DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC
The new year starts off with a bang thanks to BackBeat – an exciting percussion ensemble whose performances are a visual and aural surprise. As well as their evening concert they will be giving a special schools concert during the morning. The talented young Belcea Quartet’s programme of Schubert and Janacek must be a chamber music lover’s dream, and the same could be said of Hausmusik’s concert a month later. Trio Mediaeval offers a more esoteric programme, singing English and Norwegian songs from the middle ages to the 21st century. And ensembles such as the University Choir and Orchestra, Gamelan and Jazz Orchestra continue to attract enthusiastic audiences with their committed and accomplished performances.
The Music Department is as full of energy and new projects as ever. Last May we launched the appeal for our new research building and we are over halfway to our target. This major extension to our music complex will have a ‘surroundsound’ auditorium and a contemporary art gallery, together with research music-studios. It will make a superb addition to the concert facilities accessible to the public in York.
At our final concert of the year we will be saying goodbye to David Blake, who has been an inspirational and steadfast member of the Department since he came here as the first Granada Arts Fellow. This year he retires; he will be greatly missed and we recommend early booking for his farewell concert.
We hope to see new faces and old friends at our many concerts and events throughout the year. If you would like to become more involved with the Music Department and its work, do please get in touch with us.
Sarah Derbyshire
Nicola LeFanu
Explore Yourself |
Gordon McPherson |
Intermedio alla Ciaccona for solo violin |
Brian Ferneyhough |
Contour Line |
Jo Kondo |
Triple Duo |
Elliott Carter |
This is the inaugural concert by the University's newly appointed ensemble-in-residence.
The New Music Players is one of the UK's leading
new music ensembles with each of its players a formidable virtuoso solo
performer. The New Music Players aims to bring new insights to earlier
repertoire through the performance of classic pieces alongside the most
daring compositions of recent times.
This will be the annual Birthday Concert for Jessie's Fund, a registered
charity based in York which helps seriously ill children through the therapeutic
use of music. Jessica George died of a brain tumour in1994, aged 9; her
parents are both musicians, who have worked for many years at this university.
Quartet Op.76 No.2 |
Haydn |
Quartet in F (The American)Op.96 |
Dvorák |
Quartet |
Debussy |
Now enjoying its 11th season, the Sorrel Quartet is recognised as one
of Britain's finest young ensembles. The Quartet has performed at all the
major venues and festivals in Britain and has toured worldwide from Europe
to South America. Its numerous recordings have been released to considerable
acclaim, including the first three releases of the Quartet's projected
cycle of the complete quartets of Shostakovich.
Sonata No.11 in A K331 |
Mozart |
Miroirs |
Ravel |
Kreisleriana Op. 16 |
Schumann |
Venezia e Napoli |
Liszt |
Peter Donohoe has been described as a pianist "in a class of his own,
an interpreter with a quite extraordinary feeling for musical phrasing,
a 'sculptor' of the piano". We are delighted to welcome this major British
artist back to perform in the Series.
A double bill of Tuvan music by two of its most creative exponents.
Sainkho Namtchylak and the 4 piece band Yat-Kha have taken traditional
Tuvan music, with its strange and beautiful vocal tradition celebrating
nature, nomadic culture and animism, in surprising and contrasting new
directions.
This concert forms part of a Contemporary Music Network tour.
The Central Hall Orchestral Series opens with a Bach programme celebrating
the 250th anniversary of his death and concentrating on his secular music
from Cöthen performed by Northern Sinfonia - one of Europe's finest
chamber orchestras. They will be directed by their leader, Bradley Creswick,
who often appears as soloist with the orchestra.
A scintillating and colourful realisation of the classic medieval
satire on life at the French court. The corrupt, dun-coloured ass Fauvel
progresses through flirtation with the goddess Fortune and marriage to
Vain-glory before seeing his progeny rule the world.
