tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12291205291343635122024-03-25T14:05:54.789+00:00Music at King CharlesChamber music at Tunbridge Wells' most historic venue: the parish church of King Charles the MartyrRupert Preston Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04222363588122253811noreply@blogger.comBlogger183125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1229120529134363512.post-60412855614883085272024-02-26T14:21:00.000+00:002024-02-26T14:21:41.324+00:00Concerts in April and May 2024<p>Plans are well under way for a mini-series of concerts after Easter. Further details will be published soon! But here are the main details for your diary.</p><p><b>Saturday 27th April, 7pm - Opera Classics</b></p><p>Matchbox Opera present a fundraising concert of favourite arias and ensemble items in memory of Dr Mark Pasolo, with proceeds going to Mental Health Resource. This is a FREE concert with no ticket sales, but with a retiring collection. Popular Tunbridge Wells pianists Jong Gyung Park and Anthony Zerpa Falcon are the guest star accompanists. </p><p><b>Friday 10th May, 7pm - Phantasie: English works for piano trio with Ensemble Kopernikus</b></p><p>This is a wonderful English programme featuring music by Holst, Delius, Ireland and the little-known Kentish composer Percy Hilder Miles (1878-1922), whose works could be as beautiful and evocative as those of his more famous contemporaries. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axzfsP1e730" target="_blank">Get a taste of it here</a>. </p><p><b>Sunday 19th May, 7pm - Cambridge Renaissance Voices</b></p><p>Music by Palestrina and Tallis to celebrate the season of Whitsun, under the direction of Rupert Preston Bell.</p><p><br /></p>Rupert Preston Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04222363588122253811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1229120529134363512.post-4201167607769885132024-01-01T10:00:00.001+00:002024-01-01T10:00:00.138+00:00King Charles Festival Epiphany Concert<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn_hNZpTsxg0hs_Tl12Wk2-ZljL57tqaBbUVbBP2fOppEA9OQZoYCgC_0gc8vk1LQoKqP7oZe-Tmk7BpZjLkv539-qKYcudHsH_6s3BekTJ29RdakBPMUN_8SvtU-BynqSn9H0H8EQguvCACvOGkwCkyatNcXitHIsn98jH7AYDF6a0zeOhByYQr_k0cM/s837/DeiGratia.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="837" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn_hNZpTsxg0hs_Tl12Wk2-ZljL57tqaBbUVbBP2fOppEA9OQZoYCgC_0gc8vk1LQoKqP7oZe-Tmk7BpZjLkv539-qKYcudHsH_6s3BekTJ29RdakBPMUN_8SvtU-BynqSn9H0H8EQguvCACvOGkwCkyatNcXitHIsn98jH7AYDF6a0zeOhByYQr_k0cM/s320/DeiGratia.png" width="320" /></a></div><b>Saturday 27th January, 7pm </b><br /><br /><div>Experience music from the period when the chapel at the Wells dedicated to King Charles had recently been built, and Tunbridge Wells was beginning to flourish as a hyper-fashionable retreat for those in Society. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/mkctw" target="_blank">Book discounted tickets here</a> </div><div><br /></div><div>This concert forms part of the King Charles Festival, in which the church marks the anniversary of the execution of King Charles I (30th January 1649). Nowadays, this festival includes an <a href="http://kcmtw.org/events/the-king-charles-lecture/" target="_blank">annual lecture</a> and special services, celebrating the life of the parish, rather than the sombre services of repentence that originally took place on this date! <p></p><div>We are excited to welcome the Baroque ensemble '<a href="http://www.deigratiabaroque.org.uk/" target="_blank">Dei Gratia</a>'. They describe themselves as "a collective of professional musicians who specialise in Baroque (17th- and 18th-century) music on period instruments. Much well-known Baroque music, (e.g Handel's Messiah or Bach's John passion) was originally composed for performance in a Christian context and Dei Gratia seeks to return to this spirit of worship, breathing life into their performance of these works as an act of praise. The members of Dei Gratia are all active Christians with a heart for using their musical gifts to serve churches and communities, and to encourage performers and audiences alike to think again about the glorious inspiration of these masterpieces."</div><div><br /></div><div>Their programme celebrates the epiphany season through arias, duos and instrumental items with readings. Music by Bach, Handel, Buxtehude, Telemann, Locke and Green.</div></div>Rupert Preston Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04222363588122253811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1229120529134363512.post-85640375260397599212023-12-21T12:10:00.000+00:002023-12-21T12:10:00.815+00:00Past performers 2006-2023<p><i>Wishing all our supporters a very Happy Christmas and fulfilling New Year, with our annual updated list of all the wonderful performers we have been priviliged to host in recent years.</i></p><p>Adrian Bradbury | Adriano Graziani | Aiso Quartet | Alessandra Testai | Alex Metcalfe | Amanda Pitt | Ann Beilby | Anna Tilbrook | Anthony Zerpa-Falcon | Archaeus String Quartet | Archduke Trio | Barbirolli Quartet | Bennett Memorial School Chamber Choir | Bérengère Mauduit | Bethany Horak-Hallett | Bojan Čičić | Callum Smart | Cambridge Taverner Choir | Cantabile: The London Quartet | Caroline Balding | Cellists of the RPO | Charles Wiffen | Charlotte Bowden | Chelys Viol Consort | Chris Hatt | Chris Parsons | Christopher Sayles | Clio Gould | Daniel Auchinloss | David Chatterton | David Campbell | Daniel Edgar | Daniel Grimwood | Daniel Tong | David Owen-Norris | David Maw | David Owen Norris | Decimus Consort | Diana Moore | Dominic Bowe | Dulcinea Quartet | Eboracum Baroque | Edward Jowle | Eleanor Alberga | Ellen Smith | Emma Halnan | English Cornett and Sackbut Ensemble | Felicity Lott | Felix Buser | Fiona Brown | Florian Stortz | Follia | Frances Yonge | Gail Hennessey | Gary Branch | Gerald Finley | Giles Davies | Gilfillan family | Greg Tassell | Guy Johnstone | Hannah Roberts | Hugh Webb | Ibrahim Aziz | James Gilchrist | James Eastaway | Jamie McVinnie | Jane Gomm | Jennifer Snapes | Jenny Vizinet | Jonathan Ayling | Jong-Gyung Park | Joseph Wolfe | Julian Black | Julian Broughton | Julius Drake | Karen Jones | Karina Lucas | Kate Andrews | Kate Semmens | Katharine Johns | Katie Stillman | Kokoschka Trio | Konevets Quartet | Ken Aiso | King Charles Singers | Lianna Jeffrey | Linarol Consort | Liz Partridge | London Bridge Ensemble | London Concertante | Marcus Andrews | Mark Chambers | Margaret Faultless | Marie-France Ouellet | Marie-Noelle Kendall | Mark Padmore | Martin Bloor | Martin Fogel | Martin Perkins | Masahiro Yamaguchi | Matchbox Opera | Matt Glendening | Merry Opera | Michael Bacon | Michael Collins | Michael Grant | Michael McHale | Miriam Cox | Mirriam Teppich | Musical & Amicable Society |Nigel Clayton | Oliver Davies | Owen Rees | Paul Clark | Paul Jeffrey | Paul Guinery | Pentagon Ensemble | Peter Arnold | Peter Barker | Rachel Godsill | Rachel Stroud | Rachel Threlfall | Raphael Wallfisch | Rebecca Leggett | Richard Egarr | Richard Uttley | Robert Gibbs | Robin Jeffrey | Rory Carver | Roselyne Martel-Bonnal | Rose Trio | Royal Tunbridge Wells Male Voice Choir | Ruairi Bowen | Ruth Beedham | St Andrews University Madrigal Group | Sam Haywood | Sara Lois Cunningham | Sarah Stuart-Pennink | Sasha Grynyuk | Schubert Ensemble | Simon Lane | Sophia Lisovskaya | Sophie Rahman | Steve Pierce | Steven Devine | Temenos Chamber Choir | Teresa Caudle | Tim Gill | Tim Lines | Tom Bowes | Tom Foster | Tom Kemp | Tom Lilburn | Trajecti Voices | Trevor Eliot Bowes | Trio Lavolta | Tristan Gurney | Twilight Ensemble | Unexpected Opera | William Bass | William Summers | Yeo Yat Soon | Yukiko Shinohara</p>Rupert Preston Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04222363588122253811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1229120529134363512.post-21545121172656705172023-12-04T10:06:00.002+00:002023-12-04T10:13:29.271+00:00Another wonderful year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibpIDOTp7B1r8cnUDaXAPZ3BHIOHUnio7Sn4OIUvtyqdRsNJrTvRhXaxIYDcLsENXc5wh2O-Rep1HFdNFnltukvxgvpvP1WeqR4_LWPz4ML85EMan0ZCvhHdNxHxsOAH2N10IMtr1-l1WBqzXHlOGrJQVDS8n8EMHa1haTfEoBj12mBBDov03YsYVSRgg/s1280/cc3e1265-66a4-4d25-8e52-eed7f977e763.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="924" data-original-width="1280" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibpIDOTp7B1r8cnUDaXAPZ3BHIOHUnio7Sn4OIUvtyqdRsNJrTvRhXaxIYDcLsENXc5wh2O-Rep1HFdNFnltukvxgvpvP1WeqR4_LWPz4ML85EMan0ZCvhHdNxHxsOAH2N10IMtr1-l1WBqzXHlOGrJQVDS8n8EMHa1haTfEoBj12mBBDov03YsYVSRgg/s320/cc3e1265-66a4-4d25-8e52-eed7f977e763.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>An audience of nearly 200 were thrilled by Steven Devine's inventive and classy Vivaldi programme, rounding off another successful year of concerts at King Charles. The Devine Musicke and Decimus Consort pictured here in rehearsal.<div><br /></div><div>Our seven concerts this year have featured two of the country's most celebrated tenor soloists, James Gilchrist and Mark Padmore; Bennett Memorial school chamber choir; local rising star Hannah Roberts; the Musical & Amicable Society; and a fabulous opera gala. </div><div><br /></div><div>Our next concert falls on Saturday 27th January 2024 - the weekend of the King Charles Festival, on which the church marks the anniversary of the execution of King Charles I (30th January 1649). Nowadays, this festival includes an annual lecture and special services, celebrating the life of the parish, rather than the sombre services of repentence that originally took place on this date! </div><div><br /></div><div><b>King Charles Festival Epiphany Concert
Saturday 27th January, 7pm </b></div><div><a href="https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/mkctw" target="_blank">Booking information</a> </div><div>With Baroque ensemble 'Dei Gratia'. A programme celebrating the epiphany season through arias, duos and instrumental items with readings. Music by Bach, Handel, Buxtehude, Telemann, Locke and Green.
