Performers
Opening Concert – Thursday 14th June
THE BRASS VOLCANOES
The Brass Volcanoes is a band inspired by the New Orleans brass band tradition but also incorporating influences from many other cultures and genres – Jamaican, Eastern European, Funk, Latin, Gospel, Jazz….This is all tied together with a sense of humour and fun giving the band their own unique sound. Sousaphone player Graham Hughes put the Brass Volcanoes together in 2007, surrounding himself with a collection of highly versatile jazz musicians who could take a melody and turn it into an arrangement on the spot.
The band is all about spontaneity, energy, interaction and fun, and their repertoire is ever evolving. Tonight’s concert will feature a selection of songs.
Friday June 15th
THE CREMONA TRIO
The three young artists who make up the Cremona Piano Trio – John Paul Ekins, Michal Cwizewicz and Liubov Ulybysheva – have all been scholars and prizewinners at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, the Royal College of Music, and the Royal Academy of Music respectively. Having completed their studies, they all continue to perform as soloists and within a number of chamber groups, bringing a wealth of experience and an impelling musicality to the recently-formed Cremona Piano Trio.
ULRIKA ELEONORA CHOIR
The Ulrika Eleonora Church Choir, some 50 men and women from the Anglo-Swedish community in London, sing at church services and concerts throughout the year. Their repertoire includes music from all epochs. The Sankta Lucia services being held this December in Brighton, at the Ulrika Eleonora Parish Church in Marylebone, the Swedish Seamen’s Church in Rotherhithe, and at St. Paul’s Cathedral, are the highlight of the choir’s year. As part of the celebrations held last year to mark the tercentenary of The Swedish Church in London, the choir performed a Te Deum for choir and orchestra by the Swedish composer, Otto Olsson in Ulrika Eleonora Parish Church, and also travelled to Paris to sing in Église du Saint-Esprit and the Swedish Church.
CARINA EINARSON
Carina Einarson has been the organist and choir master of Adelsö-Munsö parish in Stockholm since 1996, and has taught choir conducting and choir singing at the Bethel High School since 1985. In August 2011 she took leave of absence from these positions to assume a two-year directorship of music at The Swedish Church in London. During her formative academic years, Carina studied several aspects of music, including piano, song, harmony, organ and conducting. Her first post was as choir master of Olaus Petri Church in Örebro. She holds an MFA in music education and choral teaching from the Royal Academy of Music in Stockholm, where she studied with, among others, Eric Ericson (choir), Anders Öhrwall (Baroque choir), Gustaf Sjöqvist and Anders Eby (choir conducting).
Saturday 16th June
ESSEX SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Is a Chelmsford based society typically performing four to six concerts each season. Now in our 60th season we try to choose adventurous programmes and have the resources to bring to our audiences the large symphonic works of the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries.
TOM HAMMOND
Tom maintains a busy schedule of rehearsals and concerts as Music Director of The Dulwich Symphony Orchestra (London), Sinfonia Tamesa (London), the Essex Symphony Orchestra and British Police Symphony Orchestra, and as a regular guest with many other orchestras and ensembles including Trinity Laban Conservatoire. Tom is Artistic Director of sound collective, a professional ensemble formed in 2003. Appointed an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music in 2011 in recognition of his achievements in conducting, Tom was chosen by Sir Charles Mackerras as the first ever Mackerras Junior Fellow in Conducting at Trinity Laban, London.
Sunday 17th June
COLCHESTER CHAMBER CHOIR
The Choir gave its first concert in January 2010, and has gained a reputation for performances of unusual quality, musicality, drama and imagination. Currently, there are twenty-three auditioned singers drawn from a wide area around Colchester who rehearse intensively in the weeks leading up to each concert. The choir presents varied programmes of works written for the smaller choir that explore the more challenging and less well known repertoire particularly from the pre-baroque and 19th and 20th centuries and, where possible, in the original language.
MICHAEL RODERICK EARLE
The choir’s director and founder, studied as a choral scholar in the renowned St. John’s College Choir, Cambridge and sang with the BBC Singers and Monteverdi Choir before embarking on a career in opera. A principal baritone with the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden for twenty-one years singing over sixty solo roles, he has sung in opera and concerts all over the world and is a singing professor at The Royal College of Music.
Monday 18th June
RICHARD FALLAS
Richard started musical life as a violinist and until 2000 worked as Head of Strings and Orchestral Conductor at London’s Centre for Young Musicians, while at the same time performing as a singer, appearing regularly with the BBC Singers, London Voices and the Chorus of the Royal Opera House. Since 2000 he has been a full-time singer and solo performances have included contemporary works, notably by Gubaidulina and Ferneyhough for the London Sinfonietta and Schnittke for the Philharmonia.
