The Club was delighted to welcome back Hexachordia, the Early Music Group who visited us last in March 2018. A concert is a giving and a receiving of pleasure arising from the music played and December’s concert was a good example of this. There was quite a good turnout considering the present climate with Covid still rife, but we were all socially distanced and wearing our face masks.
The concert began with Sarah Doig and Jane Scheuregger singing, in Latin, Veni Veni Emmanuel, a capella as they processed down the hall at the Grammar School. Diction was clear and the singing tuneful, giving a sense of anticipation of what was to come. The music was interspersed with readings of poetry and prose. I particularly liked the reading of ‘Blow, blow thou winter winds’ from As You Like It which followed ‘On the Cold Ground’ by John Playford, ‘Jolly Shepherd’ by Thomas Ravenscroft and ‘In the Fields in Frost and Snow’ by John Playford.
I very much liked the bagpipes played by Jane; they were very festive being festooned with fairy lights. Mention must also be made of Tony Scheuregger who played the lute, renaissance guitar, gittern, recorders, tabor and pellet bells. He also sang, and very well too. The English traditional song “King Herod and the Cock” was great fun.
What a multi-talented ensemble this is. I have mentioned the instruments that Tony plays, but Jane and Sarah are equally talented, Jane playing recorders, crumhorn (what a lovely sound that makes) bagpipes, shaker, gittern and shawm, and Sarah playing viols, vielle and recorder.
The musicians did praise the acoustic of the hall and certainly their voices rang out and filled the space. Sarah had a minor problem in the second to last music of the first half when one of her viol strings broke, but that was taken care of during the interval.
Mince pies and wine were enjoyed during the interval and the audience was ready to enjoy the second half of a wonderful evening’s entertainment.
Tony Scheuregger – Tony studied for a music degree in Cambridge where he specialised in composition. Having worked for some time as a classroom music teacher, Tony went on to write music for video and television, including a number of title tracks for Virgin video books and the main TV channels. His interest in early music goes back to the mid 1970s but was re-engaged in the mid 1990s when he formed the costume band, Minstrels Gallery, with whom he has recorded six CDs. Tony now concentrates on plucked string instruments and has studied lute with the internationally-acclaimed lutenist Jacob Heringman.
Sarah Doig – Sarah’s musical education started at an early age after she pestered her father, an accomplished pianist and organist, for piano lessons. She later learned the cello and studied the organ with Harrison Oxley at St Edmundsbury Cathedral. Sarah undertook a music degree at Lancaster University, specialising in medieval music under Professor Roger Bray. It was whilst a student that she swapped the cello for the double bass. Sarah’s double bass playing continued during her fifteen years in London. She has since transferred her talents to the viol family and to the lute. Sarah also owns and plays virginals modelled on Queen Elizabeth the First’s own keyboard instrument.
Jane Scheuregger – Jane is a talented multi-instrumentalist and singer. She was Head Chorister of St Edmundsbury Cathedral Choir, achieving a St Cecilia senior choristers’ award. As a student Jane performed at many music festivals and orchestral courses, and played principal bassoon with the Suffolk Symphony Orchestra. Jane has played recorder for most of her life as well as specialising in shawm, crumhorn, bagpipe and curtal for many years with costume band, Minstrels Gallery, which she formed with husband Tony. Jane’s experience as a choral singer is used to bring a “natural” singing style to her performances with Hexachordia.
Tickets are £12 in advance or at the door . They can be ordered in advance from 01205 366018 or from bostonconcertclub@gmail.com Students and children can enter free of charge.
