The third week of November has seen an explosion of musical talent in Exeter and Devon. The English Touring Opera have been at the Northcott Theatre to perform three very accessible operas in English translation - in addition to three choral concerts at other venues. The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra made their second visit to the new-look University Great Hall for an evening of 'Greatest Hits' - Rossini, Grieg, Tchaikovsky and Bizet. Ballet Theatre UK performed Hans Christian Anderson's 'The Snow Queen' at the Barnfield Theatre - only to be replaced by Clare Martin and Richard Rodney Bennett for Irving Berlin Jazz at the same venue the following night. Exeter Festival Chorus performed John Rutter's 'Gloria' at Exeter Cathedral. The Voces Renaissance Choir sang the last of their four glorious recitals in memory of Thomas Luis de Victoria (died 1611) at Buckfast Abbey. On a smaller scale, but equally talented were organ recitals by Alex West and John Scarfe, and a magnificent double performance of Marc-Antoine Charpentier's 'Te Deum' (and more) by the Clyst Valley Choral Society.
DURING THE PAST WEEK:
Coming up in the next two weeks!
Before the next 'Classical Journey', on Tuesday 6th December, there is even more wonderful music coming our way. On Wednesday this week mezzo-soprano Dorothy Ferrier will give a lunchtime song recital at Glenorchy Church in Exmouth - and Baritone Alex Poulton will perform Franz Schubert's 'Winterreise' at St Mary Arches Church in Exeter in the evening. On the same evening there will be a world première of New York composer Annie Gosfield's 'Floating Messages and Fading Frequencies' at Dartington Great Hall. Annie herself will be performing with her trio. (She plays 'sampler keyboard' while Roger Kleier plays electric guitar and Chris Cutler plays percussion.) They will be joined by the Danish 'Athelas Sinfonietta' for this extraordinary piece inspired by wartime communications between British Intelligence and the French Resistance Movement. There will also be a performance of Karsten Fundal's 'resistance' theme 'Flame & Citron' and Annie's signature tune 'EWA7' in which she uses her sampler to recreate 'the music of industry'.
Thursday night is very special. Exeter University Director of Music, Marion Wood, who presented the 'Classical Journey' with such unparalleled erudition and style in July this year, returns to Exeter Cathedral to conduct the Exeter Music Group Symphony Orchestra. Also returning to Exeter by popular demand is the wonderful Roumanian pianist Alexandria Dariescu. Alexandria will join the orchestra to play Tchaikovsky's First Piano Concerto - a stunning piece, and the perfect choice of soloist. The orchestra will also play Igor Stravinsky's shocking and technically brilliant 'Rite of Spring'. Certainly an evening to remember - and not to be missed!
Staying on a Russian theme, on Friday evening Exeter Cathedral will be the venue for a piano duet recital by two Cathedral organists Andrew Millington and David Davies. They will perform Sergei Rachmaninov's 'Second Suite' for two pianos. On Saturday the 'Pearl of Africa Children's Choir' from Kampala in Uganda will end their very special tour of the UK in Exeter with a free lunchtime performance in the Quire of Exeter Cathedral (where the Cathedral Choir usually sing) on Saturday. The concert would appear to be repeated next Monday evening at St Peter's School in Exeter, but details are sketchy. On Saturday, however, Exeter Cathedral's Director of Music, Laurence Blyth, will be in Wellington in Somerset. He is Musical Director of Wellington Choral Society (as well as Exeter and Exmouth), and on Saturday night they will be performing Henry Purcell's 'Dido and Aeneas', with more marvellous choral music - including music by Eric Whitacre and Morten Lauridsen.
On Sunday evening in South Molton, a vast choir drawn from the whole of the South West will convene at the Pannier Market to give a singularly spectacular performance of Handel's 'Messiah'. This monumental event will really put South Molton on the map - and raise money for the Radio Devon Air Ambulance Fund. On the same evening, at Kennaway House in Sidmouth, jazz ensemble 'Chris Gradwell and Friends' will conclude the six concert series with a second 'Music Deco' evening with soprano Kate Walker. The previous 'Music Deco' was a sell-out (see details) and this one promises to be as well!
There is no 'Classical Journey' on Phonic FM next Tuesday. (Gill, Tina and Abi take over with their 'Mighty Book' literature review programme.) Between the 'Mighty Book' and the next 'Classical Journey' there will be another week of music, starting with a chance to hear the incredible 'Duo Teresa Carreño' play beautiful piano and 'cello duets from Venezuela - Wednesday lunchtime at Glenorchy in Exmouth of course.
Next Saturday (3rd December) is very busy. The Exeter Bach Society are at St David's Church in Exeter to perform Bach's 'Christmas Oratorio'. (Andrew Daldorph's Exeter Chamber Choir performed the Oratorio with Devon Baroque at exactly the same time last year, with Amy Daldorph as soprano soloist and William Townend as bass. - details) This year the Exeter Bach Society will invite only one Guildhall School of Music student - Raphaela Papadakis - to return as a soprano soloist. They will have a new bass voice - local man, Julian Rippon. Julian will join us in the studio to discuss the concert and the wonderful musicians involved.
