Two FREE Notting Hill Concerts 14th August 2008

At this thursday's free 1-1.55pm recital at St. John's Church Lansdowne Crescent harpist Anneke Hodnett will perform:

Nino Rota - Sarabanda e Toccata
Domenico Scarlatti - Sonata in F minor K466 & Sonata in E minor K198
Albert Roussel - Impromptu
Benjamin Britten - Suite for Harp
John Dowland - Lachrimae Antiquae Pavan
Louis Spohr - Fantaisie
Carlos Salzedo - Chanson dans la nuit

Later at another free concert (7pm-8.30pm) in the Notting Hill Community Church on Kensington Park Road pianist Helen Reid will play:

Dominic Sewell - The Rokeby Venus
Leoš Janácek - V mlhách 'In the mists', VIII/22
Maurice Ravel - Menuet antique
Cecilia McDowall - Colour is the Keyboard
Olivier Messiaen - Le baiser de l'enfant Jésus from 'Vingt Regards sur l'enfant Jésus'
Claude Debussy - Prélude No 6 'Des pas sur la neige', Prélude No 12 'Minstrels', Prélude No 10 'La Cathédrale Engloutie' & L'Isle Joyeuse

Anneke Hodnett received scholarships to study Harp at the Royal Irish Acadamy of Music where she played in it’s symphony Orchestra and the Irish National Youth Orchestra. She won the Junior (2003) and Senior (2004) Concert Harp competitions at the Feis Ceoil. Anneke has performed at several venues in London where she is studying at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. With her ensemble Trio Anima she was a finalist in the 2007 Royal Overseas League Chamber music competition and winner of the 2007 North London Music Festival. Anneke has performed in the World Harp Congress in 2005 and the European Harp Symposium in 2007.

Helen Reid first came to public attention when she appeared on BBC2 in the National Keyboard Finals of the BBC Young Musician competition in 1998. In 2000 she won first prize in the Karic International Piano Competition. Helen took a Master's degree in Music Performance at City University and the Guildhall School in London. She has received support from the Tillett Trust and Making Music Schemes, as well as the Musician's Benevolent Fund. Helen is currently professor of piano at Trinity College of Music Junior Department, at Leeds College of Music and at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. She has also given masterclasses at Hull University. She has a strong interest in chamber music and has regular duos with flautist Gareth McLearnon, violinist Fenella Humphreys and cellist Sheida Davis

Two FREE Notting Hill Concerts 7th August 2008

At this thursday's free 1-1.55pm recital at St. John's Church Lansdowne Crescent the Sakura Trio: Nadia Wilson (clarinet) Amy Sims (cello) Kumi Nakatsugawa (piano) will perform Beethoven Piano Trio No. 4 in B flat Major Op 11 and Brahms Clarinet Trio in A minor, Op 114.

Later at another free concert (7pm-8.30pm) in the Notting Hill Community Church on Kensington Park Road pianist Simon Watterton will begin his momentous BEETHOVEN SONATA CYCLE - playing all the sonatas on the first thursday of every following month. This time he will tackle:

Sonata in F Minor op.2 no.1
Sonata in A Flat Major op.26
Sonata in E Minor op.90
Sonata in C Major op.53 (Waldstein)

 

Simon Watterton studied at the Purcell School of Music and at the Royal College of Music, with Yonty Solomon. Whilst at the Purcell School he twice performed at the Wigmore Hall, and gave a recital at St John’s, Smith Square. At the RCM he won the Marmaduke Barton Piano Prize in his first year for the highest end of year exam mark, and was a prize winner in the annual Beethoven Competition. In his final year he was awarded the highest mark in the year for his final recital reading of Bach’s Goldberg Variations.

 

 

Two FREE Notting Hill Concerts 31st July 2008

At this thursday's free 1-1.55pm recital at St. John's Church Lansdowne Crescent violinist Jane Gordon and pianist Jan Rautio will perform:

Beethoven - Sonata in D Op. 12/1 (Allegro con brio)
Debussy - Sonata for Violin and Piano in G minor
Lutoslawski - Partita for Violin and Piano
Faure - Sonata in A Op.13 (Allegro molto)

Jane Gordon and Jan Rautio have been performing extensively together for several years. Their Purcell Room debut, as part of the Park Lane Young Artists' Platform 2004, was received with great critical acclaim and they have continued to work together both as a duo and as the Rautio Piano Trio. They have won a multitude of prizes such as the Tillett Trust Young Artists Platform Award, Maisie Lewis Award, and were appointed Leverhulme Chamber Music Fellow by the Royal Academy of Music (2005-2007). They have performed live on BBC Radio 3, at numerous festivals throughout the UK including the Wigmore Hall Monday Young Artists Platform and have recently been selected for the European Chamber Music Academy.

 

 

Later at another free concert (7pm-8.30pm) in the Notting Hill Community Church on Kensington Park Road pianist Chaturika Rajapakse and soprano Sena Larard will perform:

Mozart - Sonata for Piano No 12 in F, K332
Schubert - Impromptus No 3 & 4, Op 90
Ginastera - 3 Danzas argentinas, Op 2
Mozart - Dal Tuo Gentil Sembiante from 'Ascanio in Alba', K111
Rossini - Excerpts from 'Soirées musicales'
Rodrigo - Cuatro Madrigales Amatorios
Copland - Excerpts from 'Old American Songs'

 

Sri Lankan pianist Chaturika has performed professionally in public recitals since the age of fourteen. She was a finalist of the Concerto Competition organised by the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka in 1998. In 1999, she was awarded a scholarship by the British Federations of Festivals to follow an Advanced Pianists Summer course with a leading British pianist. Chaturika successfully completed the Performers Diploma (L.R.S.M) of the Royal Schools of Music London in 1998 March. She has attended master classes with a number of world-renowned concert pianists.