PROGRAMME
IN THE FIELDS IN FROST AND SNOW Music, mirth and merriment for the festive season in words and music performed by Hexachordia
Veni Veni Emmanuel – Anon
When I See Winter Return – Colin Muset
Angelus ad Virginem – Anon
From “A New Year’s Gift to Sir Simeon Steward” by Robert Herrick, 1628
On the Cold Ground – John Playford
Jolly Shepherd – Thomas Ravenscroft
In the Fields in Frost and Snow – John Playford
From “As You Like It” by William Shakespeare
Hollis Berrie – Anon
Ah Robin, Gentle Robin – William Cornish
“Then Comes the Day” by Thomas Kirchmaier, 1553
Basse Dance Magdalena – Pierre Attaingnant
Coventry Carol – Anon
From “Five Hundred Points of Good Husbandry” by Thomas Tusser, 1573
Gaudete – Anon
From “A New Year’s Gift to Sir Simeon Steward” by Robert Herrick, 1628
Personent Hodie – Anon
Saltarello – Anon
“All This Night” by William Austin (1587-1633)
The Lute Book Lullaby – William Ballet
Es ist ein Ros’ Entsprungen – Michael Praetorius
“King Herod and the Cock” (English Traditional)
Ballet des Coqs – Michael Praetorius
In Ducli Jubilo – Michael Praetorius
The Waits – John Playford
From “The Anatomie of Abuses” by Philip Stubbes, 1583
Sussex Carol – Anon
From “A New Year’s Gift to Sir Simeon Steward” by Robert Herrick, 1628
The Lord Souche’s Maske – Thomas Morley
Drive the Cold Winter Away – Broadside Ballad
INTERVAL
Stella Splendens – Anon
“Make We Merry” (English Traditional, before 1536)
Bring us in Good Ale – Anon
From “The Form of Cury” (fourteenth century MS)
From an anonymous, fifteenth-century poem
Pease Branle – Thoinot Arbeau
Montard Branle – Micha von Wolgemut
“Ceremonies for Christmas” by Robert Herrick, 1648
Sans Day Carol – Anon
Galliard, The New Year’s Gift – Anthony Holborne
“A Christmas Garland” (Anonymous)
Recercada Segunda – Diego Ortiz
From “A New Year’s Gift to Sir Simeon Steward” by Robert Herrick, 1628
Tom Dale and Nico Buri will give a concert at Boston Grammar School on Tuesday 16 November 2021 at 7.30 pm.Tickets may be obtained from Mrs V Robinson on 01205 366018 or send your details to bostonconcertclub@gmail.com. Tickets cost £12. Children and Students attend free of charge. Free parking is available via the Rowley Road PE21 6JE entrance.
PROGRAMME
FERDINANDO CARULLI
Serenade No 1 in A major Op 96
i. Largo maestoso
ii. Allegretto moderato
iii. Larghetto
iv. Finale
ISAAC ALBÉNIZ
Mallorca Op 202
MARIO CASTELNUEVO-TEDESCO
Prelude and Fugue No 7 in C# minor
MANUEL MARÌA PONCE
Sonata III
i. Allegro moderato
ii. Chanson
iii. Allegro non troppo
J S BACH
Sonata for Solo Violin in A minor BWV 1003
ii. Fuga
Interval
FRANZ SCHUBERT arr J MERTZ
6 Songs
i. Lob der Thränen
ii. Liebesbotschaft
iii. Aufenhalt
GIULIO REGONDI
Air Varié de l’opera de Bellini
J S BACH
Sonata for Solo Violin in C major BWV 1005
ii. Fuga
MÀXIMO DIEGO PUJOL
Tres Piezas de Otono
i. Arbolado
ii. Sombrio
iii. Avenida Centenario
Guitarists Nico Buri and Tom Dale met at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester in September 2019 where they are currently studying with world-renowned guitarist, Craig Ogden. Both skilled improvisers, they initially played together in a flamenco fusion project at the RNCM Opera Theatre in February, 2020. This project also gave them an opportunity to work with successful South African cellist, Abel Selacoe.
From this early work in a predominantly improvisatory setting, Nico and Tom began to explore the duo repertoire for classical guitar with an early emphasis on Latin American compositions, notably those of Astor Piazzolla and Maximo Diego Pujol. Lockdown meant that their first public performance couldn’t take place until June 2021 at RNCM’s Carol Nash Recital Room but since then they have gained attention and acclaim for performances both within and outside the RNCM.
Now expanding their repertoire to cover a broad period and style of guitar music, Nico and Tom are preparing for a busy year of concerts alongside their ongoing undergraduate studies.
