SUNDAY EVENING CONCERTS

at the Jubilee Hall, Seer Green, Bucks at 8pm

The four concerts of the 2010 season begin on 30th May. To view full details please click on the artists' names.

            Sunday 30th May 2010

            QUATUOR EBČNE

‘a gifted young string quartet with something urgent and individual to communicate. This is playing that combines refinement of shading and nuance with a sense of controlled danger.’   The Daily Telegraph

From “promising young ensemble”, the Quatuor Ebčne has grown to become one of today’s foremost quartets on the international scene.  Recently the quartet was selected to take part in the BBC’s “New Generation Artists” scheme, supported by the Borletti-Buitoni Foundation, which sponsored their first, critically acclaimed live recording of works by Haydn as well as a second CD devoted to works of Bartók. The Ebčne moves with ease and enthusiasm between different styles, and their tendency to indulge a love of jazz inspires the quartet in untangling and giving new life to classical works. The quartet has been heard throughout Europe, Asia and the United States in some of the most prestigious concert halls. In 2009 they were  featured as part of Wigmore Hall’s Haydn Cycle in London. The quartet’s Debussy, Ravel and Fauré recording was recently awarded “Recording of the Year” by Gramophone magazine as well as “Chamber Music Record of the Year” by ECHO-classik.

http://www.quatuorebene.com/en

               Sunday 13th June 2010

            SOUNDS BAROQUE (harpsichord and string ensemble)

               Julian Perkins, harpsichord and director

                       'A Baroque Cornucopia'

Sounds Baroque celebrates the passion, theatricality, and sheer variety inherent in all European art of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. The ensemble comprises  musicians who are active both as soloists and chamber musicians. Their Director, Julian Perkins, performs with leading ensembles including the Academy of Ancient Music, English Concert, Gabrieli Consort, London Handel Orchestra, and Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, as well as conducting  New Chamber Opera, New Kent Opera, and Southbank Sinfonia, and teaching at the Royal Academy of Music. Formerly known as Dramma per Musica, Sounds Baroque has performed at international festivals in Cheltenham, London, Tel Aviv, and York, and for music societies throughout the UK. Their new series of recordings entitled Conversazioni, is already generating much interest in the music world. Their first recording with countertenor Andrew Radley is about to be released.

http://www.julianperkins.com

          Sunday 27th June 2010

          STEVEN KOVACEVICH (piano)

                               David Thompson Copyright EMI Classics      

‘ a temperamental, almost explosive approach that resonates with rhythmic and nervous energy but also leaves room for elegance, wit and introspection. Kovacevich’s journey is always engrossing…’ The Financial Times

Stephen Kovacevich needs little introduction. He is one of the most searching interpreters as a pianist and has won unstinting admiration for his playing of Beethoven, Brahms, Mozart and Schubert. He has given concerto performances with acclaimed orchestras all over the world. His international reputation has been built both on his concert appearances, renowned for their thoughtfulness and re-creative intensity, and on the highly acclaimed recordings he has made throughout his career, including a compelling series of Schubert Sonatas for EMI.  His recording of  Beethoven ‘s Diabelli Variations won the 2009 Classic FM Gramophone Editor’s Choice award.

http://www.vanwalsum.com/artists/sk.php

            Sunday 11th July 2010

               ROBERT PLANE (clarinet), GUY JOHNSTON (cello) and SOPHIA RAHMAN (piano) with SARA LIAN (soprano)

                                 Robert Plane                                                             Guy Johnston                                           Sophia Rahman                                     Sara Lian

Our final concert this season brings together in a varied programme three established musicians with a young soprano at the beginning of her career.  Robert Plane has enjoyed a successful career as a soloist, chamber musician, recording artist and orchestral principal. Currently principal clarinet of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Robert is passionate about performing and recording British music. Of his recent release of John Ireland's clarinet music, Gramophone magazine hailed performances 'of ravishing lyricism and conviction by Robert Plane’. Award winning cellist Guy Johnston* has become a fast rising star on the international concert stage after making an extraordinary debut in London at the BBC Proms where he played the Elgar Cello Concerto with the BBC Symphony Orchestra under Leonard Slatkin. Sophia Rahman’s work encompasses a wide range of solo and chamber activities.  She has appeared with the chamber ensembles of the English Chamber Orchestra, Northern Sinfonia, London Mozart Players, and with the Soloists of the Royal Opera House as well as performing at all the London recital halls and many across Europe. Sara Lian* is a highly promising young soprano recently graduated from the Royal Academy of Music where she studied with Elizabeth Ritchie and Iain Ledingham.

http://www.robertplane.com/biog.asp      http://www.guy-johnston.com     http://web.ukonline.co.uk/tchaik/Sophia.htm

* Alice Neary was originally advertised to perform at this concert but is now unable to do so. We are delighted that Guy Johnston has agreed to play instead. We are also pleased that Sara Lian has been able to replace Celine Forrest, who is indisposed.

The Committee reserves the right to substitute artists and/or change programmes should the need arise.