PHILIP MEAD
Philip has worked with many contemporary composers and given many premieres, particularly in the medium of piano and electronics. He broadcasts regularly on BBC Radio 3, has performed with many orchestras, and has made numerous CD’s. In 2006 ‘ Southern Lament’ a CD of the piano works of Stephen Montague was given the International Piano CD of the year award. He has had a long association with the music of Diana Burrell having commissioned ‘Gold’ for piano and brass quintet in 2000 which was premiered at the Huddersfield Festival of Contemporary Muisc, recorded on NMC, broadcast and subsequently performed at numerous venues.
DUO LABYRINTHE
Claire and Jadran’s aim is to perform music from the heart, music which is spontaneous and free, and music which has the freedom of improvisation and the labyrinth of new paths this can create. We aim to communicate with our audience through a sound world which is expressive and unique to the duo. Recent performances include: the London Handel Festival, a performance for HRH the Prince of Wales, the Brecon Baroque Festival, a live BBC Radio 3 performance and interview, the Brighton Early Music Festival the Hastings Music Series and a lecture recital (recorded by SKY ARTS TV) at London’s National Gallery.
ANTON LUKOSZEVIEZE
Cellist Anton is one of the most diverse performers of his generation and is notable for his performances of avant-garde, experimental and improvised music. He is an exponent of the curved bow (BACH-Bogen), which he is using to develop new repertoire for the cello. From 2005-7 he was New Music Fellow at King’s College, Cambridge and Kettle’s Yard Gallery. Anton is also the subject of seven films by the renowned artist-flmmaker Jayne Parker. Anton is founder and Director of Apartment House, a member of Zeitkratzer and in 2008 made his contemporary dance debut with the Vincent Dance Company in Broken Chords, Dusseldorf. In June 2009 he was awarded the ‘Millennium Star’ medal, for services to Lithuanian culture, by the Government of the Republic of Lithuania.
TWISTED STRING THEORY
Featuring the cello’s versatility for both solo and accompaniment in traditional music, the gang mix guitar, mandolin, banjo and voice to create bold music, bound to soothe the soul and lighten the spirit. Exploring the range, depth and techniques of their instruments, they weave strong grooves and vibrant harmonies with improvised solos and colourful vocals to produce music rich in detail, sensitivity and vigour. British folksong, North American blues, Appalachian song and stepdance, cracking tunes, a good dusting of rosin and just a little zest… this is Twisted String Theory!
Tuesday 19th June
The ALLEN/PELLS DUO
Formed in 2008 to explore the modern guitar duet repertoire. Featuring works by living composers, with particular reference to styles involving Latin and Jazz influences, the duo has already performed in a number of interesting contexts. Their first public performance was in Colchester and featured the works of Vincent Lindsay Clark, with whom the Duo have a close relationship. Both Andrew Allen and Tim Pells are Canadian and came to England in the 70’s to study classical guitar. Both have a wide performing experience, Andrew in the famous guitar duo ‘ The Alpha Duo’ with Steve Smith, and Tim in the English Guitar Quartet. Both now work at the Colchester Institute Centre for Music and the Performing Arts, Andrew as Director, and Tim as Head of Contemporary Strings.
NATHALIE FISCHER and CHLOE MERRIOTT
The paths of these two dynamic ladies crossed during their time at Newcastle University and together they have explored a wide range of contemporary and traditional folksong including Appalachian, English, Irish and Gallic repertoire… and even the odd bit of swing! Sharing self-penned material and bringing songs to life with fresh, inspiring arrangements, this a cappella duo forges bold harmonies with spirited singing (and just a touch of stepdance). Nathalie and Chloe are excited to be performing on Chloe’s home turf!
CHRISTOPHER REDGATE
Christopher is the designer of the Redgate-Howarth system oboe for contemporary music and will be performing on that instrument. He is currently an AHRC Fellow in the Creative and Performing Arts at the Royal Academy of Music and has since the late 1970s specialised in the performance of contemporary oboe music; developing extended techniques and performing many new works that have been written for him. His performing career has taken him to many parts of the world as a soloist, in ensembles and as a teacher.
STACE CONSTANTINOU
Stace is a composer who uses various types of patterns, mathematical, geometric, visual, text-based, intuited or inherently musical to form his musical works. His music flirts with the boundaries of harmonic conceivability often making use of microtones, complexity, nuanced ambiguity, noise, recorded material, illusion and allusion. His pieces have been performed in concerts and festivals in the UK, on the European continent, in Australia and on BBC Radio.
Wednesday 20th June
JANE MANNING OBE
Jane was born in Norwich and studied at the Royal Academy of Music and in Switzerland. In an international career spanning more than 45 years, she has given more than 300 world premieres, and appeared at most of the world’s leading concert halls and festivals, including Berlin, Vienna, Paris, and the BBC Proms. An extensive recording catalogue includes many 20th century classics. She founded her own ensemble JANE’S MINSTRELS in 1988, and still enjoys an active career.