<br /></div><div><br /></div>Rupert Preston Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04222363588122253811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1229120529134363512.post-31463727400898508452023-10-17T08:44:00.004+01:002023-11-09T09:09:09.870+00:00Devine and Vivaldi: A Winter Vespers<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkkJ-tLMfW4PEoJf8Gy2D-fg0OjCnjSmDufNBGJSMtfKAAG0B8WuAWUyit1jtw7fL2QHdZdiEG7kIjWmyl7yjSVLmSoIGJ3DlkKyjSOmCHrzQRx-_iL4Q7Qw5tqdYt0bXVAISY_gOxI6603tVBvYQWVzDkP5Nlk8PCoCWWE4BIQHx0xE6W2b_otBR9olE/s1600/venice%20in%20winter.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkkJ-tLMfW4PEoJf8Gy2D-fg0OjCnjSmDufNBGJSMtfKAAG0B8WuAWUyit1jtw7fL2QHdZdiEG7kIjWmyl7yjSVLmSoIGJ3DlkKyjSOmCHrzQRx-_iL4Q7Qw5tqdYt0bXVAISY_gOxI6603tVBvYQWVzDkP5Nlk8PCoCWWE4BIQHx0xE6W2b_otBR9olE/s320/venice%20in%20winter.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><b>A Winter Vespers Sequence<br />Saturday 25 November, 7pm</b><br /><p></p><p><a href="https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/mkctw/t-novloky" target="_blank">Booking information here</a></p><p>Performed by the Decimus Ensemble and the orchestra of Devine Music – principal players of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, The Academy of Ancient Music and others, directed by Steven Devine. </p><p>Since 2018, Steven Devine has been staging an annual concert at King Charles the Martyr in the run-up to Christmas, including unforgettable performances of Handel's Messiah and Bach's Christmas Oratorio. </p><p>This year's programme features Vivaldi's 'Magnificat', RV 610; Psalm settings for choir and orchestra; Concerto for violin, oboe, organ and strings, RV 554; Concerto for two oboes, RV 535; and 'Winter' from The Four Seasons.</p><p><b>Performers</b></p><p>THE DEVINE MUSICK, director Steven Devine <br />Oboes: James Eastaway, Gail Hennessey
<br />Violin 1: Caroline Balding, Christiane Eidsten Dahl
<br />Violin 2: Rebecca Harris, Sophie Simpson
<br />Viola: Lisa Cochrane
<br />Cello: Andrew Skidmore
<br />Bass: Peter Mcarthy
<br />Harpsichord & Organ: Steven Devine </p><p>DECIMUS CONSORT<br />Soprano: Kate Baker, Caroline Preston Bell, Ellen Smith,
Polly Walton. <br />Alto: Christina Astin, Nicholas Perkins, Ben Toombs. <br />Tenor: Alex Churchill, Stephen Pritchard, Philip Mills. <br />Bass: Keith Bryant, Nick Handel, Rupert Preston Bell.</p>Rupert Preston Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04222363588122253811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1229120529134363512.post-44708537638330229092023-10-12T08:13:00.001+01:002023-10-12T08:18:58.148+01:0014 October: On Wenlock Edge<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSGPn2PhDqQd3IXIPnQchRq6IP6ZsNRgbdtwwygI1OoD6xJ12e24LpE9e90Lev5xlcfMBS1NS4fpMQaJiDye2dNNvAnQzU9XWUUKtkeiJ7rYZDV8dG32y5hc0ECgvYLMZXcAEeLyYGAsKuASBcj_e8G-QQTmlQDTsYQGgIuGq4gfmB2YupJ5P5oOGDeVM/s2000/mark-padmore.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSGPn2PhDqQd3IXIPnQchRq6IP6ZsNRgbdtwwygI1OoD6xJ12e24LpE9e90Lev5xlcfMBS1NS4fpMQaJiDye2dNNvAnQzU9XWUUKtkeiJ7rYZDV8dG32y5hc0ECgvYLMZXcAEeLyYGAsKuASBcj_e8G-QQTmlQDTsYQGgIuGq4gfmB2YupJ5P5oOGDeVM/s320/mark-padmore.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b>Mark Padmore and Chamber Domaine</b><br /><b>Saturday 14 October, 7pm</b><p></p><p>Vaughan Williams 'On Wenlock Edge'<br />Elgar Piano Quintet<br />Songs by Rebecca Clarke</p><p><a href="https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/booking/select/lXRnQxwAmVMo" target="_blank">Book tickets here</a> </p><p><b>Mark Padmore</b> was born in London and studied at King’s College, Cambridge. He has established an international career in opera, concert and recital. His appearances in Bach Passions have gained particular notice, especially his renowned performances as Evangelist in the St Matthew and St John Passions with the Berlin Philharmonic and Simon Rattle, staged by Peter Sellars. The current season focuses on recitals, including performances in Barcelona and Madrid with Julius Drake; Alicante with the Elias String Quartet; the Muziekgebouw Amsterdam with Till Fellner; the Théâtre de l’Athénée Paris with Julius Drake and Schubert Winterreise with Mitsuko Uchida at Carnegie Hall New York, the Kimmel Center Philadelphia and the University of California at Berkeley. </p><p>Following a residency at Wigmore Hall in the 2021/22 season where he celebrated his relationship with pianists Till Fellner, Imogen Cooper, Mitsuko Uchida and Paul Lewis he returned to Wigmore Hall last season singing Vaughan Williams and Fauré with the Elias Quartet and James Baillieu. The 2022/23 season also saw him appear on stage in the title role of a new production of Monteverdi Il ritorno d’Ulisse in patria conducted by Fabio Biondi, sing the world première of Mark-Anthony Turnage’s song cycle A constant obsession with the Nash Ensemble and give concerts with Sinfonieorchester Basel and Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen. </p><p>Mark’s most recent appearance at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden was a new production of Britten’s Death in Venice, where his performance was described as a “tour de force” and “exquisite of voice, [presenting] Aschenbach’s physical and spiritual breakdown with extraordinary detail and insight”. Other opera roles have included Captain Vere in Britten Billy Budd and Evangelist in a staging of St Matthew Passion for the Glyndebourne Festival and leading roles in Harrison Birtwistle The Corridor and The Cure at the Aldeburgh Festival. </p><p>In concert Mark performs with the world’s leading orchestras. He was Artist in Residence for the 2017/18 season with the Berlin Philharmonic and held a similar position with the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra in 2016/17. His work with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment has involved projects exploring both the Bach St John and St Matthew Passion without conductor which attracted worldwide acclaim. His extensive and award-winning discography includes Schumann Dichterliebe with Kristian Bezuidenhout and Schubert song cycles with Paul Lewis, both for Harmonia Mundi. Described by the New York Times as “Schubert Masters” Mark Padmore and Mitsuko Uchida recently embarked on a series of highly acclaimed, worldwide recitals and this partnership has culminated in a recording on Decca Classics of Schubert Schwanengesang and Beethoven An die ferne Geliebte. Mark was Artistic Director of the St. Endellion Summer Music Festival in Cornwall from 2012-2022, voted 2016 Vocalist of the Year by Musical America and appointed CBE in the 2019 Queens’ Birthday Honours List.</p><p><b>Chamber Domaine</b> is a trailblazing ensemble acclaimed for its virtuosity, distinctive programming and passionate advocacy of the music from the 20th and 21st Centuries. Chamber Domaine features some of the UK’s most outstanding musicians and aims to bring new work to new audiences placing the music of our time into its context. Its innovative programming, collaborations, recording and outreach place the ensemble at the forefront of music-making today.</p><p>Under its music director, Thomas Kemp, the ensemble regularly appears at leading festivals and concert series in the UK and abroad. Forthcoming appearances include Deal International Festival, Norfolk and Norwich Festival, Three Choirs Festival and Wigmore Hall where it will be performing Six Brandenburgs: Six Commissions in June 2025. In a recent five star review The Observer described its interpretations as “superbly performed” : The Artsdesk praised the ensemble for its “metaphysical brilliance… a colossal achievement made up of seemingly effortless and joyous playing meeting with an equally joyous audience response.” The New York Times praised its residency at Bargemusic for its “intriguing programming and unabashed lushness”.</p><p>The ensemble has an award winning discography on Resonus and Signum. The Gramophone commented on a recent recording “…a wealth of timbral subtlety…utterly magical…a tremendous sense of vitality and commitment.”</p><p>The ensemble has worked with many of the world’s leading composers and has given many territorial and world premieres in concerts and recordings. Recent collaborations have included Earth, Water, Air and Fire - featuring music by Deborah Pritchard and George Frideric Handel with art by Maggi Hambling CBE and Marc Chagall and collaborations with composer Brian Elias and Sir Anish Kapoor at the Brighton Festival.