blog

lmm recommends | monday 30 april

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 15:11:33 +0100

RCM at St.Martin-in-the-Fields | 1:00pm | 30 April 2012 | St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Sq. London

A selection of talented young musicians from the prestigious Royal College of Music will be playing a lunch-time session at St.Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square at 1.00pm.

London Philharmonic Orchestra – Czech Masterpieces with Jurowski | 7.30pm | 2 may 2012 | royal festival hall, southbank centre

Vladimir Jurowksi conducts Josef Suk's immense orchestral work Ripening: without doubt one of the best-kept secrets of the Romantic era, a piece that astounds with its nobility.

einstein on the beach - An opera in Four Acts by Robert Wilson and Philip Glass | 6.00pm, 5.30pm, 4.00pm | 4 - 13 may | barbican theatre

Widely credited as one of the greatest artistic achievements of the 20th century, this rarely performed work launched its director Robert Wilson and composer Philip Glass to international success when it was first produced at the Metropolitan Opera in 1976.

It is still recognised as one of their greatest masterpieces. Now, nearly four decades after it was first performed and twenty years since its last production, Einstein on the Beach will be reconstructed bringing this ground-breaking work to new audiences and an entirely new generation.

spencer myer piano - haydn, debussy, litz and more | 7.30pm | 6 may | wigmore hall

Spencer Myer makes his London recital debut with this concert as the Gold Medallist of the 2008 New Orleans International Piano Competition.

The programme highlights works from France and Spain, as well as Liszt’s Tre Sonetti di Petrarca, reflecting Myer’s love for the vocal repertoire. Spencer Myer accompanied the first prizewinner Martha Guth in the 2007 Wigmore Hall/Kohn Foundation International Song Competition

lmm recommends | april 13

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 15:30:00 +0100

anakay koshka
13 april l 7.30pm l st john’s smith square

The internationally acclaimed violinist Anakay Koshka plays some of the instrument’s most beautiful and incredible unaccompanied music this Friday evening: JS Bach's Sonata No 1 in G minor, BWV1011; Partita No 2 in D minor, BWV1004; Partita No 3 in E, BWV1006; Bartók's Solo Sonata for Violin; and Paganini's Twenty-four Capricci, Nos 13, 14 and 24.

national youth orchestra

14 April L 7.30pm L Royal Festival Hall

Folk Explosion! In this varied and lively concert, the National Youth Orchestra takes you on a world tour of orchestral music inspired by folk, including music by Kodály, Canteloube, Chávez, MacMillan and Kathyrn Tickell, whilst Patrick Nunn’s pieces offer some vibrant new interpretations of traditional British folk tunes sourced by Bellowhead, an English contemporary folk band. Members of Bellowhead join the National Youth Orchestra on stage and the veening culminates in a post-show ceilidh on The Clore Ballroom at Royal Festival Hall.

classical coffee morning l hannah sandison soprano & sergey rybin piano

15 april l 11am l elgar room, royal albert hall

The Royal Albert Hall and its neighbour, the Royal College of Music, present Hannah Sandison (soprano) and pianist Sergey Rybin in music by Schumann, Grieg, Duparc, Poulenc, Debussy, Britten, Gurney and Bridge. Plus arias by Mozart. Ticket price includes a hot drink and pastry.

Barenboim & staatskapelle berlin

16 april l 7.30pm l royal festival hall

A classic example of late-period Romanticism, rich with drama and spiritual uplift, Bruckner’s unfinished Symphony No.9 anticipates the harmonic musical revolution that would explode during the opening years of the 20^th century in the work of Schoenberg and his contemporaries. The concert opens with Barenboim directing Mozart’s Concerto No.22 in E flat from the piano.

The Vocal Orchestra
18 April L 7pm L E4 Udderbelly Festival, Southbank Centre

An hour of incredible musical entertainment, Vocal Orchestra is a celebration of everyone’s favourite tunes using seven mouths, seven mics and no instruments!

Combing human beatboxing, vocal harmonies and floor-wobbling basslines, Vocal Orchestra is an original show, written and created by internationally acclaimed beatboxer Scholmo, and performed by a company of the world’s most exciting vocal and beatboxing superstars.

Elena and Tai receive more recognition!

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 15:00:00 +0100

Last month, LMM Associate Partner, the Sphinx Organisation, honoured three young musicians whose accomplishments distinguish them amongst the African-American and Hispanic communities of the United States: LMM Award Holder Elena Urioste, LMM Ambassador Tai Murray and clarinettist Anthony McGill. Since debuting with the Philadelphia Orchestra aged 13, Elena has become an acclaimed violinist throughout the United States and Europe and in 2010 she performed with the London Philharmonic Orchestra at the Royal Festival Hall with Bridge Project Students as part of the LPO’s concerts for schools series Bright Sparks. Tai has just released her debut recording of Ysaye’s six solo sonatas for violin and is increasingly in demand for both orchestral and recital engagements: in 2008 she was named a BBC New Generation Artist and last year she performed the Berg Violin Concerto with the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain. The three musicians received the inaugural Sphinx Medals of Excellence which recognise young leaders of ethnic distinction in classical music who demonstrate artistic excellence, outstanding work ethic, a spirit of determination, and leadership potential.

