World Premiere of Blue Pearl: A One World Oratorio

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Blue Pearl: A One World Oratorio
Text by Ken Wilber, Thich Nhat Hanh and Steve Banks.  Music by Steve Banks.

London Mozart Players
Excelsis and Vox Farnham Chamber Choirs
Rob Lewis musical director, Excelsis and Vox Farnham Chamber Choirs
Angela Hicks soprano
Luthien Brackett mezzo-soprano
David de Winter tenor
Geoff Williams bass

Blue Pearl is a wonderful, inspiring new sacred choral work for the 21st century, a time when humanity needs to act ‘in concert’ as never before. It expresses and celebrates the unity of the earth and of humanity – ‘Blue Pearl’ is the earth seen from space: a fragile, precious, living planet.

Blue Pearl includes an extraordinary musical journey through the whole of evolution. It expresses a ‘human’ spirituality, which integrates the mystical heart common to the great spiritual traditions with modern science and psychology.

“Blue Pearl evokes the full compass of human experience: from joy, humour and sexuality to the opening of our hearts in compassion, to the spiritual mystery we encounter in stillness and silence – a profound and moving celebration of our shared humanity.”  – Rob Lewis, Musical Director, Excelsis

“An extraordinary work. The music is, by turns, witty, moving, exciting, and transporting.” – Julian Marshall, composer. ARCM, FHEA

You can get an idea of Blue Pearl by listening to the demo recording at www.stevebanks.info, where you can also read more about the piece and about composer Steve Banks.

We hope you can join us for what is going to be an unforgettable evening of beautiful and profound music.

Tickets:
In-person concert: £25, £15 low income, £10 under-16’s
Live stream with 7 days on demand viewing: £9, £5 under-16’s

Exeter Philharmonic Choir: Brahms Ein deutsches Requiem

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Brahms Ein deutsches Requiem
Finzi Lo, The Full, Final Sacrifice

London Mozart Players
Exeter Philharmonic Choir
Howard Ionascu conductor
Jessica Cale soprano
Timothy Nelson baritone

Exeter Philharmonic Choir celebrates its 175th anniversary with a performance of Brahms’ great work, Ein deutsches Requiem. The programme includes Lo, The Full, Final Sacrifice by Gerald Finzi, a rare opportunity to hear this piece accompanied by full orchestra.

Eilat Chamber Music Festival – Beethoven and Schubert

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London Mozart Players Chamber Ensemble

Beethoven Quintet for horn, violin, 2 violas & cello after Op.17, arranged by Sebastian Comberti after Carl Khym
Schubert Octet in F, D803

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL

In the spot where the desert meets the sea and the red mountains cast their shadow from above; at a meeting point between Asia and Africa, the greatest musicians from all over the world meet once a year to play music, give master-classes and workshops. Eilat, Israel’s southernmost city is its leading tourist resort, visited by hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. The Eilat Chamber Music Festival was founded seven years ago by Leonid Rozenberg, who serves today as the artistic and general director of the festival. In its six years of existence, the festival hosted the best international and Israeli musicians, who gave exciting performances to music from the time of Monteverdi and until the very recent musical compositions.

The 14th Eilat International Chamber Music Festival will present renowned classical music artists from Europe alongside other established world-famous artists. This year, the festival is hosting two orchestras, famous soloists, programs of classical and Baroque music, jazz, music for various instruments, vocal music, with a rousing, foot-tapping Flamenco event to wind up the festival.

 

Eilat Chamber Music Concert – Mozart Delights

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London Mozart Players
Simon Blendis director
Michael Cox flute

Symphony No.34 in C major K. 338
Flute Concerto No. 1 in G major, K. 313
Symphony No.40 in G minor, K. 550

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL

In the spot where the desert meets the sea and the red mountains cast their shadow from above; at a meeting point between Asia and Africa, the greatest musicians from all over the world meet once a year to play music, give master-classes and workshops. Eilat, Israel’s southernmost city is its leading tourist resort, visited by hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. The Eilat Chamber Music Festival was founded seven years ago by Leonid Rozenberg, who serves today as the artistic and general director of the festival. In its six years of existence, the festival hosted the best international and Israeli musicians, who gave exciting performances to music from the time of Monteverdi and until the very recent musical compositions.

