FELICITY VINCENT (cello) OLIVER DAVIES (piano)
BEETHOVEN: Variations on ‘Bei Männern’ from ‘Magic Flute’
MENDELSSOHN: Sonata No 2 in D, Op 58
SCHUMANN: Fantasiestucke, Op 73
PFITZNER: Sonata in F# minor, Op 1
“Fine playing which really caught the attention” [The Times]
Felicity Vincent was a prizewinner at the Royal Academy of Music before joining the Halle Orchestra, and later the Israel Philharmonic and Toronto Symphony Orchestras. She was singled out for recommendation by Making Music in the 2005-06 season. Oliver Davies was until recently Piano Professor and Head of Performance History at the Royal College of Music. He has partnered Murray Perahia, James Galway and the Chilingirian Quartet, broadcast frequently and made five CDs with clarinettist Colin Bradbury. Tonight‟s recital reflects the anniversaries of Mendelssohn and Schumann and features the evocative Pfitzner Sonata, which has one of the most eloquent slow movements in the entire repertoire.
Admission £8.50 (conc £8, child £2) at the door
Thursday 10th December 7.45pm
EXPLORING MUSIC: 20th Century Masters
ARNOLD SCHOENBERG (1874-1951)
A talk illustrated with fine CD recordings by Adrian Boynton
Schoenberg stems out of the Viennese past: Beethoven's Quartets, Brahms' piano writing and the orchestral sonorities of Bruckner and Mahler are his models. His early Romantic works – 'Verklarte Nacht' and 'Gurrelieder' - are deeply tinged with the Wagnerian idiom. 'Die gluckliche Hand' and the extraordinary 'Pierrot Lunaire' abolish the distinction between dissonance and consonance, leading to the revolutionary serial work of the 1920s – 'Serenade' and 'Variations for Orchestra'. In his final (American) phase, tonal elements co-exist with serial technique in the brilliant Piano Concerto and cantata 'A Survivor from Warsaw', while works such as 'Suite for Strings' and the impressive 'Kol Nidre' abandon serialism and return to the tonal style of the composer's youth. Join us as we reveal the greatness of one of the most influential figures in the history of music.
Admission £4 (student £1) at the door
Saturday 12th December 11.30am
A CHRISTMAS CRACKER with THE NEW ENGLISH SINGERS
& Special Guests. Directed by Adrian Boynton
A highlight of the seasonal calendar! The New English Singers capture the true spirit of Christmas in a well balanced and carefully crafted programme of carols old and new. Instrumental solos offered by our special guests provide further opportunity for celebration and reflection. It promises to be a joyous and heart-warming occasion. Following the music, seasonal refreshments will be served.
Admission (inc. refreshments) £5.50 (conc £5, child £1.50) at the door
Sunday 20th December 6pm
THE CORNERSTONE CAROL SERVICE 'Immanuel, God with us'
THE CITY CHURCH CHOIR & CORNERSTONE BRASS
Directed by Adrian Boynton
A joyful celebration of the Saviour's birth in words and music, with familiar carols for all to sing, magnificent choral offerings from the choir and lively contributions from Cornerstone Brass. Do join us, and bring your friends.
Freewill offering
Monday 21st December 7.45pm
MUSICAL MILESTONES Special
CHRISTMAS MUSIC FROM BAROQUE TO THE PRESENT DAY
A talk illustrated with fine CD recording by Adrian Boynton
As a sequel to last years exploration of the Carol, Adrian plunders the rich repertoire of extended settings on a Christmas theme, featuring Schutz's Christmas Story, Bach's Christmas Oratorio, Scarlatti's 'Cantata Pastorale', Charpentier's 'Messe de Minuit', Berlioz's 'L'enfance du Christ', Saint Saens' 'Oratorio de Noel', Messiaen's 'La Nativite du Seigneur', Vaughan Williams' 'Hodie', Finzi's 'Dies Natalis' and 'In terra pax', Britten's 'Ceremony of Carols' and Macmillan's 'Veni, veni Emmanuel'. Seasonal refreshments will be served.
Admission £4 (student £1) at the door
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