Her published works include 2 volumes of NEW VOCAL REPERTORY, and VOICING PIERROT (2012), the product of 3 years of AHRC funded research at Kingston University. This is a detailed study of Schoenberg’s PIERROT LUNAIRE, of which her interpretation is regarded as definitive.
Thursday 21st June
JOHN PAUL EKINS
Increasingly in demand as a recitalist, concerto pianist and chamber musician John has given many performances throughout the UK and overseas, and has broadcast on the BBC, Romanian national television and radio, and on Polish television. In 2009 he graduated from the Royal College of Music with first class honours and in the same year he was awarded a scholarship by the Guildhall School of Music and Drama where he graduated in the master’s performance degree with distinction. In 2010 he was accepted onto the prestigious Britten-Pears Young Artists Programme. An avid chamber musician, John Paul has an extensive repertoire of piano and string works and enjoys a busy schedule working with many chamber music partners.
Friday June 22nd
POTIPHAR’S APPRENTICES
The musicians that make up Potiphar’s Apprentices are Adrian May (vocals, guitar and melodeon) well-known as a singer, songwriter and author, and Sue (vocals and violin) and John Cubbin (guitar, banjo and accordion) who have performed as a duo for many years with roots in traditional English song and dance music.
Saturday 23rd June
DAVID TITTERINGTON
David is Artistic Director of the world-renowned International Organ Festival at St. Alban’s and since 1996 Head of Organ at the Royal Academy of Music. In 1997 he was appointed Visiting Professor of Organ at the Liszt Academy, Budapest and has taught annually at the Dartington International Summer School since 1993. He made his recital debut at the Royal Festival Hall in 1986 and at the BBC Proms in 1990 with a BBC commissioned work ‘Arched Forms with Bells’ by Diana Burrell.He has since performed in recitals and concertos at major festivals throughout the world. Other composers with whom he has worked include Mauricio Kagel, Lyell Cresswell, Peter Dickinson, Jonathan Dove, Paul Patterson, Giles Swayne and Per Norgard. In 1998 he gave the New Zealand premiere of Messiaen’s ‘Livre du Saint Sacrement’. Engagements in the 2011-12 season include performances throughout Europe, Moscow, USA, Canada, China, Japan and South Korea.
Sunday 24th June
JAMES MATHER (violin)
James is the son of Hugh Mather, who has played many piano concertos and given recitals at the Harwich Festival. James studied at the Royal College of Music with Itzhak Rashkovsky. He was leader of Ealing Youth Orchestra, principal second violin of Cambridge University Chamber Orchestra and has performed extensively as soloist and chamber musician in London and elsewhere. He studied History as Cambridge and Harvard Universities and more recently has played concertos by Mozart and Bach with Patrick McCarthy and Colchester Bach Orchestra.
LINDSAY GOWERS (soprano)
A former member of the BBC Singers, Lindsay studied at London University and RAM. She was a prize-winner at the National English Song Award and a postgraduate at the Britten Pears School. She has sung at Wigmore Hall, St. Martin-in-the-Fields, the Aldeburgh Festival, the Norwich and Norfolk Folk Festival and at other venues at home and abroad. An accomplished exponent of contemporary music, Lindsay has recorded with the Mercia Ensemble, Divertimenti of London and the Brunel Ensemble. Recent performances include Exsultate Jubilate with Patrick McCarthy and this will be her fifth performance of Haydn’s Nelson Mass with him.
ELAINE HENSON (mezzo-soprano)
A graduate of the Universities of Exeter and Durham and a singing Licentiate of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, has been a regular soloist with Suffolk Opera, Commedia Productions, Lyrebird Opera and with many choral societies throughout Britain. Operatic roles include Bizet’s Carmen and Purcell’s Dido. She has given recitals for the University of Essex Lunchtime Concert series as well as several appearances on ITV. She performed the alto solos in John Rutter’s Feel the Spirit, conducted by by the composer, and was a soloist in Bach’s St. Matthew Passion under Sir Colin Davis.
JOHN UPPERTON (tenor)
Born in Co. Durham, John read music at Liverpool University as a first study pianist. He continued as a postgraduate singer at the RCM. He has appeared many times at the Royal Opera House and has worked at ENO, Midsummer Opera, Longborough Festival Opera, Garsington and Birmingham Opera. He also has a busy concert career and has often sung abroad. John is a favourite soloist at the Harwich Festival having been heard in recital and at several Last Night of the Proms.
PATRICK MCCARTHY (conductor)
Patrick studied singing at Guildhall School of Music and the London Opera Centre. As well as his career in opera and musical theatre he taught singing for many years at the Colchester Institute. He is now kept busy conducting fours choirs, including Dovercourt and Witham Choral Societies, and appearing as a baritone soloist, having recently sung Messiah, the Brahms Requiem and Elijah. In 1992 he founded the Colchester Bach Choir which will be celebrating its first twenty years on 13 October with Handel’s Saul at St. Botolph’s Church in Colchester. He has conducted the final concert at the Harwich Festival every year since 1997.