The 14th Eilat International Chamber Music Festival will present renowned classical music artists from Europe alongside other established world-famous artists. This year, the festival is hosting two orchestras, famous soloists, programs of classical and Baroque music, jazz, music for various instruments, vocal music, with a rousing, foot-tapping Flamenco event to wind up the festival.

 

Eilat Chamber Music Festival – Prokofiev and Mendelssohn

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London Mozart Players
Graham Ross conductor
Jonian Ilias Kadesha violin

Prokofiev Symphony No. 1 in D major, “Classical”
Mendelssohn Violin Concerto Opus 64 in E minor
Mendelssohn Symphony No. 4 in A major, Op. 90 “Italian”

The concert kicks off with a truly celebratory work, Prokofiev’s effervescent ‘Classical’ Symphony, which cleverly juxtaposes 20th-century style with the traditional four-movement symphony – with some added parody and humour. This is contrasted with cornerstone of the violin repertoire — Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto, his last major work. From the fast and passionate opening with its haunting melody and breathtaking cadenza through to the thrilling coda of the final movement, there is quicksilver beauty in every bar. Mendelssohn’s “Italian” Symphony brings the concert to a joyful close.

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL

In the spot where the desert meets the sea and the red mountains cast their shadow from above; at a meeting point between Asia and Africa, the greatest musicians from all over the world meet once a year to play music, give master-classes and workshops. Eilat, Israel’s southernmost city is its leading tourist resort, visited by hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. The Eilat Chamber Music Festival was founded seven years ago by Leonid Rozenberg, who serves today as the artistic and general director of the festival. In its six years of existence, the festival hosted the best international and Israeli musicians, who gave exciting performances to music from the time of Monteverdi and until the very recent musical compositions.

The 14th Eilat International Chamber Music Festival will present renowned classical music artists from Europe alongside other established world-famous artists. This year, the festival is hosting two orchestras, famous soloists, programs of classical and Baroque music, jazz, music for various instruments, vocal music, with a rousing, foot-tapping Flamenco event to wind up the festival.

Eilat Chamber Music Festival – Haydn’s Creation

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London Mozart Players
Graham Ross conductor
Clare Alumni Choir
Jennifer Witton soprano
James Way tenor
Frederick Long bass

Haydn The Creation, Hob. XXI:2

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL

In the spot where the desert meets the sea and the red mountains cast their shadow from above; at a meeting point between Asia and Africa, the greatest musicians from all over the world meet once a year to play music, give master-classes and workshops. Eilat, Israel’s southernmost city is its leading tourist resort, visited by hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. The Eilat Chamber Music Festival was founded seven years ago by Leonid Rozenberg, who serves today as the artistic and general director of the festival. In its six years of existence, the festival hosted the best international and Israeli musicians, who gave exciting performances to music from the time of Monteverdi and until the very recent musical compositions.

The 14th Eilat International Chamber Music Festival will present renowned classical music artists from Europe alongside other established world-famous artists. This year, the festival is hosting two orchestras, famous soloists, programs of classical and Baroque music, jazz, music for various instruments, vocal music, with a rousing, foot-tapping Flamenco event to wind up the festival.

 

Eilat Chamber Music Festival – Mozart and Brahms

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London Mozart Players Chamber Ensemble

Mozart Clarinet Quintet K, 581 in A major
Brahms Clarinet Quintet Opus 115 I B minor

The London Mozart Players Chamber ensemble open the Eilat Chamber Music Festival 2022 with two famous clarinet quintets. Clarinet Quintets form a firm favourite in the chamber music catalogues, with the Brahms and Mozart quintets frequently performed and much loved. In both cases the composer was inspired by the playing of a great clarinettist: for Brahms it was Mühlfeldt, for whom he also wrote the two clarinet sonatas Opus 120, while Mozart’s inspiration came from Anton Stadler, who was also the fortunate recipient of Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto.

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL

In the spot where the desert meets the sea and the red mountains cast their shadow from above; at a meeting point between Asia and Africa, the greatest musicians from all over the world meet once a year to play music, give master-classes and workshops. Eilat, Israel’s southernmost city is its leading tourist resort, visited by hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. The Eilat Chamber Music Festival was founded seven years ago by Leonid Rozenberg, who serves today as the artistic and general director of the festival. In its six years of existence, the festival hosted the best international and Israeli musicians, who gave exciting performances to music from the time of Monteverdi and until the very recent musical compositions.