The Sphinx Organisation is renowned for helping develop the best and brightest young classical musicians in the US with an express aim of promoting racial diversity in the classical music industry . Despite having only been in existence for 15 years, Sphinx has had an enormous positive impact by reaching over 85,000 students in 200 schools across the country, and awarding over $1,8250,000 in scholarships in addition to providing over $300,000 in musical instruments to young musicians from ethnic minorities.

Against the backdrop of the United States Supreme Court, attendees from the fields of politics, law, and the arts gathered in Washington DC to hear performances by the recipients. “The incredible success that Anthony, Tai, and Elena have already achieved is a clear indication that diversity and artistic excellence play important roles in classical music”, said Sphinx Founder and President, Aaron P. Dworkin.

lmm recommends | 2 april

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 11:16:52 +0100

Camden Spring Festival | 2 April | 19.00 | LSO St Luke’s

This end of season showcase features the talents of the Camden Youth Orchestra, Camden Concertante and the Camden Percussion Ensemble: these bright young musicians playing as part of the Camden Spring Festival in partnership with the LSO.

Henk Neven baritone & Hans Eijsackers piano | 4 April | 19.30 | Wigmore Hall

A former BBC New Generation Artist, baritone Henk Neven recently won the leading musical award in his home country – the Dutch National Prize. Here, he recites a beautiful repertoire including works by Debussy, Fauré and Schubert.

RCM Sparks Family Music Day | 4 April | 10.30 | Royal College of Music

RCM is hosting a fun, French-inspired day of music making. Linked with the RCM French Season, attendants will be exploring the notions of colour, textiles and styles with all things French, in workshops hosted by enthusiastic RCM musicians. There are classes in singing, percussion and creative-music making, from Berlioz to Messiaen, there’s something for everyone!

Peter & The Wolf Live | 8 April | 14.00, 16.00 | Royal Festival Hall

Based on one of the most popular pieces of classical music for children, Peter & the Wolf Live is a musical and cinematic experience for the whole family.

Actor and children's writer Mackenzie Crook introduces the story and the instruments of the orchestra, which play character roles including the Duck, represented by the oboe, the slinky Cat, played by the clarinet and the grumpy Grandfather, heard through the bassoon. Suzie Templeton's darkly magical film then brings these characters to life, alongside the young and dynamic musicians of the award-winning Aurora Orchestra, conducted by Nicholas Collon.

This month in BBC Music...the youth of today!

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 15:00:00 +0000

This month in BBC Music…the youth of today!

Successful solo percussionist and LMM Ambassador, Colin Currie is releasing two new CDs of contemporary percussion concertos: the recording premiere of Rautvaara’s Incantations where he joins the Helsinki Philharmonic, conducted by John Storgårds, and a new recording of James MacMillan’s Veni Veni Emmanuel, recorded with the Dutch Radio Orchestra.

The Times columnist Richard Morrison also addresses the pertinent issue of musical projects for youth, in particular national youth orchestras following the announcement of the launch of one in the United States. This development was led by Sir Clive Gillinson, a passionate musical educator who, when he was running the London Symphony Orchestra, also implemented the LSO Discovery series: an orchestral outreach programme that has become the model for similar schemes worldwide. As Chief Executive of Carnegie Hall in New York, Gillinson has also taken the opportunity to launch a system of graded exams, similar to those of ABRSM and Trinity Laban here in the UK, a project that will hopefully benefit even more children than those lucky enough to get into National Youth Orchestra USA. But whilst Gillinson has announced the international tour of this new orchestra in a hopeful imitation of their Venezuelan counterpart, the Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra, and their very successful overseas engagements and residencies, Morrison puts in a plea for more interest in the home-grown ability of our National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain. In particular further financial backing, so that we can show off to the world our own fresh-faced talent.
In their reviews, the magazine looks at the intriguing CD release of a project for Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity, in which the Jamaican-born composer Eleanor Alberga composed musical interludes to be interspersed throughout the reading of Dahl’s macabre re-telling of the Snow White story. It features an all-star cast of readers: Danny DeVito narrates and Joanna Lumley and Griff Rhys Jones voice the characters alongside Alberga’s ‘impressive’ and ‘fully alive’ interludes - BBC Music recommend it highly for young families to listen to together.

This month in the Strad...Germany

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 11:00:00 +0000

This month’s edition of the Strad, a magazine for string players, has a particular focus on Germany and its contributors to the international music world. The articles include interviews with today’s big names such as the violinist and esteemed teacher Antje Weithaas and reflections on quartets by the composer Wolfgang Rihm as his 60^th birthday is celebrated. The magazine also looks back on the career of a former Berlin Philharmonic concertmaster, Thomas Brandis, and pays tribute to one of the most successful chamber groups to come from Germany: the Busch Quartet.

