr Jesus hat ein Gartchen - Peeters.

This was a wonderful celebration of Northern European Organ Music to bring in the new year. The Church looked beautiful with displays of colourful flowers as we were treated to a splendid programme that included Heinrich Scheidemann's Allejuia, declare praise to our God.

The Nutcracker at the London Coliseum

On Friday 30th December 2011 I made the traditional Christmas journey to London to attend a performance of Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker. My festive destination was the London Coliseum for the English National Ballet's production of this timeless classic. This production was premiered last year, the creation of which was captured on the BBC documentary Agony and Ecstasy: a year at English National Ballet.

A combination of Wayne Eagling's choreography and Peter Farmer's designs brought us the magic of Christmas while showing a darker version with the threatening presence of the Mouse King being felt throughout the ballet until finally good triumphs over evil. The Orchestra of English National Ballet played beautifully at this historic London Theatre while Anais Chalendard was outstanding in the role of Clara.

The audience at the London Coliseum were taken on a journey back in time with the English National Ballet to a frost-covered, gas lit world with Clara, her Nutcracker doll and the mysterious Drosselmeyer in this traditional, festive tale full of Edwardian elegance. On Christmas Eve under the candlelit tree Clara battles with the Mouse King and falls in love with a handsome Prince. As the snowflakes begin to fall Clara and her Nutcracker take a balloon ride across the frosty skyline to the Land of Snow where her adventure really begins.

This was a magical and memorable treat not to be missed and showed us all the magic of Christmas combined with wonderful ballet and music. The setting was perfect as we were all enchanted by this perfect festive story. Christmas is not complete without The Nutcracker. 

Christmas celebrated at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich

On Tuesday 20th December 2011 I attended the Norwich Philharmonic Family Christmas Concert at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich featuring the Norwich Philharmonic Chorus, Norfolk Brass and Norwich Lower School Chamber Choir. This concert which was fundraising in support of Help for Heroes also featured conductor David Dunnett and organist Timothy Patient.

St. Andrew's Hall was filled with Christmas spirit as the choir and audience sang a number of Christmas carols. The sound of O Come All Ye Faithful, Good King Wenceslas, While Shepherds Watched and Hark! The Herald Angels Sing echoed around the venue as we all got into a festive mood.

Norfolk Brass gave a wonderful performance which included White Christmas while the Norwich Lower School Chamber Choir delighted us with Little Donkey. The Norwich Philharmonic Chorus were in fine voice all night. Timothy Patient gave an organ solo of Mr Mozart Takes a Sleigh Ride on a night to celebrate Christmas.

La traviata at The Royal Opera House

I was back at The Royal Opera House for La traviata in the evening with The Royal Opera performing Verdi's classic opera. This was another opportunity to experience the magical atmosphere at this historic Covent Garden venue.

La traviata is is an opera in three acts by Giuseppe Verdi set to an Italian libretto by Francesco Maria Piave based on Alexandre Dumas Fils's play La dame aux Camelias. The title means The Fallen Woman and was originally entitled Violetta.

In Act I Violetta Valery greets party guests at her Paris salon which include Flora with her escort the Marquis d'Obigny. Gastone introduces Alfredo Germont to Violetta and tells her that Alfredo called on her anxiously each day during her recent illness. Everyone joins in a song in praise of wine and pleasure called Libiamo ne' lieti calici.

Music is heard from another room and Violetta invites her guests to dance. Suddenly she feels unsteady and tells the others to go on without her. Alfredo stays behind and confesses his love for Violetta who protests that love means nothing to her. While alone Violetta reflects on Alfredo's unexpected declaration of love but recalls that she is destined for a life of pleasure.

Act 2 begins with Alfredo reflecting on three idyllic months he has now spent with Violetta at a country house near Paris. Annina arrives to tell Alfredo that she was sent to Paris by Violetta who has been selling her belongings to pay for their life together. Alfredo's father Germont arrives and accuses Violetta of ruining his son. He is shocked to find out that she is supporting the couple. Germont begs Violetta to leave Alfredo as their liaison is putting his daughter's forthcoming marriage into jeopardy and eventually she agrees.

Violetta scibbles a note and gives it to Annina and begins another to Alfredo but is interrupted by his return. Violetta wants reassurance of Alfredo's love for her before she runs away. Alfredo is comforted by his Father but he is inconsolable and goes to Flora's party and swears to avenge himself. At the party Flora and her new lover discuss the seperation of Alfredo and Violetta while a group of guests dressed as gypsies sing and some real gypsies dance.

Alfredo challenged Baron Douphol to a game of cards which the Baron loses and swears revenge. Violetta begs Alfredo to escape from the Baron's wrath and he agrees if she follows him. She tells Alfredo that she cannot go with him because she now loves the Baron. In anger he flings his winnings at Violetta and tells everyone he has paid back for their time together. The Baron swears to avenge the insult to Violetta.

In Act III Violetta is desperately ill and has only a few hours to live. She reads a letter from Germont explaining that Alfredo who fled the country after wounding the Baron in a duel and is coming to beg her to pardon him. Alfredo arrives and falls into Violetta's arms asking her to forgive him and his father. Violetta rallies briefly and gives Alfredo a locket containing her portrait telling him that if he marries he must give it to his bride she then collapses and dies.

The whole cast gave a splendid performance especially Ailyn Perez who played Violetta Valery. Piotr Beczala was outstanding as Alfredo which gave the magic of Verdi something special to make this an evening to remember. A night of laughter and tears that moved everyone at The Royal Opera House.

The Sleeping Beauty at The Royal Opera House

I made my way on an early morning train to London on Saturday 17th December 2011 eagerly looking forward to my visit to The Royal Opera House. It was a 12 noon start for the matinee performance of The Sleeping Beauty by The Royal Ballet so as soon as I arrived at Liverpool Street I made my way to Covent Garden.

The Sleeping Beauty was first performed at the Mariinsky Theatre, St. Petersburg in 1890.This was the ballet where Marius Petipa and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky expressed their genius to perfection. Today it is a cornerstone of The Royal Ballet's repertory. It was an afternoon to be taken to a world of fairytales full of splendour and colour with wonderful dancing.

King Florestan XXIV and his Queen have invited all the fairies to be godmothers at the christening of Princess Aurora. In her anger at not being invited Carabosse the Wicked Fairy gives Aurora a spindle saying that one day the Princess will prick her finger and die. The Lilac Fairy promises that Aurora will not die but fall into a deep sleep and will be woken by a prince's kiss.

At Princess Aurora's 16th birthday four princes vie for her hand in marriage. As Aurora dances she is given a spindle by an old woman which she pricks her finger with and falls into a dead faint. The old women reveals herself as Carabosse. The Lilac Fairy appears to fulfil her promise and casts a spell of sleep over everyone causing a thick forest to grow over the palace.

One hundred years later Prince Florimund is hunting in the forest when the Lilac Fairy appears and shows him a vision of Princess Aurora. Outside the palace gates the Lilac Fairy repells Carabosse and at last Prince Florimund awakens Princess Aurora with a kiss. Fairytale characters come to the wedding of Prince Florimund and Princess Aurora. They all join in the celebrations and the Lilac Fairy blesses the marriage.

This was a magical afternoon to be at the Royal Opera House. It was an amazing experience to see The Royal Ballet perform live especially as The Sleeping Beauty is such a wonderful story and spectacle to watch. Tchaikovsky's music was performed brilliantly by the Orchestra of The Royal Opera House. A special mention needs to go out to Marianela Nunez who danced the role of Princess Aurora splendidly and completely delighted the audience. The Royal Ballet brought amazing movement and colour to this enchanting fairytale.