St George's Bristol Brochure (September to December)

Book now: stgeorgesbristol.co.uk | 0845 40 24 001

Welcome to St George’s Bristol It’s finally here: the moment we throw open the doors and reveal the wonderful new contemporary pavilion that has risen up alongside St George’s celebrated concert hall.

The high glazed façade beckons you towards it, offering a glimpse of Luke Jerram’s radiant glass sculpture ‘Apollo’ and a curvaceous stairwell that draws you around the new spaces. The ground floor is given over to a new café and bar where you can relax at any time of day and grab a drink or light bite to eat while enjoying views across the garden and soaking up the creative vibe and ever changing streams of artists, audiences and passers-by. Upstairs, you can head straight into the main hall to take your seat for an event in our main programme, or you can check out the growing diary of intimate events being held in the Glass and Garden Studios. We’re proud to say too that we’re now fully accessible with step free access via our Charlotte Street entrance.

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Welcome

We want to make music a part of your everyday life so expect an expanding offering of talks, artist interviews, listening opportunities and films that take you under the skin of music and how and why it’s made.

We’re also curious about culture at large and the ‘things that make us tick’ so whether it’s food, history, current affairs or fashion, we’ll be inviting you in to share ideas and get involved. To start things off, we’ve appointed our first ever Resident Philosopher, Julian Baggini, who promises to set you up for the day as he shares some espresso shots of thoughts and ideas that emerge through readings of the newspapers or perhaps a chat with a visiting artist.

Violinist Nicola Benedetti brings a generous helping of star quality to our autumn Opening Night and, once started, there’s no end to the incredible array of events. We’re launching a new Bristol Keyboard Festival that roams across pianos, harpsichords and electronic keyboards and our three resident orchestras each make a welcome return, with the Chineke! Orchestra, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment making a splash with its Christmas Oratorio and Aurora Orchestra heralding in the New Year with an all-Mozart concert. Our contemporary programme leaps between jazz, folk,

roots and everything in between, and it’s a bumper season for female artists with BBC Folk Singer of the Year Karine Polwart, the ground-breaking Natacha Atlas and the extraordinary Syrian qanun player Maya Youssef.

We couldn’t be more excited about the forthcoming season of music and hope you’ll feel the same. We’d like to thank everyone who has supported us throughout this ambitious project, either through donations, help in kind or a message of goodwill.

We’re ready to welcome you in, so come and help us celebrate and enjoy our beautiful new spaces.

Suzanne Rolt Chief Executive

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Book now: stgeorgesbristol.co.uk | 0845 40 24 001

Feel part of the future Become a supporter today and secure a bright future for St George’s Supporters safeguard our future, allowing us to attract internationally acclaimed artists and inspire new generations of music lovers and makers.

In the last 12 months, our supporters have helped to create: • M agical musical experiences for over 85,000 people through over 300 concerts, events and workshops • The opportunity for over 4,500 children and young people to take part in our education projects

Sheku Kanneh-Mason performs in rehearsal, to the city’s young musicians

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• O ur dream of a stunning contemporary new café bar and performance space he resources required to care for our • T beautiful Grade II* listed concert hall St George's Bristol is a charity. Every year we must raise at least a third of our income from individuals and charitable sources. We would love you to help us in this challenge: every donation, large or small, makes a difference.

‘Great audiences and a great vibe. If you love music then support this great venue’ A R TI S T, CO U R TN E Y PI N E

Join

Member £40 (£10 Qtr)

Patron From £1000 (£250 Qtr)

Receive benefits including updates, promotions and special events, while helping us to achieve our charitable goals.

Enjoy special insight into the life of St George’s through bespoke events and behind the scenes experiences. Enjoy the benefits of a Benefactor plus unique opportunities to explore the artistic programme from new perspectives, guided by artists, guest speakers and the St George’s team.

• Priority booking • Personal mailing of new season brochures ahead of distribution • Regular newsletters and exclusive promotions

Benefactor From £250 (£62.50 Qtr) Benefactors help to foster our artistic and education work with communities across the South West.

• Advanced notice of season highlights, advance mailing of season brochures and priority booking • 48 hour ticket return facility • Invitations to special events including pre-performance receptions

Join today: For further information on membership, legacies, corporate support and one-off gifts, please visit stgeorgesbristol.co.uk/ support-us or call the Development team on 0117 929 4929.

Star Circle From £2,500 (£625 Qtr) The Star Circle is our programme for major donors who support and champion our ambition and development. Members enjoy an exclusive programme of events, including moments with high profile artists, visits to cultural destinations and an annual supper with Trustees and the Chief Executive.

Ways to join: • By credit card at the box office, over the phone, or online • By cheque made payable to ‘St George’s Bristol’ • By direct debit by completing and returning a Direct Debit form available online or during your visit

A note on Gift Aid Supporter programmes include a commercial value comprising the cost of benefits supporters may receive plus a donation. Benefits can be purchased separately at this price, and any amounts given over and above this benefit value are given freely as a donation and are eligible for Gift Aid. The programmes are designed to encourage philanthropic engagement with St George’s.

See stgeorgesbristol.co.uk for further details.

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Book now: stgeorgesbristol.co.uk | 0845 40 24 001

Summer Events Thursday 21 June | 7.30pm Paul Lewis (Piano) Expect moments of startling originality, quirkish humour, wild passion and raw emotion.

Julian Baggini

Friday 29 June | 7.30pm Julian Bliss (Clarinet) and the Carducci Quartet Acclaimed clarinettist Julian Bliss performs the immensely colourful Brahms Clarinet Quintet.

Thursday 5 July | 7pm Toto La Momposina & AMJ Collective An extraordinary evening of Latin and Caribbean music and dance with African influences.

Philosopher in Residence This autumn we’re delighted to welcome Bristol resident and acclaimed philosopher Julian Baggini to St George’s as Philosopher in Residence. Julian will be popping up throughout our programme in conversation with musicians and audiences investigating the philosophically-tinged ideas in the artistic and cultural air. Keep an eye on our website for updates on what he’s up to and expect wide-ranging discussion, informal drop-ins, breakfast philosophy sessions and lots more.

Saturdays at 11am: 15 Sep, 20 Oct, 17 Nov, 15 Dec £6 – includes filter coffee

The Philosophical Times Paul Lewis

Julian Bliss

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To kick things off, join Julian in his regular monthly look into the philosophy behind the headlines. Taking his cue from the weekend papers, he’ll be unpacking the often underexplored philosophical issues tied up with the big issues of the day and leading their discussion. Suggest which news stories you’d like to be discussed on the day or in advance on social media using the hashtag #SGPhilosophy. Anything could come up: from issues of war and peace to sporting triumph and disaster. Free filter coffee is included to keep your brain sharp.

Summer Events | River Town Festival

River Town Festival

Jade Bird

Emily Barker

Sunday 22 July | 7.30pm Jade Bird, Holly Macve & Emily Barker River Town is back, kicking off with this showcase for female artists forging a new path in Americana.

Sam Palladio

Monday 23 July | 7.30pm Sam Palladio His blend of modern Americana is influenced by the folk and rock sounds of the 1960s and ‘70s and classic storytellers like James Taylor and Paul Simon.

Holly Macve

Wednesday 25 July | 8pm Graham Nash A two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee – with Crosby & Nash and with the Hollies – performs from his litany of songs.

Thursday 26 July | 8pm Rosanne Cash One of the US’s pre-eminent singer/ songwriters, Rosanne Cash has released 15 albums of extraordinary songs that have earned four GRAMMY Awards and nominations for 11 more.

Graham Nash

John Moreland

Rosanne Cash

Sunday 5 August | 8pm John Moreland + support John Moreland sings in one of those accents from flyover country that’s impossible to locate and implausible to mimic.

Presented by Colston Hall, St George’s Bristol & River Town

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Book now: stgeorgesbristol.co.uk | 0845 40 24 001

Lunchtime Concerts Our autumn lunchtime series is bursting with musical gems, from favourite classics to new discoveries. Take a break from your Thursday routine...

Thu 4 Oct | London Bridge Trio Two major compositions from two major 19th century musical households – Clara Schumann’s Piano Trio in G minor and Felix Mendelssohn’s Piano Trio No 2 in C minor – performed by this internationally acclaimed ensemble.

London Bridge Trio

Will Dutta

Thu 11 Oct | Will Dutta Piano Under the title ‘The Great War and Beyond’, Will Dutta’s programme centres on Maurice Ravel’s Le Tombeau de Couperin (1914-17) and Erik Satie’s Avant-Dernières Pensées (1915).

Thu 18 Oct | Kapsetaki Twins Piano duo A shared recital by sisters Marianna and Stephanie Kapsetaki, featuring Rachmaninoff’s 10 Preludes Op 23, short works by Scriabin, Grieg, Liszt and Stravinsky, and Milhaud’s Scaramouche-Brasileira, arranged by the Kapsetaki Twins for piano-4-hands.

Thu 25 Oct | Christina Lawrie Piano Crafted on a theme of ‘travel and home’, Christina Lawrie’s programme features Schubert’s virtuosic Wanderer Fantasy, alongside Handel’s Keyboard Suite in D minor and a selection of Grieg’s Lyric Pieces, including Wedding Day at Troldhaugen.

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Kapsetaki Twins

Christina Lawrie

Lunchtime Concerts | Talks

Thu 1 Nov | Eleftheria Kotzia Guitar A Mediterranean Journey, with music for the guitar inspired or arranged from folklore, taking in Greece, North Africa, France and Andalucia. Includes music by Rodrigo (Invocation and Dance), Dyens, Theodorakis, French Songs (Barbara, Piaf,), McGuire (‘Zalongos’ Dance Elegy).

Thu 8 Nov | Piano 4 Hands Piano Duo Pianists Joseph Tong and Waka Hasegawa reveal a beautiful sonata for piano duet by the Bristol-born composer Ailsa Dixon, alongside works by Mozart, David Matthews, and Debussy’s La Mer.

Eleftheria Kotzia

Pomegranate Trio

Thu 15 Nov | Kumi Matsuo Piano Japanese pianist Kumi Matsuo performs Chopin’s third Impromptu, Cesar Franck’s Prelude, Chorale & Fugue, and Ravel’s tourde-force Gaspard de la Nuit.

Sarah Beth Briggs

Thu 22 Nov | Pomegranate Trio Haydn’s characterful Piano Trio in E Flat Hob XV:29 precedes a performance of Ravel’s glorious Piano Trio in a recital by this muchadmired trio.

Thu 29 Nov | Sarah Beth Briggs Piano Celebrated pianist Sarah Beth Briggs presents a striking recital featuring works by Bach, Haydn, Debussy, Chopin, and Austrian composer Hans Gál.

All Concerts | 1pm Tickets £8, Free 8 – 25s

Multi-buy offers: > Buy a series ticket for just £45.

Save £27!

Café Bar Treat yourself to a light lunch with your concert!

Show your ticket for 10% off the lunchtime specials 9

Book now: stgeorgesbristol.co.uk | 0845 40 24 001

Thursday 6 September | 7.30pm Tickets: £40, £35, £30, £25, £15 £5 Students*

Benedetti, Van Der Heijden and Chauhan Season Opener

Nicola Benedetti Violin Laura van der Heijden Cello Bristol Ensemble Alpesh Chauhan Conductor Beethoven Coriolan Overture Op 62 Haydn Cello Concerto No 1 in C Mendelssohn Notturno from A Midsummer Night’s Dream Prokofiev Violin Concerto No 2 Op 63

nicolabenedetti.co.uk | @NickyBenedetti lauravanderheijden.uk | @L_vd_Heijden 10

In the 40th anniversary year of the BBC Young Musician competition, we are delighted to launch the new season – and celebrate the new St George's building – with two previous winners. Laura van der Heijden, winner in 2012 and now 21, shows her impressive maturity with Haydn's Cello Concerto No 1 in C major. After the interval, the 2004 winner Nicola Benedetti makes a welcome return to St George's for Prokofiev's 2nd Violin Concerto with rising star conductor Alpesh Chauhan and the Bristol Ensemble.

bristolensemble.com | @BristolEnsemble alpeshchauhan.com | @alpeshconductor

September

Friday 7 September | 7.30pm Tickets: £20, £15, £10, £5 Students*

Saturday 8 September | 7.30pm Tickets: £40, including wine and beer

Sacconi Quartet & Jon Boden The Juliet Letters

Oz and Armonico Drink to Music!