The current news and reviews are focused on a very vibrant and new, emerging classical tradition in the UK and the USA. The Strad’s top stories include the creation of a new national youth orchestra in the States, modelled on the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, based in New York and conducted in its inaugural year by Valery Gergiev; a recent donation to Juilliard’s historical performance programme, a paradoxically new institution, by the chairman of their board Bruce Kovner who was a former hedge fund manager, of $20m that will allow the programme to expand and run ‘in perpetuity’; and the collaboration of the folk super- group Bellowhead with 100 young string players in South England to put on exciting cross-over concerts this month. The magazine also favourably reviews sold-out performances by the violin performance artist’ Hahn-Bin, an eyeliner-wearing Juillard-trained performer in New York, as well as the premiere of Luke Bedford's Nine Little Boxes, All Carefully Packed by the Heath Quartet here in London, six pieces inspired by Lewis Carroll’s The Hunting of the Snark. In CD reviews ‘the Strad recommends’ endorsement is given to the first release of a collection of Mark-Anthony Turnage’s chamber works, directed and performed by violinist Thomas Kemp and the Chamber Domaine ensemble.

Mark-Anthony Turnage: A Constant Obsession is available to download from www.resonusclassics.com for just £7.99

lmm recommends | march 19

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 10:50:11 +0000

Wandsworth school's music present 'a brighter sound' 2012 | southbank centre | 22 march | 5.00pm

Wandsworth Schools' Music Service presents an evening of entertainment, with instrumental, choral and world music performed by over 800 promising young talents from Wandsworth schools.

rcm at the v&a | victoria & albert museum | 23 march | 6.30pm

RCM’s young violist-protégé Marc Charles-Montesinos performs Frolov’s ‘Concert Fantasy on themes by Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess op 19’ at the V&A. A free event.

lambeth school's music festival 2012 | southbank centre | 22 march - 23 march | 5.00pm

Singing performances delivered with energy and heart by around 750 young people from Lambeth schools. This concert is part of the Lambeth Schools' Music Festival,

This year the festival involves a record-breaking 75 musical groups from 50 Lambeth schools. The festival celebrates young people's musicality across a range of genres. Don’t miss this opportunity to see Lambeth's young people to showcase their exciting repertoire of ensemble music.

roberto fonseca | barbican centre | 26 march | 7.30pm

This Buena Vista Social Club prodigy has flown up and beyond the ranks of Cuban music and brought it straight into the 21st century. Roberto Fonseca’s new album, YO, is out this Spring and looks back to his Caribbean roots while striking forwards with electronic beats and lyricism that effortlessly updates Cuba's musical lineage.

Mercy, mercy, mercy! I'm going to sing, sing, sing!

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 17:31:25 +0000

Wow, what a busy week it’s been for Bridge, with lots of in-school events and performances.

Mercy, Mercy, Mercy!

Year 3 violinists at both Ashmole and Jessop Primary schools have been working with Julian Ferraretto this term, learning all about jazz and playing some cracking tunes.

This series of workshops led towards a performance with Julian’s band (Chris on drums, Sargat on guitar and Andy on double bass) to the school and parents. The band’s rendition of The Muppets theme tune was nothing compared to the soulful sounds of the Year 3 jazzers who played three songs, with everyone having a go at improvising! It was such an inspiring sight to see everyone taking a solo and really exploring the music.

The audience were blown away by the concert:

‘ I started to well up when my son did his solo! This is one of the best events there has been at the school.’ Year 3 parent
‘I still can't get over the Jazz assembly: was STUNNING!!!!’ - Year 2 Jessop class teacher

Videos and photos coming soon!

I’m going to sing, sing, sing

Another fabulous series of events this term have been the family singing mornings, led by LMM Animateur Jess Maryon-Davis. Parents, family and friends of each year group join their children to take part in a short singing workshop in the mornings, followed by a performance to the whole school in assembly (a scary thought for our brave parents!)

Year 2 at Ashmole and Year 1 at Jessop had great fun this week, joining in with Jess’s infectious energy to sing newly composed songs, backed up with a handful of violinists. Brings a whole new meaning to the concept ‘mash-up’!

All classes in Year 1-4 will take part in a singing morning, so we’re looking forward much more fun, games and singing over the rest of the year!

lmm recommends | monday 12 march

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Sing Inspiration! 2012 | 12 &13 March

Now in its fifth consecutive year, the roof-raising, two-day festival returns to the Southbank Centre for a series of gospel-inspired choir concerts presented by igmusic. Across four concerts children, youth and adult choirs across the UK perform, supported by the awesome ig music band,with special guest, soul sensation Carleen Anderson.

Monday 12 March 7.30pm, £16, Tuesday 13 March 11am, £8, 1.30pm, £8, 7.30pm, £16-25 Royal Festival Hall

Aurora Orchestra: Far, Far Away | 13 March

Nicholas Collon conducts Aurora Orchestra in Wagner's Siegfried Idyll; Julian Anderson's Alhambra Fantasy; Copland's Appalachian Spring,plus, new works by Hannah Dilkes, George Rimmer and Jack Sheen (winners of the 2011 BBC Inspire Young Composers' Competition) and original music by special guest Harry Oakwood.

Tuesday 13 March 7.30pm, £12 -25 LSO St Luke’s

Philharmonia Orchestra | 15 March

Esa - Pakka Salonen | Conductor

Viviane Hagner | Violin

Salonen conducts the Philharmonia in Beethoven’s Eroica Symhpony, preceded byUnsuk Chin’s award-winning Violin Concerto, described by the Grawemeyer Foundation’s prize announcement as ‘a synthesis of glittering orchestration’ and Beethoven’s Symphony No.1

Thursday 15 March, 7.30pm, £8-45 Royal Festival Hall

Nico Muhly and Britten Sinfonia with Owen Pallet & Missy Mazzoli | 16 March

Experimental outsider Muhly - a Juilliard-trained modern classical composer, performer, arranger and conductor who's worked with Björk, Rufus Wainwright, Grizzly Bear and Antony Hegarty, among others, leads Britten Sinfonia in a selection of original works, with help from talented Toronto violinist and singer Owen Pallett (aka Final Fantasy) and composer MIssy Mazzoli.

