World-class classical concerts in the awe-inspiring spaces of the Temple – the heart of London’s historic legal quarter
Temple Music October - December 2019
www.templemusic.org | 020 7427 5641
Thursday 3 October 7pm Temple Church
The Sound of Nature Nature’s Voice Jonathan Darbourne piano James Cameron speaker Programme includes songs by Byrd, Palestrina, Handel, Britten, Vaughan Williams, Butterworth, Billie Holliday and The Beach Boys.
Nature’s Voice – which includes members of the Temple Singers – will perform a diverse programme of song inspired by nature, interwoven with impassioned commentary from leading environmental speakers including James Cameron, a leader in the global climate change movement and distinguished environmental law barrister. Forget the politics, missed targets and dropped policy agendas around the critical issue of climate change and allow music to do what it does best and remind us all why we need to sit up, listen and act. “The world is no longer divided between those countries that have the obligation, and the rest. Everybody has the opportunity to present their own plans to grapple with climate change.” James Cameron £15 £20 £30 Includes interval drinks
Generously supported by The Honourable Societies of the Inner and Middle Temple
Friday 11 October 7pm Middle Temple Hall
Belcea Quartet Beethoven String Quartets No. 3 in D major Op. 18 No. 16 in F major Op. 135 No. 8 in E minor Op. 59 No. 2 ‘Razumovsky’
Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, the Belcea Quartet is one of Britain’s, if not the world’s, leading string quartets. In this all-Beethoven programme, they will perform quartets spanning his whole life. His first and last quartets are performed alongside one of his ‘middle period’ quartets, written for the Russian ambassador, Count Razumovsky. “This is the Belcea single-mindedly fathoming the emotional recesses of the composer’s psyche, every interpretation steeped in a pregnancy of feeling, a vast recreative experience that harks back to the untrammelled foresight of the Busch Quartet at its best – but reconsidered and revitalised for our time. Yes, it’s that good.” Gramophone on The Complete String Quartets of Beethoven Generously supported by Lord and Lady Lloyd of Berwick
£5 £15 £20 £30 £40 Includes interval drinks
Tuesday 15 October 7pm Temple Church
Salvator Mundi Roger Sayer organ Mark Lockheart saxophone Danni May soprano Anna Noakes flute Bob Smissen viola Hugh Webb harp Internationally renowned organist and Temple Church Director of Music, Roger Sayer, and award-winning jazz saxophonist, Mark Lockheart, come together to perform music where jazz mixes with classical alongside a generous serving of sacred music. Unique arrangements of existing ecclesiastical music and new pieces by John Ashton Thomas, who is perhaps best known for his film and television music, form the backbone of this exciting concert. “Roger Sayer’s playing has a vitality and vibrancy about it which positively exudes brightness and clarity of thought.” MusicWeb International £10 £20
Generously supported by The Honourable Societies of the Inner and Middle Temple
Tuesday 19 November 7pm Temple Church
Monteverdi Vespers of 1610 The Sixteen Harry Christophers conductor Celebrating their 40th anniversary this year, The Sixteen is indisputably one of the greatest choral ensembles in the world. Renowned equally for their performances of music from all eras, this concert showcases their mastery of the Baroque era, with a work that is often described as one of the most significant collections of sacred music ever written. Of their Grammy-nominated recording of this work Early Music Today said, “this is surely one of the most refined versions of the Vespers currently available”. “This flawless performance showcased The Sixteen’s focus, firmness, and beauty of sound.” The Independent £15 £30 £45 £55
Generously supported by Quadrant Circle with The Brian Mitchell Charitable Settlement
“Lockheart gets such a personal sound out of the saxophone, his timbre highlighted in turn by the economy of his lines.” Jazz Journal
Monday 25 November 7pm Middle Temple Hall
Temple Song
Sarah Connolly mezzo-soprano Julius Drake piano Schumann Frauen-Liebe und Leben Schumann Gedichte Der Königin Maria Stuart Judith Bingham Adieu Solace Songs by Alma and Gustav Mahler
For the final Temple Song concert of the year we welcome back much-loved and world-renowned mezzo Dame Sarah Connolly. The programme includes Schumann’s and Judith Bingham’s vastly different depictions in music of Mary Queen of Scots. Songs by Gustav Mahler, for which Sarah Connolly has earned great acclaim, are also featured alongside those of his wife Alma. “For British mezzos, the lineage of prior interpreters is daunting. Sarah Connolly has nothing to fear from the comparison. Her instrument might be strong and luminous, but it also has a fragility, like stained glass.” The New York Times £5 £15 £20 £25 £35 £45 Includes interval drinks
Tuesday 26 November 7pm Temple Church
The Phantom of the Opera Silent Film David Briggs organ Music and film have always had a special relationship. The soundtrack to any film adds a unique dimension that touches us emotionally and enhances the story. Gaston Leroux’s novel The Phantom of the Opera has been adapted many times, but this 1925 film is the first surviving adaptation and thought by many to be the finest and most faithful to the original story. Acclaimed organist David Briggs, renowned for his improvised film accompaniments, will add his own musical interpretation to this silent horror film, 96 years and a day after it was first released. “David’s playing, whilst of staggering virtuosity and inventiveness, matched the film perfectly with just the right amount of humour for a modern day audience looking at silent film from yesteryear without detracting from the original intent of the film itself.” Simon Williams, Director of Music, St George’s, Hanover Square £15 £20 £30 Generously supported by The Morris-Venables Charitable Foundation
Monday 9 December 7.30pm Temple Church
Handel Messiah Collegium Musicum of London Temple Players Greg Morris director Soloists include Grace Davidson soprano Gareth John bass Handel’s Messiah needs no introduction; it is undoubtedly one of the best known and most performed choral works. Yet, however many times you may have heard it, it never ceases to inspire, stir emotion and, as will certainly be the case for this performance – with four acclaimed young soloists – confirm the arrival of the festive season. “Even in this golden age of ‘early music’ sopranos, Grace Davidson is outstanding for her seraphic purity and evenness of tone.” Gramophone £15 £25 £35 £45
The President’s Circle £1,500 per annum
Members are invited to the annual Circles chamber recital and reception. They also enjoy top-priority booking, dedicated concert seats and opportunities to meet the artists informally after performances.
