Lodon Internationa Concert Series Concert 22/09

ICS 2014-15 International Concert Series
Welcome to the 2014-15 International Concert Series at Rudolf Steiner House featuring
recitals by outstanding international musicians. The Series opens with a weekend
celebrating artistic impulses at the time of The Great War. This was a time of explosive
artistic innovation and freedom of expression. The Great War created a massive distraction
from such impulses, mass-murder rather than mass-awakening ensued and it could be
argued that the rest of the century was one long aftermath. The opening weekend includes
chamber and vocal music recitals as well as lecture demonstrations on Music, Poetry,
Painting and Architecture. Solo Recitals and Chamber Music. Continuing through the
2014/15 Season, the Series features solo instrumental, vocal recitals and ensemble
performances by international artists. The broad range of repertoire extends to the present
day and includes premieres of music by Gregers Brinch, the 2014/15 Series’ featured
contemporary composer.
Featured Contemporary Composer of ICS 2014/15
Gregers Brinch
Gregers Brinch received his calling to compose at the age of 20 after a period of
travel and exploration. He views the term 'contemporary' broadly and thus
encompasses all influences earnestly and authentically. His works have been
widely performed in the UK including the (Wigmore Hall), USA, Japan, Denmark,
Germany, France, Italy. His acclaimed CDs have been issued by Claudio records,
and Navona records. Some works have taken up to 18 years to compose, but he
frequently responds to requests and commissions with a freshness that comes from his Danish west
coast roots. “the work of Gregers Brinch has achieved a comprehensive success. On hearing the
piece for the first time a sceptical anticipation was turned into a moving experience”. Friedwart
Krueger - review of "Die Herausforderung" (the Challenge) the preamble to the human rights
declaration.
Troupe Collective
Friday 17 Oct 2014 7.30pm
A Line in the Sand: A Hundred Years since World War One
Catherine Carter - voice, Beatrice Philips - violin, Sophie Rivlin cello, Jessie Maryon-Davies - piano, Kate Wakeling - dance.
A Line in the Sand weaves together the disparate experiences
of people from all over the world caught up in the events of
World War One. Told through colourful and moving
performances of chamber music, dance, physical theatre and
spoken word, the concert explores the stories of soldiers,
spies, artists and musicians whose lives were turned upside
down by the onset of World War One. Featuring chamber
works for voice, strings and piano by Debussy, Handel,
Kodály, Gurney, Cage and Ives, the concert also brings
audiences together in song alongside TROUPE performers.
Book online at: www.internationalconcertseries.eventbrite.co.uk
William Hancox - lecture/concert
Saturday 18 Oct 2014 11.30am
Lecture/concert about music at the beginning of the 20th century
This event, illustrated at the piano by William Hancox, searches for themes which illuminate
the extraordinary variety of musical responses to the Great War and its aftermath. Many of
these themes will be reflected in his evening recital with baritone Jozik Kotz.
Peter van Breda - lecture with slides
Saturday 18 Oct 2014 3.00pm
From Joy to Turmoil: The Art of Painting around WW1
During the years both preceding and following the Great War artists in many disciplines
were moved and inspired to cross new thresholds of expression. In painting we find a
mixture of hope, despair and abstraction in an exciting but also painful step into the new
consciousness of a modern world.
Nicolas Pople - lecture Visionary Architects
Saturday 18 Oct 2014 4.30pm
During WWI many architects and artists, particularly in Germany, imagined a future in which
art and architecture would play a healing and pivotal role. A group led by Bruno Taut and
Walter Gropius, later to be the first head of the Bauhaus in 1918, wrote to each other and
shared ideas with illustrations in exchanges that later became known as the Crystal chain
letters. Many went on to become the leading creative figures of the 20th century. During this
period, Rudolf Steiner conceived and oversaw the construction of the first Goetheanum in
Dornach, a building that reinstated the concept of the total work of art, something not seen in
Europe since the era of the great gothic cathedrals.
