DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC
In January, all our visiting musicians are characterised by their youth and early success on the professional ladder.
The Series restarts with a bang on 10th January, when the innovative percussion ensemble, BackBeat, will give a schools' performance in the morning, as well as their evening recital at 8pm. This award winning ensemble has quickly become well known for their virtuosic stage presence and the diversity of their programming. Their concert on 10th January includes a number of works commissioned specially by the group, including Roger Marsh's Sukeroku.
The Belcea Quartet is one of this country's most promising young string quartets who have quickly made a name for themselves in live performances and broadcasts. Their programme for 17th January is a chamber music lover's dream with Janacek's quartets - Kreutzer Sonata and Intimate Letters - interspersed by quartets No.1 in E flat and No. 12 in C minor by Schubert.
On 24th January a young Norwegian vocal trio present what might at first seem to be a disparate programme of traditional English and Norwegian songs, Mediæval Carols, Early Tudor Songs and contemporary works. However, these elements are characteristic of Trio Mediæval's programmes, which aim to bring the beauty and power of mediæval vocal music into the 21st century with challenging musical juxtapositions and a compelling stage presence.
At the end of the month the University
Chamber Orchestra , noted for their stylish and vivacious performances,
perform their first full concert of the season. Their programme on 31st
January opens with a new work by student composer Steven Baker, followed
by two classic works from the repertoire: Beethoven's Second Piano Concerto
and Symphony No.99 by Haydn. The soloist is a student in her final year
– Seng Choo Ong.
February is an exceptionally busy month for the University Concert
Series with six concerts, a masterclass and open lecture scheduled.
On 1st February we are delighted to welcome Robert Fripp to give the PRS John Lennon Popular Music Lecture [LINK]. Fripp has been in the music industry for over 30 years, having been a founder and continuing member of King Crimson since 1969, as well as famously collaborating with Brian Eno, Peter Gabriel, David Bowie and Daryl Hall. In the late 80s he founded the Guitar Craft seminar programme, which continues world-wide. His lecture is entitled Discipline and the act of music.
Three University ensembles perform during the month. On 7th February the University Wind Orchestra [LINK], the Department’s most recently formed ensemble, presents two masterpieces from the wind orchestra repertoire – Berlioz’ Grande symphonie funebre et trimomphale and music from Weill’s Threepenny Opera. The University Jazz Orchestra [LINK] performs on 16th February . This concert will feature the public debut of the university’s “No Net” Jazz Nonet playing original arrangements of works by Thelonious Monk. On 28th February the University Chamber Choir [LINK] moves out of the concert hall to St. Wilfrid’s Church in the centre of York where they will perform a special programme of music for Ash Wednesday including works by Monteverdi, Gabrieli, Grandi and Cavalli. NB: this concert starts at 8.30pm..
The University’s resident ensemble – the New Music Players [LINK] – performs on 14th February with a programme of works by three of the most influential composers of the 20th century. Considered controversial in their day, Debussy’s Cello Sonata, Janacek’s Violin Sonata and Messiaen’s Quatuor pour le fin du temps have now become standard classics.
The second half of the month focuses on music from Vienna. On 21st February we welcome Hausmusik [LINK], an ensemble dedicated to the performance of chamber repertoire of the late 18th and early 19th centuries who have been greeted with much critical acclaim. They have chosen two of the central works from their specialist repertoire: Schubert’s Octet and Beethoven’s Septet.. Two days later, on 23rd February, the baritone Thomas Guthrie and Peter Seymour [LINK] on fortepiano perform a programme of Lieder from Vienna, featuring Scbubert’s great song-cycle, Schwanengesang. On the previous day Thomas Guthrie will give a Masterclass on early Lieder, open to the public.
Tickets for most concerts: £7.00 to £15.50 (concessions
for senior citizens; Student/Unwaged £3.00). To book, contact the
University Box Office on 01904 432439.
The University Box Office is open Mon - Fri, 12 - 4.30pm; 01904 432439,
email boxoffice@york.ac.uk
If you wish to receive future Press Releases by Email, please send your address to Vicky Cumberland at vjc2@york.ac.uk
The University of York reserves the right to change programme details
and performers without notice.
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