The 14th Eilat International Chamber Music Festival will present renowned classical music artists from Europe alongside other established world-famous artists. This year, the festival is hosting two orchestras, famous soloists, programs of classical and Baroque music, jazz, music for various instruments, vocal music, with a rousing, foot-tapping Flamenco event to wind up the festival.

 

St Martin’s Voices: Bach St John Passion

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London Mozart Players
Andrew Earis conductor
St Martin’s Voices
Stephen Anthony Brown Evangelist

Bach St John Passion (sung in German)

On Good Friday, experience the power, the drama and the undimmed glory of Bach’s St John Passion in one of London’s great churches – performed by the London Mozart Players.

“Ah, my soul, where will you go; where will you find comfort?” Bach’s St John Passion is more than one of the greatest of all sacred works. It’s a profound human drama; a heartbreaking musical exploration of eternal hopes and sorrows. Good Friday performances have become an Easter tradition in concert halls and churches across Europe, and St Martin-in-the-Fields is no exception. St Martin’s music director Andrew Earis conducts the London Mozart Players and the church’s own professional chamber choir, with soloists drawn from within the chorus to achieve a special intimacy, immediacy and directness.

Mozart and Tchaikovsky

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London Mozart Players
Jonian Ilias Kadesha violin
Timothy Ridout viola
Ruth Rogers director

Tchaikovsky Serenade for String Orchestra in C major, Op.48
Mozart Sinfonia Concertante for Violin, Viola, and Orchestra in Eb major K.364

Music by – and inspired by – Mozart, as the London Mozart Players perform Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings and Mozart’s magnificent Sinfonia Concertante.

Two’s company: Mozart was a viola player, and when he paired the viola with a solo violin, the result was a masterpiece like no other. Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante is like hearing Amadeus himself, joking, dancing and pouring out his very soul. The superb young British viola player Tim Ridout takes Mozart’s role tonight; he’s joined by violinist Jonian Ilias Kadesha, whose playing (according to one critic) has “an element of pure genius”. And then the London Mozart Players turn to a composer who revered Mozart like no other – the unchained melodies and soaring romance of Tchaikovsky’s lovely Serenade for Strings.

Other prizes include the 2019 Thierry Scherz Award at the Sommets Musicaux de Gstaad and 1st Prize at the 2014 Cecil Aronowitz Competition.

Born in London in 1995, Ridout studied at the Royal Academy of Music graduating with the Queen’s Commendation for Excellence. He completed his Masters at the Kronberg Academy with Nobuko Imai in 2019 and in 2018 took part in Kronberg Academy’s Chamber Music Connects the World.

London Mozart Players and Isata Kanneh-Mason at St David’s Hall Cardiff

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London Mozart Players
Isata Kanneh-Mason piano
Delyana Lazarova conductor

Prokofiev Symphony No.1, Op. 25 ‘Classical’
Clara Schumann Piano Concerto in A minor, Op.7
Rossini Overture to L’italiana in Algheri
Mendelssohn Symphony No.4 in A major, Op.90 ‘Italian’

The concerts opens with Prokofiev’s effervescent ‘Classical’ Symphony, which cleverly juxtaposes 20th-century style with the traditional four-movement symphony – with some added parody and humour. But the spotlight is on our soloist Isata Kanneh-Mason, who performs Clara Schumann’s Piano Concerto, which Schumann composed at the tender age of 14. A BBC Young Musician finalist, four-time winner of the Royal Academy Iris Dyer Piano Prize (among many other prizes) and multi-scholarship winner, Isata is much in demand in concert halls around the UK and abroad. Isata recently recorded Schumann’s Piano Concerto in her much-celebrated debut album Romance. Rossini’s Overture to L’italiana in Algheri sets the scene for the second part of the concert, which centres on Mendelssohn’s jaunty and optimistic Italian Symphony.

‘She is a pianist who makes lines sing beautifully and virtuosic passages dance, finding intimacy and eloquence at telling moments…’ – BBC Music Magazine.

Dona Nobis Pacem

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London Mozart Players
Fairhaven Singers
Ralph Woodward conductor
Miriam Allan soprano
Alex Ashworth baritone

Handel The Ways of Zion do mourn
Vaughan Williams Dona nobis pacem (Jonathan Rathbone orchestration)

Fairhaven Singers, under dynamic conductor Ralph Woodward, are thrilled to join with the London Mozart Players and two stellar soloists (Miriam Allan and Alex Ashworth) in two famous English masterpieces. Handel’s powerful funeral anthem for his friend Queen Caroline drips with raw emotion, while Vaughan Williams’s passionate anti-war cantata (in Jonathan Rathbone’s superb orchestration) takes us on a vivid journey through anxiety, conflict and mourning to an ecstatic vision of peace and goodwill.