William Hancox-piano & Jozik Kotz-baritone Saturday 18 Oct 2014 7.30pm
Creativity In Conflict
This recital of songs and piano solos by Jozik Kotz and William Hancox explores
music written around the time of the Great War, featuring composers as diverse as
Gurney, Butterworth, Faure, Debussy, Granados, and Richard Strauss. Jozik Kotz
has performed throughout Europe including at the ENO, the Royal Opera and
Glyndebourne. Recordings include the premieres of Turnage’s The Silver Tassie
and Gavin Bryar’s Dr. Ox’s experiment for Deutsche Gramophon and the Paray
Mass with the Royal Scottish orchestra which was nominated for a Grammy Award. He
has appeared as a soloist at the Proms, with the BBC Symphony, the London
Philharmonic and the English Chamber Orchestra. William Hancox has wide ranging
musical interests including solo playing, chamber music, duo work and vocal coaching.
His recent trip to China typifies his breadth of approach, with masterclasses for both
singers and pianists. He has issued a number of CDs including the complete Moericke Songs by
Hugo Wolf and has premiered new works at the Cheltenham Festival and at the South Bank. He
has also broadcast for the BBC and Classic FM.
Richard Ramsbotham - lecture/performance
Bearing Witness – the Voice of the Artist in WWI
Sunday 19 Oct 2014
7.30pm
Many people in the media have been trying to downplay the voices of the poets in WWI. One
successful contemporary historian (Max Hastings) declares himself to be passionately against
the poets ‘view’. Richard Ramsbotham in this performance/talk attempts to touch on the
extraordinary depth of human experience borne witness to by the poets, and would thus
happily describe himself as ‘passionately’ for the poets ‘view’.
Book online at: www.internationalconcertseries.eventbrite.co.uk
Solo Recitals and Chamber Music 2014/15 Season
Louis Demetrius Alvanis - piano
Mozart and Bartok juxtaposed
Sunday 16 Nov 2014 4.00pm
Alvanis' dazzling pianism needs no introduction to London audiences.
A regular on the capital's classical concert scene, he has given solo
recitals in leading venues such as the Wigmore Hall, Barbican Hall
and Queen Elizabeth Hall. His international career has taken him
throughout Europe and the UK, the Far East and the USA, where he
appears every season. His CD recordings on the Meridian and Brilliant
Classics labels have been acclaimed by the international music press
and broadcasts of his performances include Classic FM, NTV Japan,
Photo by:
Paolo Vairo
BBC Radio, Swiss TV, ITV Thames and Radio New Zealand amongst
many others. The Daily Telegraph critic described his playing as " a truly astonishing
fire and force" whilst Fanfare Magazine USA wrote: " a gifted and greatly cultivated
Chopin pianist. Alvanis is an artist who makes most other pianists sound just a wee bit
routine." The Evening Standard commented: “his touch was magical...the sound is with
me still” In a recital of contrasts, Alvanis’ programme juxtaposes Mozart's Sonata K310
with Bartok's Sonata '1926' and also includes music by Chopin and Gregers Brinch.
Rohan de Saram - solo cello recital Saturday 22 Nov 2014 7.30pm
A Musical Journey for Solo Cello
Rohan de Saram is one of the world's most distinguished
cellists, master of classical and modern music. Born in the
UK, he spent his first ten years in Sri Lanka and started the
cello. A child prodigy aged eleven, he studied with Gaspar
Cassado in Italy. Winner of the Suggia Award he went on to
study with Pablo Casals in Puerto Rico and Sir John
Barbirolli in London. As soloist, Rohan has played
Photo by kind permision of
throughout Europe, Asia, USA, Canada, Australia, New
Dr Thomas Kruppa Hamburg
Zealand and the former Soviet Union, with the major
orchestras & conductors. His USA debut was at the Carnegie Hall with the New York
Philharmonic Orchestra, at the invitation of Dmitri Mitropoulos. Leading composers
have written for him: Iannis Xenakis, Henri Pousseur and Luciano Berio. Berio
composed his final Sequenza No.XIV for him and wrote: “…….your sound, your perfect
intonation, your phrasing and bowing technique make you a great performer of any
music." Pablo Casals said of Rohan de Saram: “There are few of his generation that
have such gifts.” In this rare London solo appearance, Rohan de Saram's programme
features music for unaccompanied cello by by Britten, Bach, Brinch, Kodaly.
