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 South Africa's most well known contemporary composers. The piece was in 4 movements with a dose of asymetric meters. Very listenable (recommended!) and in particular I enjoyed the 'andante tranquillo' and the 'vivace'. The 'vivace' incorporated a call-and-response dialogue found in many African genres - this neatly dovetailed with the book I am currently reading (which is also recommended): The Other Classical Musics contains a chapter about the West African tradition of Mande jaliyaa.

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Music, Poetry and Cake (Gateshead and Lanchester)

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