 

At the same time & venue beginning on the 7th August, pianist Simon Watterton will begin his momentous BEETHOVEN SONATA CYCLE - playing all the sonatas on the first thursday of every following month.  This time he will tackle:

Sonata in F Minor op.2 no.1 
Sonata in A Flat Major op.26 
Sonata in E Minor op.90 

Sonata in C Major op.53 (Waldstein) 

Notting Hill Concerts 24th July 2008

At this thursday's free 1-1.55pm recital at St. John's Church violinist Mansoon Bow and pianist Oliver Markson will perform Franck: Violin Sonata in A major, Tartini: Violin Sonata in G minor Op.1 No.10 "Didone Abbandonata" and Bartok: Rumanian Folk Dances Sz.56

Mansoon was born in Japan of Korean origin. She began studying the violin at the age of three in her native city Osaka an later at the Royal Academy of Music in London. Upon graduation in 2007, she continued to pursue her studies with Mayumi Fujikawa in a Master’s Degree Course at Trinity College of Music, where she is a recipient of the Derek Butler Scholarship and the Cavatina Chamber Music Prize. Mansoon has been awarded prestigious prizes in the Osaka International competition 2000, Classic competition, Soloist competition and David Martin/Florence concerto Prize at the Royal Academy of Music where she was also a recipient of the Poulett Scholarship and the Bloch Award. Visit her website for more. 

 

 A recent graduate of the Royal Academy of Music in London, Oliver Markson's musical studies began with the cello but were gradually directed towards composition and the keyboard. At St. Paul’s School he was presented with the Sharp Music Award and studied with Canadian pianist and composer Douglas Finch. Later he won the European Piano Teachers Association competition. Currently he is doing a masters at the Manhattan School of Music. Recently he performed the complete Mozart violin sonatas during a series of recitals in Oxford.

 

 

Later at another free concert (7pm-8.30pm) in the Notting Hill Community Church on Kensington Park Road pianist Mary Callanan will perform:

W A Mozart: Sonata for Piano No 12 in F, K332
Carl Vine: 5 Bagatelles
Franz Liszt: Ballade No 2 in B minor, S171
Franz Schubert: Sonata for Piano No 16 in A minor, D845

Mary Callanan performs solo and in chamber groups in Australia and the UK. Highlights include a recital in the Purcell Room with duo partner, flautist Melissa Doecke for the Park Lane Group 50th Anniversary series, and an appearance for the Shostakovich Festival in the Queen Elizabeth Hall performing his Preludes and Fugues. Mary appeared in the BBC Proms in August 2006, performing chamber and solo works of British composer Jonathan Harvey in the Royal Albert Hall, broadcast on BBC Radio 3. Mary was awarded a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music where she studied under Christopher Elton and completed a Masters of Music in 2004. She is currently undertaking a PhD at RAM on the late Schubert sonatas and teaches piano at Kings College London.

 

Notting Hill Concerts 17th July 2008

At this thursday's free 1-1.55pm recital at St. John's Church The London Myriad Ensemble (wind quintet) will perform an all French programme:

Jean Françaix: Wind Quintet No 2
Francis Poulenc: Sonata for Clarinet and Bassoon
Claude Debussy: Syrinx for solo flute
Jacques Ibert: Trois Pièces Brèves

 

 

The London Myriad Ensemble has given concerts internationally, playing works by composers from Mozart to Chick Corea. It was quintet in residence, on a full scholarship at the Dartington International Summer School in 2005, and at the Seychelles International Festival of Classical Music 2006. They were then invited to the Beauville Arts Wind Chamber week in south-west France supported by an Awards for Ensembles grant from the Musicians Benevolent Fund and a generous donation from the Tillett Trust.

Later at another free concert (7pm-8.30pm) in the Notting Hill Community Church on Kensington Park Road pianist Mitra Alice Tham will perform:

Johann Sebastian Bach: 'Italian Concerto' in F, BWV971
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Sonata for Piano No 4 in E flat, K282
Maurice Ravel: Valses Nobles et Sentimentales
Modest Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition

Mitra Alice Tham began composing tunes on the keyboard when she was two years old. She made her first international debut at the age of eight in Japan, and is now recognised worldwide as a leading pianist; having won awards too numerous to mention. Mitra has a particulary distinguishing ability - to compose on the spot from any melody provided by the audience. She was described as brilliant and excellent by Prince Charles after she was chosen by the Purcell School to compose instantly on a musical phrase given by His Royal Highness.

Notting Hill Concerts 10th July 2008

At this thursday's free 1-1.55pm recital at St. John's Church The Rautio Piano Trio: Jan Rautio, piano - Jane Gordon, violin - Andrew Skidmore, cello will perform:

(Franz) Joseph Haydn's Keyboard Trio No 10 in E flat major, HobXV/10

Ludwig van Beethoven's Piano Trio in E flat, Op 70 No 2

Later in the evening, at 7pm in the Notting Hill Community Church, Kensington Park Road

Pavel Timofejevsky (piano) will perform:

Franz Schubert 4 Impromptus, Op 90

Maurice Ravel Excerpts from 'Miroirs'

Alexander Scriabin Sonata for Piano No 9 in F, 'Black Mass', Op 68

Sergey Prokofiev Sonata for Piano No 4 in C minor, Op 29.

Notting Hill Concerts 3rd July 2008

At this thursday's free 1-1.55pm recital at St. John's Church Simon Watterton (piano) Andrew Joyce (cello) will perform Beethoven Cello Sonatas: No. 1 in F Op. 5 (1), No. 4 in C Op. 102 (1), No. 5 in D Op. 102 (2). This is the first of two concerts (the second will be on August 28th) where all the Beethoven Cello Sonatas are being performed.

Later in the evening at another free concert at The Notting Hill Community Church on Kensington Park Road from 7.00-8.30pm pianist Warren Mailley-Smith plays Bach Prelude and Fugue No 18 in G sharp minor BWV863, Chopin: Rondo Op 1, Rondo à la Mazur Op 5, Introduction and Rondo Op 16, Rondo Op 73, Liszt ‘Un Sospiro’ S144, Schubert ‘Wandererfantasie’ D760

Simon Watterton studied at the Purcell School of Music and at the Royal College of Music, with Yonty Solomon. Whilst at the Purcell School he twice performed at the Wigmore Hall, and gave a recital at St John’s, Smith Square. At the RCM he won the Marmaduke Barton Piano Prize in his first year for the highest end of year exam mark, and was a prize winner in the annual Beethoven Competition. In his final year he was awarded the highest mark in the year for his final recital reading of Bach’s Goldberg Variations. 

 

Andrew Joyce studied at the Royal College of Music where he won several prizes and now performs regularly as a soloist and chamber musician as well as freelancing for the LSO, LPO and RPO. He has been on trial for principal cello for Northern Sinfonia.