</p><p>Chamber Domaine are the resident ensemble for Music@Malling giving concerts and outreach: a year around programme that engages hundreds of young people and adults from across Kent in creative activities. This groundbreaking programme aims to create an artistic resource for the local area that is of outstanding quality; bringing excellence to people’s doorsteps. Music@Malling was in The Guardian’s Top Ten Operas and Concerts of 2022.</p><div><br /></div><p><br /></p>Rupert Preston Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04222363588122253811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1229120529134363512.post-76185474626784061592023-10-11T18:33:00.004+01:002023-10-11T18:33:50.236+01:00Piano recital cancelled<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitO_zv_hekqGTpdCMn0QVJhMM3tT3LffbH4RVps7QQ77Y0BTIGeMgn6g9t54gR1-Me5DWZnJUmT_2Aj1Nj5doLRnIel7CxmoM9zjznizKOLNeg3L-p8sLkJ34EL8GjrYf7JBw_FJ6vCUdPbkNjJa-_Umm2C7ZTzGfc7b5Ukjb2OSLv3SlrhbN2Xl7J4gI/s4667/clare-hammond.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4667" data-original-width="3500" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitO_zv_hekqGTpdCMn0QVJhMM3tT3LffbH4RVps7QQ77Y0BTIGeMgn6g9t54gR1-Me5DWZnJUmT_2Aj1Nj5doLRnIel7CxmoM9zjznizKOLNeg3L-p8sLkJ34EL8GjrYf7JBw_FJ6vCUdPbkNjJa-_Umm2C7ZTzGfc7b5Ukjb2OSLv3SlrhbN2Xl7J4gI/w150-h200/clare-hammond.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><b>Thursday 12th October, 7pm<br />Clare Hammond, piano recital</b><p></p><p>We regret this concert has had to be cancelled / postponed due to illness. </p><p><br /></p>Rupert Preston Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04222363588122253811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1229120529134363512.post-54750731717555268182023-10-07T23:36:00.003+01:002023-10-07T23:36:28.649+01:00Magical evening at the opera<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcU-lEZSfqJ9A_2w6Bge3gKqYq1B7-5JytTHu-u8xzYbVsA5RoGQP3wmUoMqTFJl5jFkCxCUbq31J2Buk5s-80IU3t_gf7haO-gWa11i3kZMPSQWcTSob75If3wSbuurposKfUCBPJ-iZYxE6x1C3xmWEgbMoqCvhMTMP1qmJzjzVmvEA_3SuCpn61pP8/s1024/image0%20(24).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcU-lEZSfqJ9A_2w6Bge3gKqYq1B7-5JytTHu-u8xzYbVsA5RoGQP3wmUoMqTFJl5jFkCxCUbq31J2Buk5s-80IU3t_gf7haO-gWa11i3kZMPSQWcTSob75If3wSbuurposKfUCBPJ-iZYxE6x1C3xmWEgbMoqCvhMTMP1qmJzjzVmvEA_3SuCpn61pP8/w400-h300/image0%20(24).jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>King Charles church was crowded for a magical evening, with stars Charlotte Bowden, Rebecca Leggett and Edward Jowle, accompanied by Julian Black. <div><br /></div><div>What a night! We enjoyed a terrific programme by these talented and versatile young performers, and hope they will come again.</div>Rupert Preston Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04222363588122253811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1229120529134363512.post-86228294839184711032023-09-19T19:25:00.002+01:002023-09-20T15:04:35.301+01:00OPERA GALA 7th October<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg00gM3UnohNapMyo6AjQUAbQ8qq0vX5Ov2zqATnXzFVuQofhTj02GgJsSAbeRJSmP-b3kHAy88ZgRuycf8_UI30SH-RdEAbayuUGY8WlJYyIZmgeY_sTbjo4MiwDl0s9pRL9dv9EtBoSQrUHHqCLOb7RtYrz6hg0zXWlAQXQScwnLcTG1-FM0P-gwzd1A/s793/operagalaflyer.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="793" data-original-width="568" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg00gM3UnohNapMyo6AjQUAbQ8qq0vX5Ov2zqATnXzFVuQofhTj02GgJsSAbeRJSmP-b3kHAy88ZgRuycf8_UI30SH-RdEAbayuUGY8WlJYyIZmgeY_sTbjo4MiwDl0s9pRL9dv9EtBoSQrUHHqCLOb7RtYrz6hg0zXWlAQXQScwnLcTG1-FM0P-gwzd1A/s320/operagalaflyer.jpg" width="229" /></a></div>‘Deception & Delirium’ - arias and ensembles delving into dramatic intrigues, and heightened emotions of operatic plots, with Charlotte Bowden - soprano, Rebecca Leggett - Mezzo Soprano, and Edward Jowle - Baritone. <p></p><p>Ticket price includes interval refreshments. Limited tickets available. <a href="https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/twimf" target="_blank">BOOK NOW!</a></p><p>These young opera stars, and pianist extraordinaire Julian Black, are set to entertain and dazzle you with their virtuosity and sense of fun. Expect the usual mixture of tears and laughter, bizarre plot twists, intense passion, and comic relief. And all accompanied by a relaxed interval with drinks and other refreshments, making this a fully sociable and rewarding evening out.
</p><p><a href="https://fb.me/e/3LE7D3lrH" target="_blank">Share on Facebook</a></p><p>Charlotte Bowden is a recent graduate of the Royal College of Music Opera Studio. She is also an alumna of the Verbier Festival Atelier Lyrique, Glyndebourne/Jerwood, Opera Holland Park, Britten-Pears, and Philip and Dorothy Green Young Artist programmes. As a 2022 Jerwood Young Artist Charlotte made her debut as Barbarina in Le Nozze di Figaro for Glyndebourne Festival, which she reprised and covered Susanna for the Glyndebourne Tour. She has sung in concert at the Royal Albert Hall, Wigmore Hall, Cadogan Hall, Snape Maltings, the Aldeburgh Festival and the London Song Festival. A finalist in the 2022 Kathleen Ferrier Awards, she gained second prize and the Audience Prize in the 2018 Maureen Lehane Vocal Awards. This year Charlotte played the Dew Fairy in Hänsel und Gretel at Opera Holland Park and will return to Glyndebourne as Zerlina in Don Giovanni in the autumn.</p><p>Edward Jowle is a recent graduate of the Royal College of Music Opera Studio. A Samling Artist and an alumnus of the Verbier Festival Atelier Lyrique, he also won the 2022 Somerset Song Prize as well as being a prize-winner of the 2021 Cesti Competition and a finalist of the 2021 Kathleen Ferrier Awards. This year he appeared with English Touring Opera as Emireno/Ottone, Lesbo/Agrippina, Gubetta/Lucrezia Borgia, Antonio/Il viaggio a Reims and Curio/Giulio Cesare as well as playing Starveling in Polly Graham’s new production of Purcell’s The Fairy Queen at Loughborough. In concert he has performed Messiah in Lincoln Cathedral and with The Really Big Chorus at the Albert Hall, as well as Vaughan Williams’ Five Mystical Songs with Sloane Square Choral Society. This summer he returned to the London Song Festival for the world premiere of Granville Bantock’s song cycle The Sphynx.</p><p>Rebecca Leggett is a 2020 masters graduate of the Royal College of Music, having graduated from Trinity Laban Conservatoire with the TCM Trust Silver Medal for Voice. This year Rebecca became an OAE ‘Rising Star’ 2023/25 and will perform Bach’s Easter Oratorio with the group next spring. This summer she began the 11th edition of the Jardin des Voix of Les Arts Florissants with William Christie and will tour with the ensemble in a new production of Purcell’s The Fairy Queen. Rebecca enjoys performing song repertoire and took first place at the LSF British Art Song Competition 2022 with pianist George Ireland. They were then finalists in the Kathleen Ferrier Award 2023 at the Wigmore Hall.</p><p>Julian Black studied conducting with Paul Brough and worked as a freelance repetiteur in London. Highlights included working with Sir Antonio Pappano on Keith Warner’s Ring Cycle at the Royal Opera House, as the Assistant Conductor to Ollie Gooch for the world premiere of Tarik O’Regan’s opera Heart of Darkness at the Linbury Theatre and accompanying performances for the ENO’s Young Artists scheme. He then took up a full-time repetiteur’s position at the Hamburg State Opera, playing on productions including Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, Falstaff and Don Carlo.</p><p><br /></p>Rupert Preston Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04222363588122253811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1229120529134363512.post-17242028792713840302023-09-10T20:25:00.001+01:002023-09-10T20:29:57.223+01:00Sing for Joy on 16 September<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitT7TiaS6YMMOjZZoPhp7gjoF5kh18aIyCWG7HjWayuL0yttXjQvrl0rK0BAQvVJTGW-cwaBiQ8HxHztb5CrzQRWk2a0ltfr1KBrKcObEmSknk1bUiIZ2URA5jtw89laia25l23IEifeGYMpDA92QKvR1L0hMpkpfO9hFR6VRBZv16Yi0RFVgV03uVbtc/s893/bennetconcert.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="738" data-original-width="893" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitT7TiaS6YMMOjZZoPhp7gjoF5kh18aIyCWG7HjWayuL0yttXjQvrl0rK0BAQvVJTGW-cwaBiQ8HxHztb5CrzQRWk2a0ltfr1KBrKcObEmSknk1bUiIZ2URA5jtw89laia25l23IEifeGYMpDA92QKvR1L0hMpkpfO9hFR6VRBZv16Yi0RFVgV03uVbtc/s320/bennetconcert.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Join us for an evening of uplifting sacred and secular music by the Bennet Memorial School Chamber Choir. <div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/mkctw/sing-for-joy/e-ggdmoo" target="_blank">Booking information</a><br /><p></p><p>This is the school’s premier choir and membership is by audition only. The choir rehearses three times a week and enjoys taking part in events both in school and the wider community. Highlights recently have been ‘A night at the Proms’ with the Maidstone Salvation Army Band, and a performance of Faure’s Requiem at St Barnabas church and a tour of Amsterdam and The Hague in February 2023. </p><p>Proceeds from this concert are generously donated towards <a href="http://kcmtw.org/about/hall/" target="_blank">A Hall for All</a> - the fundraising campaign for the new community hall at King Charles.