Seaford Music Society Grand Concert: London Mozart Players and Howard Shelley

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London Mozart Players Chamber Ensemble
Howard Shelley piano

Mozart Piano Quartet Number 2 in E Flat major, K493
Beethoven String Trio Number 4 in D major, Op.9, No.2
Hummel Piano Quintet in E Flat Major, Op.87

The London Mozart Players and the world-renowned Howard Shelley, Piano, will play Mozart’s Piano Quartet Number 2 in E Flat Major, K493, Beethoven’s String Trio Number 4 in D Major, Opus 9, Number 2, and Hummel’s Piano Quintet in E Flat Major, Opus 87.

The Concert will be followed by an optional Cream Tea.

Bringing Bruch Back – an evening of virtuoso violin

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London Mozart Players
Jonathan Bloxham conductor
Shoshanah Sievers violin

Mozart Overture to The Magic Flute
Bruch Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Op. 26
Mendelssohn Symphony No.3 in A minor, Op. 56, ‘Scottish’

Solo violinist Shoshanah Sievers, supported by Grayshott Concerts since 2007 and currently studying at the Royal College of Music, returns to Grayshott for an evening of beautiful music including Bruch’s Violin Concerto, Mozart’s Magic Flute and Mendelssohn’s Symphony No 3.

Shoshanah has previously delighted Grayshott audiences with performances including Enchantment, a new work written especially for her by Karl Jenkins which premiered here in October 2020. Returning here accompanied by the London Mozart Players, conducted by Jonathan Bloxham, join us for another mesmerising performance from this young talent.

Isata Kanneh-Mason debuts with Schumann

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London Mozart Players
Isata Kanneh-Mason piano
Delyana Lazarova

Rossini Overture to L’Italiana in Algeri
Clara Schumann Piano Concerto in A minor, Op.7
Beethoven Symphony No.8 in F major, Op.93

The amazing Isata Kanneh-Mason makes her Grayshott debut supported by the London Mozart Players, conducted by fellow first-timer Delyana Lazarova. Isata will be performing Clara Schumann’s Piano Concerto as included on her debut album Romance along with Rossini’s L’Italiana in Algeri and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 8.

Isata is the recipient of the 2021 Leonard Bernstein Award and a 2020 Opus Klassik award for best young artist. Alongside equally talented members of her family, the Kanneh-Masons, she is also the Global Award 2021 best classical artist.

Hallelujah, it’s the Messiah!

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London Mozart Players
Pegasus Chamber Choir
Adrian Butterfield conductor

Charlotte Bowden soprano
Alexander Chance countortenor
Matthew Keighley tenor
Jerome Knox bass

Handel Messiah

Join us for the ultimate in theatrical classical music with a full performance of Handel’s Messiah! from London Mozart Players and Pegasus, one of London’s top choirs, conducted by Adrian Butterfield. Since its premiere some 280 years ago, Messiah! has become the single most-performed piece of classical music worldwide.

Handel’s oratorio is based on the Old and New Testaments and delivered here in a most fitting venue at St Luke’s Grayshott. Now often associated with Christmas, it was in fact originally written for Easter, as while the first section focuses on the birth of Christ, it subsequently moves on to cover his death, and resurrection with the wonderful Hallelujah chorus.

A Musical Weekend with Howard Shelley and the London Mozart Players

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London Mozart Players Chamber Group
Howard Shelley piano

Programme Friday 4 February

Mozart Piano Quartet No.1 in G minor K.478
Beethoven String Trio Op.9 No.2
Hummel Piano Quintet in E flat major, Op.87

Programme Saturday 5 February

Mozart Piano Quartet No.2 in E flat major K.493
Britten Phantasy Quartet Op.2
Hummel Septet No.1 in D minor Op.74

Join the LMP at the Grand Hotel, Eastbourne, for a magical weekend of glorious chamber music that marks twenty years’ of LMP performance at this five-star venue.