 

 

  

Warren Mailley-Smith was featured as Classic FM’s 'Hot Property' when his playing was described as 'Sensational', 'Stunning’ and 'Fantastic'. He is one of the UK's outstanding pianists and was recently proposed as a new Steinway Artist. He made his solo Carnegie Hall debut earlier this year and his Wigmore Hall recitals have been given to critical acclaim before capacity audiences. He has been awarded several performances at the Southbank Centre and his concerto debut at the Queen Elizabeth Hall. Debut recitals at Birmingham Symphony Hall and St John's, Smith Square have been enthusiastically received and he has been invited to perform for the Royal Family on more than thirty occasions. He was recently selected as a Making Music Concert Promoters' Network Artist. Following success as a postgraduate major prize-winner at both Birmingham Conservatoire and the Royal College of Music, Warren continued his studies privately with Ronald Smith and Peter Feuchtwanger.

 

 

Notting Hill Concerts 26th June 2008

At this thursday's free 1-1.55pm recital at St. John's Church Evva Mizerska (cello) and Emma Abbate (piano) will perform: L.v. Beethoven - 12 Variations on the theme Ein Mädchen oder Weibchen from Mozart's Die Zauberflöte, Stephen Dodgson (b.1924) - Two Romantic Pieces for Cello and Piano and S. Prokofiev - Cello Sonata in C Major, op.119

Later in the evening at another free concert at The Notting Hill Community Church on Kensington Park Road from 7.00-8.30pm pianist Seiko Nagaoka plays Mozart Sonata K330, Liszt Les Jeux d’eaux a la Villa da’Este, original compositions and Chopin Op. 48 No. 1 & 2 and Scherzo No. 1.

Evva Mizerska was born in Poland. In 2001 she graduated with highest distinction from the cello class at Frédéric Chopin Academy of Music in Warsaw. During the years 2001-2004 she completed the PGD and MMus courses at Trinity College of Music in London, where she studied with Richard Markson and was awarded a full scholarship. During 2000 Evva received the 1st Prize at the 7th International L. Janáček Competition in Brno, Czech Republic together with pianist Katarzyna Glensk. In 2002 Evva was awarded the Joan Greenfield scholarship; during the same year she also won the Vivian Joseph Cello Prize and the Leonard Smith Duo Prize in London. In 2005 Evva received a grant-award from the Solti Foundation and in 2006 she became a Junior Fellow at Trinity College of Music in London.

Born in Naples, Italy, Emma Abbate initially graduated in Pianoforte from the S. Pietro a Majella Conservatoire at the age of 19. Following advanced studies at the S. Cecilia Conservatoire in Rome, Emma studied with Yonty Solomon at London's Trinity College of Music, from where she graduated with First Class honours. She then pursued her postgraduate training with Geoffrey Pratley and Patsy Toh as a scholar at the Royal Academy of Music, where she was awarded the Postgraduate Diploma in Accompaniment with Distinction. Her many prizes have included the Anglo-Czechoslovak Trust Award, the Jeejeebhoy prize for piano studies, the Grover Bennett Prize, the AMA Calabria award, and the international Ibla Grand Prize as Distinguished Musician. An official accompanist at Trinity College of Music, London, she collaborates with various singers and instrumentalists.

Seiko Nagaoka has been learning the piano since the age of four since when she has been performing at concerts and winning competitions. By the age of ten, she was the fourth best child pianist at nationwide piano competition in Japan. She studied literature at university as an undergraduate student in Japan and studied TESOL at Canterbury Christ Church University as a postgraduate student. In December 2005, she was accepted as a postgraduate student at the Royal Academy of Music. She has been composing music and will play some of her works at the concert.

 

Notting Hill Concerts 19th June 2008

At this thursday's free 1-1.55pm recital at St. John's Church Jayson Gillham (piano) Adriane Tilanus (violin) and Jurrian van der Zanden (cello) will perform Maurice Ravel's Sonata for violin and violoncello and Beethoven's Piano Trio No. 7 in B-flat major, Op. 97 "Archduke"

Later in the evening at another free concert at The Notting Hill Community Church from 7.00-8.30pm pianist Yoshie Kawamura plays Mozart Sonata K533, Schumann Sonata Op. 22 No. 2, Debussy Poisson d’or, Chopin Andante Spianato et grande polonaise Op. 22

  

The Notting Hill Community Church is found on Kensington Park Road (between Blenheim and Elgin Crescents) W11 2ES

Notting Hill Concerts on June 12th 2008

At this thursday's free 1-1.55pm recital at St. John's Church acclaimed cellist Anup Kumar Biswas accompanied by Donald Boothman (baritone) and Noel Skinner (piano) presents a programme called ‘Mystical Moments’ featuring Bach, Faure, Purcell and Chopin.

 

 

 

The Notting Hill Community Church is found on Kensington Park Road (between Blenheim and Elgin Crescents) W11 2ES

Notting Hill Concerts on June 5th 2008

At this thursday's free 1-1.55pm recital at St. John's Church acclaimed Hyperion and Helios recording artist Angela Brownridge will perform works by British composer Kenneth Leighton:

Sonatina No. 1
5 Studies Op. 22
Sonata no. 2
No. 3 of Four Romantic Pieces

Angela was a student of Leigton's and has a unique insight into his work, which culminated in her recording his complete piano works for the Delphian label. Leighton was one of the most distinguished of the British post-war composers; over 100 compositions are published and among the many prizes he received are the Busoni and The National Federation of Music Societies. In 1960 he was awarded the Doctorate in Music by the University of Oxford, and in 1977 was made an Honorary Doctor of the University of St Andrews.

 

Later in the evening (7.00-8.30pm) Angela will appear again at new FREE piano concert series at the Notting Hill Community Church on Kensington Park Road (between Blenheim and Elgin Crescents) W11 2ES. She will perform a mixed repertoire of works by Haydn (Sonata No. 62 in E flat); Debussy's Estampes; Gershwin Preludes, Leighton Studies and Chopin's Polonaises, Walzes, Study no. 12 in C minor and Scherzo no. 2 in D flat major.

 

 

The New York Times says she is a ‘...true genius. Her performances were passionate, rhapsodic and totally compelling. She is a marvellously exciting artist, and a wonderfully assertive pianist with a strong sense of musical structure’.