</p></div>Rupert Preston Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04222363588122253811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1229120529134363512.post-754641712932613512023-08-29T11:36:00.000+01:002023-08-29T11:36:59.000+01:00Fiddlers Three: music of the Restoration court<p><strong></strong></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbN_s_JnT2hScjmrc4TQkm_-_PnZVZ_KXhcG-mcj_wp_L2S9zQFWvAW-wQAbttVn_9cHqXLkMAr8-_fV8v6hL3VzEwvvAlrS4vdJQst4fd104yXK9_rnVziOxZnDYO5KR3IH-7OG9_OhQr0luJ2qggSTXefizjjcFl9Gn06IMcv0vMV2lXU6js__W1G-Y/s938/image002.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="938" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbN_s_JnT2hScjmrc4TQkm_-_PnZVZ_KXhcG-mcj_wp_L2S9zQFWvAW-wQAbttVn_9cHqXLkMAr8-_fV8v6hL3VzEwvvAlrS4vdJQst4fd104yXK9_rnVziOxZnDYO5KR3IH-7OG9_OhQr0luJ2qggSTXefizjjcFl9Gn06IMcv0vMV2lXU6js__W1G-Y/s320/image002.png" width="320" /></a></strong></div><strong><br />Friday 8th September, 7pm<br /></strong><strong>Fiddlers Three</strong>: An exuberant Baroque recital by the Musical & Amicable Society - three violins, lute and continuo. <a href="https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/mkctw/t-vvzxglg"><b>Tickets available here</b></a> <p></p><p>This is music that absolutely belongs in King Charles church. It's from the same period as when the church was built, with music by Purcell and his contemporaries. In previous performances of tmusic from this period, we've been immediately struck by how well it fits with the atmosphere and architecture of the building. Think of Samuel Pepys and John Evelyn, both subscribers to the church's construction, hearing and tapping their feet to this music - and the court and the King, Charles II himself, bringing fun and laughter back into public life after the Puritan years of the Civil War. </p><p>Based in the midlands, this is one of the country's premier Baroque ensembles, led by Dr Martin Perkins, Head of Historical Performance at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. <br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSbk0S-sYH0ieMYIchllci_lG0JRtoEuOqeagh3SFZDxko7W4rjkRuLe42ENZOV0tuW6Ua3zY1DCHKLuK0BI2S1DisMfandPcd59aoVVTyNjKwTIkNomljmBghqYr4ALqNOZLME6eet6T6nxKFCuPaGxHdMBDapGrhrkJQ63bCMl_qrmo0ZidQw-PTu7U/s6000/-A6500043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSbk0S-sYH0ieMYIchllci_lG0JRtoEuOqeagh3SFZDxko7W4rjkRuLe42ENZOV0tuW6Ua3zY1DCHKLuK0BI2S1DisMfandPcd59aoVVTyNjKwTIkNomljmBghqYr4ALqNOZLME6eet6T6nxKFCuPaGxHdMBDapGrhrkJQ63bCMl_qrmo0ZidQw-PTu7U/w640-h426/-A6500043.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Martin Perkins</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><i><b>COMING SOON</b></i></p><div class="default-style"><strong>Saturday 16th September, 7pm</strong></div><div class="default-style"><strong>Sing for Joy</strong> - a concert by Bennett Memorial School Chamber Choir</div><div class="default-style">An evening of uplifting sacred and secular music by the school's premier choir, in support of the Hall for All campaign.</div><div class="default-style"><a href="https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/mkctw/sing-for-joy/e-ggdmoo">Tickets available here</a> </div><div class="default-style"><br /></div><div class="default-style">And watch out for the <a href="https://www.twellsmusicfest.co.uk/" target="_blank">Tunbridge Wells International Music Festival concerts at KCM</a>, including a fantastic opera gala, and 'On Wenlock Edge' by Vaughan Williams with tenor Mark Padmore...</div>Rupert Preston Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04222363588122253811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1229120529134363512.post-36399802944093447162023-07-29T13:01:00.002+01:002023-08-07T06:52:11.069+01:00Summer concerts coming up!<p><strong></strong></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhos9bEzZFHeMc62HgolpYifPMqyzKLlI-hdRA737_WBufT96eoTrdgf-EYALNpGJ6IPp7-HQfXqnto19axxhkjn_rJC5mkOFxj-T_tiuRPLOfsELyJFZm1uppM30XQjCvzmZn8Gj7Z7qbr_V51OtmNM5itDxo0kMnpp6tOZbWbnY1knpwIM9ozRYTjnwY/s513/hannah_roberts.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="513" data-original-width="507" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhos9bEzZFHeMc62HgolpYifPMqyzKLlI-hdRA737_WBufT96eoTrdgf-EYALNpGJ6IPp7-HQfXqnto19axxhkjn_rJC5mkOFxj-T_tiuRPLOfsELyJFZm1uppM30XQjCvzmZn8Gj7Z7qbr_V51OtmNM5itDxo0kMnpp6tOZbWbnY1knpwIM9ozRYTjnwY/s320/hannah_roberts.jpg" width="316" /></a></strong></div><strong>Monday 28th August, 12 noon<br /></strong><b>Free lunchtime recital by Hannah Roberts<br /></b>Flute, song and piano. A delightful afternoon's concert raising funds for the King Charles community Hall for All a project to refurbish and reimagine the King Charles church hall as a multi-purpose community centre.<p></p>
<div class="default-style"><strong>Friday 8th September, 7pm</strong></div>
<div class="default-style"><strong>Fiddlers Three</strong>: An exuberant Baroque recital by the Musical & Amicable Society - three violins, lute and continuo. Based in the midlands, this is one of the country's premier Baroque ensembles, led by Dr Martin Perkins, Head of Historical Performance at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. The music is from the same period as when the church was built, and will transport you back to the wit and excess of the court of Charles II.</div>
<div class="default-style"><a href="https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/mkctw/t-vvzxglg">Tickets available here</a> </div>
<div class="default-style"> </div>
<div class="default-style"><strong>Saturday 16th September, 7pm</strong><br /><strong>Sing for Joy</strong> - a concert by Bennett Memorial School Chamber Choir</div>
<div class="default-style">An evening of uplifting sacred and secular music by the school's premier choir, also in support of the Hall for All campaign.</div>
<div class="default-style"><a href="https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/mkctw/sing-for-joy/e-ggdmoo">Tickets available here</a> </div><div class="default-style"><br /></div><div class="default-style">Coming soon... <a href="https://www.twellsmusicfest.co.uk/" target="_blank">Tunbridge Wells International Music Festival concerts at KCM</a>, including 'On Wenlock Edge' by Vaughan Williams, with tenor Mark Padmore...</div>Rupert Preston Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04222363588122253811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1229120529134363512.post-53759318618835770702023-06-24T10:16:00.000+01:002023-06-24T10:16:06.596+01:00Remembering Peter Barker<p>We learnt with sadness of the death of Peter Barker recently, Radio 3 announcer and a past performer here at King Charles the Martyr.</p><p>Peter was joined by colleague Paul Guinery for <a href="https://mkctw.blogspot.com/2013/08/babar-and-animal-kingdom.html?m=0">a rendition of Babar the Elephant here in 2013</a>, as part of one of his retirement projects referenced in his obituary in the Telegraph this week.</p><p>Older members of the audience were reminded of his unflappable newsreading and gentile delivery on the radio, and we all enjoyed meeting him very much. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBvkdW46BCWqbSmxvUvKdrncHRjb_TtCmq55nOEoBZa256eRWJyzAelBoPK-56NNjNurTlGrZmModxVWvov62l21qwMsRUtUFfwDeP5yKYlwNZvzthZUrmQqxMXu7yIgStvPcKRRIH3T3GXM8TZoYYhCk1Bk9jpHXR9CHjo8_-TobIitw0h3KUksoaLgk/s3860/IMG_7999.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2596" data-original-width="3860" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBvkdW46BCWqbSmxvUvKdrncHRjb_TtCmq55nOEoBZa256eRWJyzAelBoPK-56NNjNurTlGrZmModxVWvov62l21qwMsRUtUFfwDeP5yKYlwNZvzthZUrmQqxMXu7yIgStvPcKRRIH3T3GXM8TZoYYhCk1Bk9jpHXR9CHjo8_-TobIitw0h3KUksoaLgk/w640-h430/IMG_7999.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>Rupert Preston Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04222363588122253811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1229120529134363512.post-37814479125172088722023-05-04T09:09:00.001+01:002023-05-04T09:09:17.523+01:00Music Festival 2023: first dates announced<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSRYKFizm_GG7jfItgp5ahI-JOycKtII4mRqawvUbxltJMxZTD3A6s_2zmGCG6g3IjBcz00xzm027qMnQ8ywHKHYa_WtVGWq8C6lu0P0_JvyO2AkRgo_vQ-955ij_flhrsJzzekZq08clzeSYhl4_2biydeWY4Cw9dKQObdAKcFdXYZ2piIl2ssYS1/s793/flyer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="793" data-original-width="592" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSRYKFizm_GG7jfItgp5ahI-JOycKtII4mRqawvUbxltJMxZTD3A6s_2zmGCG6g3IjBcz00xzm027qMnQ8ywHKHYa_WtVGWq8C6lu0P0_JvyO2AkRgo_vQ-955ij_flhrsJzzekZq08clzeSYhl4_2biydeWY4Cw9dKQObdAKcFdXYZ2piIl2ssYS1/s320/flyer.