A THOMAS HARDY SONGBOOK includes songs by Benjamin Britten, John Ireland and more
FINZI Before and After Summer
Featuring special guest Momentum artist, Gareth Brynmor John, as part of the Momentum: Our Future, Now initiative
Music in the Round’s Singer-in-Residence, Roderick Williams, is without a doubt one of the greatest performers of English song. In this concert, Roderick and Christopher will carry us through the wonderful Wessex world of Thomas Hardy’s poems set to music. From cider-drenched outbursts of joy in spring, to the falling yellow leaves of autumn, expect to be completely absorbed by an idyllic landscape with these outstanding musicians.
Roderick and Christopher will also be joined by special guest Momentum artist, Gareth Brynmor John, who will be performing a few songs in this concert. The ‘Momentum: Our Future, Now’ initiative has been established in response to the pandemic, which sees leading soloists and conductors supporting younger colleagues by inviting them to share the stage at concerts and events taking place over the coming seasons.
Gareth first wowed Sheffield audiences back in December 2017, when he stood in for Roderick Williams who was unable to perform due to illness. Music in the Round is absolutely delighted to be welcoming them both back to Upper Chapel this autumn, as we do all that we can to support musicians in these challenging times.
“I can think of no better way to nurture the enormous musical talent that is facing such a threat in the face of this pandemic. I dearly hope that performers, promoters and audiences alike become used to the idea that, for the time being, opportunities to make music can be shared rather than competed for. We need to help each other now more than ever.” Roderick Williams
“Our greatest living baritone” The Daily Telegraph
MARTINŮ Nonet (16’)
VITKAUSKAITÉ Nanga (world premiere) (c.10’)
DVOŘÁK Piano Quintet No.2 (39’)
Three centuries of music feature in this much-anticipated return to the Crucible Studio, with a 19th century classic, a large-scale gem of the 20th century chamber repertoire and a world premiere composed in 2021. Nine members of Ensemble 360 open this concert with Martinů’s tuneful and optimistic, richly textured Nonet. We are delighted to present the latest in our series of RPS chamber music commissions: a new work for piano trio by Rūta Vitkauskaitė. We conclude with Dvořák’s lyrical and lively folk dance-inspired masterpiece.
Post-concert talk
Rūta Vitkauskaitė talks with members of Ensemble 360 about her new composition following its world premiere performance in the Crucible Studio.
Free to all ticket-holders for this concert.
This concert is celebrating the life of David Megginson, past Chair & Lifetime Patron of Music in the Round, who played a crucial part, with Peter Cropper, in creating Ensemble 360 in 2005.
HAAS Suite for piano and oboe (15′)
BRITTEN, Metamorphoses (13′)
CHOPIN, Mazurkas (10′)
SAINT-SAËNS Oboe Sonata (11′)
Ensemble 360’s Adrian Wilson is joined by pianist Ben Frith for this concert that spotlights the virtuosic qualities of the oboe.
* PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE TO THE PREVIOUSLY ADVERTISED PROGRAMME.
“Ensemble 360 [gave] a mesmerising performance” ***** Bach Track
HAYDN Piano Trio Hob XV:21 (14′)
DVOŘÁK Piano Trio in F minor Op.65 (40′)
After their best-selling series of concerts featuring Beethoven’s piano trios, Benjamin Nabarro, Gemma Rosefield and Tim Horton begin a new cycle in which some of the greatest piano trios of the 19th century are paired with the composer who almost single-handedly invented the form: Joseph Haydn. These concerts will dazzle and delight with their sheer range of emotions; definitely not to be missed!
“High virtuosity all round – superb light, dazzling backgrounds from Tim Horton, searing intensity of tone from violinist Benjamin Nabarro and cellist Gemma Rosefield… terrific stuff.” BBC Music Magazine ****
BARTÓK Violin Rhapsody No.1 (9′)
BACH Violin Sonata in G BWV 1021 (17′)
BEETHOVEN Violin Sonata in G Op.30 No.3 (18′)
JANÁČEK Violin Sonata (17′)
Violinist Claudia Ajmone-Marsan and pianist Tim Horton explore the breadth of works for violin and piano in this rich and varied programme. Claudia has recited extracts of Beethoven’s letters at previous concerts and for our podcast, so this is an opportunity to hear her play his stately work that showcases the invention and range of violin-playing. Bartók’s peasant dance-inspired Rhapsody is a spectacular opening of fireworks, full of intrigue and surprise; while Janáček’s Sonata brings the concert to a close, treating the listener to an evocative series of musical images.
BEETHOVEN Op.18 No.6 (26’)
BEETHOVEN Op.131 (39’)
Ensemble 360 continues its exploration of the full arch of Beethoven’s string quartets with a pairing drawn from early in his lifelong dedication to the form and what is said to be his own favourite of these works. Inventive, syncopated, eccentric; the first of this pairing is playful, bright and full of longing. An intricate quartet follows, which turns from brooding intensity to monumental power, and left Schubert asking, “After this, what is left for us to write?“
BACH Well-Tempered Clavier
Both books performed in their entirety over 4 hour-long concerts
A rare chance to hear the Well-Tempered Clavier in its entirety. Pianist Libby Burgess tackles this monumental work for keyboard as part of her series performing ‘the 48’ in each of England’s 48 counties. Each movement lasts only a few minutes, but between them they explore a wealth of characters, styles and moods, representing not only a diversity of musical language but also exploring the whole gamut of human emotional experience.
LIBBY BURGESS talk
Friday 13 August
7.00pm – 7.45pm
Channing Hall
FREE
Libby Burgess provides insight into her Project-48 series of concerts performing Bach’s monumental work for keyboard in all 48 counties.
Free tickets available to all 5.30pm and 8.00pm ticket holders. Tickets must be ordered in person at box office or over the phone by calling 0114 249 6000. If you are attending this pre-concert event, you will not be required to arrive at the time specified on your ticket for the 8.00pm concert. There is strictly limited capacity due to social distancing requirements. Early booking is recommended.
About Libby Burgess’s Project 48
Project 48 is raising funds for musical charities, inspired by Bach’s comment that this music was written “for the benefit and use of the musical youth eager to learn, as well as for the special pastime of those already skilful in this study.”
This project will be fundraising for four musical charities who provide much-needed help to those same categories of people today – musicians young and old. Find out more here.
CLARKE Viola Sonata (24’)
SCHUBERT Arpeggione Sonata (25’)
A virtuoso viola player herself, Clarke’s sonata for viola and piano is one of her best-known and most loved pieces. First performed in 1919, with echoes of Debussy and Vaughan Williams, this lush sonata is richly chromatic, inventive and pyrotechnic. Schubert’s elegant Arpeggione Sonata risked fading with extinction of the ‘bowed guitar’ instrument for which it was written, and hence its name. This viola transcription draws out the melancholy and hope of Schubert’s intricate and soulful work.
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