(Compare the line-up pictured at the end of this post with the Bach Society line-up for 'Autumn Baroque' last year - CJ 11/11/10)
On the same night, 3rd December, at Buckfast Abbey, there will be a 'Concert for Advent' by a new choral ensemble - inspired by David Acres' 'Counterpoint Choir' and brought together by Matthew Cann. 'Antiphon' brings together talented Exeter and Devon Singers, with professional international performers. We can hear Morten Lauridsen's magnificent 'O Magnum Mysterium', Henryk Goreccki's 'Totas Tuas', Eric Whitacre's 'Lux Arumque - heavenly! David Acres is coming to talk about the concert at the beginning of Tuesday's show.
And Andrew Daldorph? Having completed his jazz series with Chris Gradwell, Andrew will be putting on two Christmas performances with the Exeter Chamber Choir in one week. On the same Saturday evening as the Bach Society and Antiphone (3rd December) they will be in the Teign Valley at Higher Ashton for 'A Concert of Seasonal Music', and then they will be at Buckfast Abbey on the following Tuesday evening (6th December) for 'A Service of Christmas Music and Readings'. Both events cost nothing to attend.
On the intervening Sunday (4th December), at 4pm, Andrew Daldorph and Chris Gradwell's colleague Hilary Boxer (together they make up the 'Beare Trio') will be performing at the Corn Barn in Cullumpton in a brand new pairing - with Ruth Molins (formerly Ruth Avis - now married!) playing 'cello and flute respectively - 'Festive Flute'. That concert will be repeated - with lunch and wine - at Bicton College, in their sumptuous music room, on Wednesday 7th December. A fitting end to an aptly named and superb concert series - 'Tasty Music'!
On the intervening Sunday (4th December), at 4pm, Andrew Daldorph and Chris Gradwell's colleague Hilary Boxer (together they make up the 'Beare Trio') will be performing at the Corn Barn in Cullumpton in a brand new pairing - with Ruth Molins (formerly Ruth Avis - now married!) playing 'cello and flute respectively - 'Festive Flute'. That concert will be repeated - with lunch and wine - at Bicton College, in their sumptuous music room, on Wednesday 7th December. A fitting end to an aptly named and superb concert series - 'Tasty Music'!
And, while the Exeter Chamber Choir perform at Buckfast on Tuesday 6th December, the 'Choristers and Gentlemen of Exeter Cathedral will be singing 'Music for Advent and Christmas' in the James Wyatt Music Room at Powderham Castle (courtesy of Powderham Kapellmeister George Pratt) - directed by Andrew Millington!
Full details, as always, in the concert run-down (post below). It looks as though there's something to suit everyone over the next two weeks. Meanwhile, how about some pictures to remind us of all the wonderful music we can enjoy in Devon . . .
DURING THE PAST WEEK:
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| TUESDAY Buckfast Abbey English Touring Opera Musical Director Michael Rosewell leads performers from The Royal College of Music in Buxtehude's 'Membra Jesu Nostri' violins: Anne Marie Christensen and Sophia Anagnostou 'cello: Willemijn Knodler |
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| Willamijn Knodler relaxes as Jadran Duncumb and Pia Pircher tune the theorbo and viola da gamba |
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| Buxtehude's third cantata - 'Ad Manus' The performers get 'blood' on their hands Counter-Tenor: Rupert Enticknap Soprano: Anna Anandarajah Dancer: Paul Chantry Tenor: Simon Chalford Gilkes Soprano: Hannah Sandison Bass: Pnini Gruber |
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| Simon Chalford Gilkes, Pnini Gruber and Rupert Enticknap sing lustily - Buxtehude's sixth cantata - 'Ad Cor' Jadran Duncumb and Pia Pircher play theorbo and viola da gamba |
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| Jadran Duncumb finally emerges from behind the theorbo flanked by violinists Anna Maria Christensen and Sophia Anagnostou Viola da Gamba: Pia Pircher & Musical Director: Michael Rosewell |
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| WEDNESDAY Glenorchy Church Exmouth Alex West gives a lunchtime organ recital including his own composition Toccata and Chorale on 'Jesu Dulcis Memoria' (Flashy socks give an extra sensitive touch on the pedals of the Bevington Organ) |
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| . . . and a little Schubert impromptu on the Venables grand piano |
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| WEDNESDAY Exeter Northcott Theatre Conductor Jonathan Peter Kenny acknowledges the Old Street Band baroque ensemble with the English Touring Opera cast of Handel's 'Flavio' Baritone Andrew Slater is Lotario Counter-Tenor Jake Arditti is Guido Soprano Paula Sides is Emilia Counter-Tenor Clint van der Linde is Flavio Conductor: Jonathan Peter Kenny Mezzo-Soprano Lina Markeby is Vitige Mezzo-Soprano Kitty Whately is Teodata Tenor Mark Wilde is Ugone |
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| THURSDAY Exeter Northcott Theatre In the gloom of the orchestra pit Joseph McHardy directs the Old Street Band from the harpsichord just visible: baroque oboes, bassoon, theorbo and viola da gamba |