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>The annual Tunbridge Wells International Music Festival is set for another terrific season this October.<p></p><p>Opening with the Tunbridge Wells Symphony Orchestra's autumn concert, the series will include three performances at King Charles the Martyr, including a special fundraising Opera Gala.</p><p>Sunday 1 October, 3pm: Royal Tunbridge Wells Symphony Orchestra at the Assembly Hall</p><p>Saturday 7 October, 7pm: Opera Gala at King Charles the Martyr church</p><p>Thursday 12 October, 7pm: Piano recital by Clare Hammond, at King Charles the Martyr</p><p>Saturday 14 October, 7pm: On Wenlock Edge by Vaughan Williams, with tenor Mark Padmore, at King Charles the Martyr</p><p>More details will be announced soon. Keep an eye on the <a href="https://twellsmusicfest.co.uk/" target="_blank">Festival website</a> and follow it on <a href="https://twitter.com/TW_MusicFest" target="_blank">Twitter </a>for more details in the coming weeks.</p>Rupert Preston Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04222363588122253811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1229120529134363512.post-72662124924574474572023-02-05T09:02:00.003+00:002023-03-02T07:47:14.573+00:00'Inn Stetter Hut': concert 17 March<p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbYcAGy4C4hbN48Y2ut-GFkeS4xJr2905sjhios-vEvdetBPzuDuwVLEKliB0vTP_MOXQblzjlVOfk9iGCjQjR6x6pmIjTMjSOx7F_y_yJL9UlgMjbSwAvNpYb4_dVVLjg3lrU3AD3tJNQE3hIOe0yf-OgFsVg7BsKBP3OH1Dm4u1aKTlp8v1vaKHz/s388/linarol.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="387" data-original-width="388" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbYcAGy4C4hbN48Y2ut-GFkeS4xJr2905sjhios-vEvdetBPzuDuwVLEKliB0vTP_MOXQblzjlVOfk9iGCjQjR6x6pmIjTMjSOx7F_y_yJL9UlgMjbSwAvNpYb4_dVVLjg3lrU3AD3tJNQE3hIOe0yf-OgFsVg7BsKBP3OH1Dm4u1aKTlp8v1vaKHz/s320/linarol.JPG" width="320" /></a></b></div><b>Friday 17th March</b><p></p><p><i>Music for the richest man in the world</i><br />James Gilchrist (tenor) and the Linarol Consort <br />CD launch tour<br />16th Century German Love Songs<br /><a href="https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/mkctw/james-gilchrist-the-linarol-consort/e-oxbxld" target="_blank">Book tickets</a> (advance booking discount)</p><p>A concert of enchanting sixteenth-century song performed by one it its leading exponents and authentically accompanied on copies of the earliest surviving viol.</p><p>Love in all is various forms (unrequited, romantic and lascivious mischief) is explored in the songs by leading musical figures working in Maximilian’s court: Heinrich Isaac, Paul Hofhaimer and Ludwig Senfl, one of the most prolific composers of German song and secular music of the period.</p><p>As well as to Tunbridge Wells, the <a href="https://linarolconsort.com/" target="_blank">Linarol Consort</a> are bringing this programme to Oxford and Cambridge as part of a tour to launch their new recording of the music. You can read more about it in this <a href="https://medieval.ox.ac.uk/2023/01/31/16c-german-love-song/" target="_blank">Oxford Medieval Studies article</a>.</p><p>Tenor <a href="https://www.jamesgilchrist.co.uk/" target="_blank">James Gilchrist</a> began his working life as a doctor, turning to a full-time music career in 1996. His extensive concert repertoire has seen him perform in major concert halls throughout the world with renowned conductors including Sir John Eliot Gardiner, Sir Roger Norrington, Bernard Labadie, Harry Christophers, Harry Bicket, Masaaki Suzuki and Richard Hickox. </p><p>A master of English music, he has performed Britten’s Church Parables in St Petersburg, in London and at the Aldeburgh Festival, Nocturne with the NHK Symphony in Tokyo and War Requiem with the San Francisco Symphony and the National Youth Orchestra of Germany. Recent highlights have included singing the role of Rev. Adams in Britten’s Peter Grimes in Deborah Warner’s award-winning production at the Teatro Real in Madrid, and for his company debut at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, as well as with Bergen Philharmonic and Edward Gardner with performances at the Edinburgh International Festival, the Royal Festival Hall, Grieghallen and Den Norske Opera. </p>Rupert Preston Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04222363588122253811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1229120529134363512.post-90509022850854319952023-01-01T17:47:00.002+00:002023-01-19T08:24:33.884+00:00Concerts coming up in 2023: booking info<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiGonW0jn8hwDE9L4cTxEGYqMZs2A-JzbXWEIcsJ06ANxIqVGyrzgl-mJOU1fpZuY0wTQRL42lwG9e_VL1kAs8YaVNbMDHuBT3_RmQFXfH75E9F0mWRHGKEmtCbsoRUi6M946G1qajoQ91r_9Rb_bmOS4SWhyaXn6tvYM-TolxaUPwyRXU_xipljLg/s750/kcmtw_clock.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="657" data-original-width="750" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiGonW0jn8hwDE9L4cTxEGYqMZs2A-JzbXWEIcsJ06ANxIqVGyrzgl-mJOU1fpZuY0wTQRL42lwG9e_VL1kAs8YaVNbMDHuBT3_RmQFXfH75E9F0mWRHGKEmtCbsoRUi6M946G1qajoQ91r_9Rb_bmOS4SWhyaXn6tvYM-TolxaUPwyRXU_xipljLg/s320/kcmtw_clock.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div><p></p><p>We wish all our supporters a very happy and fulfilling New Year!</p><p>Plans are already under way for another exciting Autumn season in 2023. In the meantime, we are looking forward to a few special events earlier in the year. </p><p><b>Friday 17th March</b><br />James Gilchrist (tenor) and the Linarol Consort <br />CD launch tour<br />16 th Century German Love Songs - Inn Stetter Hut<br /><a href="https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/mkctw/james-gilchrist-the-linarol-consort/e-oxbxld" target="_blank">Book tickets</a></p><p>A concert of enchanting sixteenth-century song performed by one it its leading exponents and authentically accompanied on copies of the earliest surviving viol.</p><p>Love in all is various forms (unrequited, romantic and lascivious mischief) is explored in the songs by leading musical figures working in Maximilian’s court: Heinrich Isaac, Paul Hofhaimer and Ludwig Senfl, one of the most prolific composers of German song and secular music of the period.</p><p><b>Friday 28th April</b><br />Handel's Messiah, presented by Merry Opera<br /><a href="https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/merryopera/merry-operas-staged-messiah-tunbridge-wells-king-charles-the-martyr-church/e-ppqyjj" target="_blank">Book tickets</a></p><p>This unique and highly acclaimed staged production of Handel's Messiah, now in its fourteenth tour, has already seen by over 11,000 people across the UK.</p><p><br /></p>Rupert Preston Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04222363588122253811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1229120529134363512.post-53079952889521649492022-12-28T12:29:00.000+00:002022-12-28T12:29:03.105+00:00Past performers 2006-2022<p>After an eventful year when we returned to hosting concerts without restrictions, here is our regular look back at the growing list of fantastic performers we have been priviliged to host. We wish all our supporters a Happy New Year!