Virtuoso pianist Howard Shelley joins the LMP for this two-day immersion in the treasures of the chamber repertoire. Mozart is on the menu, with two technically demanding piano quartets, both packed with fire and imagination. There are also two works by noted pianist and composer Hummel who, in his day, was held to be the equal of Beethoven. Hummel is less well known today, but Howard is a great champion of his thrilling and lyrical works. Hummel’s Piano Quintet is a showcase for virtuosic figuration, anticipating Schubert’s later Trout Quintet, while the Piano Septet is full of pianistic acrobatics, beautifully balancing the piano with the other instruments.

The spotlight moves from piano to strings in Beethoven’s notoriously challenging String Trio, while for Britten’s consummately crafted Phantasy Quartet, the oboe joins the trio to present an intricate and ingenious work – the composer’s first international success.

A much-anticipated element of the weekend is the traditional illustrated talk which tackles a fascinating musical topic.

Many return year on year for LMP’s chamber weekends at The Grand. With world class music, exceptional dining and first-class accommodation on offer, along with excellent company in beautiful surroundings, who can blame them?

Enjoy this wonderful musical getaway along with the Grand Hotel’s first-class accommodation, exceptional dining and great company.

Booking is now open to all by ringing the Grand Hotel direct on 01323 412345.

Fanny and Felix Mendelssohn

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London Mozart Players
Crouch End Festival Chorus
David Temple conductor
Julia Doyle soprano
Rebecca Alfonwy-Jones alto
Ronald Samm tenor
Ashley Riches bass-baritone

Felix Mendelssohn Vom Himmel hoch
Fanny Hensel Lockung
Felix Mendelssohn Psalm 42
Fanny Hensel Hiob Cantata
Felix Mendelssohn Die erste Walpurgisnacht

From the drama of raging mountainside battles to exquisite choral textures, the music of Felix Mendelssohn and his sister Fanny Hensel contains a wealth of unforgettable experiences. In this concert Crouch End Festival Chorus and the London Mozartr Players present a selection of works from both siblings, giving Fanny the prominence she deserves alongside her better-known brother.

Works by Felix include his Die erste Walpurgisnacht, a dramatic cantata set on a dark mountain where the Druids and Christians are in conflict. Stylistically the music looks back to Haydn and forwards to Wagner and Mahler. Vom Himmel hoch is a beautiful work very much in the style of Felix’s great inspiration, J.S. Bach.

Fanny’s works include Lockung an exquisite a cappella part song, and the more substantial Hiob (Job) Cantata for chorus, soloists and orchestra.

A Fresh Take on Shostakovich: LMP with Sheku Kanneh-Mason

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London Mozart Players
Ruth Rogers leader
Jonathan Bloxham conductor
Sheku Kanneh–Mason cello
James Mayhew artist

Glinka Overture Ruslan and Lyudmila
Shostakovich Cello Concerto No. 2 in G major, Op. 126
Mussorgsky Pictures at an Exhibition

The London Mozart Players return to Fairfield Halls in February 2022 with star soloist Sheku Kanneh–Mason presenting a ‘Fresh Take’ on Shostakovich’s Cello Concerto No. 2.

LMP’s ‘Fresh Takes’ is a brand–new concert series which includes an engaging introduction by the performers at the start of the concert. The composer’s influences will be revealed, musical excerpts will be performed by the orchestra, while manuscripts, portraits and more will be projected on an overhead screen in a unique presentation which will enhance the appreciation and emotional impact of the work’s performance.

In the first concert, superstar cellist Sheku Kanneh–Mason performs Shostakovich’s second cello concerto. Interweaving brooding melodies with animated themes, and featuring a virtuosic cadenza, it’s a dramatic work that makes demands on soloist, conductor and orchestra. Sheku will share his own insights into the challenges of this work on stage with conductor Jonathan Bloxham ahead of a full performance. Don’t miss this opportunity to find out more about, and then hear, a rarely performed work, played by one of the UK’s finest musicians.

Mussorgsky’s iconic suite of ten short movements Pictures at an Exhibition is an evergreen favourite. Acclaimed artist James Mayhew will be on hand to paint along to the music, with his artwork inspired by Mussorgsky’s dramatic melodies projected on the overhead screens in Fairfield’s iconic concert hall.

This all–Russian programme will open with Glinka’s exuberant overture to his opera Ruslan and Lyudmila.

 

Special Valentines offer: 2 top price tickets plus 2 drinks: £70 – details here.