2012
Christopher Morley’s Classical Music Roundup of 2012
The Birmingham Post, Thursday 27th December 2012
“… Worcester Concert Club hosted an amazing recital by cellist Richard Jenkinson and pianist Benjamin Frith, including a breath holding account of the Rachmaninoff Cello Sonata and Ian Venables’ world-stopping Elegy – almost my highlight of the year, this performance of such a passionate and anguished work.
For more please see Reviews Section
Holywell
Oxford Chamber Music Society
Sunday 25th November
The Coull Quartet with Mark Bebbington (piano)
Programme
Venables: Piano Quintet opus 27
Ireland: Piano Sonata
Elgar: Piano Quintet in A minor opus 84
For a review please see Reviews Section
BBC Radio 3 broadcast
Tuesday 13th November
Lunchtime Concert
Roderick Williams (baritone) and Susie Allan (piano) give a recital of British song including, Ian Venable’s tribute to Ivor Gurney ‘The Pine Boughs Past Music’ Op.39. This concert was recorded at this year’s Manchester Pride Festival. The programme is produced by Les Pratt and presented by Katie Derham.
‘Faithful following is this master’s secret’
Featured article in the Birmingham Post by Christopher Morley
Thursday 2nd November, 2012
The full text can be found in the (Reviews Section)
Richard KJenkinson
Benjamin Frith
Worcester Concert Club
Sunday 4th November, 2012
The Countess of Huntingdon’s Hall, Deansway, Worcester
Richard Jenkinson (cello) and Benjamin Frith (piano)
(See Christopher Morley’s review of this concert )
Programme
Stravinsky – Suite Italienne
Brahms – Sonata in E minor, Op. 38
Schumann – 3 Fantasy Pieces
Ian Venables – Elegy
Rachmaninov – Sonata in G minor
“Ian Venables, was present to hear his own Caprice, its clarity and forward movement captured perfectly by the pianist. This is music whose ideas are instantly memorable and identifiable, working towards a big ending which teases at containing so much more”
(Christopher Morley, Birmingham Post)
Mark Bebbington
The Gloucester Music Society
Thursday 25th October, 2012
St Mary de Loade Church, Gloucester
Piano Recital given by Mark Bebbington
Programme
Ivor Gurney – Sehnsucht; The Sea (manuscript); Prelude in Db major
Arthur Bliss – Four Masks
Matthew Taylor – Piano Sonata – world première
Ian Venables – Caprice Op.35
John Ireland – Sonata
Chamber Music Evening Concert (BBC Radio 3 Recording)
Tuesday 21st August
The Cosmo Rodewald Concert Hall, Manchester University.
Roderick Williams (baritone) with Susie Allan (piano)
The Pine Boughs Past Music Op.39
Following their Tardebigge, ‘Celebrating English Song’ Recital (see below) Roderick Williams and Susie Allan are presenting the same programme at this year’s Pride Festival in Manchester.
Celebrating English Song at Tardebigge
Sun 19th August 2012
Tardebigge Church, Bromsgrove
Tardebigge
Roderick Williams – baritone and Susie Allan – piano
Their Programme includes songs by Ireland, Ian Venables’s song cycle ‘The Pine Boughs Past Music’ Op.39, Michael Berkeley, and Somervell’s “A Shropshire Lad”.
Free pre-concert talk at 2.00 pm by Michael Berkeley talking about his “Hollow Fires” song cycle.
San Francisco
A Summer Concert in San Francisco
On Sunday 12th August at the Presbyterian Church of San Francisco, mezzo-soprano, Sally Munro-Porter, accompanied by Graham Lloyd will give the world premiere of Ian Venables’s song ‘The Night has a Thousand Eyes’ Op.41 no 3.
This work, commissioned by Kenneth. R Prendergast to mark the occasion of his 50th birthday, will be performed during a concert of the composer’s music. This special concert organised to coincide with the composer’s visit to the Bay area includes the US premiere of his song cycle ‘On the Wings of Love’ Op.38 performed by Brian Thorsett (tenor), Ulysses Loken (piano) and Jeremy Flanagan (clarinet)
Michael Lampard
Live broadcast on Australia’s ABC ClassicFM Radio
Sunday 29th July at 3pm.
The Tasmanian born baritone Michael Lampard and pianist Karen Smithies are to give the Australasian Premiere of ‘The Pine Boughs Past Music Op.39’. Their recital from the Stanley Burbury Theatre (University of Tasmania) can be heard live on ABC ClassicFM. Tune into ABC’s website at http://www.abc.net.au/classic/
Rolf Jordan, Michael Lampard, Ian Venables, Ian Partridge.
Ivor Gurney Society Spring Weekend – 5th May, 2012
After ten years as chairman of the Ivor Gurney Society Ian Venables has handed over the baton to Rolf Jordan. This memorable day included a recital of song by the acclaimed Tasmanian born baritone, Michael Lampard, accompanied by Christopher Boodle. His brilliant recital included two songs by the composer. During the afternoon Ian Venables interviewed the distinguished singer, Ian Partridge about his life and his recording legacy of the song of Ivor Gurney.