</p><p>Adrian Bradbury | Adriano Graziani | Aiso Quartet | Alessandra Testai | Alex Metcalfe | Amanda Pitt | Ann Beilby | Anna Tilbrook | Anthony Zerpa-Falcon | Archaeus String Quartet | Archduke Trio | Barbirolli Quartet | Bérengère Mauduit | Bethany Horak-Hallett | Bojan Čičić | Callum Smart | Cambridge Taverner Choir | Cantabile: The London Quartet | Cellists of the RPO | Charles Wiffen | Chelys Viol Consort | Chris Hatt | Chris Parsons | Christopher Sayles | Clio Gould | Daniel Auchinloss | David Chatterton | David Campbell | Daniel Edgar | Daniel Grimwood | Daniel Tong | David Owen-Norris | David Maw | David Owen Norris | Decimus Consort | Diana Moore | Dominic Bowe | Dulcinea Quartet | Eboracum Baroque | Eleanor Alberga | Ellen Smith | Emma Halnan | English Cornett and Sackbut Ensemble | Felicity Lott | Felix Buser | Fiona Brown | Florian Stortz | Follia | Frances Yonge | Gary Branch | Gerald Finley | Giles Davies | Gilfillan family | Greg Tassell | Guy Johnstone | Hugh Webb | Ibrahim Aziz | James Gilchrist | Jamie McVinnie | Jane Gomm | Jennifer Snapes | Jenny Vizinet | Jonathan Ayling | Jong-Gyung Park | Joseph Wolfe | Julian Broughton | Julius Drake | Karen Jones | Karina Lucas | Kate Andrews | Kate Semmens | Katharine Johns | Katie Stillman | Kokoschka Trio | Konevets Quartet | Ken Aiso | King Charles Singers | Lianna Jeffrey | Liz Partridge | London Bridge Ensemble | London Concertante | Marcus Andrews | Mark Chambers | Margaret Faultless | Marie-France Ouellet | Marie-Noelle Kendall | Martin Bloor | Martin Fogel | Masahiro Yamaguchi | Matchbox Opera | Matt Glendening | Merry Opera | Michael Bacon | Michael Collins | Michael Grant | Michael McHale | Miriam Cox | Mirriam Teppich | Nigel Clayton | Oliver Davies | Owen Rees | Paul Clark | Paul Jeffrey | Paul Guinery | Pentagon Ensemble | Peter Arnold | Peter Barker | Rachel Godsill | Rachel Stroud | Rachel Threlfall | Raphael Wallfisch | Richard Egarr | Richard Uttley | Robert Gibbs | Robin Jeffrey | Rory Carver | Roselyne Martel-Bonnal | Rose Trio | Royal Tunbridge Wells Male Voice Choir | Ruairi Bowen | Ruth Beedham | St Andrews University Madrigal Group | Sam Haywood | Sara Lois Cunningham | Sarah Stuart-Pennink | Sasha Grynyuk | Schubert Ensemble | Simon Lane | Sophia Lisovskaya | Steve Pierce | Steven Devine | Temenos Chamber Choir | Teresa Caudle | Tim Gill | Tim Lines | Tom Bowes | Tom Foster | Tom Lilburn | Trajecti Voices | Trevor Eliot Bowes | Trio Lavolta | Tristan Gurney | Twilight Ensemble | Unexpected Opera | William Bass | William Summers | Yeo Yat Soon | Yukiko Shinohara</p>Rupert Preston Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04222363588122253811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1229120529134363512.post-37410348306049360062022-11-30T08:27:00.001+00:002022-11-30T08:27:34.684+00:00High horns live<p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFR53MmQEt-uRvrIztP4CQ-GVJFWxxBBNF6IEnCXFmY7cRvc52joS4xDiVUwKFPiCHOG_LvwfTiTy8CTqn2Qpy4pxcNnqP_gPLiStAuTZqUGA9uLvmgc9YyobMgJlcHuuaoXywZL_ziyZED3CJtrLLtUCNoQK310fw_Gz7EX52kSG7ShPazSMlA1zF/s1470/bach.image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1470" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFR53MmQEt-uRvrIztP4CQ-GVJFWxxBBNF6IEnCXFmY7cRvc52joS4xDiVUwKFPiCHOG_LvwfTiTy8CTqn2Qpy4pxcNnqP_gPLiStAuTZqUGA9uLvmgc9YyobMgJlcHuuaoXywZL_ziyZED3CJtrLLtUCNoQK310fw_Gz7EX52kSG7ShPazSMlA1zF/s320/bach.image.jpg" width="261" /></a></b></div><b><br />Our annual Christmas baroque concert at King Charles on </b><b>Saturday 3rd December, at 7:00pm is what Steven Devine, the concert's director, describes as "a rare chance to hear high horns live". </b><p></p><p></p><p>Book here: <a href="https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/mkctw/bach-for-christmas/e-zajdjk" target="_blank">https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/mkctw/bach-for-christmas/e-zajdjk</a></p><p><b>Note: this concert is likely to sell out of tickets at the advance price. However, a further 50 tickets will still be available on the door at full price (£22.50).</b></p><p>Bach's Mass in F Major and his first Brandenberg Concerto are two of the fairly unusual works to feature natural horns - that is, valveless and therefore restricted to the notes of the harmonic series in the key in which they are set up.</p><p>Steven writes:</p><p>Bach’s “Lutheran” Mass in F (BWV 233) consists of just the first two sections of the Mass ordinary (i.e. the Kyrie and the Gloria). This is one of four such compositions which date from the late 1730’s and was probably assembled from earlier composition – the Kyrie of the F major mass has its origins in a cantata movement dating from around 1708. These compositions share stylistic similarities with the earlier mass movements (Kyrie and Gloria) that were composed around 1733 and incorporated into the 1749 B Minor Mass (BWV 232). There is a contrast between old-style polyphony with instrumental doubling, for example the Kyrie, with thrillingly virtuosic style concitato writing for voices and instruments – for example the opening movement of the Gloria. </p><p>The role of the natural horns also reflects a contrast – in the Kyrie they play a plainchant-like melody against the counterpoint of the voices and instruments, though this actual melody has not been identified. However, in the Gloria, they are released from this and play some of the most uplifting writing for the instruments ever written. </p><p>The concerted nature of the horn writing is mirrored by the use of those instruments in the first of Bach’s six Brandenburg Concerti. As is well documented, Bach assembled the collection from earlier works as a portfolio of his instrumental compositions to impress the Margrave of Brandenburg. From the pristine nature of the surviving score (and the fact that Bach didn’t ever work for the Margrave) it seems that the collection didn’t have its intended effect. However it is now regared as one of the landmark compositional collections of Western music. </p><p>The first concerto of the set, like the other five, showcases groups of instruments: in this case the horns, the oboe band (three oboes and bassoon) and the string team led from the Violin piccolo – a smaller instrument tuned a minor third higher (top string is G, then C, F and B flat). The technical demands placed on all the instruments show how accomplished Bach’s original musicians were (probably at the court in Dresden?) and push the demands of the instruments of the time to their limits. </p><p>Vivaldi’s instrumental writing is equally enlightened in his concerto for violin RV 270 Il Riposo. He calls for all the strings to be muted (placing a small wooden clip or similar on the bridge in order to dampen the vibrations and hence the sound) and instructs the harpsichord continuo to remain tacet (silent) throughout. The soft-edge sound this creates is a perfect backdrop for Vivaldi’s writing of a high solo violin against frequent pedal notes. It seems to have been a favoured composition of Vivaldi’s as he returned to it a number of years later and appended the title “per il
Santissimo Natale (for Holy Christmas)”.</p>Rupert Preston Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04222363588122253811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1229120529134363512.post-78065026523004910652022-11-10T16:16:00.002+00:002022-11-10T16:16:36.100+00:00 Book now for our annual Baroque Christmas concert<p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-L-0FLrGaO5S9uJiQxHuMFudx7pU80bAtp1YdFmyuN31Kjw61VKV0GLIFD1iq7onmEZOknwfaUwH02irQtPmt0rw31h6bPtRJpJ2hU_oh6H7qSFhvos6guV6hA2JWCj5_9tSjCY2sE40GGpoZkYM--hgkvyArZZQfREK2TQzy_5EggIhXV8Zuu7VW/s884/bach22_poster_image.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="884" data-original-width="669" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-L-0FLrGaO5S9uJiQxHuMFudx7pU80bAtp1YdFmyuN31Kjw61VKV0GLIFD1iq7onmEZOknwfaUwH02irQtPmt0rw31h6bPtRJpJ2hU_oh6H7qSFhvos6guV6hA2JWCj5_9tSjCY2sE40GGpoZkYM--hgkvyArZZQfREK2TQzy_5EggIhXV8Zuu7VW/w303-h400/bach22_poster_image.JPG" width="303" /></a></b></div><b>In Dulci Jubilo<br />The annual Christmas baroque concert at King Charles<br />Saturday 3rd December, at 7:00pm. </b><p></p><p>https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/mkctw/</p><p>One of the world's leading baroque violinists, Bojan Čičić, joins director and harpsichordist Steven Devine for a programme of music by Vivaldi, Praetorius and Bach, with the Decimus Ensemble and the Orchestra of Devine Music – principal players of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, The Academy of Ancient Music and others. </p><p>This concert has been an exciting feature of the Christmas celebrations at King Charles, Tunbridge Wells’ oldest building, for several years now and is always very popular.</p><p>Steven Devine, known to many in the area through his many years of work at the Finchcocks Musical Museum, said: “This is absolutely one of my favourite concerts of the year. I’m lucky enough to be able to involve some brilliant players from groups I work with, and we enjoy ourselves so much that every one of them asks to come back each time. </p><p>“The setting is just perfect. An intimate baroque church with a wonderful acoustic, and the audiences are wonderful! The ovation at the end of our first concert, when we performed Handel’s Messiah in 2018, was the most spontaneously exciting response I’ve ever witnessed in this country. This year I’m thrilled to involve Bojan Čičić as soloist - for me, he’s got to be one of the finest violinists around.”</p><p>The programme includes Bach’s Brandenberg Concerto No.1, carols by Praetorius, Vivaldi’s violin concerto ‘Il Riposo’, and Bach’s Lutheran Mass in F major.</p><p>Rupert Preston Bell, director of music at King Charles the Martyr, has been promoting concerts of chamber music at the church since 2006. He said: “We’re very lucky to have these musicians coming to Tunbridge Wells, and their excitement is infectious. The church was built in the baroque period and is the perfect venue for this exciting and life-affirming music.”