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PHILIP R BUTTALL - The Herald 's Classical Music Writer & Critic (1)
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PHILIP R BUTTALL has been the Classical Music Writer & Critic for Plymouth's Evening Herald, now re-branded as The Herald, since 1997. He writes a weekly column each Thursday, where he previews the forthcoming classical music events in the city and surrounding area
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The Herald - Thursday February 4, 2010
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Dartington’s Great Hall provides the ideal setting for an afternoon concert by the Britten Sinfonia on Sunday February 5 at 3.00pm. Entitled ‘Britten in America’, the programme features music from both sides of the Atlantic and explores the subtle and rich sonorities of strings and voice. It offers a rare opportunity to hear celebrated British tenor, Mark Padmore, paired with the exuberant and imaginative Finnish violinist, Pekka Kuusisto, in ‘Impossible Things’, a new work by Nico Muhly. A protégé of Philip Glass, Nico is gaining a reputation as being one of the most impressive innovators of new music, effortlessly crossing the boundaries between classical and pop. The concert includes two Purcell Fantasias, Muhly’s arrangement of the composer’s Let the Night Perish (Job’s Curse), works by Tippett and Steve Reich, Britten’s Les Illuminations and John Adam’s Shaker Loops. There is also a pre-concert talk from Pekka Kuusisto and Mark Padmore, chaired by Dartington’s Director of the Arts, David Francis, starting at 1.45pm, and open to all ticket-holders. Tickets (£18 / £17 concessions / £5 students & young people) are available from the Box Office (01803 847070) and at the door on the day, if unsold. Dartington highlights for next month feature the early-music ensemble, Le Jardin Secret, and a collaboration between Devon Baroque and the Exeter Chamber Choir in a performance of Bach’s St John Passion. April’s programme features the London Mozart Players as well as the National Youth Jazz Collective.
The next slot in the Kelly College concert series will be taken by Australian pianist, Jayson Gillham, on Wednesday February 10 in the Melvin Hall at 7.45pm. Jayson originally studied at Brisbane’s Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, before moving to the Royal Academy of Music to study with Professor Christopher Elton. Jayson has now embarked on a busy performing schedule, and is a current member of the Countess of Munster Musical Trust’s Recital Scheme. He opens his recital with Bach’s G major Toccata, and his programme includes works by Schubert, Bartók and Chopin, as well as featuring fellow-Australian composer, Matthew Hindson’s AK-47, a musical representation of the former Soviet assault rifle. Tickets (£9 senior citizens / £7 / accompanied under 18s free) are available at the door. For further details please phone 01822 813162. If you were disappointed that saxophonist, Hannah Marcinowicz’s Kelly College recital last month was cancelled, you will be pleased to know that it has now been rescheduled for Wednesday March 24 at 7.45pm.
If you’re more into early music, then the United Free Church in Totnes is the place to be on Friday February 12 at 7.30pm, when lutenist, Jacob Heringman, gives the next recital in the town’s Early Music Society series, featuring music by Francesco da Milano and John Dowland. Tickets (£10 / £5 children) are available at the door.
For lovers of Renaissance choral music, Buckfast Abbey is the perfect venue on Saturday February 6 at 7.30pm, when Exeter-based ensemble, Counterpoint, presents ‘The Life and Times of Queen Elizabeth of York, wife to King Henry VII’, featuring music by Brumel, Cornysh, Isaac, Obrecht and Ockeghem. Tickets cost £10 at the door, but can be ordered in advance on 01392 490398, with a £2 discount.
There’s still time to get along to Plymouth Pavilions on Friday February 5 at 7.30pm for the annual Strauss Gala. To help you get into the true spirit of this Viennese New-Year-style event, will be soprano, Caroline MacPhie, and the Johann Strauss Orchestra and Dancers, led from the violin by Charles Sewart. Tickets (£26.50 / £22.50 / £17.50) are still available from the Box Office (0845 146 1460), or online (www.plymouthpavilions.com), where the processing fee may apply.
04/02/10
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