SOUNDS GREAT
Newsletter No 2
26 April 2007
In this edition:
‘a
Page 1 of 6
Page
About the newsletter
1
"Spot the Error" corner
OIaRNiBGDe
Borat in Piccadilly
What Beethoven might have heard?
Mattila sings Leonore
Choral Society events - with a plus
Bridging the gap
Laurence Olivier in Brighton
A Hungarian feast
South Bank - free and not so free
South Bedfordshire's new theatre
Musical Backroom Personality of the Month
Subscribers’ Section?
ABOUT THE NEWSLETTER
Now that we have two editions to form a trend, | can say some things about what
this newsletter is and is not.
e
It is, and is only, an eclectic collection of interesting and unusual things that happen to cross
my desk, that | think are worth passing on or sharing with others.
e
It is not a selection of my recommendations or endorsements. Sounds Great is there to tell
you about what is on, not to tell you what you should go and listen to.
e
Itis not plugs for advertisers. If from time to time you find that | am commenting on an event
that is also advertised in Sounds Great, that will only be because the correspondence
surrounding the placing of the advertisement may lead me to find out more about the
performance than | would otherwise have known.
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And lastly, it is and will continue to be utterly unreliable. | do it when there is time, and | don't
promise to do it to any particular schedule.
As a trial innovation for this edition, | have included some recommendations and comments from
subscribers. | would be happy in future editions to act as a transmission agent if anyone wants to
share enthusiasms about particular works or performers.
teakirsten
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Sounds Great and this newsletter are edited by Brian Marquard and published by Calliope Arts Limited. Company information and
contact details are available on our website at www.soundsgreat.co.uk. All information included in this newsletter is published in
good faith as it is received from event organisers or copied from websites. We have not verified the information independently and
readers of the newsletter are advised to check accuracy independently before acting on it.
SOUNDS GREAT
Newsletter No 2
26 April 2007
Page 3 of 6
CHORAL SOCIETY EVENTS - WITH A PLUS
May sees a
number of choral
society events of special
interest:
¢
Darrel Davison's last concert with the Haslemere Music
Society on 12 May also sees the first performance of
his new work specially commissioned by the Society.
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At St Joseph's Church, Highgate Hill, also on 12 May, the
Highgate Choral Society celebrates local composer Paul
Patterson's 60th birthday with a performance of his Stabat Mater.
¢
On 19 May at All Saints Church in Marlow, The Wooburn Singers celebrates the 40th
anniversary of the founding of the choir by Sir Richard Hickox. The music, chosen by the
choir from the repertoire over that period, includes items performed under each of their
directors: Richard Hickox, Stephen Jackson, Jeremy Backhouse and Greg Beardsell. There
will be a reception afterwards in nearby Court Garden House to which all of the audience
are invited, and all four of the directors will be present.
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In Guildford Cathedral on 19 May the Vivace Chorus, with Jeremy Backhouse conducting,
give the first major performance of works by local composer Will Todd. Bob Chilcott's A
Little Jazz Mass is also on the programme.
In parenthesis: One hopes Jeremy Backhouse doesn't need to break any
|
speed limits in what might be his hasty journey from Guildford to Marlow
on the evening of Saturday 19 May. The slightly later start of the Marlow
concert will no doubt be helpful.
*
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| am indebted to a subscriber for drawing my attention to the
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BRIDGING THE GAP
‘
Southbank Sinfonia,
previously a
regrettable absentee from these
/-- pages. Southbank Sinfonia (their website tells me) is the inspiration
BX of Simon Over, its Music Director who, while conducting a young
group of exceptional conservatoire students, was struck by their
dedication and outstanding talent, but also by the uncertainty they faced in beginning their
professional careers. Only 5% of new graduates currently find full time places in orchestras; man
y
abandon music as a career.
The Sinfonia now providesa vital link between conservatoire and the music profession, offering
an
intensive one-year learning and performing experience - supported by bursary - for except
ional
graduates of music colleges: a similar role to that performed for opera students by the Nation
Opera Studio. Look for their series of free rush hour concerts at St John's Waterloo. They also
al
have
performances at Cadogan Hall on 2 May and 16 May, LSO St. Luke's at the Barbican on 24May,
and at Cadogan Hall on 23 June as part of the Chelsea Festival.
Another subscriber draws my attention to The Keyboard Charitable Trust, another organisation
which does its best to help young artists make the difficult transition from a talented youth
through to a successful performing career. Many of the recitals they organise are held in Steinw
ay
Hall in Marylebone, and we will be featuring future events in Sounds Great.