Supporters’ Circles Our annual concert series brings the finest musicians and artists to the Temple. By joining the Temple Music family, your generosity will support us so we may continue together to present world-class music in the Temple, in the heart of legal London. To join, or for more information, call 020 7427 5641 or visit www.templemusic.org/support-us
The Chairman’s Circle £1,001 per annum
Members are invited to the annual Circles chamber recital and reception. They also enjoy top-priority booking and opportunities to meet the artists informally after performances.
Silver Circle £500 per annum
Members receive priority booking and the opportunity to meet artists informally after performances.
Bronze Circle £250 per annum
Members are invited to meet the artists informally after performances.
Young Circle
(35yrs and under) £25 per annum Open to anyone up to the age of 35, members have the opportunity to buy two of the best available tickets for £5 each for all concerts.
Temple Music Foundation
was founded in 2002 to raise the funds required for the realisation of The Veil of the Temple, by Sir John Tavener. The all-night vigil reaped huge critical acclaim and has subsequently become widely recognised as Tavener’s most important work. Once its original brief had been met, TMF moved on to support the development of music more generally within the Temple. The result, Temple Music, has grown steadily over the past 16 years to become a year-round, world-class classical music season.
Temple Music
prides itself on the exceptional quality of the music, musicians and venues it brings together for its audience. Combining the very best performers of today with awe-inspiring, historic spaces, we present intimate concerts in a magical area of London by some of the best-known classical musicians.
The Temple
hides serenely behind the busy, non-stop world of Fleet Street. One step through the grand black doors of the only surviving Jacobean Town House in the City of London and suddenly you find yourself in the peaceful cobbled lanes of the Temple. As today’s leading lawyers work busily in their chambers, as their predecessors have done for well over 700 years, the magnificent architecture, hidden courtyards and manicured gardens belie the legal battles that are being fought within their sights.
“The Temple is an oasis of calm in central London.” The Guardian
The venues in which we present our concerts are beautiful gems within the crown that is the Temple, each one historic, each one unique and each one providing the perfect setting for our performances. The origins of the
Temple Church
date back to the late 12th century when it was built by the Knights Templar and, as such, it is one of the oldest and most beautiful churches in London. Today it is as well known for its music as for its history and provides a remarkable acoustic and calming atmosphere in which to enjoy our concerts.
“The singers commenced at the east end of this glorious church. Then, leaving behind the impressive stained glass of the east windows, they processed through the rectangular chancel, resting in the pointed arch which connects the Gothic and Norman parts of the church.” Opera Today
Middle Temple Hall is probably the finest example of an Elizabethan Hall in London. Over 100 feet long and 40 feet wide, it is spanned by a magnificent double hammer-beam roof and its wood panelled walls are lined with ornate Coats of Arms and glorious oil paintings. Although used extensively by the members of the Middle Temple, admission to the public is generally limited to invitation only events and concerts.
“Middle Temple Hall is an exciting space. Somehow austere and ornate all at once, it generates a self-contained, imposing atmosphere before a note is even played.” Adrian Ainsworth (reviewer)
Booking Information Online Booking www.templemusic.org Available up until 12noon on the day of the performance.
Telephone Booking 020 7427 5641 If no one is available to take your call please leave a message with your name and contact number and we will return your call at the earliest opportunity. Online and telephone bookings are subject to a £1.50 booking fee. All tickets booked two weeks or more in advance will be sent to you by post.
Support Us Temple Music Foundation is a registered charity and can only present its work through partnership with groups and individuals who support and fund its concerts. By joining the Temple Music family, your generosity will enable us to continue together to present world-class music in the heart of London’s historic legal district. For full details please contact us on 020 7427 5641 or tmf@templechurch.com Online information: www.templemusic.org/support-us We are extremely grateful to our corporate sponsors and chambers circle members for their support:
In Person Tickets are available 30 minutes before the performance (subject to availability).
Student Tickets A limited number of student tickets priced at £5 are available for all of our concerts. To book please call 020 7427 5641. Please note current student ID will be requested upon entry to the concert.
RUSSELL-COOKE SOLICITORS
Young Circle Tickets Young circle members aged 35 years and under can book two of the best available seats for any concert for £5 each. For full details visit www.templemusic.org/support-us TMF reserves the right to make any alterations to the programme or to change the artists as a result of circumstances beyond its reasonable control
Temple Music Registered Charity No. 1095141 Company No. 459441
Temple Music Foundation 1 Inner Temple Lane Temple, London EC4Y 1AF 020 7427 5641 Temple Music Foundation @templemusicfdn Join our e-list online at www.templemusic.org or by sending us an email entitled ‘e-list’ to tmf@templechurch.com