Tuesday 17 January 2012

Classical Journey Tuesday 17 January

Apologies! - A well-known and reliable internet service provider, which makes this website possible, has crashed. Some extra photographs and information are available at http://classicaljourneyconcerts.blogspot.com/ - although somwhat garbled.
As soon as normal service is resumed, we can see news about Clive Betts, Mary O'Shea and the Force Five wind quintet, with pianist Carol Galton, all of whom performed in Exeter last week.

Luch is taking on the breakfast show this week. So tune in from 7.30am onwards for 'Beer and Baroque' - with a feature on the 43rd Festival of Winter Ales at Exeter Football Club (Friday/Saturday 20/21 Jan) and poetry from the 'monkey poet' himself, Matt Panesh (performing at the Northcott Theatre Sunday 29 Jan).

I hope you can join us . . .

     *    *     *     *     *

Many thanks to all of you who tuned in!

The Festival of Winter Ales was a great success.

Matt Panesh phoned in with details of his show and gave us one of his amazing poems - 'St George'. Want to hear more? www.exeternorthcott.co.uk

Elizabeth Jane Baldry's fairy harp playing was very popular. Thanks for the positive comments. We shall have pleny more of that!

News of two great concerts got held up because of internet issues - here they are now:

Clive Betts and Mary O'Shea
Guitar Recital with Soprano and Violin
St Leonards Church Tuesday 10 January 3.30pm

A glorious recital of classical guitar music, opening with traditional English and Italian folk tunes played by Clive Betts.

Mary sang three beautiful arias with guitar accompaniment: Bach's 'Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring' from Cantata 147, Adolphe Adam's 'Holy Night' and Charles Gounod's setting of Bach's 'Ave Maria'.

Utterly enchanting!

Clive played a selection of preludes by the great twentieth century Brazilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos.

Stunning!

Finally Mary and Clive played in duet on violin and guitar - 'A South American Medley'. 'Serteneja' from Brazil, 'Ojos Azules' from Chile, 'La Valentina' from Mexico.

Glorious!

Local photographer Cecil Hatfield was there to record this beautiful concert:


Guitarist Clive Betts:
 Stunning Villa-Lobos Preludes 
(Photography: Cecil Hatfield)
Soprano Mary O'Shea:
Enchanting Baroque Singing 
(Photography: Cecil Hatfield)


Violinist Mary O'Shea:
A Glorious South American Medley
(Photography: Cecil Hatfield)


'Wind, Sea & Sextet'
The Force Five Wind Quintet with Pianist Carol Galton
Southernhay United Reformed Church
Friday 13 January 7.30pm

Last seen in action on Saturday 27 March 2010, The Force Five Wind Quintet reformed for an impressive recital at Southernhay United Reformed Church.

Exeter Music Group Chairman, John Welton (clarinettist), was joined by five other members of the EMG Symphony Orchestra - flautist Ruth Avis, oboist Kate Osbourne, French horn player Trevor Ives and bassoonist Prue Tasman - plus the piano accompaniment of EMG 'cellist Carol Galton.

On a perishingly cold January night, Kate Osbourne made a special appearance, providing the special sound of the oboe and cor anglais - while still wrapped up against the cold. An intriguing sight - and a spectacular sound!

Things got off to a rousing start with Gwyn Parry-Jones 'Wind and Sea' for wind quintet.

Carol and Ruth got together later for 'Nutcracker in five minutes'. With just piano and flute, they managed just that - Tchaikovsky's 'Nutcracker Suite' condensed into just five minutes - we were counting! A quick burst of all our favourite dances - including 'Sugar Plum Fairy' on the piccolo.

The first half ended with Beethoven's impressive Quintet Opus 16, but the best was saved for the second half Gordon Jacob's 'Sextet for Piano' (and flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon and French horn) was an astoundingly complex piece involving all of the instruments fully, and showing off the abilities of all the players.

For the Gordon Jacob Sextet, a special volunteer came forward to turn the pages for pianist Carol Galton - local composer Peter Nickol!

A wonderful evening. More to follow we hope!

(Sorry none of Cecil's lovely photo's from this concert - just the usual L.C-D!)

Clarinet: John Welton
Bassoon: Prue Tasman


French Horn: Trevor Ives
The oboist who came in from the cold!
Cor Anglais: Kate Osbourne


A very special duet - 'Nutcracker in Five Minutes'

Flute: Ruth Avis, Piano: Carol Galton

No comments:

Post a Comment