University Music and Concerts - Autumn 2021 What's On

BEAST Barber Opera University Music Barber Concerts Birmingham International Piano Festival

AUTUMn

MuS iC& Con CeR Ts

heLlO!

It feels like an awfully long time since I sat to write my introduction for our concerts brochure – and frankly, it's difficult to know quite where to start! I recall making the early decision to cancel our concerts in March 2020, and the optimism of being able to restart back up again a few months later. Eighteen months on and here we are with our return to live concerts – though not without change!

Over the last year we have presented a number of performances from both student musicians and the professional artists from Barber Concerts in a series of online concerts – but we are genuinely delighted to be able to present live concerts to you all again from this October.

The key change with our forthcoming concerts is that they will all be presented in the Elgar Concert Hall in the Bramall Music Building by the clocktower. This change is as a result of ventilation

requirements for public venues, and though the Barber Concert is a wonderful venue, the University is required to install a ventilation system to that Grade 1 listed space in order for us to make a return there. We are incredibly fortunate to have two outstanding concert venues on campus, though for those who have yet to attend a concert in the Elgar Concert Hall – you will be welcomed by myself and my team as usual, and are guaranteed the same outstanding performances as always.

As you work your way through our concert listings we hope you feel inspired to make a return to live music and feel able to support our musicians.

We look forward to welcoming you back!

Jo Sweet Head of University Music and Concerts

We’ve gone cashless!

Advanced booking for ticketed concerts is recommended.

Want to hear New Music?

Look out for our CrossCurrents banner to find recent compositions, commissions, and premieres.

Randall Goosby

Anneke Scott horn Geoffrey Govier fortepiano

Fri 1 October 1–1.50pm Barber Lunchtime Concert

Fri 8 October 1–1.50pm Barber Lunchtime Concert

Randall Goosby is a passionate advocate for diversity in music and accessibility for all. A protégé of Itzhak Perlman, he has recently signed to the Decca label with a new album entitled ‘Roots’ released in June 2021. He joins YCAT alumnus Jonathan Ware for a concert of works by black and African-American composers.

Delayed by the pandemic and celebrating the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth, historical horn expert and Department of Music PhD student Anneke Scott is joined by Geoffrey Govier on the department’s fortepiano.

Coleridge-Taylor Suite for Violin and Piano, Op. 3 Price Fantasie No. 1 in G minor Price Adoration Price Elfentanz Perkinson Blue/s Forms for Solo Violin Still Suite for Violin and Piano

OCTOBER

Randall Goosby violin Jonathan Ware piano

Kuhlau Andante e Polacca Beethoven Horn Sonata in F, Op. 17 Ries Horn Sonata in F, Op. 34 Elgar Concert Hall, The Bramall Free

FREE

Anneke Scott

Elgar Concert Hall, The Bramall Free

FREE

3

OCTOBER Naomi Sullivan

Naomi Sullivan saxophone Kumi Matsuo piano

George Xiaoyuan Fu piano

Fri 15 October 1– 1.50pm Barber Lunchtime Concert

Fri 22 October 1– 1.50pm Barber Lunchtime Concert

Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Head of Saxophone, Naomi Sullivan, is joined by pianist Kumi Matsuo for a performance featuring Illuminate Women’s Music’s 2021 artists including founder Angela Elizabeth Slater’s movement-inspired Punch Echo and Sarah Westwood’s Kindred, channelling the music of Rameau.

The 2021 Presteigne Festival Tour brings pianist George Xiaoyuan Fu with a programme featuring a new composition

by James B. Wilson as part of the 2020 RPS Composers Scheme.

Rachael Gibson Raidho Charlotte Bray Circling Point Blair Boyd New work Sarah Westwood Kindred Nina Danon Caress of the Sea Lara Poe Mainspring Angela Elizabeth Slater Punch Echo George Xiaoyuan Fu

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Elgar Concert Hall, The Bramall Free

FREE

Dutilleux Le jeu des contraires Tailleferre Pastorale James B. Wilson New work (Presteigne Festival RPS commission for 2020) Freya Waley-Cohen Bad Habit Ravel Miroirs Elgar Concert Hall, The Bramall Free

FREE

Tue 26 October 11am – 12pm Family Concert

Birmingham International Piano Festival 26 Oct – 12 Nov Following a two year break, Birmingham International Piano Festival returns to the Elgar Concert Hall with a selection of free lunchtime concerts, a lecture-recital, ‘Groove into the Woods’ family performance, and a sublime evening recital from Alexandra Dariescu.

Come on a jazz and funk-fuelled family adventure into the deep dark woods.

Who will we find and will they be bad or good? Specially designed for ages 3 – 7 and their grown-ups! A fun mixture of animation, interactive music making and solid groove from the Groove Baby Organ Trio.

Duration approx. 55 minutes.

FAMILY CONCERT

Elgar Concert Hall, The Bramall £5, £1 U18

BIRMINGHAM INTERNATIONAL PIANO FESTIVAL

Groove Into the Woods

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BIRMINGHAM INTERNATIONAL PIANO FESTIVAL

Di Xiao piano

Fri 29 October 1– 1.50pm Barber Lunchtime Concert

Fri 5 November 1– 1.50pm Barber Lunchtime Concert

Perennially popular pianist Kenneth Hamilton returns to Birmingham International Piano Festival with a reflective programme featuring Hymn to St Cecilia, patron saint of Music and Musicians, alongside Chopin’s famous Funeral March.

Birmingham favourite Di Xiao joins us for a performance of her programme ‘To Spring’ - piano music inspired by the season, a metaphor of hope and rebirth which we need like never before! A passionate educator, Di will lead a masterclass with Department of Music students after the recital and which concert attendees are welcome to attend.

Gounod/Liszt Hymn to St Cecilia Stevenson Symphonic Elegy for Liszt Chopin Piano Sonata No. 2 in B-flat minor, Op. 35 (Funeral March) Chopin Polonaise in A-flat, Op. 53

Elgar Concert Hall, The Bramall Free

FREE

Programme includes: Sinding Frühlingsrauschen, Op. 32, No. 3 Suk Spring, Op. 22a Grieg To Spring (from Lyric Pieces, Op. 43) Ireland Song of the Springtide Mason Silver Spring, Op. 6 Medtner Primavera, Op. 39 Mendelssohn Rondo Capriccioso, Op. 14 Elgar Concert Hall, The Bramall Free

6

Alexandra Dariescu

Heroic Elegies Kenneth Hamilton lecture-recital

FREE

2.30pm Student masterclass

Tickets: www.birmingham.ac.uk/musicevents or call 01782 206 000

Samuele Telari

Samuele Telari accordion

Wed 10 November 7.30 – 9.30pm Barber Evening Concert

Fri 12 November 1– 1.50pm Barber Lunchtime Concert

Alexandra Dariescu stands out as an original voice whose fundamental values are shining a light on gender equality in both her concerto and recital programmes as well as championing lesser-known works, advocating for diversity and inclusion. These values are reflected in her chosen programme for this performance as we hear music from French female composers Germaine Tailleferre, Lili Boulanger, and Camille Pépin.

Italian accordionist Samuele Telari makes his Barber Concerts debut with a varied programme that crosses the centuries.

In demand as a soloist worldwide, Dariescu has performed with leading orchestras, and premiered numerous new works, and produced eight critically acclaimed recordings.

Boulanger Prelude in D-flat Boulanger Trois morceaux Tailleferre Valse lente/Pastorale/Romance Camille Pépin Number 1 Debussy L’isle joyeuse Tchaikovsky The Nutcracker Suite (arr. by Mikhel Pletnev, Percy Grainger and Gavin Sutherland)

J S Bach Prelude and Fugue in F-sharp minor, BWV883 Grieg Selection from Holberg Suite, Op. 40 Scriabin Preludes, Op. 11, Nos. 2, 13, 9 Ligeti Musica Ricercata

BIRMINGHAM INTERNATIONAL PIANO FESTIVAL

Alexandra Dariescu piano

Elgar Concert Hall, The Bramall Free

FREE

Elgar Concert Hall, The Bramall £20, £18 concessions, £15 Barber Association, £5 students/U18

@BIPFest

birminghaminternationalpianofestival

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NOVEMBER

BEASTdome

King Edwards Schools

Sat 6 November 7.30 – 9.30pm Department of Music

Fri 19 November 1– 1.50pm Barber Lunchtime Concert

The Birmingham ElectroAcoustic Sound Theatre team look forward to welcoming you back to The Dome for an evening of new music and sound theatre classics.

Whether it’s your first introduction to BEAST, or you have experienced them before, this immersive evening will whet your appetite for things to come, including the 2022 BEAST FEaST. The performance features the BEASTdome sound system and a host of postgraduate, staff, and visiting sound artists.

With the enviable reputation of producing some of the UK’s finest young classical musicians, join King Edward’s and King Edward VI High School for Girls in their annual concert performance featuring their talented young students.

The Dome, The Bramall £5

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Elgar Concert Hall, The Bramall Free

FREE

NOVEMBER

Rita Schindler

Birmingham University Singers and University Upper Voices

Fri 19 November 7.30 – 9.30pm University Music Bob Chilcott conductor Jack Apperley conductor Rita Schindler harp University Upper Voices

Two of the finest choirs and their eminent conductors present an advent themed programme featuring the last choral commission from University Music by Bob Chilcott.

Programme includes: Bob Chilcott The Pear Tree Carol (world premiere, University of Birmingham commission) Barber Sure on this shining night Caroline Shaw and the swallow Arvo Pärt Cantate Domino John Rutter Dancing Day Olivia Sparkhall Lux aeterna Carol Jones All shall be well Amy Bebbington I sing of a maiden Elgar Concert Hall, The Bramall £10, £5 concessions/students/U18

9

NOVEMBER

Instrumental Choirs Gala Concert

Sat 20 November, 7– 8.30pm University Music Society Samuel Lellouch Clarinet Choir conductor Mark Mingard Flute Choir conductor Curtis Vetter Saxophone Choir conductor Join the Music Society for this eclectic and relaxed wind ensemble concert as they celebrate making music together again!

Flute Choir: Elgar, arr. Mingard Salut d’amour, Op. 12 Tchaikovsky, arr. Barnaba Waltz of the Flowers from The Nutcracker Rossini, arr. Barnaba Overture to The Barber of Seville Strauss, arr. Mingard Radetzky March, Op. 228 Saxophone Choir: Gershwin, arr. Tomsett Cuban Overture Delius Two Aquarelles Mercury, arr. Tomsett Bohemian Rhapsody

10

Clarinet Choir: Grieg, arr. Pugh In the Hall of the Mountain King, from Peer Gynt Rossini, arr. Six Overture to The Italian in Algiers Mahler, arr. Wartelle Adagietto from Symphony No. 5 Please note this concert will not have an interval.

St George’s Church, Edgbaston £5

NOVEMBER

Brass Band & Chamber Choirs

Sun 21 November, 3– 5pm University Music Society Stuart Birnie Brass Band conductor Alice Martin SSA conductor Joshua Bruell SATB conductor Chamber Choirs

Enjoy this afternoon concert from the Music Society’s chamber choirs and Brass Band. The programme includes the winning composition from the 2019 Music Society Composition Competition by Christopher Allen.

Brass Band: Powell The Contester Edward Gregson Variations on Laudate Dominum Christopher Allen The Sirens (world premiere) J.V. Larsen Ad Astra Paul Lovatt-Cooper Horizons

SATB Chamber Choir: Porter Another Op’nin, Another Show from Kiss Me, Kate Tippett Nobody Knows Bob Chilcott Be thou my vision Paulus The Road Home Franck Panis angelicus Tallis Salvator mundi SSA Chamber Choir: Eric Whitacre The Seal Lullaby Gareth Treseder Ave Maria Gershwin, arr. Shaw I Got Rhythm!

Ola Gjeilo Tundra Billy Steinberg, arr. Hampsch True Colours Elgar Concert Hall, The Bramall £5

Brass Band

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NOVEMBER

Chineke! Chamber Ensemble Vice-Chancellor's Farewell Concert

Fri 26 November 7.30 – 9.30pm Barber Evening Concert In this specially commissioned performance, six outstanding Chineke!

Orchestra musicians present the music of Florence B Price, Schoenberg, and Brahms. This performance marks the retirement of the University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir David Eastwood, and the programme includes perhaps some of the greatest string sextets in the repertoire.

Chineke! Chamber Ensemble

12

The concert is preceded by an ‘in conversation’ panel discussion which includes Professor Eastwood, Dr Annie Mahtani, Head of Music, sound artist and composer, and Chi-chi Nwanoku, founder of the Chineke! Foundation, and Europe’s first majority Black & Minority Ethnic (BME) orchestra, Chineke! The session will focus on the issues of diversity, equality and inclusion in classical music.

Florence B Price Drink to me with thine own eyes and Shortnin’ Bread from Five Folksongs in Counterpoint Schoenberg Verklärte Nacht Brahms String sextet No. 1 in B-flat, Op. 18 Elgar Concert Hall, The Bramall £20, £18 concessions, £15 Barber Association, £5 students/U18

NOVEMBER

Oxford Lieder 6.30pm Panel discussion

Fri 26 November 1– 1.50pm Barber Lunchtime Concert Panel discussion: Diversity, equality and inclusion in classical music 6.30pm – free entry for concert ticket holders

Helen Charlston mezzo Sholto Kynoch piano Helen Charlston Sholto Kynoch

Helen Charlston is a young mezzo soprano who is increasingly in demand worldwide and has recently joined the prestigious BBC New Generation Artists scheme from 2021. She is joined by Oxford Lieder director Sholto Kynoch for a programme including Finzi’s posthumously published song-cycle Oh Fair to See. Programme to include: C Schumann Sechs Lieder, Op. 13 Finzi Oh Fair to See, Op. 13b Elgar Concert Hall, The Bramall Free

FREE

1313

NOVEMBER

Wind Band

Sun 28 November, 3 – 5pm University Music Society

Benjamin Siebertz-Willett Wind Band conductor

Daniele Rosina conductor Patrick Sharman String Orchestra conductor

Elgar Concert Hall, The Bramall £5

Daniele Rosina

Fergal Carroll Winter Dances Bennett Suite of Old American Dances Johanna Beyer Reverence (world premiere) Johanna Beyer Elation (world premiere) Jessica Bowen Boleo Furia Jessica Bowen Train of Thought

Wind Band

Sat 27 November, 7.30 – 9.30pm University Music Society

The University Music Society’s Wind Band makes its return to the stage with a programme featuring two recently rediscovered works by German-American composer Johanna Beyer as part of a project to highlight the music of underrepresented female composers.

14

Symphony Orchestra & String Orchestra

The Music Society’s Symphony Orchestra present folk-inspired music of Tchaikovsky’s ballets and Sibelius’s tone poem Finlandia under their conductor Daniele Rosina. The student-led String Orchestra open this performance with Suk’s career launching Serenade for Strings, and an orchestration of Kalinnikov’s Chanson triste.

Suk Serenade for Strings in E-flat, Op. 6 Kalinnikov, arr. Heni Chanson triste Sibelius Finlandia, Op. 26 Tchaikovsky Selections from Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, and The Nutcracker Elgar Concert Hall, The Bramall £10, £5 concessions/students/U18

Jazz Orchestra & Jazz Collective

Weds 1 December, 6.15–7pm Chaplaincy/University Music

Fri 3 December, 7.30– 9.30pm University Music Society

Jack Apperley conductor

Jonathan Silk director Olivia Murphy composer

Mark the beginning of Advent and imminent Christmas cheer in a traditional service of carols and readings led by the University Chaplaincy with music performed by University Upper Voices.

Great Hall, Aston Webb Building Free

FREE

DECEMBER

University Carol Service

Composer and saxophonist Olivia Murphy’s newly commissioned work for jazz orchestra marks the opening of the University’s latest public space, The Exchange, and responds to the theme ‘The air we breathe’ as part of a year-long programme of public events. Alongside Jazz Orchestra this concert features a number of student small bands from the Music Society's Jazz Collective.

Olivia Murphy New work (world premiere) Elgar Concert Hall, The Bramall £10, £5 concessions/students/U18 Olivia Murphy

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DECEMBER

University Chorus

Sat 4 December, 7.30– 8.30pm University Music Society

get involved join this choir!

Julian Wilkins conductor

University Chorus

The Elgar Concert Hall is filled with the sounds of community singing once again as the Music Society’s University Chorus makes a welcome return to music-making. With their director Julian Wilkins at the helm University Chorus, presents an exciting programme that includes Stephen Leek’s Ngana. Translated to "shark" the piece strikingly captures the driving energies, rhythms and vivid colors of the island seascape found around the northeastern tip of Australia.

With its members coming from across the campus, and the wider Birmingham community, University Chorus is an ensemble that you can not only enjoy hearing in concert - but also join you yourself at its Tuesday evening rehearsals. For details of how to get involved visit www.uobmusicsociety.org.uk. Please note this concert will not have an interval.

Julian Wilkins

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Coleridge-Taylor Three Choral Ballads, Op. 54 Handel, arr. Warre/Jackson/Kibble, adapted Higgins Hallelujah Stephen Leek Ngana Cecilia McDowall A Fancy of Folksongs Judith Weir My Guardian Angel Elgar Concert Hall, The Bramall £10, £5

Birmingham University Singers

Sun 5 December, 3– 5pm University Music Society

Sat 11 and Sun 12 December University Music

Daniele Rosina conductor

Birmingham University Singers make their annual visit to St Michael’s Church with Dr Paul Rodmell.

Lilian Elkington, despite being known as a fine pianist and organist, and having studied composition under Sir Granville Bantock, remains a little-known composer. The only surviving four works known to be by Lilian were found by accident in a bookshop in Worthing by musicologist, David Brown. Born in Handsworth, Birmingham in 1900, the four works known to be by her include Out of the Mist (1921) – a work whose centenary we celebrate – which was premiered by the Midland Institute student orchestra under the baton of Bantock.

Cage 4’33’’ Elkington Out of the Mist Ellington, arr. Peress Three Black Kings Sibelius Symphony No. 2 in D, Op. 43

DECEMBER

Philharmonic Orchestra

Saturday 6.30pm: Nine Lessons and Carols Sunday 10am: Choral Eucharist 3pm: Choral Evensong St Michael’s Church, Tenbury Wells Free

FREE

Elgar Concert Hall, The Bramall £10, £5 concessions/students/U18 Lilian Elkington

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MICHAEL ZEV GORDON - COMPOSER STEPHEN PLAICE - LIBRETTIST ORPHA PHELAN - DIRECTOR NATALIE MURRAY BEALE - CONDUCTOR MADS BOYD - DESIGNER MATT HASKINS - LIGHTING DESIGNER BIRMINGHAM CONTEMPORARY MUSIC GROUP

Henry Barber Trust

STUDIO THEATRE, THE REP TICKETS: £10 - £30 - ADULT CONTENT 16+ WWW.BARBER.ORG.UK/RAISINGICARUS

BARBER OPERA

General information How to book

Concessions

Getting here

We’ve gone cashless Advanced booking for ticketed concerts is recommended.

Concessions Concessionary rates are offered to the disabled, the unwaged, and patrons aged sixty years and above.

How to find us For maps and information about getting to the University please visit about.bham.ac.uk/ maps

Barber Association Barber Association members are entitled to purchase tickets for Barber Evening Concerts at specially discounted members rates.

Parking (Lunchtime concerts) For lunchtime concerts North East Car Park, 52 Pritchatts Road.

Satnav: B15 2SA

Students Student rates include children aged 18 and under unless otherwise stated.

Parking (Evening/weekend concerts) Free parking is available adjacent to the Barber Institute via the East Gate and on University Road East on performance nights.

The North East Car Park has free parking from 6pm onwards on week nights and all day at weekends, no permit required.

You can find all of our concert listings at www.birmingham.ac.uk/musicevents - you will be redirected to the University Box Office for online bookings.

Department of Music & University Music Society Concerts www.birmingham.ac.uk/musicevents Barber Concerts 01782 206 000 barber.org.uk/concerts

Disabled patrons Limited blue badge holder parking is available. Please speak to staff when booking your tickets.

birmingham.ac.uk/musicevents

Barber Institute of Fine Arts The Bramall Clock Tower

AUTUMn 2021 Date

Time

Concert

Venue

Page

October 1

1pm

Randall Goosby violin, Jonathan Ware piano

The Bramall

3

8

1pm

Anneke Scott piano, Geoffrey Govier fortepiano

The Bramall

3

15

1pm

Naomi Sullivan saxophone, Kumi Matsuo piano

The Bramall

4

22

1pm

George Xiaoyuan Fu piano

The Bramall

4

26

11am

Groove Into the Woods

The Bramall

5

29

1pm

Kenneth Hamilton Lecture-Recital: Heroic Elegies

The Bramall

6

6

November 5

1pm

Di Xiao piano

The Bramall

6

7.30pm

BEASTdome

The Bramall

8

10

7.30pm

Alexandra Dariescu piano

The Bramall

7

12

1pm

Samuele Telari accordion

The Bramall

7

19

1pm

King Edwards Schools

The Bramall

8

19

7.30pm

B'ham University Singers & Univ. Upper Voices

The Bramall

9

20

7pm

Instrumental Choirs Gala Concert

St George’s Church

10

21

3pm

Brass Band & Chamber Choirs

The Bramall

11

26

1pm

Oxford Lieder

The Bramall

13

26

7.30pm

Chineke! Chamber Ensemble/V-C's Farewell Concert

The Bramall

12

27

7.30pm

Wind Band

The Bramall

14

28

3pm

Symphony Orchestra & String Orchestra

The Bramall

14

15

December 1

6.15pm

University Carol Service

Aston Webb Building

3

7.30pm

Jazz Orchestra & Jazz Collective

The Bramall

15

4

7.30pm

University Chorus

The Bramall

16

5

3pm

Philharmonic Orchestra

The Bramall

17

11 + 12

see p17

Birmingham University Singers

St Michael’s Church

17

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