Overture: Don Giovanni |
Mozart |
Symphony No34 in C K 338 |
Mozart |
Mozart a la Haydn |
Schnittke |
Symphony No 7 in A, Op. 92 |
Beethoven |
We are delighted to welcome Steven Sloane, Opera North's new Music Director,
as he conducts the company's resident orchestra for the first time in this
series.
Welcome to all the pleasures (1683) |
Henry Purcell |
Begin and strike the harmonious lyre! (1693) |
Daniel Purcell |
Begin the song! (1684) |
John Blow |
Yorkshire Baroque Soloists join the Chamber Choir in a special programme to celebrate the Festival of St Cecilia. A silver collection will be taken at the end of the concert in aid of the Musicians Benevolent Fund.
Symphony No.3 in C Minor Op.78 ("Organ Symphony") |
Saint-Saëns |
Te deum Op.22 |
Berlioz |
This programme presents two French compositions which feature the organ in an important role. Berlioz described his Te deum as "colossal, Babylonian, Ninivite" and this mood is clearly represented by the grandeur and war-like nature of much of the music. Saint-Saëns' famous symphony has many similarly noble elements and both pieces make full use of the Minster's magnificent acoustic.
Machaut à ma Manière |
Birtwistle |
En Saga |
Sibelius |
Symphony No. 1 |
Brahms |
"This fine University Orchestra .... turned in an impressive performance"
Sheffield
Star
NMG welcomes the Danish composer, Hans Abrahamsen, to York. Professor
Abrahamsen studied composition with Ligeti, Nøgård and Petrassi
and is now a teacher at the Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen.
His music has been recorded by the Berlin Philharmonic, the Danish Radio
Symphony Orchestra and the London Sinfonietta.
Music for the Royal Fireworks |
Handel |
Concerto a due cori in Bb |
Handel |
Concerto in Bb for 2 flutes, oboe, violin and strings |
Telemann |
Dixit Dominus |
Handel |
This programme complements the Bach programme in November with more
Italianate concertos by two of his illustrious and, in the 18th century,
rather more famous contemporaries. Telemann (and likewise here Handel also)
favoured a more conversational concerto style but one offering many colourful
tonal groupings. Handel's 1747 Concerto for 2 concertino groups of oboes
and bassoon includes arrangements from various oratorios, including Messiah.
His ecstatic setting of the psalm Dixit Dominus dates from his time
in Italy and he responds to the latest musical fashions he encountered
there with a virtuosic piece for choir, soloists and orchestra.
Okavango |
Damien Harron |
How the stars were made |
Peter Sculthorpe |
Sukeroku * |
Roger Marsh |
Living Room Music |
John Cage |
Hand Luggage Only |
Damien Harron |
Four Track Minds * |
Barry Russell |
Double Music |
Cage / Harrison |
Third Construction |
John Cage |
Rebounds |
Damien Harron |
The award winning BackBeat percussion quartet brings together four outstanding
performers: Simone Rebello, Damien Harron, Richard Charles and Chris Bastock.
Their performances combine virtuosity with accessibility, bringing together
diverse elements, such as world music, jazz, theatrics and choreography.
For example Damien Harron's Rebounds uses bouncing basket balls
alongside bongos to create a visual and aural showpiece.
Quartet No.1 in E flat D.87 |
Schubert |
Quartet No.1 "Kreutzer Sonata" |
Janácek |
Quartet No.12 in C minor D703 "Quartettsatz" |
Schubert |
Quartet No.2 "Intimate Letters" |
Janácek |
"The Belcea's playing had a vital spark, zest, a questing spirit ...
their performance leapt from the page"
Daily Telegraph
The three sopranos of Trio Mediæval bring the beauty and power
of medieval vocal music directly into the 21st century. Challenging musical
juxtapositions, vibrant interpretations and a compelling stage presence
create a unique concert experience.
