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Showing posts from November, 2016

November Bonanzas 3 and 4: Sarah Fox; Peter Martens.

Third night in a row, this time back in Skipton for the next Skipton Music concert. The November concert was a song evening, featuring Sarah Fox accompanied by Alexander Taylor.  Normally I am not a big fan of opera and not always of classical song; but season ticket = no excuse! However it was a very enjoyable evening. Sarah programmed songs by Schubert, Richard Strauss, Duparc, Canteloube, Britten and ended with a selection of Cole Porter and Gershwin songs. The songs by Henri Duparc were super and had great piano parts too; and the selection from Songs of the Auvergne by Joseph Canteloube were great fun.  A few days' rest for the ears before another Leeds University lunchtime concert. This time the performer was South African cellist Peter Martens , accompanied by Richard Casey. The standout piece from this concert was the Sonata for Cello and Piano (2010) by South African composer Peter Klatzow. Peter Martens introduced the work, explaining that Klatzow is one of S

November Bonanza 2: Live at Wigmore Hall - Cuarteto Quiroga and Javier Perianes

With Sara Watkins still playing through my mind, on Monday 14th November I headed to Wigmore Hall in London. A definite treat for me  - my first visit to this legendary venue for one of the Radio 3 Lunchtime Concerts. Nice place! Though the balcony seating is rather snug. After October and the Sacconi Quartet, two string quartets in as many months courtesy of Cuarteto Quiroga . They were joined by pianist Javier Perianes for a programme of Granados and Brahms. All musicians of a very high calibre from the programme notes.  First up was Granados' Piano Quintet in G minor Op 49 . I enjoy playing some of Granados' solo piano pieces but had not heard this piece before. All very exciting! The Quintet is a relatively early piece and reaches beyond a 'Spanish' sound, in particular in the first movement 'allegro. The second movement was pure poetry  - piece and the performance by the 5 musicians. In a less-is-more vein, the movement has a simple melody and sparse

November Bonanza 1: Sara Watkins in Saltaire

If October was busy... something of a concert bonanza in November! The run started with Americana legend Sara Watkins playing The Live Room in Saltaire at the end of her UK tour. We saw Sara as part of the I'm With Her tour in Gateshead last year and have been much enjoying her current album Young In All The Wrong Ways . This album is quite a rocky/produced sound, so to hear the same songs from Sara alone with her instruments was a treat. It also meant that they lyrics stood out more. There were also older songs (including a few Nickel Creek tracks) and covers. This was also our first visit to The Live Room, which is an award winning live space within Caroline Social Club in Saltaire. It's a very intimate space (a bit reminiscent of Belgrave Music Hall back in 2013 when we saw Basia Bulat), chairs, tables and low lighting. The live events are very reasonably priced and there are some great acts coming! Sara had a local support, Serious Sam Barrett . Sam was very good

Catching up with autumn - October highlights: The Sacconi Quartet and David Braid

With the change in seasons, my concert calendar has filled up again. Though with all my interests plus a day job writing time is somewhat elusive! My October highlights were the first event of Skipton Music 's season, plus David Braid at University of Leeds' International Concert Series. This year I have arranged for a Skipton Music season ticket. No excuses! The current season is a mix of chamber, song, instrumental and orchestral concerts. First up were Sacconi String Quartet with Robert Plane on clarinet. It is ages (so long I can't recall!) since I last heard a string quartet live, so it was a real pleasure to hear the Sacconi Quartet and their high quality timbres. Their first piece on the programme was Haydn's String Quartet Op. 76 No. 1; lively and humourous in particular with the 'gallop' in the final movement! Robert Plane joined the Sacconi Quartet for the rest of the evening. The second piece was a truly interesting Phantasy Quintet for B