Hailed as ‘a major star in classical music’, Angela first performed in public aged seven. By the age of ten she had performed her first concerto, and at twelve made her debut in London’s Wigmore Hall. She was awarded a piano scholarship to Edinburgh University, after graduation spent two years of study in Rome with Guido Agosti and returned to complete her studies with Maria Curcio in London. Since then she has played in major venues worldwide and recorded over twenty CDs, several being selected as ‘Critics’ Choice’ and one as ‘Record of the Year’ in Absolute Sound magazine of America. She appears as soloist with many leading orchestras, and international festival engagements include Bath, Edinburgh, Warwick, Newport Rhode Island, Bratislava, Brno, Hong Kong, and Maastricht. Critics have compared her with such pianists as the legendary Solomon, Rachmaninov, Cherkasky, & Bolet. She began her life in an atmosphere of freedom and individualism almost impossible to find today, and under the guidance of Maria Curcio, herself a pupil of Schnabel for many years, she learned to deal with the differing requirements of a varied range of composers with a freedom which recalls Cortot in his prime. In 2005 she became Musical Director of the Piano Academy at Dean Clough in Halifax, hosting weekends of masterclasses for students, adults at all levels of performance, and observers. A recital and interviews on DVD in the “Piano Maestros” series provides a thought provoking and intimate journey into Angela’s musical world, available from www.soundtechniques.tv

St. John's Church Notting Hill lunchtime recital, May 29nd 2008

At this thursday's free 1-1.55pm recital at St. John's Church viola player Drew Balch and pianist Stephen Gutman will perform: Krzysztof Penderecki's Viola Concerto, Johann Sebastian Bach's Suite for Cello No 1 in G, BWV1007 (transcribed for viola) and Rebecca Clarke's Sonata for viola and piano.

Drew Balch attended Wells Cathedral School under a scholarship. He has led the String Chamber Orchestra and attended the international music school ‘Pro Corda’. He is a member of the harp, flute & viola ensemble 'Trio Anima', which have played together since meeting in October 2006 at Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

 

               

New Notting Hill free piano concert series

A new evening piano concert series starts June 5th at the Notting Hill Community Church on Kensington Park Road (between Blenheim and Elgin Crescents) W11 2ES organised by Music Chamber.

The concerts will take place every thursday evening between 7.00pm and 8.30pm, with a fifteen minute interval - and be free to the public with a retiring collection. We aim to have have a broad selection of repertoire from baroque through classical and romantic to contemporary works by the finest pianists in London. The venue is a stunning Church with comfortable seating and heating, free refreshments will be served. We will be offering special deals for dinner afterwards at fabulous neighbouring Italian Restaurants!

 

 

Highlights include the inaugural concert where Delphian and Harmonia Mundi recording artist Angela Brownridge will perform works by Haydn (Sonata No. 62 in E flat); Debussy's Estampes; Gershwin Preludes, Leighton Studies and Chopin's Polonaises, Walzes, Study no. 12 in C minor and Scherzo no. 2 in D flat major. The New York Times says she is a ‘...true genius. Her performances were passionate, rhapsodic and totally compelling. She is a marvellously exciting artist, and a wonderfully assertive pianist with a strong sense of musical structure’.

 

Starting in August, on the first thursday of ever month - rising star pianist Simon Watterton will perform a complete cycle of all the Beethoven Sonatas. It is expected this series will last almost a year and will be a fantastically affordable way for you to familiarise yourself with piano literature's 'new testament'.

 

 

St. John's Church Notting Hill lunchtime recital, May 22nd 2008

At this thursday's free 1-1.55pm recital at St. John's Church mezzo soprano Patricia Hammond and harpist Jean Kelly will perform a charming pot-pourri of British folk songs and lieder by Handel, Mozart and Schubert:

All things Love Thee (Horn; 1833), Searching for Lambs (English Folk), Drink to me only (Colonel Mellish), Blow the Wind Southerly (English Folk), Berceuse (Godard), Clair de Lune (Szulc), The Peat-Fire Flame (Scottish), The Next Market Day (Irish), My Lagan Love (Irish), Heidenroslein (Schubert), Canzonetta (Loewe), Lascia ch'io pianga (Handel), Mal d'Amore (Buzzi-Peccia), Voi che sapete (Mozart), I Dreamt that I dwelt in Marble Halls (Balfe)

British-Canadian mezzo-soprano Patricia Hammond studied singing in Canada and Switzerland before moving to the UK in 2001. She has appeared as an oratorio soloist in venues as varied as Leeds Town Hall, the Herodus Atticus Theatre in Athens, the Concertgebouw at Bruges, and London's Queen Elizabeth and Royal Festival Halls; the latter two with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment under Ivan Fischer and Sir Simon Rattle respectively. Most recently she was featured in the duet of the Houris in Schumann's Das Paradies und die Peri in London, Paris, Turin and Budapest with the OAE under Sir Simon Rattle. As a recitalist, Patricia has been invited to perform at the Brighton, Deal and Frome Festivals, the Swiss Global Foundation and Opera Omnibus. In Opera, she has performed solo roles at the Linbury Theatre, Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, and the Wexford Festival.

Jean Kelly hails from an Irish family of several generations of professional musicians and in 1996 won a scholarship to the Royal College of Music. She regularly tours with the Locrian Ensemble performing harp concertos and her own arrangements of Irish music. Three CDs with the group include Handel's Harp Concerto, Mozart's Flue and Harp Concerto, and Chamber Music by Richard Arnell. Jean played at Buckingham Palace for HRH Prince Charles' 50th birthday and has since performed on several occasions at Highgrove and St. James' Palace.  She appeared on RTE Television playing duets with Sir James Galway for the closing ceremony of Cork City of Culture 2005 and in the same year performed alongside Nobel Prize winner Seamus Heaney at the Opening Night of the World Harp Congress in Dublin.

 

St. John's Church Notting Hill recital, May 15th 2008

At this thursday's 1pm recital at St. John's Church pianist Arianna Palin will perform:

Selections from Maurice Ravel's Miroirs:
1. Noctuelles
2. Oiseaux Tristes
3. Une Barque sur L'Ocean
Cézar Franck's Prelude, Chorale and Fugue
Tristan Murail's La Mandragore

Arianna is a young professional pianist, coming to the end of her postgraduate studies at The Royal Academy of Music. She previously studied at Trinity College of Music and Goldsmiths College, graduating in 2004 with 1st class honours and receiving the college music prize, before going on to receive a Masters with distinction in 2005. Her current studies at the Royal Academy are fully supported by a prestigious AHRC award. She is also an alumni of the Britten-Pears Young Artist programme and the Salzburg International Summer Academy.