New work |
Steven Baker |
Piano Concerto No.2 |
Beethoven |
Symphony No. 99 |
Haydn |
"Plenty of style and sparkle" Yorkshire Post
In 1997, on May 16th, Robert Fripp celebrated 30 years as a professional
musician and, on December 24th, 40 years
as a guitarist. Fripp is best known as a founder and continuing
member of King Crimson, from the debut album In
The Court Of The Crimson King in 1969, through Larks' Tongues
In Aspic (1972), Red (1974), Discipline
(1981), VROOOM (1994), THRAK (1995), THRaKaTTaK
(1996), and the H.O.R.D.E. tour of 1996.
Well known collaborations and contributions include Fripp & Eno's
No
Pussyfooting (1973) and Evening Star
(1975), Eno's Nerve Net (1993), the first three Peter Gabriel
albums, David Bowie's Heroes (1977) and Scary
Monsters (1980), Daryl Hall's Sacred Songs (1979), and
The Roches (1979 & 1982).
Fripp left the music industry between 1984 and 1991 to establish the
Guitar Craft seminar program, which continues
around the world.
Collaborations include David Sylvian, The First Day (1993), and
Damage
(1994), FFWD with The Orb and
Thomas Fehlmann (1994), and contributions to albums by The Grid and
The Future Sound of London.
http://www.disciplineglobalmobile.com/
Grande symphonie funébre et triomphale |
Berlioz |
Music from 'The Threepenny Opera' |
Weill |
Two central masterpieces from the wind orchestra repertoire form the
core of this programme by the department's newest ensemble.
Cello Sonata |
Debussy |
Violin Sonata |
Janácek |
Quatuor pour le fin du temps |
Messiaen |
After their successful York debut at the start of the season, New Music
Players present a contrasting programme in
which they perform works by three of the most influential composers
of the 20th century, which have now become
standard classics.
The award winning University Jazz Orchestra presents a programme
of big band arrangements and compositions
drawing upon latin, swing and contemporary jazz influences.
Including the concert debut of the university's No Net Jazz Nonet
playing original arrangements of works by
Thelonious Monk.
http://www-users.york.ac.uk/~am12/uyjo.htm
Octet |
Schubert |
Septet |
Beethoven |
Hausmusik is dedicated to the performance of chamber repertoire of the late 18th and early 19thcenturies and was the first British chamber ensemble to perform Romantic music on period instruments. Their performances display "levels of musicianship, teamwork, virtuosity and imagination traditionally associated with the finest conventional chamber ensembles, distinguished by a winning sense of enjoyment and shared desire to communicate". The Independent
Friday 22 February 11am-1pm
This concert includes Schubert’s Schwanengesang, one of his
final compositions to texts by Rellstab, Heine and Seidl; the cycle explores
extremes of emotion, of love, pain, fidelity and despair.
A liturgical sequence for Ash Wednesday with music from the late
Renaissance and early Baroque by Monteverdi, Gabrieli, Grandi and Cavalli.
Four Sea Interludes (from Peter Grimes) |
Britten |
Kindertotenlieder |
Mahler |
Symphony No.1 in A flat major |
Elgar |
The BBC Philharmonic make its first appearance in this season’s series.
The programme promises to take us
through the full dramatic range of the orchestra, with Britten’s Sea
Interludes from Peter Grimes evoking the North
Sea, Mahler’s moving song cycle and, finally, Elgar’s First Symphony,
which found favour with audiences from its very
first performance.
Mass in D (Op. 86) |
Dvorák |
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Motets: Ecce sacerdos magnosChristus factus est |
Bruckner |
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Sonata No 2 in C Minor(Peter Seymour - organ) |
Mendelssohn |
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The University Choir performs Antonín Dvorák’s attractive
Mass
in D (1887) with the composer’s original organ
accompaniment together with motets by Anton Bruckner, including the
magnificent Ecce sacerdos magnos for choir,
trombones and organ. Please note that this concert takes place
in the Sir Jack Lyons Concert Hall. The hall’s Grant,
Degens and Bradbeer organ remains one of the finest recital instruments
in the country.
