Wild Arts announces five dates for Messiah by G.F. Handel.
Wild Arts is announcing five performances of Handel's Messiah this December, conducted by Orlando Jopling. This event gives audiences a taste of how the music may have sounded during Handel's era, thanks to an ensemble of Britain’s leading period instrument performers.
The performances will kick off at St Michael and All Angels in Chiswick, London, on the 9th of December. Chichester Cathedral in West Sussex will host the concert on the 12th. Subsequent dates are scheduled at The Art Workers’ Guild in Bloomsbury, London, on the 14th, the Parabola Arts Centre in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, on the 15th, and finally, the Layer Marney Tower in Essex on the 17th of December.
The English-language oratorio, Messiah, was composed by Handel in 1741 and debuted in Dublin in 1742. Despite an initial modest reception, it has since grown into one of the most performed choral works in Western music. The composition, which uses texts from the King James Bible and the Book of Common Prayer, provides a musical narrative of Jesus Christ's life, death, and resurrection. Known for its powerful choruses, including the iconic “Hallelujah Chorus", Messiah continues to connect with audiences through its stirring melodies and spiritual resonance.
- 20.07.2023
Roman River Festival Returns for its 23rd Season with an Astonishing Line-Up Of Musicians.
From 26th September to 1st October 2023 the Roman River Festival will return for its 23rd season. Featuring a diverse programme programme ranging from classical masterpieces to ground-breaking contemporary compositions, the festival promises an exciting week of virtuosity and immersive experiences.
Opening in Wivenhoe, the festival commences with pianist Huw Watkins, who will perform alongside Orlando Jopling and members of the Wild Arts Ensemble. Their energetic programme features two piano quintets by Bartok and Shostakovich and promises to be a stimulating opening night.
On Wednesday, the Sacconi Quartet will perform Beethoven in the Dark. This immersive production, conceived by Tom Morris, the former Artistic Director of Bristol Old Vic, will be a unique performance of Beethoven’s evocative String Quartet Op. 131.
Wednesday is set to be an intense evening of music with a second concert presenting horn player Ben Goldscheider and composer Alex Groves. Their extraordinary collaboration features innovative use of electronics, performing compositions that push the boundaries of traditional music.
With a departure from the avant-garde, Thursday sees a return to more traditional chamber music with cellist Rainer Crosett who, accompanied by pianist Daniel King Smith, has a compelling programme ranging from Beethoven to Isang Yun.
On Friday the a cappella ensemble Apollo 5, praised for their fresh approach to vocal music and versatile repertoire, will perform in the Norman church of St Mary the Virgin in Wissington. This ancient church features a beautiful 15th Century fresco of a dragon adorning the north wall.
On Saturday, set in St. Andrew’s in Fingringhoe, there will be evening of music that explores the remarkable contributions of female composers to chamber music. Mezzo-soprano Marta Fontanals-Simmons, harpist Olivia Jageurs, and flautist Chloe Vincent will perform a diverse programme with compositions from Clara Schumann to Rosy Wertheim.
For the grand finale in Coggeshall, Sacha Rattle and the London Symphony Orchestra’s Olivier Stankiewicz along with an ensemble of brilliant musicians, will perform Mozart’s Serenade No. 10 for Winds, often referred to as Gran Partita. This seven-movement masterpiece is an extraordinary composition that could only have originated from one composer.
The Roman River Festival is deeply committed to sustainability and implementing environmentally friendly practices in its events. Roman River is also dedicated to fostering an appreciation of music amongst younger audiences through concerts tailored for schoolchildren. These live classical performances are instrumental in igniting a sense of wonder and curiosity in children, thus paving the way for a future generation of music lovers and aspiring musicians.
The full programme of the 23rd Roman River Festival can be viewed on the Wild Arts website www.wildarts.org.uk/roman-river-festival.
- 27.06.2023
The Bloomsbury Players to perform Schubert’s String Quintet in C major
For the final concert of the Spring Series by Wild Arts, the Bloomsbury Players are set to perform Franz Schubert's String Quintet in C major at The Old Library in Colchester at the end of the month (7.30pm, Thursday 25th May 2023).
Schubert's String Quintet in C major, D956, is widely regarded as one of the greatest chamber music works ever written. The piece, composed in 1828, just two months before Schubert's untimely death, is imbued with a sense of introspection and melancholy, while also featuring moments of intense passion and exuberance. The quintet, scored for two violins, viola and two cellos, is considered one of Schubert's most technically demanding works, requiring virtuosic playing from all five musicians.
The Bloomsbury Players' performance of this seminal work on gut strings (as opposed to modern strings made of metal alloys) promises to be a unique and unforgettable experience for audiences. The ensemble (with key members Sijie Chen and Will McGahon on violins and Orlando Jopling, and joined for the night by John Crockatt on viola and Hugh Mackay on second cello) has a reputation for delivering powerful and moving performances, and their rendition of Schubert's quintet is sure to be no exception. From the opening bars of the first movement to the final notes of the finale, the Bloomsbury Players will showcase their exceptional musicianship and artistic sensitivity, bringing to life the emotional depth and complexity of Schubert's masterpiece.
- 04.05.2023
The Consone Quartet in Colchester
The Consone Quartet, an acclaimed period-instrument ensemble, are set to perform a captivating programme of Haydn, Onslow, and Mozart at The Old Library in Colchester this month (7.30pm, Thursday 27th April 2023).
The first piece on the programme is Haydn's Quartet in Eb major, Op. 64 No. 6, also known as the "Fantasia" quartet. This work is one of Haydn's most innovative and experimental quartets, featuring unusual structures and rich harmonies. The Consone Quartet's performance promises to bring out the many nuances and complexities of this captivating work.
The second piece on the programme is Onslow’s Quartet in Eb major, Op. 10 No. 3. This is a lesser-known piece from the composer, who, despite being wildly popular in his time, has been unjustly forgotten by many. His quartets are characterised by their dramatic intensity, innovative use of harmony and rhythm, and their deep emotional expressiveness. The Consone Quartet's performance of this work is sure to be a powerful and moving experience, conveying the drama of Onslow's music.
The final piece on the programme is Mozart's Quartet in Bb major, K589. This work is one of Mozart's last quartets and is widely regarded as one of his finest works. The piece is marked by its elegant melodies, intricate counterpoint, and overall sense of balance and harmony. The Consone Quartet's performance will underscore the beauty and elegance of Mozart's music.
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