Friday 16 March, 7.30pm, £9-35, Barbican Centre

Musical Characters: Family Day | 17 March

Inspired by the Pacifica Quartet's Shostakovich String Quartet Cycle at Wigmore Hall, this family day helps you discover hidden codes and characters within music. Create your own piece of music to perform on the Wigmore Hall stage at the end of the day.

(For children five years old and over).

Saturday 17 March, 10am, £8/12 Wigmore Hall

lmm recommends | monday 5 march

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 10:15:41 +0000

Barnardo's Annual Choir Competition and Concert | 6 March 2012 | 18:30 | Barbican Hall

24 young choirs perform in the annual Barnardo's choir competiton finals.The winning choirs have the opportunity to perform in the Royal Albert Hall Young Supporters concert in April. All choirs will also perform one song in the evening concert. The winning choirs will be announced by the end of the evening

rcm philharmonic orchestra | 8 march 2012 | 19.30 | Amaryllis Fleming Concert Hall

Bookending this concert are two of the most popular orchestral works of the late 19th century: Richard Strauss’s exuberant tone poem relating the pranks of the German folk hero Till Eulenspiegel, and Tchaikovsky’s majestic late symphony, which takes us on an extraordinary journey from darkness into light.

The rest of the programme comes courtesy of two winners of the RCM Concerto Competition: award winning flautist Lindsay Bryden and rising star composer Philip Ashworth.

sarah gillespie | 9 march 2012 | 17.30 | the clore ballroom | southbank centre

Performing with her quartet for Women of the World Festival, Gillespie creates a mix of emotive ballads, raucous gypsy swing, blues and vaudeville with wild, Arabic-infused flourishes. A free event.

milos karadaglic | 11 march | 11.30 | wigmore hall

Showcasing the charismatic mailos karadaglic, a renowned young musical graduate from the nearby Royal Academy of Music. Explore a vibrant programme including Bach, Villa-Lobos and lively, Latin American showpieces.

Wind and Brass players visit the RCM!

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 17:09:38 +0000

Last week a special trip for Years 3 & 4 children from Ashmole and Jessop schools proved that the Bridge Project is not always about violins!

In Year 3 some children decide to move on to a new instrument and they have now become budding young clarinettists, flautists and trumpeters. Our creative partner, the Royal College of Music kindly invited these children to visit a wind ensemble rehearsal to hear and see these instruments and provide a little inspiration and we were delighted to take them up on their offer.

The children received a very warm welcome from the RCM and as well as listening to the rehearsal, had a chance to ask questions about the instruments and meet the players. We were also lucky enough to see some original manuscripts by Haydn and Vaughan Williams in the RCM library as well as visiting the museum of instruments.

It was such an inspiration for the children to hear some beautiful wind playing and to visit the Royal College of Music.

We hope to be back very soon!

FUNharmonics Family Concert

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 11:18:54 +0000

A group of Bridge Project violinists and their families attended an LPO FUNharmonics concert last weekend. Here’s what Harry, Year 4 from Ashmole Primary School had to say about it.

I liked the national anthem of India as it's really beautiful and sweet. I also noticed that in the orchestra people weren't wearing black. There was a celeste next to the piano and a harp nearby. I also like ' ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL ' song, because it's really cheerful !!

Here it is written out so that you can learn it on your violin.

All on D string

high 2 high 2 3 4 4 3 high 2

Cats and Dogs and slimy frogs

1 D D 1 high 2 high 2 1 1

Piranhas bugs and honey bees

high 2 high 2 3 4 4 3 high 2

All the creatures great and small

1 D D 1 high 2 1 D D

from elephants to tiny fleas.

HEY!!

Marek Smagala's Work Experience Week

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 17:00:00 +0000

My name is Marek Smagala and I have just spent this last week on work experience at London Music Masters. I go to the Elmgreen School in South London and am personally very passionate towards music and so felt that having my work experience in a place linked to this passion was essential.

It was actually my mum who found LMM’s website and so after reading blogs about other people who had done work experience with LMM I decided to contact them. A few days later they asked me to send in a CV, which was very surprising as I hadn’t even thought about creating one before. On meeting the LMM team at my interview, I remember thinking how friendly and laid back they all seemed, which helped me feel right at home straight away.

Throughout the week I did a number of different tasks such as filing, laminating, blogging and tweeting! Probably the best job was blogging mainly due to the fact that I felt a great sense of achievement when I saw my work up on the LMM website. The entire experience was really enjoyable.

Working at LMM was not what I was anticipating. The atmosphere was much more relaxed than I had originally expected and I felt completely comfortable and confident almost instantly. The team were extremely friendly and helpful during the whole week. It has given me a totally different view of office life. It isn’t how it seems in movies where it is always chaotic and phone calls are being made 24/7 and people are tripping up over their feet. It was completely the opposite, which was a very pleasant surprise.
I feel that after having a week of work experience with LMM I may seriously consider pursuing a career in music. Not necessarily an office job however, as at the moment anything that is linked to music seems like an interesting possibility for me.