Steve Reich Different Trains Elvis Costello/Brodsky Quartet The Juliet Letters

Oz Clarke Narrator Eloise Irving Soprano William Towers Counter-tenor Armonico Consort Christopher Monks Director

Jon Boden, ex-frontman of folk-giants Bellowhead, joins with the Sacconi Quartet for a reprise of Elvis Costello’s 1993 collaboration with the Brodsky Quartet.

Described in Rolling Stone magazine at the time as ‘alternately biting and rueful, evoking the sardonic humour and bleak beauty of Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht’, The Juliet Letters is a striking sequence of dramatic ballads that reflect on love, betrayal and death.

Four years before Costello teamed up with a string quartet, Steve Reich created another iconic collaboration – this time for quartet with its recorded self, and taped testimony from the Second World War.

Much-admired wine critic and broadcaster Oz Clarke joins Renaissance/Baroque specialists Armonico Consort for a highly entertaining evening investigating the deliciously colourful links between wine and music. Join them with a glass in hand, for this unique pairing of raconteur wit and expert wine insight, with sparkling performances.

The music is served with three countryspecific glassfuls that Oz introduces: an English ale with Purcell, a German Riesling with Bach and Handel, and after some Monteverdi and Vivaldi, a Chilean Cabernet with the most upbeat South American Baroque dance music.

In association with Averys Wine Merchants.

sacconi.com | @sacconiquartet jonboden.com | @boden_jon

armonico.org.uk | @ArmonicoConsort

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Book now: stgeorgesbristol.co.uk | 0845 40 24 001

Sunday 16 September 3pm & 6.30pm Tickets: £20, £15, £10, £5 Students* (per concert) Free 8 – 25s

Sunday 9 September | 7.30pm Tickets: £30, £28, £25

The Big Chris Barber Band

One of the original British jazz legends and an icon of traditional jazz, Chris Barber celebrates 70 years as leader with this special concert featuring his 10-piece band, one of the finest of its kind in the world.

Barber was a key figure in the ‘beat boom’ of the '60s, introducing legendary American blues musicians to British audiences, and his band have spent the last half-century keeping the spirit of jazz and blues alive performing prolifically across five continents.

This line-up, inspired by the great Ken Colyer Jazz Men, features everything from New Orleans to blues to late ‘20s Ellington, played with characteristic panache and skill.

Dante Quartet Beethoven’s Quartet Journey – The Late Quartets

David Timson Actor Clare Norburn Writer 3pm Beethoven String Quartet Op 131, String Quartet Op 132 5.15pm Clare Norburn in Conversation 6.30pm Beethoven String Quartet Op 130, Grosse Fuge Op 133, String Quartet Op 135

And don't miss...

Philosopher in Residence Saturday 15 Sept | 11am See p6 for details chrisbarber.net @ChrisBarberBand 12

dantequartet.org @DanteQuartet

September

Thursday 20 September | 8pm Tickets: £18, £15, £5 Students*

Northern Flyway

This new words-and-music collaboration follows Beethoven's personal and musical journey through some of his most remarkable works.

Each quartet is performed complete, while the narrative – formed from original source material interwoven with Clare Norburn's creative writing – casts a new light both on the music and on Beethoven as a human being.

Between the two performances, Clare Norburn discusses Beethoven – his life, his character – and how she balanced the narrative for David Timson with the quartets themselves.

Multibuy offer: Joint tickets £35, £25, £15 Talk free to ticket holders

Jenny Sturgeon Harmonium, vocals Inge Thomson Accordion, electronics, vocals Sarah Hayes Flute, keys Jason Singh Electronics, mimesis Magnus Robb Viola, sampling Simon Gane, Ben Everett Projection / set design / lighting This beautiful, resonating new work devised by stunning folk maestros Jenny Sturgeon and Inge Thomson, explores the ecology and folklore of birds in a visceral and evocative audio-visual feast. Drawing on the extensive field recordings of birdsong expert Magnus Robb, Sturgeon’s background as a biologist, and Thomson’s home turf of Fair Isle, Northern Flyway combines deeply felt lyrical material with skilful vocal and instrumental sounds against a visual skyscape of flocks, skeins and murmurations.

Featuring singer/multi-instrumentalist Sarah Hayes (Admiral Fallow) and the phenomenal vocal sculptor Jason Singh, this is the ultimate tribute to the rhythms and myths of humanity’s winged companion. @NorthernFlyway

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Book now: stgeorgesbristol.co.uk | 0845 40 24 001

Friday 21 September | 7.30pm Tickets: £38, £35, £30, £15, £10, £5 Students* | Free 8 – 25s VIP Reception: £22

Christian Blackshaw & Soloists of the Berliner Philharmoniker Christian Blackshaw Piano Noah Bendix-Balgley Violin, Concertmaster Máté Szűcs Principal Viola Bruno Delepelaire Principal Cello Matthew McDonald Principal Bass

SEASON CELEBRATION

Mozart Piano Quartet No 1 in G Minor K478 Mozart Piano Quartet No 2 in E flat K493 Schubert Piano Quintet in A 'The Trout'’ As an emerging pianist, Christian Blackshaw attracted the admiration of Clifford Curzon, no less, for his interpretation of the two composers the great master was most celebrated for, Mozart and Schubert. This concert gives us the tantalising prospect of hearing Blackshaw in both, and with the highest calibre partners from the Berlin Philharmonic.

Blackshaw’s four-CD Mozart sonata set for Wigmore Hall Live has generated extravagant praise, with critics around the world hailing these ‘landmark recordings’ as ‘captivating’, ‘magical’ and ‘masterful’.

‘He crackles with nervous energy, as if each concert were his first, generating performances of thrilling intensity’ FI N A N CI A L TI M ES christianblackshaw.com @CCBlackshaw 14

September

Saturday 22 September | 7.30pm Tickets: £16. £14 Concessions

Sunday 23 September | 6.30pm Tickets: £12. £8 Concessions

English National Baroque Ensemble 20th Anniversary Concert

A Future for British Music NMSW & Young Composers' Academy

Nicholas Whiting Leader Imogen Triner and Kim Keeble Oboe Stephanie Gilbert Flute Michael Mace and Robyn Austin Cello Eleanor Turner Harp

Bristol Ensemble John Pickard Conductor

Performing music by J S Bach, William Boyce, Corelli, Handel and Vivaldi The renowned English National Baroque Ensemble returns to St George’s for its 20th anniversary concert. This fine baroque ensemble has developed its own distinctive character, style and sound over the past two decades, establishing themselves as a firm favourite on the UK music circuit. Share the enjoyment these players so obviously feel as they perform the great concertos of the Golden Age of Baroque.

Hannah Kendall Processional Sadie Harrison Coretta Andy Keenan For Boola Graham Fitkin Ardent New pieces by composers from St George's / NMSW Young Composers' Academy and shortlisted pieces from the NMSW Young Composers’ Prize 2018.

The Young Composers’ Academy and New Music in the South West help to invigorate the region’s new music scene whilst creating inspiring opportunities for its most talented young composers. Hear Bristol Ensemble performing great new music by the region’s best young composers, alongside recent repertoire classics and music specially commissioned to celebrate the life and work of Martin Luther King on the 50th anniversary of his assassination.

NMSW Season Finale & the St George’s Young Composers’ Academy Showcase

nmsw.org.uk | @NMSWUK

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Book now: stgeorgesbristol.co.uk | 0845 40 24 001

Friday 28 September | 7.30pm Tickets: £20, £15, £5 Students*

12 ensemble Reborn Tansy Davies Residuum Britten Lachrimae Woolrich Ulysses Awakes Schubert (arr. Mahler) Death & the Maiden A bold, versatile and virtuosic ensemble, the unconducted group is built around a core of 12 of London’s finest chamber musicians – all bringing the excitement and creativity of a string quartet to this larger body of players.

the12ensemble.com @12_ensemble 16

Reborn, their bold new programme for 2018, explores how the old gives birth to the new: archaic ideas are given strikingly modern relevance through great artists influencing and inspiring one another. Tansy Davies’ brilliant Residuum is a thrilling work for strings inspired by John Dowling’s Lachrimae, the same work on which Britten based his own Lachrymae. In a cross-collaboration with choreographer Alexander Whitley, the ensemble have created a mesmerising film to accompany Woolrich’s Ulysses Awakes, screened behind them as they perform. And to end the programme, one of the greatest works written, Schubert’s Death and the Maiden, arranged here for string orchestra.

September

Saturday 29 September | 3pm & 5.30pm Tickets: £10, £7.50

Sunday 30 September | 7.30pm £24, £20, £15 (Half Price Students / U18s)

Innovation 216 Beyond the Clouds

Exultate Singers Exultate Chamber Orchestra

If you missed the premiere, this is a second chance to witness the remarkable spectacle of St George’s packed to the rafters with a record number of brass band and choir members for composer Liz Lane’s extraordinary piece, Innovation 216.

Described as ‘thrilling’, ‘fabulous’ and ‘a moving love letter to Bristol’s aviation story’, Innovation 216 is first to the runway in an extravaganza of flight and WWI inspired music, from the ‘Dam Busters March’ to ‘Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines’. Fasten your seat belts before take-off with the Lydbrook Band, training bands from City of Bristol, Lydbrook and Lydney bands, Gurt Lush Choir, Bristol MAN Chorus and members of the UWE Singers, conducted by Ian Holmes and Sam Burns.​

David Ogden Conductor James MacMillan Seven Last Words From The Cross Handel Dixit Dominus Exultate Singers is joined by the Exultate Chamber Orchestra to perform two powerful and virtuosic works for choir and string orchestra. Widely admired as a masterpiece, James MacMillan’s Seven Last Words From The Cross follows Christ’s final utterances at the crucifixion, meditating on each to form a dramatic and emotional sequence. The vocal writing is at times dramatic and intense, at others plaintive and tender. MacMillan’s use of vocal and instrumental is always mesmerising and deeply moving. One of the most exhilarating of all his choral works, Handel’s Dixit Dominus displays youthful vitality and energy throughout with strong Italian influences. ‘ A very impressive performance from an excellent choir’ B AC H T R AC K .CO M

exultatesingers.org | @ExultateSingers

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Book now: stgeorgesbristol.co.uk | 0845 40 24 001

Monday 1 October | 8pm Tickets: £15. £12 Concessions, £4.50 partner rate

Tuesday 2 October | 8pm Tickets: £50 Platinum (limited availability), £27

Mark Kermode How Does It Feel? A Life of Musical Misadventures

Sons of Pitches plus Special Guests

Adored film critic Mark Kermode has written a hilarious, self-deprecating, blissfully nostalgic memoir that charts his riotous attempts to become a popstar. It tells the story of how a spotty kid from North London, who built an electric guitar at school, wound up recording an album at the legendary Sun Studios in Memphis. It follows Mark’s haphazard musical career, from inauspicious beginnings in 1970's church halls and youth clubs to performing live at the Albert Hall, via a mercifully short-lived stint in musical theatre and stand-up comedy.

The Sons of Pitches’ brand new show ‘100 Number One Hits’ is their most ambitious yet. Expect all kinds of genres – iconic songs, massive medleys, the odd tear jerker and plenty of spectacle. Since their formation in 2010, they have established themselves as one of the premiere vocal groups currently working in the UK, shooting to fame in 2015 when they were crowned winners of the BBC2 singing contest The Naked Choir, hosted by Gareth Malone. Their combination of soaring solos, impeccable harmonies and stunning beatboxing – mixed with a large dose of comedy – have captivated the public’s imagination.

Presented by Live Nation

markkermode.co.uk @KermodeMovie 18

thesonsofpitches.co.uk @TheSOPitches

October

Wednesday 3 October | 7.30pm Tickets: £27

Saturday 6 October | 7.30pm Tickets: £10, £5 U18s

Ralph McTell

Men United A day of men’s singing in aid of Prostate Cancer UK

One of the great storytellers, Ralph McTell, is now celebrating more than 50 years on the road. Known for his virtuoso guitar style, he is primarily a prolific and gifted songwriter.

