It was a busy old week this week as apart from our basset horn concert on Monday (of which more anon) it was opera week at the London Handel Festival (more on that anon too) – and I went to two very interesting concerts.
Magnum Opus 2024 launch
First up was the launch of Britten Sinfonia‘s 2024 Magnum Opus Composers – followed by Nicky Spence and Ben Goldscheider – reviews of their offerings (Weir, Britten, Watkins and Mozart) here and here.
Magnum Opus is Britten Sinfonia’s programme for early career composers to develop their skills in orchestral writing and have their works performed as part of the orchestra’s concert programme. Their first outing was on Tuesday – five minute pieces from each plus two pieces chosen by them.
I was particularly taken with Chilean composer Anibal Vidal’s piece – Invocacion No 1. – aetherially delicate and beautiful – in total contrast to Alex Groves‘ robust and colourful Yeah Yeaahh Yeeeeaaahhh! Their choice of accompanying music was Caroline Shaw‘s Valencia and Salvatore Sciarrino‘s Fauno che fischia a un merlo, a hauntingly beautiful, gossamer fine piece for flute and harp.
Lotte Betts-Dean and Stuart MacRae
If you were looking for aethereal and haunting you need go no further than Lotte Betts-Dean and Sequoia‘s rendering of Stuart MacRae ‘Earth, thy cold is keen’. Recorded last year (available via Stuart’s site) the programme had its first live performance in a darkened Hall 2 at King’s Place on Friday as part of their Scotland Unwrapped series.
Those of you who came to our Thomas Hardy poems concert last summer will remember the purity and unique timbre of Lotte’s voice – perfectly suited to Stuart’s music as it prowled across the darkened moors through Nordic folk tales and Middle English texts. When not singing acapello, Lotte was accompanied by Stuart’s harmonium, often acting as a drone, and by the violin and cello of Sequoia.
To get a taste, check in to Stuart’s site where you can hear one of the tracks: the Prologue from The Captive.
Meanwhile…..
Have you booked yet for Declan Hickey’s solo guitar recital on May 16th – guitar music from the early 19th century Great Vogue through to Cuban Leo Brouwer writing today. And just to remind you that our last three concerts were sold out a couple of weeks before the event, so do not leave booking too late!
To book – £30 to include wine & supper – go here.
And…. Sunday 26th May – Highgate Society – 12 noon
Anna Scott sings and plays Americana classics. For more details and to book go here.
And finally…..
Have you ever wanted to run a bookshop?
Highgate locals will be sorry to hear that the current owner of the Highgate Bookshop, Michael, is retiring. As a result the shop is up for sale and we are all very much hoping that it will remain as a bookshop.
So, if you – or anyone you know – would be interested in running a bookshop, please do get in touch either with the Highgate Society or the agents Goldschmidt.
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