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| Joseph McHardy acknowledges the orchestra with the English Touring Opera cast of Henry Purcell's 'Fairy Queen' Dancers: Paul Chantry, Emma Cole Aerialists: Lisa Whitmore, James Frith Patients: Tenor Anthony Gregory Baritone Aiden Smith, Tenor Mark Wilde Nurses: Soprano Louise Alder Soprano Nina Lejderman, Soprano Lina Markeby Doctors: Bass-Baritone Nicholas Merryweather Counter-tenor Michal Czerniawski |
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| The cast aknowledge the two aerialists and the superb set designed by the late Roger Butlin (The puppets held by the aerialists feature prominently in the production and were designed by Roger's daughter Mandarava) |
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| FRIDAY Exeter Northcott Theatre A very spooky modern settting for the English Touring Opera production of Handel's 'Xerxes' Baritone Nicholas Merryweather is Elviro Soprano Paula Sides is Atalanta Bass Andrew Slater is Ariodates Counter-Tenor Clint van der Linde is Arsamenes Soprano Eleanor Dennis is Romilda Mezzo-Soprano Julia Riley is 'King' Xerxes Mezzo-Soprano Rachael Lloyd is Princess Amastris |
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| Under normal lighting the cast are joined by Conductor Jonathan Peter Kenny |
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| SATURDAY Parish Church of John the Baptist, Broadclyst John Scarfe gives his first 'coffee and music' recital on the newly refurbished organ |
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| SATURDAY Southernhay United Reformed Church Jonathan Peter Kenny conducts English Touring Opera members in an a capela performance of Don Carlo de Gesualdo's 'Tenebrae' cantatas |
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| The full team Staff Director Anna Tolputt Counter-Tenor Jake Arditti Bass Aiden Smith Tenor Johnny Langridge Tenor Nicholas Merryweather Counter-Tenor Michal Czerniawski Tenor Anthony Gregory Conductor (& Counter-Tenor) Jonathan Peter Kenny |
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| SATURDAY St Margaret's Church Topsham The Clyst Valley Choral Society perform Charpentier's 'Te Deum' under the harsh 'sodium' light Bass Julian Rippon Tenor Chris Hunt Soprano Janet Mcdonald Second Soprano Miriam Prual Viola Nicola Smith Violin Derek Roberts Trumpet Chris Gould |
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| A stunning solo by bass Julian Rippon as Somnus in Handel's opera 'Semele' "Leave me loathsome light" |
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| SUNDAY Crediton The Church of the Holy Cross (and the Mother of Him Who Hung Thereon) Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantatas 154, 156, 161 & 159 Jonathan Peter Kenny conducts the Old Street Band while baritone Nicholas Merryweather prepares to sing Bach's Cantata 161 ('Cello: Kinga Gaborjani Oboe: Mark Radcliffe) |
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| The Old Street Band Violins: Jean Paterson & Theresa Caudle (Viola: John Rogers Harpsichord: Joseph McHardy) 'Cello: Kinga Gaborjani Recorders: Mark Radcliffe & Kate Latham |
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| The English Touring Opera take a final bow at the end of their outstanding Devon residency (courtesy of the Exeter Northcott Theatre) Violins: Jean Paterson, Theresa Caudle Viola: John Rogers Harpsichord: Joseph McHardy Cello: Kinga Gaborjani Oboe: Mark Radcliffe (& Kate Latham) Baritone: Nicholas Merryweather Tenor: Mark Wilde Counter-Tenors: Jonathan Peter Kenny & Clint van der Linde Choir of the Church of the Holy Cross, Crediton |
Coming up in the next two weeks!
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| THURSDAY 24th NOVEMBER Exeter Cathedral The return of Roumanian Pianist Alexandra Dariescu as soloist in Tchaikovsky's First Piano Concerto with the Exeter Music Group Symphony Orchestra Conductor: Marion Wood |
SATURDAY 3rd DECEMBER
St David's Church Exeter
The Exeter Bach Society welcome back post-graduate Guildhall School of Music opera student, soprano Raphaela Papadakis, to join local singing stars mezzo-soprano Juliet Curnow and bass Julian Rippon - together with illustrious former Exeter resident (and now English National Opera tenor), Thomas Hobbs, for a performance of J. S. Bach's 'Christmas Oratorio'. Nicholas Marshall will conduct the Society's singers and an orchestra led by Anna Cockroft. We can also expect to see some other familiar instrumentalists - 'cellist Hilary Boxer, double bass player Imogen Fernando, flautist Melanie Orriss, a stellar line-up as always.
See the two week run-down for full details - post below.
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| Soprano Raphaela Papadakis |
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| Mezzo-Soprano Juliet Curnow |
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| Exeter Bach Society Director of Music Nicholas Marshall |
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| Tenor Thomas Hobbs |
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| Bass Julian Rippon |
See the two week run-down for full details - post below.
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