Nico Buri is a 20 year old guitarist from Zurich, Switzerland. He began playing the classical guitar at the age of 9 and his fascination for the instrument and its endless possibilities has grown ever since. He is the only RNCM guitarist to have reached the finals of the RNCM Gold Medal Competition in his second undergraduate year. He has also been prize-winner at competitions in Italy, Germany and Switzerland and has performed in masterclasses for world-class performers including Marcin Dylla, Zoran Dukic, Marco Tamayo and Aniello Desiderio. Prior to coming to the UK, Nico performed with the successful Swiss Youth Guitar Ensemble for over six years, along with other ensembles and chamber groups touring through Germany, Spain, Poland and the Netherlands. Nico plays a 2018 Kirschner Double-Top guitar.
Born in Lincolnshire, Tom Dale is a diverse and multi-skilled musician who began studying the guitar at the age of 8. He is currently in his 3rd year at the Royal Northern College of Music. Tom won all the music awards at his grammar school, received a distinction for his Grade 8 ABRSM exam and went on to achieve the ARSM Diploma in 2018. Tom has performed in a wide range of musical settings from leading an indie rock band to performing gypsy jazz, Afrobeat, in musical theatre and on acoustic guitar. On classical guitar he is an experienced solo performer but has also played regularly in ensembles, duos and in mixed chamber groupings and has achieved first class results in his RNCM recitals to date. Tom plays a 2020 Sam McClaren Spruce Concert Classical guitar.
Nico Buri and Tom Dale appear by kind permission of the RNCM.
It
has been decided that due to the continuing situation and in
consideration of the health and wellbeing of all concerned, and after
careful consideration Boston Concert Club will not have a Season of
Concerts until October 2021.
Thank you for your support and understanding during these trying times. We hope very much that we shall be able to have a Season during 2021/2022.
Rosanna is a harpist and gave a wonderful concert for the Club in November. Rosanna is giving a live-streamed performance on 18 April at 19.00 as part of the At Home with LMP programme. Rosanna says that this is the best way that music can be brought into people’s homes at the moment. The concert will be up for about a week and if you would like to watch it the link is :
CORONAVIRUS
(COVID-19) – 17th
MARCH CONCERT CANCELLATION
In
light of the current situation and Government Advice it is with
regret and disappointment that we have made the decision to cancel
our concert this evening.
Tempest is an award winning, London based flute trio founded at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester in 2010. Determined to stand out from the crowd and to showcase the flute trio as a credible and versatile ensemble, Tempest aimed to expand the repertoire for 3 flutes and to deliver innovative performances. The trio has now performed all over the world, covering a wide spectrum of music including 20 new works and their own arrangements. Tempest’s award successes include winning Royal Overseas League Chamber Music Competition 2013 and Second Prize in the 14th International Kuhlau Flute Competition 2013. They also won the RNCM Contemporary Music Award, the RNCM Ensemble of the Year Competition, the RNCM Woodwind Chamber Music Competition, Trevor Wye Prize and were semi-finalists for YCAT (Young Classical Artists Trust). After auditions, they were selected to be artists for the Park Lane Group Concert Series and the Manchester Midday Concert Society. In 2011 Tempest won the Nonclassical “Battle of the Bands” competition for contemporary classical music. Tempest performed as featured artists in the National Flute Association Annual Convention in Las Vegas and the British Flute Society Convention in Manchester. Other highlights include recitals at the Wigmore Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall and tours in Italy, Germany and Switzerland where they opened the Lucerne Chamber Music Series. The trio also deliver workshops and are members of the “Live Music Now!” scheme, a charity, which for over thirty years, has been putting into practice the visionary ideals of its founders, Yehudi Menuhin and Ian Stoutzker; bringing the joy and inspiration of live music to those who have limited access to conventional music-making. Much of Tempest’s success as a trio is fuelled by each member’s determination, originality and accomplishments as individuals. All three lead busy orchestral freelance careers as well as working as soloists, chamber musicians, teachers and workshop leaders.