The programme will include Cage's Concert for Prepared Piano
and Chamber Orchestra, with music by Alvin Lucier, Phill Niblock and William
Brooks (recently appointed Reader in Music at the University); also film
and music events throughout the day and works by student composers.
Six Pieces Op. 6 |
Webern |
Nocturnes |
Debussy |
Concerto for Orchestra |
Bartók |
Works from the University Orchestra's programme from 14th March,
presented especially for the 10 - 16 age group by David Blake.
With guest artists and live instrumentalists, the York Electroacoustic
Music weekend features cutting-edge
electroacoustic music and computer animation. Lunchtime events, installations,
workshops and an internet-broadcast are included. See the music department
web site http://www.york.ac.uk/depts/music/for
details.
Fantasy in C Minor K 475 |
Mozart |
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Sonata in B Flat K 333 |
Mozart |
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Sonata in E Minor Op. 90 |
Beethoven |
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Variations & Fugue on a theme by Handel, Op. 24 |
Brahms |
The York based pianist, Sarah Beth Briggs has been described as "an
artist of extraordinary magnetism" (Daily Telegraph) and "an exceptionally
gifted musician" (The Guardian). Since becoming the youngest ever
finalist in the BBC Young Musician of the Year Competition, her career
has gone from strength to strength.
Horn Trio |
Philip Cashian |
Arriving Again Shortly |
John Stringer |
Between Tides |
Toru Takemitsu |
The University's own Gamelan orchestra will present a unique play
with music, entitled Drawn from the Water. Originally conceived
for the Cheltenham Festival, where it was performed last July, this show,
featuring new sets, shadow puppet theatre and specially-composed music,
recreates the extraordinary Javanese folk tale of Sangkuriang.
Three student pianists play pieces by Mozart.
Symphony of Psalms |
Stravinsky |
Mass in E minor |
Bruckner |
The University Chamber Choir and Chamber Orchestra offer a programme
of two contrasting works for choir and
orchestra. Bruckner’s Mass No. 2 in E Minor was composed in
1866 but is here performed in the revised version of
1882. The Mass is complemented by Stravinsky’s exuberant Symphony
of Psalms which dates from 1930.
Some of the Department's current outstanding performers present
a showcase programme of solo and chamber music. Programmes reflect the
performers' own enthusiasms and have in the past offered an eclectic range
of music, including medieval plainchant, music for Chinese flute, French
song and modern jazz.
The Jazz Orchestra is joined by the composer and saxophonist Julian
Argüelles to perform some of his recent
compositions. The programme will also feature arrangements from the
contemporary big band repertoire, solo
features, new compositions and poetic movements by the Director.
Argüelles’ CD Scrapes has been described as "...a release of almost
unprecedented proportions in British jazz history"
- The Independent On Sunday
"British jazz may not have a finer moment" - Birmingham Post, of Argüelles’ CD Skull View.
http://www-users.york.ac.uk/~am12/uyjo.htm
Kyrie in D minor K. 341 |
Mozart |
Symphony No 41 in C ("Jupiter") K. 551 |
Mozart |
Schöpfungsmesse (Creation Mass) |
Haydn |
University Choir and Northern Sinfonia join forces again in this popular
programme including Mozart’s ceremonial C
Major final symphony alongside one of Haydn’s later masses which features
a large and colourful orchestration.
The Shades of Love (Six poems by C.P. Cavafy) |
David Blake |
Piano Concerto in G |
Ravel |
Symphony No.5 |
Shostakovich |
A special concert to say farewell to Professor David Blake, a member
of York’s Music Department since its earliest
days, and instrumental in the foundation of this concert series.
This programme reflects only part of his own wide
ranging musical tastes, as well as giving us an opportunity to honour
him as a composer and hear one of his most
recent works, premiered last Autumn in Greece.
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