 

St. John's Church Notting Hill Concerts, May 7 & 8th 2008

Two fabulous FREE concerts at St. John's this week as we approach our six month aniversary of the beginning the recital series and the May Festival gets into full swing. On wednesday May 7th at 2.00pm the CALLINO QUARTET will perform (Franz) Joseph Haydn's String Quartet No 2 in D minor, 'Fifths', Op 76, Bela Bartók's String Quartet No 3 (1927) and Robert Schumann's String Quartet in A minor, Op 41 No 1.

Sarah Sexton, violin
Michaela Girardi, violin
Sarah McMahon, cello
Rebecca Jones, viola

The quartet was formed at the West Cork Chamber Music Festival in 1999. They have performed with diverse musicians including jazz guitarist John Abercrombie. The Quartet has commissioned and premiered new works by Ian Wilson, Raymond Deane, Ronan Guilfoyle and Kimmo Hakola. Last year they released their first commercial CD of works by Ian Wilson. The quartet hosts their own annual festival in Cork.

 

The next day, thursday 8th May at the regular time of 1.00pm we have the NONESUCH ORCHESTRA accompanied by wind and brass, performing Jean Sibelius's Andante festivo, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Concerto for Violin and Orchestra No 4 in D, K218, Giacomo Puccini's Minuet No 1 and Crisantemi and (Franz) Joseph Haydn's Symphony No 44 in E minor, The 'Trauersinfonie'.

The Nonesuch Orchestra is a versatile and dynamic string orchestra which welcomes players of all ages. They are conducted by Tom Seligman with Markella Vandoros playing lead violin. In the forty-four years since its foundation the orchestra has given over 200 concerts, and has worked with such distinguished musicians as Emanuel Hurwitz, Janice Graham, Erich Gruenberg and Robert Max.

 

St. John's Church Notting Hill lunchtime recital, May 1st 2008

At this thursday's lunchtime recital at St. John's Church The Will Butterworth Trio will perform Jazz improvisations inspired by composers such as Part, Kancheli, Cage and Reich.  See Will's biography.

Will Butterworth (piano), Marcus Penrose (bass), Josh Morrison (drums)

This concert will kick off the St. John's May Festival !  

Will will also play material from his recently released solo album.

Recital is in a heated church set in restful gardens atop Notting Hill. Free tea, coffee and biscuits served. Tubes: Notting Hill Gate and Holland Park. Buses: 52, 452

Free admission (Retiring collection)

St. John's Church Notting Hill lunchtime recital, April 24th 2008

At this thursdays free 1.00-1.55pm recital at St John's Church Bálint Székely (violin) and Mariko Kondo (piano) wiil perform:

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Sonata for Keyboard and Violin No 32 in B flat, K454
César Franck - Sonata in A major for violin and piano

Since his international début at the age of 14 in Düsseldorf’s Tonhalle, Bálint Székely has received critical acclaim and many awards for his technique and musical integrity. He has consistently delivered a unique quality of performance, bringing a wide spectrum of colours and sounds to all periods and styles of music. Praised for her solo and chamber music performances by both audiences and critics, and described as a “deft and, when needed, strong pianist”, Mariko Kondo has the ability to illuminate a score, investing the smallest musical gesture with meaning.

 

 

St. John's Church Notting Hill lunchtime recital, April 17th 2008

At this thursdays free 1.00-1.55pm recital at St John's Church The Gofriller Quartet: Clare Hoffman - violin, Manon Derome - violin, John Brearley - viola and Judith Brearley - cello will perform Ludwig van Beethoven's String Quartet in B flat, Op 130.

The quartet all live in Barnet and are led by Clare who plays a violin made by Matteo Gofriller (1706). She is performing the late Beethoven String Quartets as an inspirational project, trying to balance earning a living whilst realizing her dreams. Clare was Principal Second of the English Chamber Orchestra and now freelances with the London Symphony Orchestra. John was Principal viola at Covent Garden Opera and now plays with the English National Opera. His wife Judith was a foundation scholar at the Royal College of Music has freelanced with many London orchestras and was a member of the Royal Opera Orchestra, Covent Garden. Manon plays mainly with the Britten Sinfonia and London Chamber Orchestra. She plays a Joseph Rocca violin (1848). Clare and Manon met whilst playing with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe.

Beethoven's Op. 130 known as the 'Dear Quartet' - a reference to books he used to communicate with while totally deaf - was the last composed for Prince Galitzin in 1825. It follows the classical order of movements with an extra scherzo and slow movement just before the finale. Despite initial positive audience reaction, the final movement (an exceedingly long and elaborate fugue) confounded listeners. His publisher persuaded him to write an alternative ending more in keeping with the rest of the piece a few months before his death, which will be heard today. Reflecting upon the quartet Beethoven told a friend 'You will find here a new kind of voice-leading, and, as to imagination, it will, God willing, be less lacking than ever before!' He was also referring to this work when he said: 'Art demands of us that we don't stand still.' Beethoven's late quartets were all he wrote during the last three years of his life. Ill, deaf, poor, and alone, they were an outlet for his anguish and distress. This one is considered the happiest, with bursts of 'youthful' inspiration defining a radiant masterpiece.

St. John's Church Notting Hill lunchtime recital, April 10th 2008

St. John's Church Notting Hill lunchtime recital, April 3rd 2008

St. John's Church Notting Hill lunchtime recital, March 27th 2008

At this thursdays free lunchtime recital at St. John's pianist Simon Watterton will play the entire Goldberg Variations by J.S. Bach (BWV988).