</p><div><br /></div>Rupert Preston Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04222363588122253811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1229120529134363512.post-17157849583030781252022-10-25T17:01:00.003+01:002022-11-10T14:12:24.256+00:00Celebrated violinist Bojan Čičić to play at King Charles<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQUBVXGkH79fZI9kl8O80if1IuGbgzQGBO05IYc50oJHiWWMEDeUYz6H9drK41mlkUQa_fGgAQ55frDkE7gbPhwhNaxOSwXlZgnqxxiHPOkAtgR0OPiQbSJQKTLmXakj_nrK63kJI2XGjXcgOU0cPjtnjOq3f-qxah_WDbBX3mr_CF9K7--2Rqc2Ws/s750/bojan.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQUBVXGkH79fZI9kl8O80if1IuGbgzQGBO05IYc50oJHiWWMEDeUYz6H9drK41mlkUQa_fGgAQ55frDkE7gbPhwhNaxOSwXlZgnqxxiHPOkAtgR0OPiQbSJQKTLmXakj_nrK63kJI2XGjXcgOU0cPjtnjOq3f-qxah_WDbBX3mr_CF9K7--2Rqc2Ws/s320/bojan.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>We are very excited to announce that violinist Bojan Čičić will be playing in our annual Baroque concert at King Charles, directed by Steven Devine, on <b>3 December</b>. <p></p><p>Bojan is the leader of the Academy of Ancient Music and the ensemble Florilegium, and Professor of Baroque Violin at the Royal College of Music. He is frequently invited to lead orchestras such as the Orchestra of the 18th-century, Concerto Copenhagen, or the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. </p><p>His recording of J.S. Bach’s Concerto for Two Violins with Rachel Podger was named the best available recording of the work by BBC Music Magazine.</p><p>Find out more about him at his website, where you can also find video recordings to watch.<a href="http://www.bojancicic.com/" target="_blank"> http://www.bojancicic.com/</a></p><p>Tickets for the concert are available here <a href="https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/mkctw/t-xmdayga" id="shortURL" style="background-color: #fbfbfb; box-sizing: border-box; color: #eb601a; font-family: Poppins, Arial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/mkctw/t-xmdayga</a></p><p>.</p><p><br /></p>Rupert Preston Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04222363588122253811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1229120529134363512.post-68033045415331729152022-10-13T22:07:00.002+01:002022-10-20T17:03:49.271+01:00The two Michaels!<p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFweX35bFdC0D_JK_2ZJFNpGE8jV6cnlteZqFT1flzc_2MyR_sE6VNW7zT8jNHH-hUwZXaXvAQwNrRCQgRCQC19wUhDSj6YcbvUFeJzmiunjXgnREn3eYZ6CZwyDUH0BOgkOwEDdPT1FdY2FW2XCvhwvJzteZTFavHRiPTOaUnrULLvVzEyZabzEcw/s800/michaels.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFweX35bFdC0D_JK_2ZJFNpGE8jV6cnlteZqFT1flzc_2MyR_sE6VNW7zT8jNHH-hUwZXaXvAQwNrRCQgRCQC19wUhDSj6YcbvUFeJzmiunjXgnREn3eYZ6CZwyDUH0BOgkOwEDdPT1FdY2FW2XCvhwvJzteZTFavHRiPTOaUnrULLvVzEyZabzEcw/s320/michaels.jpg" width="320" /></a></b></div><b>Friday 21 October, 7pm<br />Michael Collins (clarinet) and Michael McHale (piano)</b><p></p><p>It's a great privilege to welcome back these two wonderful Wigmore Hall artists, bringing their magical playing to a programme of Stanford (Sonata), Poulenc (Sonata), Finzi (Bagatelles) and a tribute to the late Joseph Horowitz (Two Majorcan Pieces/ Sonatina).</p><p>Chamber music of this prestigious quality is hard to come by outside top venues in London. We're very excited.</p><p>Tickets are just £18 in advance, and £20 on the door. </p><p><a href="https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/mkctw/michael-collins-michael-mchale/e-zayzpk">https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/mkctw/michael-collins-michael-mchale/e-zayzpk</a></p><p>If you'd like to watch a clip of them in action, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5Pah96YYYw" target="_blank">try here on YouTube</a>. </p><p><b>About the programme: Michael McHale in conversation with Michael Waggett</b></p><p>MW: It’s a joy to have the Collins/McHale duo at King Charles!</p><p>MM: And always a joy for us too. We very much like performing in such a beautiful church with its lovely ambience and good acoustics - and always helped by the great local audience!</p><p>MW: Your thoughts when putting together this programme?</p><p>MM: We wanted to present a mix of masterworks by great composers for clarinet and piano and combine those with works that aren’t performed quite so often but which are all really fantastic pieces of music</p><p>MW: Starting with eminent composer Charles Villiers Stanford</p><p>MM: Stanford was born in Dublin. He went on to become a titan of Anglican church music and a leading figure in British music and education with positions at Cambridge and the RCM in London. His students included Vaughan Williams, Howells, Bliss and Holst. Though his chamber music is influenced by Brahms he never forgot his Irish roots, as is evident in the sonata’s second movement which evokes an Irish lament and is subtitled “Caoine”.</p><p>MW: Next that great sonata for clarinet and piano by Poulenc </p><p>MM: This sonata is one of the finest in the repertoire, full of Poulenc’s sparkling and witty melodic writing in the outer movements, and deeply lyrical and touching in the central Romanza. It is always a joy for us to perform this work! </p><p>MW: After the interval you are playing the five bagatelles by Finzi in honour of a much loved mayor of Tunbridge Wells, the late Julian Stanyer, whose widow Annie will be with us.</p><p>MM: We both remember vividly our concert to celebrate the Twinning anniversary in 2019 and, having been unavailable last year, Michael Collins would like to remember Julian on this first anniversary of his passing by playing one of Julian‘s favourite pieces of music.</p><p>MW: The concert concludes with Joseph Horowitz and his Two Majorcan Pieces and Sonatina</p><p>MM: We wanted to pay a tribute to Joseph Horowitz, who died earlier this year aged 95. He had an incredible life, fleeing Vienna with his family as an Austrian Jew in 1938 and emigrating to England where he worked for decades at the RCM. It was there that Michael Collins met him as a teenage student in his theory class, and he would often come along to our recitals at Wigmore Hall – a truly lovely man and a supremely talented composer.</p><p><br /></p>Rupert Preston Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04222363588122253811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1229120529134363512.post-75802118476701399992022-09-26T09:43:00.000+01:002022-09-26T09:43:09.097+01:00The two tenors!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNlr5Z-FvnfO3QRt-XB18UZVf1SzkHvZIgClmr-yNsE64n_jCzTinCRMl9Vc2kqqSVEeWuYIUaX7oQk2_g1knTCvScxRilhnxK6TYvmexMmyM5W774WAL7WdNtCCP-VXfQ3aQz8_v5oQiBVg3lUYdM5mJXpp9wSe-M1KmkIVnBylPEfKSSug7lA2cF/s1011/gilch_pad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="James Gilchrist (l) and Mark Padmore (r)" border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="1011" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNlr5Z-FvnfO3QRt-XB18UZVf1SzkHvZIgClmr-yNsE64n_jCzTinCRMl9Vc2kqqSVEeWuYIUaX7oQk2_g1knTCvScxRilhnxK6TYvmexMmyM5W774WAL7WdNtCCP-VXfQ3aQz8_v5oQiBVg3lUYdM5mJXpp9wSe-M1KmkIVnBylPEfKSSug7lA2cF/w320-h126/gilch_pad.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Great to know that two of the country's most highly-acclaimed tenors can be heard on our doorstep in the next couple of weeks! <p></p><p>You can hear Mark Padmore at All Saints Church, Tudeley on Thursday 29 September, and James Gilchrist at King Charles the Martyr on Friday 7 October.</p><p><b>Mark Padmore at Tudeley, 29 September</b><br /><a href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/dowland-with-mark-padmore-and-morgan-szymanski-tickets-395267384387" target="_blank">Tickets here</a><br />One of the world’s great singers Mark Padmore CBE, performs with guitar virtuoso Morgan Szymanski in the unique setting of All Saint’s Tudelely with its stunning Marc Chagall windows. Songs by Dowland and Schubert performed alongside new works by Stephen McNeff and Alec Roth.</p><p><b>James Gilchrist at King Charles, 7 October</b><br /><a href="https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/mkctw/winterreise-gilchrist-and-tilbrook/e-vadody" target="_blank">Tickets here</a><br />An umissable opportunity to hear one of our generation's definitive interpretations of Schubert's enduringly profound song cycle, Winterreise, by James Gilchrist and Anna Tilbrook. Produced in association with the Tunbridge Wells International Music Festival.