Overall, I feel that the experience has opened my eyes to the music industry a bit more and I have more of an understanding about how everything works, not just in music, but for work across the board.

Thank you London Music Masters for a brilliant work experience that I will remember for a very long time!

lmm recommends | Tuesday 7 February

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:05:56 +0000

London Symphony Orchestra | Kristjan Järvi
Music by Bernstein, Copland, Milhaud and Ellington

Thursday 9 February 2012 | 7.30pm
Barbican Hall

Influenced largely by the jazz style of the ‘American sound’, the London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Kristjan Jӓrvi, intends to greatly express the diversity of American Culture during the 20th century through arrangements such as Harlem, a dramatic and breath-taking piece by Duke Ellington in 1950 that gives a wonderfully graceful interpretation of the emotions felt throughout this period in Modern History.

London Symphony Orchestra | Sir Antonio Pappano
Music by Rachmaninov, Korngold and Bartók

Wednesday 15 February 2012 | 7.30pm
Barbican Hall

The London Symphony Orchestra and Sir Antonio Pappano shall be performing compositions by Rachaminov, Korngold and Bartók which have been influenced by a wide range of aspects. This truly promises to be a performance full of mystery and excitement.

London Chamber Orchestra | Christopher Warren Green
Caroline Goulding - Violin

Cadogan Hall
Friday 10 February 2012 | 7.30pm

Accompanied by young violinist Caroline Goulding, winner of many awards in the USA and nominated in the Grammie awards and making her UK debut, The London Chamber Orchestra shall be playing: ‘Crown Imperial’ by William Walton, which they recently performed at the wedding of Prince William and Katherine Middleton, Max Bruch’s ‘Scottish Fantasy’ and Vaughan Williams’ ‘Symphony No. 5 in D major’. This concert is sure to be a magical experience that anyone can enjoy.

London Philharmonic Orchestra | David Angus

Sunday 19 February 2012 | 12pm
Royal Festival Hall
David Angus and the London Philharmonic Orchestra promises to give an exciting and entertaining journey through the story of The Jungle Book in their FUNharmonics concert on the 19 February. We highly recommend this performance as it is bound to be a superb concert for family members of all ages!

Royal Albert Hall | the Elgar Room | hahn-bin

Sunday 19 February 2012 | 7.30pm
Hahn-Bin brings his dramatic and remarkable performance of his Till Dawn Sunday to the Royal Albert Hall. Accompanied by pianist John Blacklow, this young, extravagant violinist takes the audience on a voyage through an entire variety of emotions and feelings. Be sure not to miss this awe-inspiring show of vibrant musical talent and colour.

Year 1 visit the London Philharmonic Orchestra

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:04:06 +0000

Last Tuesday saw the Bridge Project’s annual Year 1 orchestral ‘sit-in’ take place with the LPO at the Southbank Centre. One of our LMM volunteers, who accompanied Ashmole Primary school children on the trip, writes about her experience.....

In a former life I was amongst groups from my school who went to the Royal Festival Hall for Ernest Read Children’s Concerts, which were pleasant, if rather formal, because we children sat in the seats designated for the audience.

How refreshing then that today we were like little nymphs and fairies, lurking throughout the orchestra, where you cannot help but absorb what is going on round you. The children next to me were counting bars for the 4th trumpeter, conducting, recognising different solo instruments, imitating how to play them, and trying to see whether they could reach the bottom of the tuba’s bell, amongst many other things! It makes it all so real, normal and fun for them – even just preparing to be there in one of the band rooms and remembering to be absolutely quiet - seems to me part of that extraordinary experience of playing within a world class symphony orchestra. Afterwards one boy was wide-eyed, describing how he had played some of the keys on the contra-bassoon. I expect he has never been near such an instrument before, and perhaps never again, but who knows, after today?

It is a magical project with the conductor and musicians seeming so very ready to help, support and amuse and for the children to be able to creep in and out of the orchestra was just brilliant!

I have read that music is like Heineken – it reaches the parts other art forms don’t – and if children can get inspired early on many of them can manage the discipline of learning to play because their motivation becomes unstoppable.

Thank you very much for letting me be a tiny part of your very important and inspiring work.

lmm recommends

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:59:58 +0000

Debussy: Painter of Dreams | LSO St.Lukes | 1 February | 8.00 pm

To complement his London Symphony Orchestra concerts at the Barbican, Michael Tilson Thomas takes a more intimate look at Debussy’s music and journeys through his violin and cello sonatas in addition to other chamber works.

The Soldier's Tale | Wigmore Hall | 4 February | 11.00 am

A repeat performance of The Soldier’s Tale by Stravinsky, open to families and children aged 8 and up. The story is based on a Russian folk tale about a soldier who makes a deal with the devil, trading his fiddle for a book that predicts the future.

Composition for screen showcase | Britten Theatre | 7 February | 7.30 pm

The RCM’s famous “Composition for Screen” course attracts the freshest young talent from all around the world. Their former students are now scoring the biggest movies in Hollywood.