St. John's Church Notting Hill lunchtime recital, March 20th 2008

At this thursdays free 1.00pm concert at St. John's Church, Helen Neilson (cello) and John-Paul Gandy (piano) will perform:

Leoš Janácek - Pohádka (Fairy tale) for cello and piano
Bohuslav Martinu - Variations on a Slovak theme
György Ligeti - Sonata for Cello
Fryderyk Chopin - Polonaise Brillante in C for cello and piano, Op 3

Helen Neilson is a freelance cellist and teacher based in London. She performs regularly at London venues and Festivals across the UK. Chamber music is a strong passion, she holds string quartet prizes from both the Royal College and Trinity College of Music. An active academic and music educator, Helen enjoys thinking about natural use of the self in music performance and the influence of ideas from fields of thought other than music upon the study of performers body movement. She recently appeared on and helped produce Music Chamber's Daniel Hewson album: Secret Doors More can be found at her website

 

John-Paul Gandy is a pianist, multi-instrumentalist and composer 'who likes to rummage and get his hands dirty within all possible sound worlds'. His musical journey has been a wide & varied one - from reams of concert performances of contemporary classical compositions and work with companies such as the Rambert Dance Company, Almeida Opera, BBC Singers, Welsh National Opera, Royal Opera House and the acclaimed music theatre group The Clod Ensemble, to collaborations/performances with rock/jazz musicians & improvisers including Mark E. Smith (The Fall), Damo Suzuki (Can), Alec Dankworth & Clive Carroll. Listen & read more at his site

St. John's Church Notting Hill lunchtime recital, March 13th 2008

At this thursdays free 1.00pm concert at St. John's Church, The Altissimo ensemble will perform:

Telemann - Concerto in D major for four violins
Dvorak - Terzetto in C major
Ian Stewart - Concerto Grosso (WORLD PREMIERE)

(Two well known pieces, and a new work influenced by psychedelic music and the baroque concerto grosso.)
Altissimo was founded in 2007 by a group of eight enthusiastic Suzuki violin method teachers based in London. Altissimo members play violin and viola, offering an interesting and different sonority withing a wide repertoire. They perform works from diverse ages and styles, from Telemann to Stravinsky, as well as contemporary composers.

Altissimo's members are: Guillem Calvo, Silvia Crusellas, Juan Drown, Mireia Ferrer, Claudio Forcada, Louisa Knap, Mona Kodama and Helena Massip.

Ian Stewart is a professional musician, composer and arranger based in London. He grew up in Malta, and in Scotland, and spent many years playing Mediterranean music with Italian musicians. His compositions, embracing a variety of styles, have been performed in classical concerts, broadcast on radio, and used in television programmes. Classical saxophone compositions have been performed by Kyle Horch, Carole Sutherland, John Harle with the Brodski Quartet, Richard Ingham, Saxploitation, Euphonique Quartet, and he has composed for almost every style of music - classical, new wave, jazz and alternative/free. Recent works have been influenced by late 60s/early 70s psychedelic music. More can be found at his website.

St. John's Church Notting Hill lunchtime recital, March 6th 2008

At this thursdays free 1.00pm concert at St. John's Church the Agon Trio, featuring Victoria Sutherland (violin), Tim Wells (cello) and James Cheung (piano) will perform:

Mats Lidström - Tango
Ben Foskett - and this you is what I would sing
Johannes Brahms - Trio No. 1 in B major, D. op. 8

The Agon Piano Trio was formed in 2004 having met during their studies at The Moscow Conservatoire and The Royal Academy of Music, London. They perform extensively in the UK and abroad - at present they are undertaking a concert series of the complete Beethoven trios in Aylesbury and concerts are planned in the Far East for the near future. The trio has studied with many eminent musicians including the Moscow Piano Trio, the Endellion Quartet, Dimitri Alexeev and professors Tatiana Sarkissova, Malcolm Martineau and Michael Dussek of the Royal Academy of Music. In 2007 The trio was in residence in the Britten-Pears Young Artists Programme, Aldeburgh. Works have been commissioned from Park Lane Group composer Ben Foskett, one of whose pieces will be heard at the concert.

St. John's Church recital Feb 28th 2008

At this thursdays free 1.00pm recital at St. John's Church Notting Hill; pianist Marcus Andrews and cellist Maria Martinez will perform:

Brahms E minor Cello Sonata
Debussy Cello Sonata
Kenneth Paige Cello Sonata (World Premiere)

Marcus is winner of the TCM Trust Silver Medal, the first Jaques Samuel Pianos Trinity College of Music Prize, the TWIYCA Accompanist Prize, and The Harold Clarke Prize for Woodwind and Piano Duo and was also a prize winner in the Alfred Kitchin Chopin Competition. He has participated in the Kent Music School Summer Course for Advanced Pianists 1994-1996, winning recital prizes, and has been awarded scholarships to study with Steven Kovacevich, Bernard Roberts, Joanna MacGregor and GéNIA at Dartington International Summer School from 1997 to 2001. During his studies in the USA he was the recipient of the Evelyn Bonar Storrs scholarship, a grant from South East Music Schemes and was made a member of the National Music Honors Society Pi Kappa Lambda.

 

Spanish cellist Maria Martinez won the “Vera Kantrovitch” competition in 2004 performing the fifth suite by J.S Bach. Maria has a great deal of experience in playing with orchestras including performances of the Saint-Saëns Concerto with the European school Orchestra and the D minor Vivaldi Concerto with Goldsmith Orchestra. She has recently been invited to perform Rococo Variations and Kol Nidrei with the Loughborough Orchestra.

**NEW** Download FREE MP3 tracks from Daniel Hewson's CD launch concert at his artist page 

 

St. John's Notting Hill Recital, 21st February

This Thursday at our FREE St. John's Church recital at 1.00pm pianist Anna Basaldua will perform:

Prelude and fugue in E flat major, op. 87              D. Shostakovich (1906-1975)
Sonata in A min. K 310 (1778)                            W. A. Mozart (1756-1791)
Arc-en-ciel (Rainbow) 1985                                 G. Ligeti (1923-2007)
Premiere communion de la Vierge                       O. Messiaen (1908-1992)
Sonatine (1905)                                                 M. Ravel (1875-1937)

Anna Basaldua was born in Spain. She has a Licentiateship in Pianoforte, a Bachelor of Music (with honours) and a Masters in Performance from the London College of Music, where she obtained the Raphael Terroni Piano Prize. She has given a number of concerts in France (Salle M. Ravel, in Paris), in Italy (Festivale di Arenzano), in Spain (Fundacion March and Ateneo, in Madrid) and lunch time concerts in London.