With a style that invites you into a unique world, he weaves a narrative that is both significant and poignant.

Local male songsters The Magnificent AK47 are celebrating their tenth birthday this year by joining forces with the best of the Bristol male vocal scene. In the afternoon, look out for the Massive Magnificent ManSing – a huge workshop where some of the most respected singing leaders in the West are teaching songs to those who sing in the lower frequency range – as well as a special performance by the mighty Bristol Man Chorus. The evening concert includes performances by Bristol’s own Kettle of Fish, The Gasmen Collective and The Raff Pack who will join The Magnificent AK47 (the singing blokes of Ashton Keynes) along with some special guests. They’re also raising money for Prostate Cancer UK, an organisation with a simple ambition – to stop men dying from prostate cancer.

Ralph made his debut in 1968 with the album ‘Eight Frames a Second’ and in 1974 the release of ‘Streets of London’ earned him an Ivor Novello Award. In 2002 he was presented with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.

And don't miss...

Lunchtime Concert Thursday 4 October | 1pm > London Bridge Trio See p8 for details ralphmctell.co.uk @Ralph_McTell

Workshop, 2pm: Tickets: £10, £5 U18s Joint ticket: £15, £7.50 U18s themagnificentak47.com | @themagnificentak47 prostatecanceruk.org 19

Book now: stgeorgesbristol.co.uk | 0845 40 24 001

Sunday 7 October | 7.30pm Tickets: £15, £13, £5 Students / U18s

Tuesday 9 October | 8pm Tickets: £16

New Bristol Sinfonia with the Young Composers' Academy

Maya Youssef

The young composers of today are writing the music that will fill the lives of tomorrow’s audiences – so come and support the allimportant premieres of pieces by Sebrina Lambert-Rose, Max Mitchell and Emily Winsor, commissioned by St George’s Young Composer’s Academy scheme in association with the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation and performed by New Bristol Sinfonia.

Maya Youssef Qanun Elizabeth Nott Percussion Barney Morse-Brown Cello

To illuminate this spirit of innovation, New Bristol Sinfonia looks back to two other great turning points in classical music, with Stravinsky’s orchestral showpiece, Symphony in C, and the heart wrenching and ecstatic Prelude and Liebestod from Wagner's opera Tristan und Isolde.

‘The act of playing music is the opposite of death, it's a life and hope affirming act,’ says Youssef, virtuoso of the traditional Syrian 78-stringed plucked zither. Introduced at an early age by her family to a whole range of music from Arabic classical to Tibetan monks, Maya grew up in her native Syria determined to become a musician. Her extraordinary musical gift and generosity of outlook have brought comparisons with Ravi Shankar, Yehudi Menuhin and Meredith Monk, and she has performed all over, from the BBC Proms to WOMAD, either with her own groups or as part of Africa Express and The Orchestra of Syrian Musicians. This evening her trio performs her album Syrian Dreams.

‘It’s an often exquisite, emotional set that constantly changes mood’ T H E G UA R D I A N

newbristolsinfonia.org.uk @BristolSinfonia 20

mayayoussef.com @Mayaqanun

October

Thursday 11 October | 8pm Tickets: £22, £20, £5 Students*

Andy Sheppard / Espen Eriksen Trio

Serial collaborator Andy Sheppard’s latest musical partnership is with the renowned Norwegian trio led by pianist Espen Eriksen, with Lars Tormod Jenset on double bass and Andreas Bye, drums. The trio, who have so far released three acclaimed albums on the esteemed Rune Grammofon label, have perfected a lyrical, ‘chilled’ style of melodic jazz that more than bears comparison with Sweden’s e.s.t. It’s a style that suits tonight’s featured soloist Andy Sheppard down to the ground, serving up beautifully poised backdrops for his tenor and soprano sax to inhabit, reminiscent of Jan Garbarek with Keith Jarrett’s European Quartet.

‘Superb musicians at the top of their game’ BBC

And don't miss... espeneriksentrio.com @AndySheppardSax

Lunchtime Concert Thursday 11 October | 1pm > Will Dutta Piano See p8 for details 21

Book now: stgeorgesbristol.co.uk | 0845 40 24 001

Friday 12 October | 7.30pm Tickets: £40, £35, £28, £22, £15, £5 Students*

Mitsuko Uchida Schubert Sonatas

Schubert Sonata in E flat D568 Schubert Sonata in A minor D784 Schubert Sonata in A D959 We are thrilled to announce Mitsuko Uchida’s return to St George’s. Her Schubert sonata recordings for Philips date back to the late 1990s, so it is an enticing prospect to witness her return to this repertoire as part of a twoyear cycle in key European and US venues.

Mitsuko describes, ‘Beethoven’s vision is of the cosmos. Mozart is about the drama and entanglements of human life and love.

Schubert’s music is between life and death; he dreams, with his eyes on the far horizon.

His music is at once personal and profound.

Every note speaks and touches your soul.’

‘Mitsuko Uchida has been enthralling audiences for decades with the sensitivity, insight and unshowy brilliance of her playing’ R OYA L PH I LH A R M O N I C S O CI E T Y

mitsukouchida.com

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October

Saturday 13 October | 7.30pm Tickets: £12 Advance, £15 On the door

Sunday 14 October | 7.30pm Tickets: £10, £7

The Fantasy Orchestra Adventures In Transcription

Brothas With Attitude

The Fantasy Orchestra are an open-to-all community orchestra based in Bristol and Paris and are celebrating the release of their first LP which brings together an eclectic mix of music by diverse artists such as Sun Ra and Caetano Veloso, folk musician Richard Dawson, Brooklyn-based post punk duo Buke and Gase and electronic composer Distasterpeace, as well as local composers.

Following Ujima’s two great female-led performances it is now the turn of the men to take centre stage. Brothas With Attitude showcases singers, spoken word performers, DJs and other Bristol-based artists – with mental health and wellbeing as the main theme. It brings an evening of powerful creative talent from the African diaspora to inspire and lift the soul through art and heritage.

Arrangements are expanded to their full harmonic breadth and richness to allow every instrument a part in every piece.

Kevin Figes’ wonderful '70s library music band Underscore kick off the evening.

Brothas With Attitude is a Ujima Radio Heritage Event in partnership with St George’s, produced by Roger Griffith, and celebrates ten years of Ujima Radio.

Supported by Arts Council England.

fantasyorchestra.org @FantasyOrch

ujimaradio.com @Ujimaradio 23

Book now: stgeorgesbristol.co.uk | 0845 40 24 001

Wednesday 17 October | 8pm Tickets: £21, £19, £5 Students*

Thursday 18 October | 7.30pm Tickets: £12. £9 Concessions

Lankum

Rewilding – A Visual Journey

Rough-hewn and raw, Lankum are one of the most talked about bands to come out of Ireland in decades. The Dublin four-piece are breathing new life into old music, combining distinctive four-part vocal harmonies with arrangements of uilleann pipes, concertina, accordion, fiddle and guitar. Their repertoire spans Dublin music hall ditties and street songs to classic ballads from the traveller tradition, influenced by legends such as Frank Harte and The Dubliners, with strange and subtle traces of American old-timey music, krautrock and drone.

Explore the case for a wilder Scotland and Europe through a stunning backdrop of beautiful wildlife film and photography.

Award-winning photographers, filmmakers and conservationists who are telling the rewilding story, share their work and hopes for thriving wildlife and wild places. From reintroduced species such as lynx and beavers to revitalised landscapes, discover their vision for an ecologically rich and sustainable wild Europe that benefits all life, including humans.

‘There is folk that wants to whisper in your ear, and then there is the music of Lankum: urgent, desperate and detonating, full of lyrics and sounds smacking together like waves shattering stones in a storm’ 5/5 T H E G UA R D I A N

And don't miss...

Lunchtime Concert Thursday 18 October | 1pm > Kapsetaki Twins Piano duo See p8 for details lankumdublin.com @LankumDublin 24

Speakers include award-winning wildlife and conservation photographer Peter Cairns.

Peter is the Project Director of SCOTLAND: The Big Picture, which is creating compelling visual media that promotes the benefits of a wilder Scotland for people and wildlife.

Supported by

Part of Wildscreen’s Witness the Wild Festival 2018 wildscreen.org @WildscreenFest

October

Sunday 21 October | 8pm Tickets: £20, £15, £5 Students*

Daniel Pioro and Valgeir Sigurðsson An evening of electronic and acoustic music born from a collaboration between Icelandic composer and musician, Valgeir Sigur∂sson, and British violinist, Daniel Pioro. Drawing on the ethos of legendary Icelandic label, Bedroom Community, Valgeir and Daniel perform works from Daniel’s debut album, Dust, as well as exploring the ancient sound world of composers like Biber and Couperin.

Joined by very special guests, Jonathan Morton, Jane Atkins, and Alice Allen, the evening alternates between unamplified string quartet sounds, solo electronics and all the noises in between.

And don't miss...

Philosopher in Residence Saturday 20 October | 11am See p6 for details danielpioro.com | @DanielPioro valgeir.net | @ValgeirS 25

Book now: stgeorgesbristol.co.uk | 0845 40 24 001

Monday 22 October | 8pm Tickets: £16

Thursday 25 October | 8pm £25, £23, £21. £5 Students*

Neil Hilborn

Stacey Kent

Neil Hilborn’s highly anticipated second collection of poems, The Future, invites readers to find comfort in hard nights and better days. Filled with nostalgia, love, heartbreak, and the author’s signature wry examinations of mental health, The Future is rugged, genuine, and relatable.

Grammy-nominated, million-selling Stacey Kent is one of the great jazz vocalists, excelling in the sensitive communication of deep emotions through intimate jazz ballads, dramatic French chanson and sensuous bossa nova. Tonight Stacey and her band, featuring her musical partner, saxophonist Jim Tomlinson, present songs from her latest Sony album ‘I Know I Dream’, the recipient of a rare five-star accolade from Downbeat.

The material includes compositions by Leo Ferre, Serge Gainsbourg and Antonio Carlos Jobim, as well as originals written with her long-time collaborator, the Nobel Prizewinning novelist Kashuo Ishiguro.

In 2013 his poem ‘OCD’ went viral, garnering over 75 million views, making it one of the most viewed poems of all time.

Plus support

‘One more jewel in a discography with many’ A L L A B O U T J A Z Z O N ‘ I K N OW I D R E A M ’

And don't miss...

Lunchtime Concert Thursday 25 October | 1pm > Christina Lawrie Piano See p8 for details @Neilicorn

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staceykent.com @stacey_kent

October

Friday 26 October | 8pm Tickets: £20, £15, £5 Students*

Eddie Parker’s Debussy Mirrored Ensemble Eddie Parker, Gareth Lockrane, Rowland Sutherland, Jan Hendrickse Flutes James Allsopp Clarinet/Bass Clarinet James Gilchrist, Brigitte Beraha Vocals Imogen Ridge Harp Simon Limbrick Percussion/Vibraphone Alcyona Mick Piano Steve Watts Bass Martin France Drums Alex Killpartrick Sound

Loose Tubes flautist and composer Eddie Parker has a life-long passion for the music of Claude Debussy. To celebrate the composer in his centenary year Eddie and the ensemble have created a repertoire which takes Debussy’s music as a starting point and leads our ears on a fascinating journey. This unique new ensemble combines the forces of twelve outstanding jazz and classical performers, and features at centre stage the vocal virtuosity of Brigitte Beraha and James Gilchrist.

Expect magical sounds and harmonies, exciting rhythms, stunning virtuosity and a new take on this great French composer.

Eddie gratefully acknowledges the assistance of Cheltenham Music Festival, Hawkwood College and Arts Council England.

debussymirroredensemble.org

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Book now: stgeorgesbristol.co.uk | 0845 40 24 001 FAMILY EVENT

Saturday 27 October | 7.45pm Tickets: £20, £17, Free U18s £5 Concessions (excl OAPs)

Sunday 28 October | 11am, 1pm, 3pm Tickets: £6, Family Ticket available

Brandon Hill Chamber Orchestra & Exultate Singers A Celebration of Life

MiniBeats Spooky Sunday!

Andrew Shulman Conductor Tereza Stanislav Violin Robert Brophy Viola Niall Hoskin Baritone

From spooky spinets to ghoulish grands, join the MiniBeats team for some Halloween fun with Petrifying Pianos, featuring favourites

by Monstrous Mussorgsky, Spine-Chilling Saint-Saens and Ghastly Grieg. Prepare to be spellbound!

Vaughan Williams Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis Mozart Sinfonia Concertante Fauré Requiem The rich harmonies and novel instrumentation of Vaughan Williams’ Tallis Fantasia are a string player’s delight. In the Sinfonia Concertante, Mozart scores for a double viola section, creating a glowing central sonority, whilst the sublime radiance of Fauré’s Requiem is garnered in no small part by its scoring which again includes double violas! Conductor Andrew Shulman returns with soloists from the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra to direct this concert, performed in memory of David Nash.

Monstrous Makes craft activities and other Halloween fun will be on offer before and after each concert. Dressing up is definitely encouraged (kids and grown-ups), with prizes for the best costumes.

Following on from the 3pm concert, you are invited on a Terrible Trail – a Halloweenthemed exploration of the venue and its surroundings. Prepare for a few spooky surprises…

11am For children aged 3 – 5 1pm ‘Relaxed Performance’ suitable for all ages 3pm For children aged 5 – 8 Ages are guidelines only. Running time 45 minutes without interval. Monstrous Makes and Terrible Trail are free to ticket holders. Terrible Trail is suitable for children aged 5 and above.

bhco.co.uk | @ BHCOrchestra andrewshulman.com 28

October | November FAMILY EVENT

Wednesday 31 October | 11.45am Tickets: £6, Family Ticket available

Thursday 1 November | 8pm Tickets: £20, £5 Students*

Wild Words Dylan and Igor

Karine Polwart

Dylan didn’t have any friends so he listened to the sea and before he knew it he had a new invisible friend! Join Wild Words in their new family show that fuses the artistry of Dylan Thomas and Igor Stravinsky through the musicianship of Tim Hill (saxophones), Martin Solomon (strings and saw) and story-yeller / storywriter Michael Loader (also horns). Spontaneous mayhem, crazy characters and well-honed melodies with overtones of hoover drones all bound in a profound message about finding who you really are.

Karine Polwart is a multi-award-winning songwriter and musician, a theatre maker, storyteller, spoken-word performer, essayist, and published writer. Six-times winner at The BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, including 2018 Folk Singer of the Year, Karine is touring with her trio – long-term collaborators brother Steven Polwart (guitars) and Inge Thomson (accordion, percussion) in line with the release of her new studio album Laws of Motion in Autumn 2018.

Recommended age: 6+

Playshop We're Going on a Word Hunt – with the Wild Words team 10.45am | Free to ticket holders

And don't miss...

Tuesday 30 October | 8pm > Tord Gustavsen Trio See p31 for details Wednesday 31 October | 8pm > Mahan Esfahani See p31 for details

And don't miss...

Lunchtime Concert Thursday 1 November | 1pm > Eleftheria Kotzia Guitar See p9 for details karinepolwart.com @IAMKP 29

Book now: stgeorgesbristol.co.uk | 0845 40 24 001

Bristol Keyboard Festival #BristolKeys Pianos – and keyboards of all shapes and sizes – have been at the heart of St George’s from the very start, joining the dots in a programme that roams across endless styles and ages of music.

Remarkably, these most extraordinary of instruments have never had their own festival – until now! What better way to celebrate the recent transformation of St George’s than with the launch of this new Bristol Keyboard Festival.

Join us for this non-stop, week-long festival as we look back over our shoulder to where the keyboard first started and fast forward to the realm of future possibilities…

From Norwegian jazz supremo Tord Gustavsen on the opening night to St George's favourite Paul Lewis at the close, Bristol Keyboard Festival will celebrate the piano, and that special thing called pianism, in all its infinite variety. Along the way, enjoy pianistic encounters with the ever-engaging James Rhodes, Lucy Parham's Debussy show with Simon Russell Beale, a Leeds competition finalist, and the hi-tech, multi-media piano adventures of Zubin Kanga.

But this festival doesn't stop there. We want to celebrate other keyboards too, and the musical magic that occurs when fingers press down on a range of black and white keys. So we're very happy to welcome iconoclast harpsichordist Mahan Esfahani, David Owen Norris playing the Mozart on the fortepiano once owned by Florence Nightingale, and the back-to-the-future trip of Will Gregory's glorious Moog Ensemble.

Add to that a family show that combines SaintSaens and Tchaikovsky on two pianos with live illustration from children's author James Mayhew, and we hope this is a festival that you'll want to engage with time after time.

Meurig Bowen & Suzanne Rolt A r t i s t i c 30

Directors

October BRISTOL KEYBOARD FESTIVAL

BRISTOL KEYBOARD FESTIVAL

Tuesday 30 October | 8pm Tickets: £22, £20, £5 Students*

Wednesday 31 October | 8pm Tickets: £20, £15, £10, £5 Students*

Tord Gustavsen Trio

Mahan Esfahani Harpsichord Recital

Warning: seriously sublime music. Norway’s star pianist and composer Tord Gustavsen returns to St George’s with a new album and a new trio, with bassist Sigurd Hole joining regular drummer Jarle Vespestad. The forthcoming release in his evolving career with ECM Records – a series which must count as one of the greatest jazz sequences of our age – represents a further refinement of Gustavsen’s ‘Nordic blues’, with new compositions referencing both ancient Nordic hymn-melodies and the works of JS Bach.

JS Bach Four Duets BWV 802-805 Graham Lynch Admiring Yoro Waterfall (2000) Gavin Bryars After Handel’s Vesper (1998) Haim Alexander Improvisation on a Persian Folksong (1974) JS Bach Partita II in C minor BWV 826 JS Bach Overture in the French Style BWV 831

‘Nothing less than magical’ D OW N B E AT

Attending a recital by Iranian-American harpsichordist Mahan Esfahani is to witness something dazzling and impressive; something that never fails to absorb not only in the performances themselves, but for the wit and lightly-worn erudition of Esfahani’s impromptu interactions with the audience.

After two hours in his company, your view of the harpsichord and its repertoire – old and new – will never be the same again.

And don't miss...

Wednesday 31 October | 11.45am > Wild Words See p29 for details Thursday 1 November | 8pm > Karine Polwart See p29 for details tordg.no/trio @tordg

mahanesfahani.com @MahanEsfahani 31

Book now: stgeorgesbristol.co.uk | 0845 40 24 001 BRISTOL KEYBOARD FESTIVAL

BRISTOL KEYBOARD FESTIVAL

Friday 2 November | 7pm Tickets: £20, £5 Students*

Friday 2 November | 9.30pm Tickets: £15, £5 Students*

James Rhodes

Zubin Kanga WIKIPIANO

As both a pianist and as a public speaker, James Rhodes is never less than thoroughly engaging. With solo piano music at the beginning and end, and with James in conversation centrally, this is an event where both can be admired and enjoyed.

Expect James to talk about his book How To Play Piano, about his views on school music education, on why music is good for you – and why, especially, it has been good for him.

Alexander Schubert WIKI-PIANO.NET Zubin Kanga Dead Leaves Tristan Coelho City Sounds Claudia Molitor You Touched the Twinkle of the Helix of my Ear Adam de la Cour Transplant the Movie 2!: Operation ‘Re-Rise’ Dark Return

Look out for other events…

Keep an eye on the website for additional #BristolKeys events – talks, interviews, workshops and lots more jamesrhodes.tv @JRhodesPianist 32

Pianist Zubin Kanga has worked with many of the world’s leading composers to expand the possibilities of the piano. German composer Alexander Schubert’s new work features a website that allows the public to compose the score, creating a continuously evolving work. Tristan Coelho combines everyday sounds and visuals from the city with video game-style control in a theatrical funky work. Claudia Molitor uses film of her hands to explore the composer’s role as puppet master. And Adam de la Cour builds on the success of his horror-inspired work Transplant the Movie! with this sequel, riffing off genre tropes of ‘80s action movies. zubinkanga.com @ZubinKanga

November BRISTOL KEYBOARD FESTIVAL

Saturday 3 November | 12 noon Tickets: £15, £12, £5 Students*

The Jupiter Project

Caroline Balding Violin Katy Bircher Flute Richard Tunnicliffe Cello David Owen Norris Broadwood Pianoforte Mozart Overture to The Magic Flute (arr. Hummel) Mozart Piano Concerto in C K467 (arr. Cramer) Mozart Overture to The Marriage of Figaro (arr. Hummel) Mozart Symphony in C ‘The Jupiter’ K551 (arr. Clementi) As Mozart’s reputation grew in the nineteenth century, three great virtuosos of the pianoforte recomposed his overtures, symphonies and concertos, adding many more notes to suit a more flamboyant style of playing on a much larger instrument.

But instead of a full orchestra, Clementi, Cramer and Hummel wrote for a quartet.

On nineteenth-century instruments the results are both exciting and beautiful – the Broadwood instrument belonged to the family of Florence Nightingale.

Before the concert, Professor Mark Everist, author of Mozart’s Ghosts, leads a session with the performers, explaining how Mozart’s image has changed over the centuries.

Prof Mark Everist Talk 10:30am | Free to ticket holders davidowennorris.com @DavidOwenNorris 33

Book now: stgeorgesbristol.co.uk | 0845 40 24 001 BRISTOL KEYBOARD FESTIVAL

BRISTOL KEYBOARD FESTIVAL

FAMILY EVENT

Saturday 3 November | 8pm Tickets: £20, £15, £5 Students*

Sunday 4 November | 11am Tickets: £10, £5 Child

Will Gregory Moog Ensemble

Carnival of the Animals & Swan Lake with live illustration

As one half of the electronic music sensation Goldfrapp, Will Gregory is passionate about creating new sounds and reinventing old ones. Here a stellar line-up stretches the possibilities of the Moog synthesiser through newly composed music, transcriptions of classical works, and their own versions of music from popular culture and film.

James Mayhew Storyteller/illustrator Luke Jones & Imy Luc Piano Duet

Marvel at ten musicians on stage, including Portishead’s Adrian Utley and composer Graham Fitkin, performing works and arrangements by members of the group, Bach, John Carpenter, and others on a fascinating array of vintage instruments.

‘Will Gregory proved that old synthesisers can still sound majestic’ T H E T EL EG R A PH

willgregorymoogensemble.co.uk @WillGregoryMoog 34

Saint-Saens Carnival of the Animals Tchaikovsky Excerpts from Swan Lake James Mayhew is the author and illustrator of dozens of beloved children’s books, including the Katie and Ella Bella Ballerina series and – most recently – with author Zeb Soanes, Gaspard the Fox. We welcome James to St George’s for an event format he has made his own in recent years – a unique fusion of storytelling, live music and live illustration projected onto a big screen.

Children and adults alike will be enthralled as James’s pictures grow in time to the music.

He knows the music inside-out, and the detail and timing of his artwork is enthralling.

He is joined by a brilliant young piano duo currently studying at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester.

jamesmayhew.co.uk @mrjamesmayhew

November BRISTOL KEYBOARD FESTIVAL

BRISTOL KEYBOARD FESTIVAL

Sunday 4 November | 7.30pm Tickets: £20, £15, £5 Students*

Tuesday 6 November | 7.30pm Tickets: £20, £5 Students*

Rêverie The life and loves of Claude Debussy

Leeds International Piano Competition 2018 Winner Recital

Lucy Parham Piano Simon Russell Beale Narrator

The Leeds International Piano Competition has long been one of the world’s most celebrated music competitions, launching the careers of some of the greatest pianists of our time, not least Radu Lupu and Murray Perahia. With pianist Paul Lewis performing on the closing night of our own new festival, and also having taken on the mantle of coArtistic Director and Chair of the 2018 Jury for the Leeds, we’re particularly pleased to announce this recital with the Winner of the 2018 competition. This is musical history in the making and a very special opportunity to witness one of the very first public recitals by the 19th Winner of this illustrious competition.

One of the most prolific and innovative composers of the early 20th century, Debussy absorbed and transformed cultural influences from countries as far apart as Scotland and the USA. The narrative of Rêverie follows him from his initial success with the Prix de Rome in 1885 to his untimely death in 1918. It is punctuated with solo piano works ranging from the ever-popular lyricism of Clair de Lune, Rêverie and The Girl with the Flaxen Hair to such virtuosic showpieces as Jardins sous la Pluie, the Etudes and L’Isle Joyeuse.

‘One of the must see events on the musical calendar’

Tickets can be booked now and further details will be announced in September, hot off the press following the Final of the Leeds International Piano Competition on 14 & 15 September.

B B C M U S I C M AGA ZI N E.

lucyparham.com @LucyParham

leedspiano.com @leedspiano 35

Book now: stgeorgesbristol.co.uk | 0845 40 24 001

Wednesday 7 November | 7.30pm Tickets: £30, £25, £20, £15, £5 Students*

Paul Lewis Haydn, Beethoven & Brahms III

Brahms Seven Fantasies Op 116 Haydn Piano Sonata in C minor Hob XVI:20 Beethoven Seven Bagatelles, Op 33 Haydn Piano Sonata in E flat major Hob XVI/52 As the musician who selected our new Steinway Concert D Grand piano, it feels particularly fitting that Paul Lewis should return to St George’s to bring our inaugural Bristol Keyboard Festival to a rousing close. He does so with a perfectly balanced programme of Haydn, Brahms and Beethoven. Expect moments of startling originality, wild passion and raw emotion – balanced by a generous dose of quirkish humour as Haydn surprises, shocks and pokes fun at the listener!

‘Faced with such excellence, a mere critic can only abandon paper and pencil and listen to this heroic but deeply moving artist with awe and amazement’ GR A M O PH O N E

paullewispiano.co.uk @paullewispiano 36

BRISTOL KEYBOARD FESTIVAL

November

Thursday 8 November | 8pm Tickets: £22, £20, £18, £5 Students*

Natacha Atlas

With support from Randolph Matthews Andy Hamill Bass Alcyona Mick Piano Asaf Sirkis Drums Hayden Powell Trumpet Samy Bishai Violin/MD Natacha Atlas’ intoxicating mix of Western and Middle Eastern musical traditions has been captivating audiences since her Transglobal Underground days in the ‘90s. She has been fearlessly opening up new musical territories for decades, collaborating across pop, classical, world music and cinema with the likes of Peter Gabriel, Nigel Kennedy, David Arnold and Talvin Singh. Her 2015 album Myriad Road, produced by Ibrahim Maalouf, was hailed as a game changer in its pioneering marriage of jazz and Arabic vocals. Atlas will be previewing tracks from her CD to be released in Spring 2019 as well as material from Myriad Road and previous albums.

And don't miss...

Lunchtime Concert Thursday 8 November | 1pm > Piano 4 Hands Piano duo See p9 for details

natachaatlasofficial.com @NatachaAtlas 37

Book now: stgeorgesbristol.co.uk | 0845 40 24 001

ARMISTICE 100

Friday 9 November | 7.30pm Tickets: £25, £20, £15. £10, £5 Students* | Free 8 – 25s

Brodsky Quartet In Time of War

Karen Tanaka At the grave of Beethoven Schulhoff String Quartet No 1 Shostakovich String Quartet No 8 Brubeck Regret George Crumb Black Angels The title for Haydn’s Missa in tempore belli (In Time of War) is the starting point for this programme created by the Brodskys especially for the 100th anniversary of the Armistice. The works they have chosen, however, are all powerful reflections on subsequent wars.

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Karen Tanaka’s calm and touching At the grave of Beethoven, was composed during the Bosnian conflict. Irwin Schulhof died in a Nazi concentration camp, but not before writing some of that time’s most exciting and original music. Shostakovich’s bleakly powerful 8th Quartet carries the inscription ‘For the victims of Fascism and War’ and was a response to the devastation caused

by Allied bombing of Dresden.

Dave Brubeck’s Regret was his response to the 9/11 attack; and George Crumb’s remarkable Black Angels, signed off ominously on Friday 13th 1970, was a daringly original critique of the Vietnam War. There is nothing else like it in the string quartet literature: a piece – with its eerie, amplified effects and bowed, tuned wind glasses – that the Brodskys reckon to be ‘surely one of the stand-out quartets of all time’.

brodskyquartet.co.uk

November ARMISTICE 100

ARMISTICE 100

Saturday 10 November | 7.30pm Tickets: £26, £22, £18, £10

Sunday 11 November | 7.30pm Tickets: £25, £20, £10, £5 Students*

Bristol Ensemble & Bath Camerata Eternal Light

Sitkovetsky Piano Trio & Michael Collins A Reflection for Remembrance Day

Benjamin Goodson Conductor Robyn Allegra Parton Soprano Gareth Brynmor John Baritone

Stravinsky A Soldier’s Tale Suite Messiaen Quartet for the End of Time

Frank Bridge Suite for Strings Ralph Vaughan Williams Five Mystical Songs Howard Goodall Eternal Light: A Requiem To mark the centenary of the First World War Armistice, Bath Camerata and the Bristol Ensemble perform Howard Goodall’s Eternal Light: A Requiem, a poignant interweaving of poetry and prayer for the departed. This is paired with Frank Bridge’s elegiac Suite for Strings and Vaughan Williams’ Five Mystical Songs, a setting for baritone and choir of spiritual texts by seventeenth-century poet and priest George Herbert, culminating in the triumphant hymn of praise ‘Let all the world in every corner sing’. Baritone Gareth Brynmor John was the Winner of the Kathleen Ferrier Award 2013.

bristolensemble.com | @BristolEnsemble bathcamerata.co.uk | @BathCamerata

100 years exactly since the end of World War One, this candlelit event reflects on such a significant centenary with readings and two extraordinary pieces directly borne out of wartime. Stravinsky conceived his L’Histoire du Soldat (The Soldier’s Tale) for performance in the straitened times of the Great War, and the Lausanne premiere was in September 1918. Olivier Messiaen composed his transcendental visions for clarinet, piano, violin and piano while interned in the POW camp Stalag VIII-A at Görlitz. Its first performance, remarkably, was outside and in the rain on 15 January 1941.

sitkovetskytrio.com | @sitkovetskytrio michael-collins.co.uk 39

Book now: stgeorgesbristol.co.uk | 0845 40 24 001

Investigating Murder: An Evening with Ian Rankin & Special Guests

Monday 12 November | 7.30pm Tickets: £15, £25 with book

Bestselling author Ian Rankin discusses his new novel In a House of Lies, alongside a panel of experts from forensics to detectives to reveal what really happens in a murder investigation. Ian will be signing copies of his book after the event. ianrankin.net @Beathhigh 40

November

Tuesday 13 November | 7pm Tickets: £8, £5

Wednesday 14 November | 7.30pm Tickets: £20 Advance, £22 Door

Bristol Grammar School Mozart’s Requiem

DECADE – The Best of the High Kings

Bristol Grammar School Music Department presents its annual autumn concert, this year featuring a full choral and orchestral performance of Mozart’s evergreen masterpiece, the unfinished Requiem. As well as the senior choirs and orchestra, the concert will feature groups including boys’ and girls’ acapella ensembles, the Big Phat and Lo-Phat jazz bands, senior wind and string chamber ensembles.

The High Kings, the true heirs of Ireland’s Folk Heritage, perform at St George’s as part of the band’s 10th Anniversary Tour. The new live show features favourites from their extensive 10-year back-catalogue as well as new additions and includes new member George Murphy, who joined the band late in 2017 following the departure of original High King, Martin Furey.

bristolgrammarschool.co.uk @MusicDeptBGS

thehighkings.com @TheHighKings

The November release of DECADE – Best of The High Kings was greeted with record sales on both sides of the Atlantic, entering the Irish Independent Album Chart at number 1 and earning a very credible debut chart position in the Billboard World Music chart at number 15.

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Book now: stgeorgesbristol.co.uk | 0845 40 24 001

Thursday 15 November | 8pm Tickets: £22, £18, £5 Students*

Catrin Finch & Seckou Keita This sublime, critically acclaimed and multiaward-winning collaboration between two adventurous virtuoso musicians – Welsh harpist Catrin Finch and Senegalese kora player Seckou Keita – delivers a stunning exhibition of musicianship. Drawing deep on their own diverse traditions and transforming them with remarkable synergy, Catrin and Seckou have built a formidable reputation for extraordinary performances.

Following the huge success of their debut release Clychau Dibon, their longawaited second album ‘SOAR’ was released in April. Entrancing, mesmeric and ethereal, this is remarkable music and a thrilling live experience.

With support from Gwyneth Glyn

‘An exquisite album’ R O B I N D EN SELOW, S O N GLI N ES * * * * *

And don't miss... catrinfinchandseckoukeita.com @CatrinSeckou 42

Lunchtime Concert Thursday 15 November | 1pm > Kumi Matsuo Piano See p8 for details

November

Friday 16 November | 7.30pm Tickets: £12, £5 Students*

UnFold A Lyrix Organix production Solomon OB Toby Thompson Sophia Thakur Plus special guests Plus talk by Dizraeli on the ‘Art of Words’ Performance poetry like you’ve never heard (or seen) before, UnFold is an acclaimed live concept led by some of Britain's most vital young poets in collaboration with London String Collective, percussionists and visual artists. National Slam Champion Solomon OB, Toby Thompson (‘easily one of the most gifted wordsmiths,’ Akala), and rising star Sophia Thakur step into the space between language, music and illustration and embark on a spellbinding journey of words that has headlined at Brighton Festival and London’s Roundhouse.

Tonight’s show opens with an exclusive talk by Bristol-born rapper, poet and multi instrumentalist Dizraeli on the theme ‘Art of Words’.

Supported by Arts Council England.

And don't miss...

Philosopher in Residence Saturday 17 November | 11am See p6 for details

Saturday 17 November Bristol Metropolitan Orchestra See website for details

lyrixorganix.co.uk @LyrixOrganix 43

Book now: stgeorgesbristol.co.uk | 0845 40 24 001

Sunday 18 November | 6pm £20, £15, £12, Half Price Students / U18s

Tuesday 20 November | 8pm Tickets: £16.50

Exultate Singers & Gareth Treseder Glories of Byzantium

Alela Diane

David Ogden Conductor

The nuanced writing and clear voice of artist Alela Diane have long since wowed the likes of Pitchfork, NME and Paste. Her fifth solo album Cusp (released early 2018) was recorded while pregnant with her second daughter and is about the weight and beauty of creating life. The result is the most piano-driven album of her career, fuelled by the energy that only comes with facing and falling in love with something new.

John Tavener Song for Athene; Eonia – the Jasmine Nick Bicât Requiem Mikis Theodokaris Kassiani’s Hymn Toby Young Greek Love Songs (First performance) Solfa Carlile Between Sea and Sky Exultate Singers showcase the influence of Greek sacred and secular traditions and culture. John Tavener’s Song of Athene and Eonia are mesmerising and serene.

Nick Bicât, a celebrated film composer, intersperses Greek epitaphs of ordinary people into the Latin Requiem text. Greece’s most famous composer Mikis Theodorakis gives new life to the Orthodox tradition with powerful and expressive choral writing.

English translations of Ancient Greek texts are set by the Irish composer Solfa Carlile, and the specially-commissioned Greek Love Songs by Toby Young contrast many choral styles and emotions. exultatesingers.org | @exultatesingers davidogden.co.uk 44

Presented by Colston Hall

aleladiane.com @aleladianemusic

November

Wednesday 21 November | 7.30pm Tickets: £27, £22, £15, £10, £5 Students*

Saturday 24 November | 7.30pm Tickets: £18, £15. £14, £10 Concessions

La Serenissima The Godfather

Bristol Classical Players Rachmaninov Concertos 1

Adrian Chandler Violin, Director

Stefan Ciric Piano Tom Gauterin Conductor

Performing concertos by Telemann, Pisendel, Brescianello, J S Bach, Vivaldi and Fasch La Serenissima delight in performing and sharing their passion for great baroque music – whether famous, under-performed or unknown. Expect a lavish evening of music-making that ranges from the sublimely beautiful to the jubilant all served up with great style, gusto and joy.

The musical world of eighteenth century Europe was a small one. Tonight’s programme explores the works of those whose relationships were intertwined – they were collaborators, friends and in the case of Telemann and Bach also godfathers to each other’s children. It’s presented from the stage by the orchestra’s charismatic and virtuosic violinist leader Adrian Chandler.

‘La Serenissima have a glorious and all-toorare ability to make one’s pulse race afresh with every new project’ G R A M O PH O N E M AGA ZI N E

laserenissima.co.uk LaSerenissimaUK

Rimsky Korsakov May Night Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No 1 Tchaikovsky Symphony No 5 Following concerts with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Serbian pianist Stefan Ciric joins BCP in a complete cycle of Rachmaninov’s hugely popular piano concertos. Rachmaninov’s 1st Piano Concerto shows the pianistic wizardry and glorious melodies for which he became loved the world over. The concert starts and finishes with two of Rachmaninov’s heroes: a sparkling overture from Rimsky Korsakov and the brooding, magnificent 5th Symphony in which Tchaikovsky wrestles with fate itself – and wins.

‘Astonishing maturity, elegance and high technical standards’ K L EI N E ZEI T U N G (O N S T EFA N C I R I C )

And don't miss...

Lunchtime Concert Thursday 22 November | 1pm > Pomegranate Trio Piano See p9 for details 45

Book now: stgeorgesbristol.co.uk | 0845 40 24 001

Sunday 25 November | 7.30pm Tickets: £25, £20, £15, £10, £5 Students*

Chineke! Ensemble

Joseph Boulogne String Quartet No 3 in G minor Haydn Divertimento in C, Adagio and Variations Errollyn Wallen New work R Strauss (arr. Franz Hasenoehrl) Till Eulenspiegel einmal anders!

Beethoven Septet in E flat, Op 20

‘Chineke! could deepen and enrich classical music in the UK for generations’ SI R SI M O N R AT TLE

chineke.org @Chineke4Change 46

Welcome back to Chineke!, St George's resident orchestra, and Europe's first professional orchestra comprising a majority of black and minority ethnic musicians, founded by the pioneering double bass player Chi-chi Nwanoku OBE. This will be their fourth visit and this varied programme performed by the Chineke!

Ensemble is set to be just as thrilling. It features two beautiful movements from a recently-discovered Haydn Divertimento, a virtuoso arrangement of Strauss's Till Eulenspiegel and a new work by Errollyn Wallen whose Concerto Grosso made such an impact here last November. Beethoven's ever-popular Septet, with its famous Minuet movement also used in his Piano Sonata in G, completes the programme.

November

Tuesday 27 November | 7.30pm Tickets: £75 VIP, £33.50, £29.50, £27.50, £25

Wednesday 28 November | 8pm Tickets: £20 Advance, £22.50 Door

Woman to Woman Judie Tzuke, Beverley Craven and Julia Fordham

Glenn Tilbrook The Voice and Face of Squeeze

Woman to Woman sees a unique and timeless collaboration between three of the UK’s most celebrated female singersongwriters. Judie Tzuke, Beverley Craven and Julia Fordham will be taking to the stage together performing their classic hit singles and album tracks alongside their sensational five-piece band. This unforgettable experience will be a chance to hear muchloved songs including Stay With Me Till Dawn, Promise Me, Where Does The time Go, Welcome to the Cruise, Holding On, Happy Ever After and many more.

It was 1973 when Glenn Tilbrook and Chris Difford first formed Squeeze, the band that would see them dubbed ‘The New Lennon and McCartney’. Glenn Tilbrook’s solo shows have continued to rise in popularity due to his combination of a consummately professional, yet distinctly personal performance, the familiarity of those wonderful Squeeze songs, and the occasional spontaneous interpretation of a respected song by another artist.

WTWLIVE.com

glenntilbrook.com @glenntilbrook 47

Book now: stgeorgesbristol.co.uk | 0845 40 24 001

Thursday 29 November | 8pm Tickets: £17, £15, £5 Students*

Babelfish

Brigitte Beraha Voice Barry Green Piano Chris Laurence Double bass Paul Clarvis Drums/percussion Led by one of the most versatile and exciting vocalists on the UK jazz scene, the all-star contemporary jazz quartet Babelfish craft songs in English, French and Italian into little musical gems. Between them they have played with the great and the good of jazz and have been garnering rave reviews since 2012 for their beautiful musical renderings drawn from an eclectic, multilingual songbook.

‘This remarkable quartet has evolved its own musical language… Unfamiliar at first, but gently seductive, it keeps you listening through the sheer power of invention’ T H E O B S ER V ER

And don't miss... brigitteberaha.com

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Lunchtime Concert Thursday 29 November | 1pm > Sarah Beth Briggs Piano See p9 for details

November | December

Friday 30 November | 7.30pm Tickets: £15. £12 Concessions

Saturday 1 December | 7.30pm Tickets: £15, £12, £8. £2 off Concessions, £1 U18s

Renewal Choir Handel’s Messiah Soulful Celebration

Bristol Concert Orchestra & Eloisa-Fleur Thom

Renewal Choir, Bristol’s premier community gospel choir, presents a gospel extravaganza every bit as exhilarating as their previous sellout shows at St George’s.

You may also have spotted the choir’s leaders and founders Kim and Vernon Samuels performing at the royal wedding!

Tonight’s uplifting concert showcases the choir with a host of top national and local guest artists delivering the sounds of contemporary gospel music and a range of African-American genres fused with music from the eighteenth century original work

by Handel and Jenner.

Bristol Concert Orchestra Eloisa-Fleur Thom Violin Stefan Hofkes Conductor

‘Great show from the Renewal Choir.

It always means the beginning of Christmas for me. So full of energy’ AU D I EN C E M EM B ER

renewalchoir.org @RenewalChoir

Humperdinck Hansel and Gretel Overture Mendelssohn Violin Concerto Mahler Symphony No 1 Engelbert Humperdinck's charming overture to Hansel and Gretel leaves a tantalising trail of breadcrumbs towards the two musical masterpieces to follow. We welcome back violinist Eloisa-Fleur Thom for Mendelssohn's effervescent and hugely popular Violin Concerto. She is sure to impress with both the stunning virtuosity and soaring lyricism of her playing, which are to be found in abundance in this magnificent work. From the astonishing opening of Mahler's 1st Symphony (marked to be played 'like a sound of nature'), through the funeral march based on 'Frère Jacques' to the joyous finale, this symphony (one that changed the genre forever) displays Mahler at his youthful and exuberant best. bristolconcertorchestra.org.uk @bris_conc_orch 49

Book now: stgeorgesbristol.co.uk | 0845 40 24 001

Tuesday 4 December | 7.30pm Tickets: £24.50, £21.50

Wednesday 5 December | 1.30pm & 7.30pm Tickets: £4. £2 Concessions

Maddy Prior & The Carnival Band Carols & Capers

Bristol Plays Music Christmas Concert

A unique celebratory show of Christmas music on renaissance and modern instruments. Maddy and the Carnival Band put their inimitable stamp on familiar and not-so-familiar festive fare with a refreshing cavalier attitude and plenty of humour.

Carols & Capers will guarantee to be a Christmas Party to remember.

Over 350 children from primary schools across Bristol join together to sprinkle Christmas cheer and treat audiences to seasonal songs and familiar favourites.

The songs have been especially arranged for the choir and the children are challenged to sing in parts accompanied by a professional ensemble. The concerts also showcase performances from the holders of the ‘City Waits’ – students who are annually recognised for outstanding achievement in music-making.

‘Maddy’s voice is clear as a bell. It actually sounds as if there’s a celebration going on’ T H E G UA R D I A N

carnivalband.com @MaddyAndTheCB 50

bristolplaysmusic.org @bpmbristol

December

Friday 7 December | 7.30pm Tickets: £26, £21, £15, £10, £5 Students* | Free 8 – 25s

Chiaroscuro Quartet & Kristian Bezuidenhout Beethoven String Quartet in F Op 59/1 ‘Razumovsky’ Mozart Piano Sonata No 14 in C minor K 457 Mozart Piano Concerto No 12 in A K 414

This concert presents the seriously enticing combination of fortepiano and period string quartet, led by the incomparable Alina Ibragimova. Joining her in this very high calibre ensemble are the Spanish violinist Pablo Hernán Benedí, the Swedish violist Emilie Hörnlund and cellist Claire Thirion from France. Together, they perform music of the Classical and early Romantic periods on gut strings and with historical bows, and their unique sound – described in The Observer as ‘a shock to the ears of the best kind’ – is highly acclaimed by audiences and critics all over Europe. They are joined

by Kristian Bezuidenhout, one of the world’s most admired specialists of the fortepiano – the instrument that Mozart and Beethoven wrote for and played themselves.

chiaroscuroquartet.com @chiaroscuro4tet 51

Book now: stgeorgesbristol.co.uk | 0845 40 24 001

Saturday 8 December | 7pm Tickets: £11, £9, £7; £10, £8. £6 Concessions

Tuesday 11 December | 7.30pm Tickets: £8, £6

City Voices Bristol Step Into Christmas

Nailsea Singing Project & Friends Christmas Concert

Ben Pinnow Director Sandie Middleton Accompanist

Creating a festive mood, three North Somerset ladies choirs, led by their conductor, Gill Atkinson, will come together to present a mixed programme of seasonal songs.

Yatton Ladies Choir and Nailsea-based choirs, Voicestra and Cantiamo will be joined by professional folk band Vervain and saxophone quartet I-Sax.

City Voices Bristol celebrate the festive period with music relating to this special time of year. With a selection of music from a wide range of sources, including the chance to sing along to some more traditional songs, we invite you to bring the family and join us as we ‘Step Into Christmas’!

This year we will be supporting Great Western Air Ambulance Charity (registered charity number 1121300) who provide help to those seriously ill or injured across the region.

cityvoicesbristol.org @CVBristol 52

Vervain, comprising six members, is a dynamic Celtic folk band which creates a diverse mix of the old and the new in an exciting and modern way. I-Sax comprises four saxophonists who play a whole range of styles, including music from Bach to the Beatles, Gabrielli to Gershwin and Shearing to Shostokovich.

nailseasingingproject.co.uk

December

Your money can help make great music

Wednesday 12 December | 7.45pm Tickets: £25, £19, £14, £5 Students / U18s

Bristol Ensemble & Choir of Royal Holloway Handel’s Messiah Rupert Gough Conductor Roger Huckle Director Bristol Ensemble and the Choir of Royal Holloway return to St George’s in another collaboration as they bring to life Handel’s masterpiece, Messiah, in a semi-staged performance. Talented young soloists drawn from the choir will perform the work’s arias from positions around the hall, bringing a freshness and vitality to this astonishing and compelling work.

Open a Triodos Bank Current Account, Savings Account or Cash ISA and when your balance reaches £100, we’ll make a

£40 donation to St George’s Bristol Michael Head and The Red Elastic Band (image: John Johnson)

Triodos Bank are proud to be partners with St George’s, and recently provided part of the finance for its contemporary building. We believe arts and culture are a fundamental part of society which is why we only lend to organisations that make a positive environmental, social and cultural impact.

Visit triodos.co.uk/stgeorges for eligibility, full terms and conditions and to find out more.

Tax savings depend on circumstances.

This offer is limited to one donation per new customer.

bristolensemble.com | @BristolEnsemble chapelchoir.co.uk | @RHULChapelChoir

Triodos Bank NV (incorporated under the laws of the Netherlands with limited liability, registered in England and Wales BR3012). Authorised by the Dutch Central Bank and subject to limited regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority. Details about the extent of our regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority are available from us on request.

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Book now: stgeorgesbristol.co.uk | 0845 40 24 001

Thursday 13 December | 9pm Tickets: £20, £15, £5 Students*

Darius Brubeck Quartet

Playing his own swinging, South Africaninspired compositions alongside those of his legendary father Dave Brubeck, pianist Darius Brubeck is once again accompanied by his outstanding, all-star band featuring Dave O’Higgins on saxophones, Matt Ridley on double bass, and Wesley Gibbens, drums, in a show celebrating the quartet’s tenth year together, and the sixtieth anniversary of Dave Brubeck’s 1958 world tour, a landmark of ‘jazz diplomacy’. The concert will be performed without amplification.

‘This band never fails to delight’ JAZZ JOURNAL

dariusbrubeck.com

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dariusbrubeck.com

December

Saturday 15 December | 7.30pm Tickets: £20, £15, £10

Sunday 16 December | 8pm Tickets: £35, £29.50

Bristol Bach Choir Spirit of Christmas

Rick Wakeman Christmas Piano Odyssey Tour

Nigel Nash Piano Christopher Finch Conductor

Following the hugely successful Piano Portraits tour last year, in support of the album of the same name, Rick Wakeman returns with a new show based on the follow up release, entitled Piano Odyssey.

The fourteen-date tour will feature a selection of tracks from both Piano Odyssey and Piano Portraits, showcasing music that has a special connection with Rick’s own personal musical journey, all accompanied by his hilarious memories and anecdotes about the tunes, plus a few musical surprises. Expect a night of beautiful piano arrangements, interspersed with Wakeman’s renowned comedy interludes.

A sparkling evening of uplifting choral music and witty, entertaining readings. St George’s will overflow with the Spirit of Christmas in this heart-warming and enthralling concert: a joyous celebration of Christmas through gloriously uplifting music and humorous and profound readings. A blend of the traditional and contemporary, guaranteed to fill you with festive fervour, join the Bristol Bach Choir, and be inspired by the charm, wonder and magic of Christmas.

And don't miss...

Philosopher in Residence Saturday 15 December | 11am See p6 for details bristolbach.org.uk @BristolBach

rwcc.com @GrumpyOldRick 55

Book now: stgeorgesbristol.co.uk | 0845 40 24 001

Tuesday 18 December | 7pm Tickets: £40, £35, £30, £20, £15, £5 Students*

OAE Bach’s Christmas Oratorio

Choir and Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment Featuring soloists Anna Dennis Soprano Helen Charlston Mezzo-soprano Gwilym Bowen Tenor Laurence Williams Bass Steven Devine Director/keyboard JS Bach Christmas Oratorio (Parts 1,2,3 & 6)

oae.co.uk @theoae 56

From the unbounded joy of the opening chorus, Jauchzet, Frohlocket (Celebrate, Rejoice) to the concluding movements marking the adoration of the Magi, Bach’s Christmas Oratorio is a festive treat. Vigorous, uplifting choruses contrast with hugely expressive solos and duets, and orchestral colours range from blazing trumpets and drums to the mellow, pastoral depiction of shepherds at the cradle. It is, quite simply, some of Bach’s most attractively varied music, and a magnificent counter-balance to Handel’s Messiah at this time of year. It is a pleasure to welcome the full forces of OAE – this world-renowned group so long associated with St George’s – for this significant seasonal event.

December

Wednesday 19 December | 7.30pm Tickets: £25

Thursday 20 & Friday 21 December | 7.30pm Tickets: £28, £25, £18, £14, Half Price Students / U18s

Cara Dillon Upon a Winter’s Night

Bristol Ensemble City of Bristol Choir (Thu 20) Exultate Singers (Fri 21) Christmas Spectacular

Cara Dillon, one of the most celebrated folk voices to have come out of Ireland, will once again capture the mystery of Christmas with a collection of songs ancient and modern, providing a welcome reminder that the festive season can be about more than just commercialism. A far cry from ‘Jingle Bells’ and ‘Santa Baby’, Cara will be joined by her wonderful band who weave celtic and folksy rhythms alongside reverent and atmospheric carols while Cara holds the darkness at bay with the purity of her voice. A magical and memorable festive experience.

Roger Huckle Director David Ogden Conductor

‘Simple and stunning’ T H E S U N DAY T I M E S

caradillon.co.uk @CaraDillonSings

Celebrate Christmas with a joyful evening of festive music and readings with a few surprises along the way. Led in entertaining style by conductor David Ogden, the professional musicians of the Bristol Ensemble are joined on stage by the 90 singers of City of Bristol Choir (Thu 20) and the Exultate Singers (Fri 21). The programme includes sparkling orchestral pieces, beautiful choral Christmas carols and the opportunity for audience participation. Always hugely popular concerts, these annual events mark the start of the Christmas festivities for many.

bristolensemble.com | @BristolEnsemble cityofbristolchoir.org.uk | @bristolchoir exultatesingers.org | @exultatesingers 57

Book now: stgeorgesbristol.co.uk | 0845 40 24 001 FAMILY EVENT

Saturday 22 December | 7.30pm Tickets: £25, £21, £18, £14.

Half Price Students / U18s

Sunday 23 December | 2pm & 4pm Tickets: £14 Adult (including one free child’s ticket), £7 additional U18s

Bristol Ensemble City of Bristol Choir Festive Fiesta

Bristol Ensemble Children’s Christmas Carnival

Roger Huckle Director David Ogden Conductor

Roger Huckle Director John Telfer Narrator

There will be plenty of audience participation in this sparkling festive concert featuring all your favourite carols, Christmas choral works and orchestral pieces. Come and enjoy a brilliantly festive and fun evening under the baton of David Ogden, with City of Bristol Choir and the Bristol Ensemble, guaranteed to put you in the Christmas mood.

Give the whole family a Christmas treat at this special concert which features Prokofiev’s well-loved musical tale, Peter and the Wolf.

A myriad of colourful characters – the bird, duck, cat, Peter himself, his grandfather, hunters, and of course, the wolf – are all represented by different instruments giving a wonderfully descriptive introduction to the instruments of the orchestra. With plenty of audience participation in festive favourites, this is a seasonal delight for all the family suitable for children of all ages, and parents and grandparents too.

bristolensemble.com | @BristolEnsemble cityofbristolchoir.org.uk | @bristolchoir

bristolensemble.com | @BristolEnsemble

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December

Sunday 23 December | 7.45pm Tickets: £25, £19, £14, £5 Students / U18s*

Bristol Ensemble A Baroque Christmas Roger Huckle Director Fflur Wyn Soprano Roger Huckle Violin Imogen Triner Oboe John Telfer Reader Arcangelo Corelli Christmas Concerto, Op 6 No 8 JS Bach Jauchzet Gott in alle Landen BWV 51 Antonio Vivaldi Domine Deus RV 589 JS Bach Air on the G string from Suite in D minor BWV 1068 Antonio Vivaldi Winter for Four Seasons RV 297 JS Bach Concerto for Violin and Oboe in C minor BWV 1060 GF Handel Rejoice greatly from Messiah An exquisite evening of Christmas music from the golden era of the Baroque including festive music for solo soprano sung by Fflur Wyn, whose crystal-clear tone and flawless technique is perfectly suited to the demands of the intricate and flamboyant vocal writing in arias by Bach, Handel and Vivaldi.

Virtuosic performers from the Bristol Ensemble will take centre stage in instrumental concertos, and the programme includes the ever-popular Christmas Concerto by Corelli as well as Bach’s exquisitely beautiful Air on the G String.

bristolensemble.com | @BristolEnsemble

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Book now: stgeorgesbristol.co.uk | 0845 40 24 001

Sunday 30 December | 7.30pm Tickets: £35, £30, £25, £15, £5 Students*

Aurora Orchestra & Imogen Cooper A Viennese New Year Imogen Cooper Piano Nicholas Collon Conductor

Aurora brings the year to a close in style, with pianist Imogen Cooper.

Mozart Overture from The Marriage of Figaro Mozart Piano Concerto No 17 in G K453 Mozart Symphony No 39 in Eb K543

This special concert transports us to Vienna, the city which inspired Mozart to create much of his finest music, and which gave us the two ‘waltz kings’, Johann Strauss I and II.

Other works including waltzes by Johann Strauss I & II

auroraorchestra.com @auroraorchestra 60

Start the count down to the year’s end with a programme of song and celebration including some of Mozart’s best-loved works – The Marriage of Figaro overture, the G major piano concerto, and the 39th symphony.

xxx Heritage

Our Story For the first time in our history, we are sharing the story of St George’s in a permanent display located in the crypt. Open daily, and free to enter, the visitor centre features key moments from our Grade II* listed building’s past, from its inception in 1820 as a Chapel of Ease to its rebirth in the 1970s as a space for the performance and recording of music.

Through colourful interactive displays, music and specially-commissioned film footage, you’ll learn how we came to be, what has changed over the decades and experience what we’re most famous for.

Opening times The visitor centre is open daily from 10am, staying open into the evening on concert days, otherwise closing at 6pm.

The Grand Reform Dinner, 1832,

by Thomas Leeson Rowbotham © Bristol Museum, Galleries & Archives

St George’s Church © Bristol Museum, Galleries & Archives

Tours / School Groups Look out for details of public tours and group packages, coming soon. If you are interested in bringing a school group, or would like to receive information about our curriculumfriendly learning programme, please contact education@stgeorgesbristol.co.uk.

Gregory Porter at St George's in 2014 © Look Away Images, St George's Bristol Archive)

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Book now: stgeorgesbristol.co.uk | 0845 40 24 001

Venue Hire

Regency Elegance and Modern Sophistication Our elegant grand hall and sophisticated, new multi-purpose spaces are available to hire for weddings, parties, gala dinners, award ceremonies and conferences. Not only this, but our exciting smaller spaces are perfect for meetings, workshops, talks, networking and corporate hospitality.

St George’s Bristol offers both modern sophistication and regency elegance, so whatever your needs, and whatever inspires you, get in touch to discuss your event. Our talented team will work closely with you to ensure delivery of top-class service and a truly memorable occasion.

Please contact the events team on 0117 929 4929 or email events@stgeorgesbristol.co.uk for further details. stgeorgesbristol.co.uk/venue-hire

‘The beautiful historic setting was amazing, and it was matched by every aspect of your operation’ D EB O R A H WA D D ELL – D I R EC TO R , S O U TH W ES T CB I

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Venue Hire 

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Book now: stgeorgesbristol.co.uk | 0845 40 24 001

Children and young people have lots of opportunities to explore their creativity with us here at St George's Our award-winning programme for children and families includes the MiniBeats series introducing young children to classical music and instruments in an exciting and accessible way, and the Wild Words series, intertwining music with magical storytelling. Young people are involved as performers too, with showcase events regularly staged by schools, colleges and music hubs.

Out in the community we run a children's choir in South Bristol and arrange interactive performances and workshops in schools, most recently with Chineke! musicians and with our MiniBeats team. We regularly offer music projects for young composers, instrumentalists and singers, and encourage students to come to concerts through special ticket schemes. We’re also a Children’s University Learning Destination and an Arts Award Centre and Supporter.

New for 2018! We are delighted to be running a Heritage & Music programme, including projects in schools and venue-based activity.

Members of Chineke! Orchestra at Redfield Educate Together Primary Academy

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The best way to stay up to date with our education offer is by signing up to our enewsletter – alternatively, you can contact the education team on 0117 929 4929 or email education@stgeorgesbristol.co.uk

Learning & Participation St George’s community opera, The Hall on the Hill

‘Thanks again for bringing music to life for all the children you met today, your love of music is truly infectious’ H A N N A H LU M BY – PA R ENT ACO R N S S EN S O RY SU PP O R T SER V I CE

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Book now: stgeorgesbristol.co.uk  |  0845 40 24 001

Thank you to Our Supporters We remain grateful for the generous support of:

We would like to thank our Donors, Patrons, Benefactors, Friends, Volunteers and the following organisations that support our artistic and education programmes:

Spielman Charitable Trust

Paragon Music Trust

Gibbs Charitable Trust

Artistic Partners:

Season Supporters:

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Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation

Thank you

Building a Sound Future We owe a sincere debt of gratitude to the many individuals and organisations that have supported ‘Building a Sound Future’, St George’s Capital Campaign:

The Society of Merchant Venturers

Denman Charitable Trust

Harry Crook Foundation

The Nisbet Family Charitable Trust

The Carr-Gregory Trust

The JM Britton Charitable Trust

Brian Maguire Charitable Trust

The 29th May 1961 Charitable Trust

Sir Siegmund Warburg’s Voluntary Settlement

The Batchworth Trust

The Martin Smith Foundation

There are a number of individuals who have made significant donations to this endeavour, without whom, we would have been unable to realise our vision: Russ & Linda Carr

John & Heather Frenkel

Margaret Maguire

Chris & Heather Virgin

Charles & Joanne Wyld

And those who wish to remain anonymous

William & Felicity Mather

Andrew & Anne Nisbet

And the following 'Apollo Club' Corporate Members:

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Book now: stgeorgesbristol.co.uk | 0845 40 24 001

Café Bar Opening September 2018

Join us for a morning coffee, a light bite at lunch, or your favourite pre or post concert drinks – just off Park Street.

Our café bar, on the ground floor of the pavilion extension, is open all day and late into the evening. The architecture, with views onto the garden and seating outside on warm days, is beautiful.

The menu also comes with music and other events on the side, including Philosopher in Residence Julian Baggini.

Check the website for timings!

And whilst you’re here, explore the ‘Our Story’ exhibition alongside the Box Office, where you can book tickets for classical and contemporary concerts and events.

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Information

General Information Amplification Some events at St George’s are amplified. If this causes any concern, please check with the Box Office when booking.

Facilities for those with additional needs St George’s welcomes visitors with additional needs. The venue is fully accessible from Charlotte Street. Please mention your particular needs to the Box Office when booking and all assistance will be given. Limited parking is available, but must be reserved in advance. Toilet facilities are located in the crypt and accessible by lift. St George’s Bristol is equipped with a hearing system. Please call 0117 929 4929 ext 208 during office hours, and before leaving home.

Guide dogs Guide dogs are admitted to all parts of St George’s Bristol.

Family-friendly St George’s welcomes children and we programme a variety of family-friendly concerts, including Relaxed Performances. Some concerts may not be suitable. Please check the event pages on our website for recommended age guidance. Our acoustic is extremely sensitive and sound carries so regretfully babies and young children cannot be admitted to the auditorium for ticketed events unless otherwise stated. All children must be issued with a ticket.

The information given in this brochure was correct at the time of going to print.

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Book now: stgeorgesbristol.co.uk | 0845 40 24 001

Booking Information Priority booking (from 10am) Monday 25 June Star Circle / Patrons Tuesday 26 June Benefactors Wednesday 27 June Gala Friends Thursday 28 June Concert Friends Monday 2 July General Public

How to book Online Book online 24 hours a day at stgeorgesbristol.co.uk.

Telephone 0845 40 24 001 during Box Office opening hours. All major credit cards (except American Express), Maestro and Delta cards are accepted. Charges for calling this number vary and are at the ‘access charge rate’ set by your phone company (the ‘service charge’ set by St George’s is 0p per minute).

In person During Box Office opening hours.

Opening hours From September Box Office Monday – Saturday, 10am to 6pm* Sunday, Midday – 4pm* Café Bar Monday – Saturday, 10am – 9pm* Sunday, Midday – 6pm* *Both the Box Office and Café Bar will be open later on concert/event nights. Please check the website.

Postage fee £1 Tickets can be posted if requested; the cost covers postage and materials.

Concessions (where applicable) Prices are indicated in brackets. These apply to those in receipt of Jobseeker's Allowance or benefits, disabled people, senior citizens, under-18s 70

and full-time students (unless otherwise stated). Proof of eligibility is required.

Carers Free carer tickets are available for each full-paying ticket holder who requires someone to assist them with their visit.

Students A limited number of £5 student tickets are available for certain concerts (programmed by St George’s).

CAVATINA Free tickets for 8 – 25 year olds for certain chamber concerts. Look out for and quote CAVATINA when booking the tickets. Visit cavatina.net for details.

Group offer One ticket free in every group of ten for all events programmed

by St George’s Bristol.

Family ticket One child goes free in a family party of four or more.

Refunds Tickets are non-transferable and refunds can only be offered on events which are sold out (and where there is demand) up to 48 hours before an event. Physical tickets must be returned.

Latecomers and readmission Admission will be offered at the first suitable break but admission and readmission cannot be guaranteed. The management reserves the right to refuse admission.

Data protection When you book a ticket your details are securely stored on the St George’s database, and used in compliance with GDPR and PECR regulations. Please see our Privacy Policy at stgeorgesbristol.co.uk.

E-newsletter Go to the website to sign up for our e-newsletter for latest concert and event announcements, news and offers.

Thank you for your support.

How to find us | Credits

How to find us

Bristol City Museum RD

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BALDW I N S T M ARSH ST

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Brandon Hill

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Colston Hall

College Green Y RD

By bike Racks are by the Great George Street entrance.

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By bus See firstgroup.com for bus routes.

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Bristol Old Vic

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Watershed We The Curious

Queen Square

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Bristol Guild

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On foot St George’s is just off Park Street (accessible via Great George Street and Charlotte Street).

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NA R ROW QU AY

On-street parking is strictly controlled with the nearest car parks on Trenchard Street, Jacobs Wells Road/ Berkeley Place (West End), and College Street.

See travelwest.info for travel updates.

THE G RO VE Arnolfini

Credits

Image credits

Design Charles Watkins

Cover Simon Fowler (Nicola Benedetti) p2 Evan Dawson (External) Patel Taylor (Internal) p3 Patel Taylor (Pavilion) p4 Evan Dawson (Sheku Kanneh-Mason) p5 SWNS (Children) p6 Evan Dawson (Julian Baggini) p30 Courtesy of Steinway & Sons (Piano detail) p33 Hemis / Alamy Stock Photo (Mozart portrait) p61 Bristol Museum and Art Galleries, (St George’s Church and The Grand Reform Dinner 1832, by Thomas Leeson Rowbotham) Look Away Images, St George’s Bristol Archive (Gregory Porter) p62 CBI (Conference) p64 SWNS (Education workshop) p65 Simon Camper (Community opera) p69 Evan Dawson (Hidden Orchestra & Limbic Cinema) 71

Print Out Of Hand Registered Office Great George St, Bristol BS1 5RR Administration 0117 929 4929 Email administration@stgeorgesbristol.co.uk Chief Executive Suzanne Rolt St George’s Bristol No 2053843 Registered Charity No 295178 VAT No 821968115

At a Glance SEP TEMB ER Thu 6 | 7.30pm

N OVEMB ER (co nt.)

Benedetti, Van Der Heijden & Chauhan

Fri 7 | 7.30pm

Sacconi Quartet & Jon Boden

Sat 8 | 7.30pm

Oz and Armonico Drink to Music!

Sun 9 | 7.30pm

The Big Chris Barber Band

Sat 15 | 11am

Julian Baggini The Philosophical Times

Sun 16 | 3pm, 6.30pm

Dante Quartet

Thu 20 | 8pm Fri 21 | 7.30pm

A Reflection for Remembrance Day An Evening with Ian Rankin with Special Guests

Tue 13 | 7pm

Bristol Grammar School Mozart’s Requiem The Best of the High Kings

Wed 14 | 7.30pm

Kumi Matsuo Piano

Christian Blackshaw & Soloists of the Berliner Philharmoniker

Thu 15 | 8pm

Catrin Finch & Seckou Keita

English National Baroque Ensemble NMSW & Young Composer Academy A Future for British Music

Sun 30 | 7.30pm

Sun 11 | 7.30pm Mon 12 | 7.30pm

Thu 15 | 1pm

Sun 23 | 6.30pm

12 ensemble Reborn

Sat 29 | 3pm, 5.30pm

Brodsky Quartet In Time of War Bristol Ensemble & Bath Camerata

Sat 10 | 7.30pm

Northern Flyway

Sat 22 | 7.30pm

Fri 28 | 7.30pm

Fri 9 | 7.30pm

Innovation 216 Beyond the Clouds Exultate Singers & Exultate Chamber Orchestra

O C TO B ER

Fri 16 | 7.30pm

UnFold A Lyrix Organix Production

Sat 17 | 11am

Julian Baggini The Philosophical Times

Sun 18 | 6pm

Exultate Singers & Gareth Treseder Alela Diane

Tue 20 | 8pm Wed 21 | 7.30pm

La Serenissima The Godfather

Thu 22 | 1pm

Pomegranate Trio Piano

Sun 24 | 7.30pm

Bristol Classical Players

Sun 25 | 7.30pm

Chineke! Ensemble

Tue 27 | 7.30pm

Woman to Woman

Mon 1 | 8pm

Mark Kermode

Wed 28 | 8pm

Tue 2 | 8pm

Sons of Pitches

Thu 29 | 1pm

Sarah Beth Briggs Piano

Ralph McTell

Thu 29 | 8pm

Babelfish

Wed 3 | 7.30pm Thu 4 | 1pm

London Bridge Trio

Sat 6 | 2pm, 7.30pm Men United with the Young Composers' Academy Sun 7 | 7.30pm Tue 9 | 8pm

New Bristol Sinfonia Maya Youssef

Thu 11 | 1pm

Will Dutta Piano

Thu 11 | 8pm

Andy Sheppard / Espen Eriksen Trio

Fri 12 | 7.30pm

Mitsuko Uchida

Sat 13 | 7.30pm

The Fantasy Orchestra

Sun 14 | 7.30pm

Brothas With Attitude

Wed 17 | 8pm Thu 18 | 1pm Thu 18 | 7.30pm

Lankum Kapsetaki Twins Piano duo Rewilding A Visual Journey

Sat 20 | 11am

Julian Baggini The Philosophical Times

Sun 21 | 8pm

Daniel Pioro & Valgeir Sigurðsson

Mon 22 | 8pm Thu 25 | 1pm Thu 25 | 8pm Fri 26 | 8pm

Neil Hilborn Christina Lawrie Piano Stacey Kent Eddie Parker’s Debussy Mirrored Ensemble

Sat 27 | 7.45pm Brandon Hill Chamber Orchestra & Exultate Singers Sun 28 | 11am, 1pm, 3pm Tue 30 | 8pm Wed 31 | 11.45am Wed 31 | 8pm

MiniBeats’ Spooky Sunday!

Tord Gustavsen Trio Wild Words Dylan and Igor Mahan Esfahani Harpsichord Recital

N OVEMB ER Eleftheria Kotzia Guitar

Thu 1 | 8pm

Karine Polwart

Fri 2 | 9.30pm

The Jupiter Project

Sat 3 | 8pm

Will Gregory Moog Ensemble Carnival of the Animals & Swan Lake

Sun 4 | 7.30pm

Rêverie The life and loves of Claude Debussy

Tue 6 | 7.30pm

Leeds Piano Festival Winner

Wed 7 | 7.30pm

D ECEMB ER Sat 1 | 7.30pm

Bristol Concert Orchestra & Eloisa-Fleur Thom Maddy Prior & The Carnival Band

Tue 4 | 7.30pm Wed 5 | 1.30pm, 7.30pm Fri 7 | 7.30pm Sat 8 | 7pm

Bristol Plays Music Christmas Concert

Chiaroscuro Quartet & Kristian Bezuidenhout City Voices Bristol Step Into Christmas

Tue 11 | 7.30pm Nailsea Singing Project & Friends Christmas Concert Wed 12 | 7.45pm

Bristol Ensemble & Choir of Royal Holloway

Thu 13 | 9pm

Darius Brubeck Quartet

Sat 15 | 11am

Julian Baggini The Philosophical Times

Sat 15 | 7.30pm

Bristol Bach Choir Spirit of Christmas

Sun 16 | 8pm

Rick Wakeman

Tue 18 | 7pm

OAE Bach’s Christmas Oratorio

Wed 19 | 7.30pm

Cara Dillon

Thu 20 | 7.30pm

Bristol Ensemble & City of Bristol Choir Christmas Spectacular

Fri 21 | 7.30pm

Bristol Ensemble & Exultate Singers Christmas Spectacular

Sat 22 | 7.30pm Bristol Ensemble & City of Bristol Choir Festive Fiesta Sun 23 | 2pm, 4pm

Bristol Ensemble Children’s Christmas Carnival

Sun 23 | 7.45pm

Bristol Ensemble A Baroque Christmas

Sun 30 | 7.30pm

Aurora Orchestra & Imogen Cooper A Viennese New Year

James Rhodes Zubin Kanga WIKIPIANO

Sat 3 | 11am Sun 4 | 11am

Fri 30 | 7.30pm Renewal Choir Handel’s Messiah Soulful Celebration

Thu 1 | 1pm Fri 2 | 7pm

Glenn Tilbrook

Paul Lewis Piano

Thu 8 | 1pm

Piano 4 Hands Piano Duo

Thu 8 | 8pm

Natacha Atlas

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