Productive meeting with composer Stephen McNeff and mezzo Clare McCaldin today to discuss the alterations made in the premiere of Vivienne this summer, prior to its publication by Peters in the autumn. It's always fascinating to see the twists and turns in the life of a composer's score as the piece is brought to life […]
Plans are afoot for a new course for singers led in conjunction with director Joe Austin. Exciting couple of days of planning and reccying… Watch this space!
First recital of the new season tomorrow, of Messiaen, Britten and Poulenc, with soprano Susanna Fairbairn, in Peterborough Cathedral.
Back from a superb few days in Worcestershire conducting the Laetare Singers. This group of singers convenes twice a year to work on unaccompanied chamber choir repertoire, this time ranging from Tallis to Messiaen. An intensive and delightful few days with a lovely, friendly and responsive group – great to see them again after two […]
The world premiere of Stephen McNeff's Vivienne was a roaring success on Thursday, and Friday's show was equally well received. The Evening Standard gave the premiere five stars (see the review here), and an array of online reviewers, bloggers and twitterati have warmed to the show (see for example the Ham Life review here or […]
Delighted to be in Oxford for a few days, producing a recording for the chamber choir Sospiri's new disc, directed by Chris Watson. The disc commemorates the outbreak of the First World War and features new commissions and other recent pieces by an array of contemporary composers including Francis Pott, Gabriel Jackson, Cecilia McDowall, Graham Fitkin, […]
An effusive new review for The English Oboe: Rediscovered, released earlier this year on Champs Hill Records. It praises 'this superb new disc', claiming that 'this CD is framed by arguably the finest ever recorded versions of Rubbra’s magnificent Sonata and Vaughan Williams’ Six Studies in English Folksong…. The quixotic finale is also beautifully handled […]
Looking forward to being back at the Ryedale Festival next week for a recital with James Turnbull, having conducted the operas there three years ago (a double-bill of Mendelssohn's The Homecoming and Britten's The Prodigal Son, directed by Joe Austin and receiving four stars in the Guardian). Following last week's performance at the Etchingham Festival […]
Great to play celeste in Rachmaninov's third symphony yesterday for the Orchestra of the City's tenth anniversary concert, conducted by Chris Hopkins. Always a treat to be back in the middle of a full-blooded orchestra!
Pleased to confirm that Konstellation will be marking the Britten centenary with a performance of all five canticles on the eve of his birthday. This special concert will take place at Queen's Gate Terrace, hosted by Vernon Ellis. Please do make contact to enquire about tickets.