**NEW** Download FREE MP3 tracks from Daniel Hewson's CD launch concert at his artist page

Valentine Recital, St. John's Notting Hill 14th February, Trio Anima

This Thursday at our FREE St. John's Church recital (1.00pm) we have a fantastic trio featuring Anneke Hodnett (harp), Matthew Featherstone (flute) and Drew Balch (viola).

They will play:
Arnold Bax (1917) Elegiac Trio
Paul Ben-Haim (1978) Chamber Music
Gabriel Faure, (1898) Morceau de Concours
Claude Debussy (1916) Sonate pour Flute, Alto et Harpe
& a Valentine love song to be determined!

Trio Anima began working together in October 2006 at Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Since then, they have impressed with their style, flair and exceptional interpretations, approaching music with phenomenal energy and enthusiasm. Their dedication and passion for chamber music this has led them to be finalists in the Royal Over-Seas League Competition with their “breath taking” Debussy. They recently won the Gold medal and First Prize at the Camac Harp Chamber Ensemble Competition being labelled as a truly “excellent ensemble”. Read more about Trio Anima at their website.

**NEW** Download FREE MP3 tracks from Daniel Hewson's CD launch concert at his artist page

Upcoming recital at St. John's Church, Notting Hill, 1.00pm 7th February

This thursday at St. Johns, The Gofriller Quartet:
Clare Hoffman - 1st violin
Bridget Davey - 2nd violin
Lisanne Melchior - Viola
Jane Fenton - Cello
will perform: Purcell Chaconne
Beethoven String Quartet Op. 132

Upcoming recital at St. John's Church, Notting Hill, 1.00pm 31st January

Iwona Boesche - violin     Jan Rautio - piano

Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953) Violin Sonata No.1 in F minor, Op. 80 (1946)
Fritz Kreisler (1875-1962) Liebeslied, Poupée Valsante
John Adams (1947-) Road Movies (1995)

Recital at St. John's Church, Notting Hill, 1.00pm 24th January

This thursday's FREE lunchtime recital at St. John's features the 'Amati Duo', with Helen Brunner on violin and Amber Bonham-Carter on viola. They will perform:
George Philipp Telemann Sonata in G minor from ‘The Real Music Master’
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Duo in G major, K423
George Frideric Handel (arr. Halvorsen) Passacaglia in G minor

Upcoming St. John's Church recital, Notting Hill, 17th Jan 2008

 

At this thursday's free 1.00pm recital at St. John's Church, Notting Hill Jane Ng (violin) and Cameron Roberts (piano) will perform:

Ysaye (1858-1931) Poème élégiaque Op. 12 in D minor
Szymanowski (1882- 1937) Mythes, Op. 30 No. 1 – The Fountain of Arethusa
Brahms (1833-1897) Violin Sonata No. 3 in D minor
Bloch (1880-1959) Baal Shem - Nigun
Kreisler (1875-1962) Tambourin Chinois

Jane Ng’s enormous potential was recognized by the award of a 4-year International Full Scholarship from the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM); the first Malaysian violinist to have won this distinction. Jane graduated with First Class Honours and was subsequently awarded a Full Scholarship from the Royal College of Music to pursue her Masters of Music degree. Most recently, she graduated with the prestigious RCM Artist Diploma in Performance. In the UK, Jane has won the Hastings and Hatfield Music Festival and she has performed as soloist with the Hatfield Philharmonic Orchestra and Hertfordshire Youth County Orchestra. In addition to her achievements as a violinist, Jane is also an accomplished pianist, composer, and orchestrator, having performed extensively in international festivals. Jane is grateful for the kind support of Mrs. Olive Gellhorn, from whom she has a Vuillaume violin on loan through the Benslow Music Trust.

Born in Melbourne, Australia, Cameron Roberts is recognised as a pianist of great distinction and originality. His recent CD recording of Bach’s Goldberg Variations and original transcriptions is praised as ‘thought provoking… a disc of rare and valuable discretion’, and has been used in the film Lucky Miles (2007, Australia). His performing repertoire includes the monumental Iberia by Albeniz, The 24 Preludes by Rachmaninoff, and original solo piano arrangements of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture and Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No.3. Roberts studied at The University of Melbourne, the Australian National Academy, and further at the Moscow Conservatory, Manhattan School of Music, and Royal Academy, London, In his home country he won first prizes in The Mozart Concerto Competition (1997), The Grainger Competition (1998), and was finalist in the National Piano Award (2004). Roberts has a strong interest in contemporary music, jazz and composition. More can be found at his website.

Upcoming St. John's Church recital, Notting Hill, 10th Jan 2008

This thursday at 1.00pm renowned classical guitarist Amanda Cook will perform at St. John The Evangelist:

Mysterious Habitats - Dusan Bogdanovic
Sonata in D, K.309 - Domenico Scarlatti
Castillos de Espana - Federico Moreno Torroba (Alba de Tormes / Zafra / Torija / Olite)
Sounds of Rain - William Lovelady
Gallo Ciego - Agustin Bardi
Samba em Preludio - Baden Powell & De Moraes
Arriba los Panuelos - Traditional

Amanda is one of the leading guitarists of her generation. She has performed and given master classes in the USA, South America and throughout Europe. In the UK her performances include the South Bank and the Wigmore Hall. Her highly acclaimed performances are always noted for their sensitive musicality, fluid technique, and ability to draw the audience in to her world.

Amanda did a music degree at the RCM, as a Foundation Scholar, with Charles Ramirez and then with Jakob Lindberg and Gary Ryan. Whilst at the College Amanda won several prizes for her performances, and outside of College she won the 1995 Admira Young Guitarist of the Year, 1997 Ivor Mairants Guitar Award and the 1998 Carol Evershed Martin Award for solo instrumentalists. After studying at the College, Amanda spent 2 months in New York studying with Ben Verdery with the help of the Countess of Munster Musical Trust.

Amanda has had several composers dedicate works to her including Nato Lima (Sonata No.2, 2004), Robert Boyle (Voices of Origin, for her Wigmore Hall debut 2003), Paul Gregory (Micro Prelude 2000), Cristiano Porqueddu (Amanda 1998) and William Lovelady (This Morning In Omagh the Sun Rose Again, written for the 1st Anniversary of the bombing in N.Ireland 1998).

Find out more about Amanda at her website.

