Category: News

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This September I will be conducting Richard Strauss’s Sonatina No. 2 in E-Flat, also known as the Symphony for Winds, also known as the “Happy Workshop,” in the South London Chamber Concerts.  The piece is remarkably optimistic–perhaps idealistic–given how deep into World War II its composition began.  Those who know Strauss know that he was a favorite composer of Hitler, and his relationship with the Nazis was complex.

I’ll be tackling these complexities and digging into the music soon in a post for the South London Chamber Concerts’s blog.  Until then, I hope you’ll consider coming to the concert.  In addition to the Strauss, the group will play Stravinsky’s Symphonies of Wind Instruments and Messiaen’s monumental Et expecto resurrectiononem mortuorum, both conducted by Peter Fender.   Here are the concert details…

Saturday 28th September, 7:30 p.m. at St Mary Magdalene Parish Church, Munster Square, NW1 3PH (click for a map).

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This Christmas season I will be singing with a couple of choral groups in West London.  The first of these concerts will be a program of Benjamin Britten’s “A Ceremony of Carols”, Heinrich Schütz’s “Christmas Story”, and carols sung with the audience.  This beautiful music will be heard in Chiswick’s own St. Michael and All Angels Church.

The Fulham and Hammersmith Choral Society is directed by Christopher Wray.  Soloists for the evening are Felicity Davies and Hermione Ruck Keene.  Andrew Wells will play the organ, and Anneke Hodnett joins on the harp.  Tickets are £12 in advance and £14 at the door.  £5 for those under 16.