Holly Melia – Biography:
Born in Ilkley, Yorkshire, Holly Melia graduated with a first class honours degree from the Royal Northern College of Music having studied with Katherine Baker, Richard Davis and Wissam Boustany. She began playing the flute at the age of eight, winning a scholarship to study at Chetham’s School of Music in 2003. As a solo artist, Holly was a finalist in the 2013 Royal Overseas League competition. She has won the RNCM concerto competition (2010 and 2013), the RNCM Gold Medal – the highest award for performance at the RNCM (2010), the British Flute Society Performance Plus competition, the Craxton Memorial Award and the Martin Musical Scholarship. In 2007 she was a woodwind semi-finalist in the BBC Young Musician of the Year competition. She was a member of Southbank Sinfonia in 2014, where she performed as a concerto soloist with the orchestra. Orchestral credits include performing with the Royal Opera House Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Britten Sinfonia, English National Ballet, Royal Ballet Sinfonia, City of Birmingham Symphony, Hallé, BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, Opera North, Royal Northern Sinfonia and Welsh National Opera Orchestra. She currently holds the flute chair on ‘The King and I, UK and International Tour, and is on trial for the Principal piccolo position with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
Helena Gourd – Biography
As an orchestral flautist, Helena works with orchestras including the Halle Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, English National Ballet, Philharmonia Orchestra, Welsh National Opera, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Royal Opera House, Royal Northern Sinfonia, BBC Concert Orchestra, City of London Sinfonia, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Northern Ballet and St. Petersburg Ballet. Throughout 2016, she was a member of the Southbank Sinfonia with whom she performed in venues such as the Barbican, Glyndebourne, Cadogan Hall and the Notre Dame in Paris. Helena studied at the Royal Academy of Music in London and the Pole Superieur de Musique et Danse in Bordeaux with Karen Jones, Sam Coles and Jutta Pulcini. She was winner of the RAM Flute competition in 2013 as well as the Violet M Wallace award and the Joyce Anne Beckett Prize. She was also a 2014 winner of the Philharmonia Orchestra Martins Music Scholarship Fund. Recent highlights include performing Memoriale by Pierre Boulez for a broadcast on BBC Radio 3 as well as an orchestral tour of Japan in 2019 with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. Helena divides her time between orchestral freelancing across the UK and teaching flute at the Lady Eleanor Holles School.
Dave Ruff – Biography
David studied classical flute with a scholarship at The Guildhall School of Music and Drama gaining both his BMus (2008-2012 David studied classical flute with a scholarship at The Guildhall School of Music and Drama gaining both his BMus (2008-2012) and MMus (2012-2014 David studied classical flute with a scholarship at The Guildhall School of Music and Drama gaining both his BMus (2008-2012) and MMus (2012-2014). David regularly plays with orchestras such as the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Oxford Philharmonic, New London Sinfonia, The Army of Generals and The British Paraorchestra.
David plays in the West End and recently was the chair holder on Me and My Girl (Chichester Festival Theatre 2018), Young Frankenstien (West End 2017-2018.
Helena GourdDavid RuffHolly Melia
PROGRAMME
Claude Debussy 1862-1918 – (arranged Tempest) “Syrinx“
Lucy Pankhurst b 1981 “Kokopelli”
Johann Sebastian Bach 1685-1750 (arranged Ann Cherry) Sonata in C Minor
Helen Wilson “There’s Something About Maggie”
Friedrich Kuhlau 1786-1832 Trio in G Minor opus 13 No 2 Allegro non tanto Allegro con moto
Georges Bizet 1838-1875 (Arranged M Orris) “The Gypsies Chorus”
Interval
Edmund Jolliffe “Tempus Fugit”
Leonard Bernstein 1918-1990 (Arranged Helen Wilson) West Side Story Suite “Somewhere” “Maria” “I Feel Pretty”
Eddie McGuire b 1948 “Celtic Knotwork”
Antonio Vivaldi 1678-1741 (Arranged Dominique Gauthier) “La Tempesta di mare” Largo, Presto
Billy Strayhorn 1915-1967 (Arranged Helen Wilson) “Take the A Train”
Claude Debussy (Arranged Helen Wilson) “Clair de lune”
All concerts are held at Boston Grammar School PE21 9QF and they begin at 7.30 pm. Tickets are £12 and may be purchased at the door or ordered in advance from Mrs V Robinson 01205 366018, children and students may attend the concerts free of charge.