This concert will showcase the cream of RCM composers, hailing from every corner of the globe. Conducted by Marcio Da Silva, RCM musicians will perform their works live to film, projected in the atmospheric setting of the RCM’s Britten Theatre. A huge range of short films, animations and collaborations will be on show.

Pictures at an exhibition | Southbank Centre | 11 February | 4.00 pm

Conductor Charles Hazlewood joins 250 schoolchildren to bring you a colourful concert that combines painting, music and singing with a multidisciplinary approach to classical music. Charles Hazlewood conducts a young choir, part of Southwark Excellence in Schools, who will share a stage with the Philharmonia Orchestra.

This fully immersive concert allows families to interact with classical music and to experience it together.

lmm recommends | Tuesday 24 January

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 11:30:00 +0000

From Blue to Joy | southbank centre

Drawing experience from The Mexican Day of The Dead, one hundred young people from Kids Company will be participating in a funeral parade across the South Bank as part of the sites festival: Death: The Festival for the Living.

Kids Company work with vulnerable, inner-city children from London and through this project have been exploring notions of loss, helping the children to voice their perspectives. They will be joined by Abram Wilson and his Band, with a specially decorated coffin. After these spooky happenings the parade will culminate at the Clore Ballroom at 5pm with a speech followed by a party - funeral style.

A fanatastic FREE outing for all the family!

5.00pm | Friday 27 January | The Clore Ballroom, Southbank Centre.

For more information please click here.

Music to Die For

It’s Music To Die For –“ a heavenly mix of devilishly popular classics” from the BBC Concert Orchestra, where they’ll be joining Death: the Southbank Centre's Festival for the Living. Expect chilling recitals of Maher, and lively performances from Requiems by Fauré, Verdi and Mozart.

7.30 pm | Friday 27 January | Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre

Tickets from £12. For more information, please click here.

London Symphony Orchestra | Michael Tilson Thomas

Debussy’s beautiful ‘Fantasy for Piano and Orchestra’ was written in a period of uncertainty and self-doubt; consequently, he prohibited its performance and sanctioned its publication during his lifetime. Belioz ‘Symphonie fantastique’ recalls the cursed love affair of a man who has poisoned himself with opium, inviting crazed hallucinations of a masked ball, the movement to the scaffold and finally, a witches’ Sabbath. Performed by The London Symphony Orchestra, and conducted by Michael Tilson Thomas, with a preceding appearance by the conductor in conversation at 1.15pm.

7.30 pm | Tuesday 24 January | Barbican Hall.

Tickets from £10. For more information, please click here.

London Contemporary Orchestra workshops

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:09:57 +0000

In music education there aren’t many challenges bigger than introducing a newly-composed violin concerto of staggering complexity to a school hall filled with eight-year olds. Yet with some careful planning and inspired creative leadership from LMM Animateur Jess Maryon-Davies, the London Contemporary Orchestra with composer Martin Suckling and LMM Award Holder Agata Szymczewska did just that, and then some.

In two sessions the creative team managed not only to present the new work, de sol y grana, in a lucid and engaging way (the composer had rescored fragments of the piece commissioned for Agata and the LCO for the reduced forces available in the workshop) but also to create whole new compositions that were rehearsed and performed.

The 80 or so Bridge Project students from Ashmole and Jessop schools who took part were creative equals to the RPS prize-winning composer. They generated ideas and motifs which were expertly and energetically realised by the musicians from the LCO. In a neat twist, Martin scored the works that the children were creating in real time and presented them to the group at the end of the day.

Martin was evidently delighted that the first audience for his new work was this group of receptive and excitable eight-year olds and the children, now in their second year of violin playing, seemed to enjoy the opportunity to engage in some musical rough and tumble with Agata and the LCO.

Watch the highlights of the day online:

www.youtube.com/londonmusicmasters

This month in Muso... Agata & Jennifer!

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 17:00:00 +0000

The latest edition of Muso presents an interesting array of articles, ranging from your typical ‘big-artist’ feature through to a thought-provoking piece on the work of The Musicians Benevolent Fund, celebrating its 90^th anniversary this year. This particular issue is also brimming with references to LMM Award Holders, our creative partners and even one of our Ambassadors, Colin Currie!

The idea at the core of LMM’s Bridge Project also seems to be invoked in Muso’s review of A Classical Affair, which took place at the Barbican in September. This panel-audience event explored the positive and negative arguments surrounding the classical music, and whether it has a future in modern society. LMM’s Bridge Project is an initiative that certainly strives to maintain classical music’s standing in society: ‘Targeting socio-economically challenged inner-city boroughs, the project encourages children, their families and their communities to develop a life-long appreciation for classical music in all its varied forms.’

LMM Award Holders, Agata Szymczewska and Jennifer Pike, feature in this issue’s list of ‘unmissable events’ and both for giving world premieres this month! The first was given by Jennifer on 7 December with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, performing Haflidi Hallgrimsson’s Concerto for Violin and Orchestra Op. 46, while Agata premiered Suckling’s ‘de sol y grana’ on 12 December at the Spitalfields Music Winter Festival. The premiere was given with the London Contemporary Orchestra, the first of two references to this ensemble in the ‘unmissable events’ section. The second notes their performance in the Reverb 2012 festival, where they will give the European premiere of Gabriel Prokofiev’s Concerto for Bass Drum and Orchestra on 3 March.