Upcoming St. John's Church recital, Notting Hill, 3rd Jan 2008

Next thursday at 1.00pm we are very pleased to have the Rautio Trio perform, featuring Jane Gordon - violin, Jan Rautio - piano and Katherine Jenkinson - cello.

They will perform Beethoven's 'Archduke' piano trio (B-flat major, Op. 97) and (to be confirmed) Judith Weir's Trio No. 2.

Formed in 2004 at the Royal Academy of Music, the Rautio Piano Trio is emerging as one of the finest young ensembles of its generation. Winners of the Tillett Trust’s Young Artists’ Platform 2005, they are performing at major concert venues throughout the country and gave their Wigmore Hall debut last September. They will be returning to the Wigmore Hall next year as winners of the Maisie Lewis Young Artists’ Award. The Trio are currently Leverhulme Chamber Music Fellows at the Royal Academy of Music and have been awarded an MBF Ensemble Award. More info can be found at their site.

“This ensemble’s strength is that is plays to put across the music more than to flaunt its own undoubted talents - five stars and many more indeed!” Fairfield Hall

“ Vivacious and wonderfully assured sense of ensemble” ‘In Tune’, BBC Radio 3

More on St. John's and how to get there can be found here.

 

St. John's Notting Hill Recital 27th December 2007

Mitra Alice Tham began composing tunes on the keyboard when she was two years old. She made her first international debut at the age of eight in Japan, and is now recognised worldwide as a leading pianist; having won awards too numerous to mention. Mitra has a particulary distinguishing ability - to compose on the spot from any melody provided by the audience. She was described as ‘brilliant and excellent’ by Prince Charles after she was chosen by the Purcell School to compose instantly on a musical phrase given by His Royal Highness.

This thursday at the free 1.00pm recital at St. John The Evangelist she will perform:

Bach Toccata in E Minor BWV 914
Beethoven Sonata in F Minor op.57 "Appasionata"
Rachmaninoff Melodie Op.3 No.3
Instant composition from a theme by the audience

More about Mitra can be found at her website

St. John's Notting Hill Recital 20th December 2007

This Thursday at 1.00pm German pianist Annett Busse will be performing at St John The Evangelist:

F. Couperin             5 pieces from the "Troisieme Ordre"
                             "Allemande"
                             "Premiere Courante"
                             "Seconde Courante"
                             "Les Matelotes Provencales"
                             "La Lutine"
C. Czerny               Toccata op.92
F. Schubert             Klavierstueck in E flat major D946
D. Shostakovitch     Preludes op. 34 nos. 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
C. Czerny               Variations "La Ricordanza" op.33

Read about Annett at her profile page

 

Upcoming St. John's Lunchtime Recitals

This Thursday at 1.00pm, 13th December we have an unusual and delightful recital at St. John's Church Notting Hill: German Romantic and Nostalgic Lieder from the from the first half of the 20th Century. Renowned mezzo soprano Patricia Hammond is joined by pianist and composer Michael Brough to play:

Felix Weingartner: Liebesfeier (Nikolaus Lenau)
Joseph Marx: Windräder (Oskar Falke)
Zemlinsky: O Blätter, dürre Blätter (Ludwig Pfau)
Robert Fischhof: Hymne (Edith von Salburg-Falkenstein)
Piano Solo: Eduard Schütt “A la bien-aimée” Op 59 no. 2
Brough: Gegensätze (Heinrich Heine)
Brough: Im Zimmer (Johannes Schlaf) World Premiere performance
Brough: Der Rock (Christian Morgenstern)
Brough: Schlafen, schlafen (Friedrich Hebbel)
Piano Solo: Werner Richard Heymann “Wenn der Wind weht über das Meer”
Peter Kreuder: Ich Spür in Mir (Hans Rameau)
Franz Grothe: Illusion (H. Schulenberg)
Bochmann: Gute Nacht, Mutter (Erwin Lehnow)
Gerhard Winkler: Möwe, du fliegst in die Heimat (Gunther Schwenn)

Patricia Hammond (See http://www.patriciahammond.com/ for more on the artist)

Daniel Hewson London concert 23rd November

Listen to samples from Daniel's album Secret Doors here
Reserve tickets via email

Free warm-up concert at 1.00pm 22nd Nov. at St. John's Church Notting Hill

Free Notting Hill Classical Recitals

New York Jazz Diva 'Vanessa Trouble' to sing in London wednesday evening

One of New Yorks finest Jazz vocalists, Vanessa Trouble, will be performing in West London on the evening of Wednesday, October 17th. Renowned in NY clubs for her soulful and swinging performances - Vanessa has fronted some of the great Jazz combos of the last decade.

Listen here to Vanessa performing 'Caravan' and 'Old Devil Moon'.

The venue is The Cobden Club, 70 Kensal Road, London W10 5BN. Entrance is £10 on the door and sets will begin around 8.30pm and finish late. Vanessa will be supported by a Trio of London's finest Jazz artists, including pianist Ivo Neame, bassist Marcus Penrose and drummer Dylan Howe.

As this is a private members club you will have to be guest listed first by emailing info@music-chamber.com. Dinner and Drinks are available in the first floor performance space. We hope to see you at this special evening.

 

Piano concert in London this weekend

Will Butterworth Album Released At Concert

Many thanks to all those who attended this concert - it was a magical evening.

***AS A SPECIAL BONUS*** listen or download for FREE two of the tunes he played live at the concert:

Jerome Kern's 'All The Things You Are'
Charlie Parker's 'Now's The Time'

Will played a number of tracks from his new self-titled Music Chamber album which is now available for download here.

Samples can be heard on the album page, where details can also be found on how to order CDs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Artists, Albums & Upcoming Concerts

In November, British Composer and pianist Daniel Hewson will be releasing an album of his compositions, including a piano quintet, string quartet, piano & cello work and solo piano pieces of quite brilliant originality and musicality. This is an album not to be missed!

 

 

Listen to an opening excerpt from his Piano Quintet.

 

 

Celebrated German pianist Paul Cibis will be releasing his debut album on Music Chamber later in the year - the first of a set of FJ Haydn's short piano pieces. Unlike the sonatas, these twenty odd pieces have rarely been recorded.

Hear him play J F Haydn's Sonata G-Major Hob. XVI:06 Adagio live at St. Olave's, London

 

 

 

Two 2007 Music Chamber concert dates for your diary: