Have you booked your tickets for Julia, Annalise and Miranda on 3rd November yet? They are the J.A.M String Collective and, emerging from a classical background, they play contemporary jazz. They have already done so at Ronnie Scott’s, the Pizza Express Jazz Club and the Purcell Room. And on 3rd November they are playing for us!
For more information and to book for the J.A.M Trio, supper and wine on November 3rd go here.
Britten Sinfonia’s Magnum Opus
I was lucky enough yesterday to be invited to the Britten Sinfonia’s Magnum Opus Showcase at St Giles in Cripplegate.
Magnus Opus is a development scheme run by the orchestra for early career composers at the end of which they are commissioned to create a chamber concerto for a solo instrument of their choice. In yesterday’s concert, we heard Aileen Sweeney’s Percussion Concerto, Nathan James Dearden’s Love Song for the Broken (for saxophone) and Jonathan Brigg’s Concerto for Piano and 10 instruments. All were developed with support and mentoring from the orchestra.
Check in to Britten Sinfonia’s Instagram feed here to hear to the composers talking about the scheme and their works. But to quote from just one of them, Aileen Sweeney whose Percussion concerto was, I must admit, my favourite – but then I am a bit of a percussion junkie.
‘Have you ever been in a restaurant, looked at the dessert menu and just can’t decide what to have? But then you notice you can order three little desserts for the same price as one big one!…. When writing this concerto I wanted to write lots of different things. Something with lopsided time signatures, something mediative and inward, something super rythmic. I couldn’t pick – so I didn’t – I did all three…
- A hearty movement full of zest and wonky rhythms on the marimba.
- A gentle and refreshing palate cleanser with vibraphone and gongs creating a light delicate texture. Served with complementary wind chimes.
- A twist of the classic Rocky Road made from layers of semi quavers on the hi-hat and four on the floor on the bass drum, sprinkled with a topping of bongos and cowbells…..’
This fine menu was served up by percussionist Owen Gunnell (below with Aileen). A regular performer with the Britten Sinfonia Owen tutors percussion at various UK conservatoires.
Applications are now open for the 2023 Magnum Opus – so, ambitious early career composers, sign up here.
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