Muso’s news highlights informs us that the PRS for Music Foundation’s Women Make Music initiative has announced a second round of recipients, adding to the 13 that were initially named in August. The initiative seeks to raise the profile of female music creators after statistics revealed that women composers are disproportionately represented in the UK. Charlotte Bray is one composer that benefitted from the first round of funding. Earlier this year we were delighted to co-commission Bray to compose a work for Bridge Project students, the London Philharmonic Orchestra and Jennifer Pike. Scenes from Wonderland was premiered on 28 June 2011 in the Royal Festival Hall.

With the Olympics on the horizon in 2012, Muso interviews a London 2012 Cultural Olympiad. Sally Beamish has composed ‘Spinal Chords’ as her contribution to the artistic flourishing accompanying the games. The piece has been commissioned by New Music 20x12 and will be performed by the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. Spinal Chords is not the only large-scale work is on the horizon for Beamish in 2012; she is working on a concerto for percussionist and LMM Ambassador Colin Currie, which will be entitled Dance Variations.

To hear Beamish and her inspiration for Spinal Chords discuss this project, visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONmdbEWOAJY&feature=results_main&playnext=1&list=PLBB452E307A7D16C3

lmm recommends | Monday 9 January

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 17:00:00 +0000

Family gamelan taster sessions – Southbank Centre, Gamelan Room

Saturday 7 January 2012 – Saturday 18 February 2012

Prices: £8 & £4 concessions/children Booking Fee: £1.75 (Members £0.00)

Suitable for adults and children over 6

Have an enjoyable and enriching family day at these gamelan taster sessions where you will start to gain an understanding of this wonderful musical ensemble originating from Indonesia, which includes an interesting range of instruments. As well as being fun it has the added bonus of being able to improve various skills such as listening, coordination and team working skills. You do not need any musical abilities to participate so anyone is welcome to join and have a go at this new and unique experience.

Book tickets here.

Spaghetti Western Orchestra – Southbank Centre, Queen Elizabeth Hall

Thursday 5 January 2012 – Wednesday 11 January 2012

Prices: £20-£30 Booking Fee: £1.75 (Members £0.00) Concessions: 50% off (limited availability)

Having previously appeared in BBC proms 2011 and on Later with Jools Holland, Spaghetti Western Orchestra have blown many audiences away with their comedic performances of classics such as music from The Good, the Bad and the Ugly and For a Few Dollars More. As well as using traditional instruments the Spaghetti Western Orchestra perform with everyday objects like bottles, coat hangers, bicycle pumps and rubber gloves to create interesting and new sounds contributing to their exclusive style. Their performances have been described as ‘unmissable’ and ‘pure performance - music, drama and comedy - musicianship and arrangements of the highest order’ making it a must-see. Book your tickets now to ensure you get the opportunity to watch this exciting show.

Book tickets here.

A Cappella Workshop 1: Voice Camp with Swingle Singers – Kings Place, Hall Two

Saturday 14 January 2012, 11am

Price: £9.50

As part of London A Cappella Festival Swingle Singers, an a cappella group who have won several Grammies, will be holding a singing workshop at King’s Place. The workshop will include activities which explore a cappella performance in addition to several different vocal tasks, all of which are led by Swingle Singers. Singers of all ages and abilities are welcome to join this day packed with enjoyable vocal excitement. Get your tickets for this popular workshop with the Swingle Singers quickly before you lose out.

Book tickets here.

Come and sing: French song, Wigmore hall

Saturday 7 January 2012, 10am

Prices: £18 Concessions: £10 (not part of subscription theme)

Take part in a day filled with brilliant songs and singing at this collection of workshops held by Isabelle Adams at Wigmore hall. You will participate in variety of interesting vocal warm-ups as well as learn some new songs all inspired by French Song and linking to Christopher Maltman’s concert on 15 January. After your day of learning how to use your vocal chords you will then have the chance to put all your knowledge into practice when you will be given the chance to perform on the Wigmore hall stage. No experienced is required at this workshop, anyone can join in the musical fun! Booking is required so call the box office: 020 7935 2141 or visit here.

RCM at the Royal Festival Hall

Wednesday 18January, 6pm, Royal Festival Hall Southbank Centre

Free event – no tickets required

This performance is brought to you as part of The Royal College of Music and The London Philharmonic Orchestra’s celebration of Prokofiev and his works. The RCM musicians will be performing Quartet no 1 in B minor op 50 and Quintet in G minor op 39 to pay tribute to Prokofiev as well as being part of ‘Sergei Prokofiev: Man of the People?’. The event is free, interesting for all and easy to get to. So why not go and enjoy the music of Prokofiev.

^{London Symphony Orchestra , Thomas Adès – Barbican Hall}

Sunday 15 January 2012, 7.30pm

Prices: £10-£35

A collection of pieces by Adès and Mahler will be played by The London Symphony Orchestra at the Barbican Hall. There will be performances of Adès’ In Seven Days and Tevot as well as Mahler’s Des Knaben Wunderhorn inspired by the German Poems. Thomas Adès will be conducting, with Nicolas Hodges on the piano and tenor Toby Spence. The premier of Francisco Coll’s Hidd’n Blue which was commissioned by the London Symphony Orchestra Discovery Panufnik Young Composers Scheme will also take place at the concert. This performance of exciting pieces is a definite one to watch.