Book online at: www.internationalconcertseries.eventbrite.co.uk
London Myriad Ensemble/Yuki Negishi Saturday 13 Dec 2014 7.30pm
Les Six and a ‘Mighty Handful’: exploring the compass of the piano sextet
International prizewinners, the London Myriad Ensemble,
known for their dynamic playing, join forces with
breathtaking international pianist Yuki Negishi in a full
programme for piano and winds. The ensemble brings to
life the amusing Parisian characters in Françaix’s L’heure
du berger aligned with the Russian Rimsky-Korsakov’s
rarely performed but exquisite chamber work for piano
quintet. The exuberant Sextet recalls Poulenc’s part in Les
Six alongside the lesser known but intriguing Sarabande
and Menuet by D’Indy. The incredibly idiomatic work of the independent Gordon Jacob,
brings riveting moments from every player. The London Myriad Ensemble, known for their
dynamic playing, formed in 2004, are international first prize winners and have performed on
BBC Radio 3 and at the Purcell Room amongst other venues, also coaching advanced wind
regularly at Benslow Music and across the country. Primarily formed as a wind quintet, they
regularly diversify into other combinations and have also premiered a number of new works
for wind over the years. They are thrilled to be performing with pianist Yuki Negishi, who
performs both as a soloist and recitalist in the UK and abroad. She has performed on Radio 3
and on Channel 4 and has won over 10 international prizes. As a keen chamber musician she
has collaborated both previously with London Myriad and also with numerous musicians from
the LPO, Royal Concertgebouw and the Zurich Tonhalle.
Nova-Vernizzi-Costa Trio
Saturday 31 Jan 2015 7.30pm
From Busseto to Buenos Aires
Giuseppe Nova - flute Rino Vernizzi bassoon Giorgio Costa - piano
The outstanding Trio from Italy make their much anticipated
London debut presenting a feast of music featuring opera
classics by Verdi and music by Piazzolla. Although choir,
soloists and orchestra are compressed within a small trio of
flute, bassoon and piano, the quality this group of musicians
achieves is nothing short of sensational - this is music which
fits the chamber ensemble just as well as the grand opera
halls. The Vernizzi-Nova-Costa Trio combine to create an
extraordinary programme full of musical richness. They have
performed throughout Europe, the USA and the Far East with
many acclaimed CD recordings to their name.
“Musical art at its perfection” Nice Matin
Book online at: www.internationalconcertseries.eventbrite.co.uk
Anna Maria Stanczyk
Saturday 14 Feb 2015
7.30pm
The Great Romantics
Following on from her brilliant London appearance
last season, the great Polish pianist returns for another
eagerly awaited recital with a programme featuring
music by Chopin, Rachmaninov, Paderewski and
Gregers Brinch. Anna Maria Stanczyk has performed
in major concert venues such as Philharmonic Hall,
Warsaw Van Leer Hall, Jerusalem, and New York's
Carnegie Recital Hall, which was reviewed as follows
by the New York Times:
”Miss Stanczyk is a pianist with a genuine feel for the Romantic repertory. Her
tone although heroic, is capable of a myriad shading subtleties, and she has
the intelligence and sense of narrative structure, that is crucial to any reading
of this music.”
The Golden Age of Musical Theatre 1940-60 Saturday 7th Mar 2015 7.30pm
Rodney Earl Clarke- baritone Christopher Gould- piano & Special Guest
Take a journey back through time with Rodney Earl Clarke
and guest star Tenor and experience the bright lights of
Broadway with music which has made an impact on us until
this very day, including If I Loved You, Some Enchanted
Evening, Maria, Ol’ Man River and more.
Hailed by Gramophone as a “singer to be watched”, Rodney
Earl Clarke is recognised for his versatility ranging from
Mozart to Max Richter. He featured in Kenneth Branagh's epic
film version of Mozart's The Magic Flute, appeared with the John Wilson
Orchestra in the BBC Prom: The Broadway Sound, and debuted
with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra performing the role of Jake in Gershwin’s
Porgy & Bess under the baton of Sir Simon Rattle. Rodney's rendition of Ole man
River was described as having ''elegant restraint'' Telegraph -The Broadway
Sound/John Wilson Orchestra, BBC Proms. ''There was fine work from Rodney
Earl Clarke, who projected Ol' Man River with real passion'' Guardian The Broadway Sound/John Wilson Orchestra
Book online at: www.internationalconcertseries.eventbrite.co.uk
Rudolf Steiner House
Rudolf Steiner House was built between 1926 and 1937 and designed by the architect
Montague Wheeler (1874 - 1937), an active member of the Anthroposophical Society
and chairman of the British branch from 1935-37. The House was built as the ‘home’
of the Society. As its name implies the building takes its inspiration from the work of
Rudolf Steiner and in particular from the first Goetheanum building at Dornach,
Switzerland. The first Goetheanum was built of timber during the Great War and sadly
destroyed by fire at Christmas 1922. Its replacement is built of concrete and shares the
same inspiration. The House, is the first and only example of ‘expressionist’
architecture in London. The building was listed (Grade 2) in 1991.
Rudolf Steiner (1861 - 1925) was an Austrian philosopher, scientist and social
reformer who extended scientific research beyond the existing parameters of natural
science to investigate the non-physical, spiritual realities of life. Using clear and
accessible means for attaining spiritual knowledge, he offered insights that have
inspired new approaches in many fields of contemporary practical life. He shared the
results of his work in over 40 books and 6,000 lectures. Many of these works are
available in the bookshop and/or Library in Rudolf Steiner House.
During the course of his life, Rudolf Steiner collaborated with doctors, therapists,
farmers, business people, teachers, scientists and artists. These collaborations created
Waldorf Schools, biodynamic agriculture, new economic and social models, the
Camphill movement, anthroposophic medicine and a large number of other initiatives
that exist today in Great Britain and across the world. Rudolf Steiner re-founded the
Anthroposophical Society at the laying of the foundation stone of the Second
Goetheanum in Dornach, Switzerland in 1923 as: "an Association of people whose will
it is to foster the life of the soul both in the individual and in society, based on a true
knowledge of the spiritual world".
Facilities for Hire:
The Theatre, an intimate venue with 220 seat auditorium and a medium sized stage,
and rehearsal rooms are available for hire.
www.rsh.anth.org.uk
35 Park Road, NW1 6XT
Tel: 020 7723 4400
Book online at: www.internationalconcertseries.eventbrite.co.uk
ICS
Troupe Collective - A line in the Sand: 100yrs since WW1
William Hancox - lecture/concert Music early 20th C
Peter van Breda - lecture with slides
Nicolas Pople - lecture
William Hancox & Jozik Kotz - Creativity in Conflict
Richard Ramsbotham - lecture/performance
Louis Demetrius Alvanis - Mozart & Bartok Juxtaposed
Rohan de Saram - A Musical Journey for Solo Cello
The London Myriad Ensemble & Yuki Negishi
Giuseppe Nova, Rino Vernizzi & Giorgio Costa
Anna Maria Stanczyk - The Great Romantics
Rodney Earl Clarke & Christopher Gould with Special Guest
2014
Friday
Oct 7.30pm
Saturday 18th Oct 11.30am
Saturday 18th Oct 3.00pm
Saturday 18th Oct 4.30pm
Saturday 18th Oct 7.30pm
Sunday 19th Oct 11.30am
Sunday 16th Nov 4.00pm
Saturday 22nd Nov 7.30pm
Saturday 13th Dec 7.30pm
2015
st
Saturday 31 Jan 7.30pm
Saturday 14th Feb 7.30pm
Saturday 7th Mar 7.30pm
17th
Book Online at: www.internationalconcertseries.eventbrite.co.uk
TICKETS for individual concert: Full price £15.00, Concessions £12.50
(Concessions are available to:Under 21s | Those in full time education | Income support claimants
| Disabled people) ID required at the door for concessions
TICKETS for individual lecture: Full price £10.00, Concessions £8.00
Tickets also available in advance at the Rudolf Steiner House Bookshop,
Open: Mon-Fri 12pm -3pm & 4pm to 7.45pm, Sat 10-6pm Tel: 020 7724 7699
Book in person for WW1 Weekend ticket encompassing all concerts and lectures during 1719 October 2014: Full price £60.00, Concessions £50.00
Tickets available at the door on the day of the performance for all concerts & lectures from
half an hour before the start time.
The promoters reserve the right to substitute artists and programmes without prior notice.
Rudolf Steiner House 35 Park Road, NW1 6XT
TUBE Marylebone, Baker Street
RAIL Marylebone rail station
BUSES 2, 13, 18, 27, 30, 74,
82, 113, 139, 159, 274
Disabled access
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