</p><p>Find out more about music in and around Tunbridge Wells by following the Tunbridge Wells INternational Music Festival <a href="https://twitter.com/TW_MusicFest" target="_blank">@TW_MusicFest</a><br /></p>Rupert Preston Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04222363588122253811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1229120529134363512.post-51540635265086865522022-09-04T09:16:00.008+01:002022-09-16T20:39:59.814+01:00Concerts in and around Tunbridge Wells this autumn<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheBZ5IgeryCWDLFraIvHIcsXB9PtReWsHIQUx5VmdrfAKPEms4xO9k9PfGkiOeSOA0CfedHD2HmRcHjUtYVTrLaWiLUo7gF8z3B5a9Ymbx7c5WMDDx0EeHEnTUKIkoZhmKq6hwlg8VPG-9JGSGcttXChmj8VMND8GBWHmvvoFUCjYTpftf9Nz_5j9G/s256/256px-Salzburg_-_Violin_-_3204.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="171" data-original-width="256" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheBZ5IgeryCWDLFraIvHIcsXB9PtReWsHIQUx5VmdrfAKPEms4xO9k9PfGkiOeSOA0CfedHD2HmRcHjUtYVTrLaWiLUo7gF8z3B5a9Ymbx7c5WMDDx0EeHEnTUKIkoZhmKq6hwlg8VPG-9JGSGcttXChmj8VMND8GBWHmvvoFUCjYTpftf9Nz_5j9G/s1600/256px-Salzburg_-_Violin_-_3204.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>Here are some great concerts for your diary, plus links to other music festivals taking place. So much to see and hear. <p></p><div><br /></div><div><div><b>Paddock Wood Proms</b></div><div>Piano trio Tier 3 in concert at St Andrew's Paddock Wood<br />Daniel Grimwood, Joseph Wolfe & Jonathan Ayling<br />Concerts 7, 10, 12, 14, 17 September<br /><a href="http://www.tier-3.eu" target="_blank">www.tier-3.eu</a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Music at Malling, 21 Sept-2 Oct</b><br /><a href="https://musicatmalling.com/" target="_blank">See full schedule</a><br />A packed programme of international stars. Highly recommended. Classical and jazz of the highest quality.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Ightham Mote, 21-25 Sept</b><br />As part of Music at Malling, <br /><a href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/mendelssohn-with-daniel-grimwood-tickets-393962040067" target="_blank">21 September</a>: Daniel Grimwood</div><div><a href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/mendelssohn-with-sholto-kynoch-and-helen-charlston-tickets-393963885587" target="_blank">22 September</a> - BBC New Generations Artist Helen Charlston<br /><a href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/england-under-the-tudors-with-the-marian-consort-tickets-394452647487" target="_blank">25 September</a> - The Marian Consort perform a fascinating programme of music written in the Tudor period including works by Sir William Haute - owner of Ightham Mote.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Tunbridge Wells International Music Festival</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Saturday 24 September, 7pm, at King Charles Church<br />Tunbridge Wells International Music Competition finalist's concert<br /></b>Adèle Théveneau, cello, & Charles Wiffen, piano<br /><a href="https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/mkctw" target="_blank">Book tickets here</a></div><div><p><b>Friday 7 October, 7pm,</b><b> at King Charles Church<br />Schubert: Winterreise<br /></b>James Gilchrist (tenor) and Anna Tilbrook (piano)<br /><a href="https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/mkctw" target="_blank">Book tickets here</a></p><p><b>Sunday 9 October, 3pm, at Rose Hill Theatre, TN4 9SY<br />Nigel Clayton and Imma Setiadi, piano duet<br /></b>Music by Chabrier, Faure, Rachmaninoff etc<br /><a href="http://www.ticketsource.co.uk/codatw/t-noodxzm">www.ticketsource.co.uk/codatw/t-noodxzm</a></p><p><b>Friday 21 October, 7pm, </b><b>at King Charles Church<br /></b><b>Michael Collins (clarinet) and Michael McHale (piano)<br /></b><a href="https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/mkctw" target="_blank">Book tickets here</a></p></div><div><br /></div>Rupert Preston Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04222363588122253811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1229120529134363512.post-38175363792307672332022-07-20T18:49:00.007+01:002022-08-23T08:53:32.410+01:00Forthcoming concerts 2022<p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaXm-mcdS3vxR-JYYe36vyOPA0LDPtZUXD8X8PLezKIFWXkJIEFkD_HuWgH0Hr7cqlUtjePG9yBfCaIuTWSv7RzQ4l233MXEC34sqoAuwKWpI56IZvAIX43FqW3uVOrHYQz7q7ADIaOQYHgbdsST1WJWRbosYebo11maFjUODNegUiO5T1AxURPQ7n/s3761/James%20Gilchrist-2304.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3761" data-original-width="3241" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaXm-mcdS3vxR-JYYe36vyOPA0LDPtZUXD8X8PLezKIFWXkJIEFkD_HuWgH0Hr7cqlUtjePG9yBfCaIuTWSv7RzQ4l233MXEC34sqoAuwKWpI56IZvAIX43FqW3uVOrHYQz7q7ADIaOQYHgbdsST1WJWRbosYebo11maFjUODNegUiO5T1AxURPQ7n/s320/James%20Gilchrist-2304.jpg" width="276" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">James Gilchrist. Photo: Patrick Allen</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p>Live music has made a fantastic comeback after Covid lockdowns, and our autumn season will be something to savour!<div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/mkctw" target="_blank">Book tickets here</a><br /><p></p><p><b>Saturday 24 September</b></p><p><b>Tunbridge Wells International Music Competition finalist's concert</b><br />Adèle Théveneau, cello<br />Charles Wiffen, piano<br /><a href="https://twimc.org.uk/news/final-results-2022/" target="_blank">More information</a></p><p>Beethoven: Variations on "Bei Männern, welche Liebe fühlen", for cello and piano, WoO 46<br />Debussy: Sonata for Cello and Piano<br />Rachmaninov: Sonata for Cello and Piano, op. 19</p><p><i>And we look forward to this autumn's season of concerts in partnership with the Tunbridge Wells International Music Festival</i></p><p><b>Friday 7 October, 7pm</b></p><p><b>Schubert: Winterreise</b><br />James Gilchrist (tenor) and Anna Tilbrook (piano)</p><p>Attending a performance of this, Schubert's most famous song cycle, is an unforgettable experience. And we are very fortunate to welcome a duo whose interpretation is widely considered one of this generation's most definitive. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drUtHKTGLw8" target="_blank">Hear an extract on YouTube</a></p><p>"He is now unsurpassed amongst lyric tenors in sweetness and technical security, and for his musical intelligence" The Independent</p><p>"It is a profoundly considered reading, considered enough for some songs to be as penetrating as in almost any performance I have heard...I shall certainly treasure this disc as one of the indispensable readings, and also one of the best balanced between the two partners." BBC Music Magazine</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Friday 21 October, 7pm<br />Michael Collins (clarinet) and Michael McHale (piano)</b></p><p>We're thrilled to welcome back these two Wigmore Hall regulars, for what will be an absolutely top class concert - programme to be announced.</p><p>Also principal conductor the City of London Sinfonia, Michael Collins is known as one of the world's greatest clarinettists. Michael McHale is one of Ireland's leading pianists, and the duo have been performing together for over a decade. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5Pah96YYYw" target="_blank">See them at Wigmore Hall on YouTube</a>.</p><p><br /></p><p>To be first in the queue for future ticket information, <a href="mailto:kcmconcerts@blueyonder.co.uk" target="_blank">email us</a> to join our mailing list.</p><p><br /></p></div>Rupert Preston Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04222363588122253811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1229120529134363512.post-14115663373352006052022-05-30T16:45:00.000+01:002022-05-30T16:45:03.529+01:00Our Red Cross donation from fundraising concert<p>Delighted that our "The heavans are telling" concert raised enough money to send £625 to the Red Cross Ukraine appeal. Thank you to everyone who took part and donated!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHGC9w15yu3WsGPTHP7Z1WdOsXHnpF4QilST_FWiPlkwGhr1NBxPS7_nkIPsTwQjfyho7w0eiL4Q8k1K5a5CSSIal3pqTNdRtKEZEYJ2UeeIyacxWAwUfJLOS6Ixj5GqQ_-scMH9iYXAoobaQwF5n1bEA_3HA1YKFiTXl6JNorVs8vvH8JJObK1wdh/s3058/donation.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1779" data-original-width="3058" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHGC9w15yu3WsGPTHP7Z1WdOsXHnpF4QilST_FWiPlkwGhr1NBxPS7_nkIPsTwQjfyho7w0eiL4Q8k1K5a5CSSIal3pqTNdRtKEZEYJ2UeeIyacxWAwUfJLOS6Ixj5GqQ_-scMH9iYXAoobaQwF5n1bEA_3HA1YKFiTXl6JNorVs8vvH8JJObK1wdh/w640-h372/donation.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Rupert Preston Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04222363588122253811noreply@blogger.com0