Joseph Tong and Waka Hasegawa are widely regarded as one of the UK’s leading piano duos, they were prize winners at the Tokyo International Piano Duo Competition in 2003 and at the Schubert International Competition held in the Czech Republic. The Duo has given recitals in Japan, Germany, Spain and the USA as well as broadcasts for BBC Radio 3. Since their critically acclaimed London debut for the Park Lane Group in 2002, Piano 4 Hands has performed regularly at Wigmore Hall including several Recitals under the auspices of the Kirckman Concert Society. Joseph and Waka have performed at many of the major concert venues around the UK and at festivals including Buxton, Cheltenham, Bury St Edmunds, Oundle and Presteigne. The Duo’s debut CD of Debussy piano duets for the Quartz Label was chosen as Album of the Week in The Independent, followed by recordings of Schubert and McCabe which have drawn similar critical praise.
Piano 4 Hands has commissioned new works from composers including Dai Fujikura, Rob Keeley, Nicola LeFanu, David Matthews, Edwin Roxburgh and the late John McCabe, whose piano duet Upon entering a painting (2009) they premiéred at Wigmore Hall. In July 2018 Joseph and Waka gave a recital at the newly reopened Purcell Room in London promoted by the Park Lane Group, marking the Debussy Centenary with a performance of La mer alongside the London Premiéres of Daniel Kidane’s Jungle and David Matthews’ Variations on a theme by Haydn Op. 144. These two new works were co-commissioned with the Cheltenham Music Festival, Piano 4 Hands giving their premiéres at the Pillar Room, Cheltenham Town Hall in July 2017.
Last
Autumn, Joseph and Waka gave the first performance of Airs
of the Seasons by
Ailsa Dixon at St George’s, Bristol. Other recent recitals have
included the Schubert Society of Britain and Luton Music Club, as
well as the National Gallery in London. Joseph Tong and Waka
Hasegawa were elected Associates of the Royal Academy of Music in
2008. Future projects include a new commission from the British
composer Edwin Roxburgh and a series of concerts with the Bath
Camerata, performing the Brahms German Requiem with their conductor
Benjamin Goodson in Malmesbury Abbey and other venues including the
Sherborne Abbey Festival and Bath Festival in Spring 2020. Joseph
and Waka will also be leading a course devoted to piano duets and two
piano repertoire at Benslow Music in Hertfordshire this summer.
Thanks
to Joseph and Waka for these biographies.
PROGRAMME
Schubert : Allegro in A minor, D947 “Lebennsturme”
Robert Schumann : “Pictures
from the East” Opus 66 1848
Mendelssohn : Andante
with Variations in B flat, Opus 83a
INTERVAL
Schubert: Rondo
in A major, D951
Fanny Mendelssohn-Hensel: Three
Pieces for Four Hands
Clara Schumann: March
in E flat
Brahms: Variations on a Theme by Schumann, Opus 23 1861 11 Variations.
All concerts are held at Boston Grammar School PE21 9QF and they begin at 7.30 pm. Tickets are £12 and may be purchased at the door or ordered in advance from Mrs V Robinson 01205 366018, children and students may attend the concerts free of charge.
Amy
Roberts, oboe and Gamal Khamis, gave a fine performance for our
January concert. It was clear by the end of the opening Telemann
sonata that Amy Roberts plays with great subtlety, with a real will
to communicate her own obvious enthusiasm to an audience.
How clever was the programming! By the end of the first half we had been transported across three centuries of music. The collection of little pieces by Schubert and Schumann worked well and with Schumann’s Traumerei gave us a chance to hear solo piano. The notes may be simple enough for children to learn but it needs the care and delicacy that Gamal Khamis gave it to do it justice. As a duo their ensemble seemed faultless and they had set us up well for a second half devoted to twentieth century works. In this half the solo pieces for each instrument were particularly attractive. I was intrigued by the quirky oboe piece Arachnid, by contemporary Helen Grime and Gamal was impressive in Faure’s second nocturne. I applaud their introductions were often not merely anecdotal but with hints about what to listen out for.
Arrangements for our 70th anniversary lunch are finalised. The date is 24th March and it will be held at the Boston & County Club, Park Gate, Boston PE21 6RL 12 noon for 12.30pm. The last date for booking is at the February concert on 18 February.