Book tickets here.

blog

lmm recommends | monday 30 april

RCM at St.Martin-in-the-Fields | 1:00pm | 30 April 2012 | St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Sq. London

London Philharmonic Orchestra – Czech Masterpieces with Jurowski | 7.30pm | 2 may 2012 | royal festival hall, southbank centre

einstein on the beach - An opera in Four Acts by Robert Wilson and Philip Glass | 6.00pm, 5.30pm, 4.00pm | 4 - 13 may | barbican theatre

spencer myer piano - haydn, debussy, litz and more | 7.30pm | 6 may | wigmore hall

lmm recommends | april 13

anakay koshka 13 april l 7.30pm l st john’s smith square

national youth orchestra

14 April L 7.30pm L Royal Festival Hall

classical coffee morning l hannah sandison soprano & sergey rybin piano

15 april l 11am l elgar room, royal albert hall

Barenboim & staatskapelle berlin

16 april l 7.30pm l royal festival hall

The Vocal Orchestra18 April L 7pm L E4 Udderbelly Festival, Southbank Centre

Elena and Tai receive more recognition!

lmm recommends | 2 april

Camden Spring Festival | 2 April | 19.00 | LSO St Luke’s

Henk Neven baritone & Hans Eijsackers piano | 4 April | 19.30 | Wigmore Hall

RCM Sparks Family Music Day | 4 April | 10.30 | Royal College of Music

Peter & The Wolf Live | 8 April | 14.00, 16.00 | Royal Festival Hall

This month in BBC Music...the youth of today!

This month in the Strad...Germany

lmm recommends | march 19

Wandsworth school's music present 'a brighter sound' 2012 | southbank centre | 22 march | 5.00pm

rcm at the v&a | victoria & albert museum | 23 march | 6.30pm

lambeth school's music festival 2012 | southbank centre | 22 march - 23 march | 5.00pm

roberto fonseca | barbican centre | 26 march | 7.30pm

Mercy, mercy, mercy! I'm going to sing, sing, sing!

lmm recommends | monday 12 march

Sing Inspiration! 2012 | 12 &13 March

Aurora Orchestra: Far, Far Away | 13 March

Philharmonia Orchestra | 15 March

Nico Muhly and Britten Sinfonia with Owen Pallet & Missy Mazzoli | 16 March

Musical Characters: Family Day | 17 March

lmm recommends | monday 5 march

Barnardo's Annual Choir Competition and Concert | 6 March 2012 | 18:30 | Barbican Hall

rcm philharmonic orchestra | 8 march 2012 | 19.30 | Amaryllis Fleming Concert Hall

sarah gillespie | 9 march 2012 | 17.30 | the clore ballroom | southbank centre

milos karadaglic | 11 march | 11.30 | wigmore hall

Wind and Brass players visit the RCM!

FUNharmonics Family Concert

Cats and Dogs and slimy frogs

Piranhas bugs and honey bees

All the creatures great and small

from elephants to tiny fleas.

HEY!!

Marek Smagala's Work Experience Week

lmm recommends | Tuesday 7 February

London Symphony Orchestra | Kristjan JärviMusic by Bernstein, Copland, Milhaud and Ellington

London Symphony Orchestra | Sir Antonio PappanoMusic by Rachmaninov, Korngold and Bartók

London Chamber Orchestra | Christopher Warren GreenCaroline Goulding - Violin

London Philharmonic Orchestra | David Angus

Royal Albert Hall | the Elgar Room | hahn-bin

Year 1 visit the London Philharmonic Orchestra

lmm recommends

Debussy: Painter of Dreams | LSO St.Lukes | 1 February | 8.00 pm

The Soldier's Tale | Wigmore Hall | 4 February | 11.00 am

Composition for screen showcase | Britten Theatre | 7 February | 7.30 pm

Pictures at an exhibition | Southbank Centre | 11 February | 4.00 pm

lmm recommends | Tuesday 24 January

From Blue to Joy | southbank centre

Music to Die For

London Symphony Orchestra | Michael Tilson Thomas

London Contemporary Orchestra workshops

This month in Muso... Agata & Jennifer!

lmm recommends | Monday 9 January

Family gamelan taster sessions – Southbank Centre, Gamelan Room

Spaghetti Western Orchestra – Southbank Centre, Queen Elizabeth Hall

A Cappella Workshop 1: Voice Camp with Swingle Singers – Kings Place, Hall Two

Come and sing: French song, Wigmore hall

RCM at the Royal Festival Hall

London Symphony Orchestra , Thomas Adès – Barbican Hall

anakay koshka
13 april l 7.30pm l st john’s smith square

The Vocal Orchestra
18 April L 7pm L E4 Udderbelly Festival, Southbank Centre

London Symphony Orchestra | Kristjan Järvi
Music by Bernstein, Copland, Milhaud and Ellington

London Symphony Orchestra | Sir Antonio Pappano
Music by Rachmaninov, Korngold and Bartók

London Chamber Orchestra | Christopher Warren Green
Caroline Goulding - Violin

^{London Symphony Orchestra , Thomas Adès – Barbican Hall}