The RHC Concerts Patron: Julian Lloyd Webber FRCM
The RHC Concerts acknowledge the support of:
Bowerman Charitable Trust
The Sloane Club
Paul Davis & Partners
as sponsors of the 2008 Series
The aims of The RHC Concerts are three fold - to showcase both internationally acclaimed musicians and outstanding young artists at the start of their careers; to welcome concertgoers into The Royal Hospital Chelsea which is regarded as one of London's finest architectural gems; and to raise funds to support the on-going programme of repair and renewal required by this famous institution built in 1682.
To date The RHC Concerts has contributed some £20,000 to The Chelsea Pensioners' Appeal and it aims to maintain this support by continuing to promote concerts of wide appeal to attract capacity audiences. This year is no exception and includes the return of the dynamic New Professionals Orchestra with soloist Diana Galvydyte, who played to a full house in 2007, and the eagerly awaited first visit of the prize winning London Adventist Chorale.
The RHC Concerts offer a wonderful opportunity to hear music presented in the intimate setting of The Council Chamber in The State Apartments - a sumptuous oak-panelled room designed by Sir Christopher Wren - and also within the magnificent Chapel which dates back to 1687 and is renowned for its fine acoustic.
1st October - Gould Piano Trio with David Pyatt horn Lucy Gould violin
Alice Neary cello
Benjamin Frith piano
Haydn
Piano Trio in F sharp minor XV 26
Mendelssohn
Piano Trio No 1 in D minor Op 49
Brahms
Horn Trio in E flat Op 40
The Gould Piano Trio has established a reputation as one of the most stylish and versatile ensembles performing today and is joined by the outstanding horn player, David Pyatt, shortlisted for the 2008 Royal Philharmonic Society Instrumentalist of the Year Award.
"Trio playing at its best" The Strad
15th October - Doric String Quartet
Alex Redington violin
Jonathan Stone violin
Simon Tandree viola
John Myerscough cello
Haydn
String Quartet in C Op 50 No 2
Janacek
String Quartet No 2 Intimate Letters
Beethoven
String Quartet in E flat Op 74 (Harp)
Winners of the 2008 Osaka International String Quartet competition The Doric String Quartet is fast emerging as one of the outstanding quartets of their generation. Now in its 10th season, and its members only averaging 25 years old, the Quartet regularly performs at most of the UK's leading chamber music venues as well as abroad.
"The Doric is a quartet to watch." The Daily Telegraph
29th October - The New Professionals Orchestra with John Farrer conductor and Diana Galvydyte violin
Rebecca Miller artistic director
John Farrer conductor
Diana Galvydyte violin
Schubert
Symphony No.5
Vaughan Williams
The Lark Ascending
Elgar Serenade
for Strings
Bruch
Violin Concerto
By popular demand - following their sell out performance last year - the New Professionals Orchestra under the baton of John Farrer and with the thrilling young violinist Diana Galvydyte return to The RHC Concerts. An evening not to be missed in the company of a vibrant ensemble of award-winning instrumentalists!
"For a real breath of fresh air you can do no better than indulge yourself in a concert given by The New Professionals" Musical Opinion.
5th November - The Chapel Choir of the Royal Hospital
Ian Curror director
Benjamin Horden organ
The Wren Players
Allegri Miserere
J S Bach Popular Cantata movements:
Jesu, joy of man's desiring
Sanctify us with thy goodness
Sheep may safely graze
Purcell Dido's Lament and Chorus With drooping wings
(from Dido & Aeneas)
Purcell Funeral Music for Queen Mary
Haydn Nelson Mass
Ian Curror, Organist of the Royal Hospital, also pursues a busy career as a recitalist, accompanist and teacher. Under his direction The Chapel Choir of the Royal Hospital, Chelsea is greatly in demand for special services and events in its home and outside. In tonight's performance the Choir is accompanied by the Organ Scholar, Benjamin Horden, and some of London's best instrumentalists - the Wren Players.
19th November - The London Adventist Chorale
The London Adventist Chorale is well known internationally for high quality singing, most of which is a cappella. Its sound is distinctive: rich in texture, highly emotional, with a diverse range of colours. Members of audiences often comment that they've never heard such singing in their lives. The London Adventist Chorale presents a programme of sacred song of varied choral genres: African characteristics meet Western characteristics, very often in the same piece of music, drawing the very best of both musical worlds and bringing them together in a way which is truly unique. The a cappella music of the Deep South of the US - the Spirituals - made famous by the likes of Paul Robeson, Mahalia Jackson, and the Fisk Jubilee Singers, will be presented side by side with contemporary gospel and Classical works.
The London Adventist Chorale's programme, which closes this year's series of the RHC Concerts, will include Deep River, Down By The Riverside, and excerpts from a new 2008 work, Let The Sound Of Freedom, based on famous quotes and speeches. Come and enjoy!
"The enthusiasm of the choir and of their conductor Ken Burton (who had arranged many of the spirituals performed at the concert) was infectious".
A look back at 2007
"Performing at The RHC Concerts last year was a wonderful experience. The Chapel itself has a unique aura - very different from the cold and strict atmosphere of some concert halls. From the minute I walked into it, I was certain I would enjoy the evening's performance more than ever, because this time the music and architecture were in harmony. A compact performing space and a relatively small orchestra created a truly unique performance of Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto. I was imagining - how close to the initial composer's idea were we at that performance?
I am happy to think that I will be able to experience the true delight of making music with The New Professionals Orchestra and John Farrer in The Chapel again this autumn [2008]."
Diana Galvydyte
World Première performed by Brass10 at The RHC Concerts 2006 The closing concert in our 2006 series included the World Première of a new piece for brass ensemble written by the renowned composer Joseph Horovitz - ceremonial in style Fanfare and March also retained the accessible and lyrical style of music for which the composer is justly famous. Commissioned by The RHC Concerts this new work has been transcribed for military band for official performances associated with the Royal Hospital and its celebrated Chelsea Pensioners and was performed by the Band of the Irish Guards on 7 June when Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II of Denmark reviewed the In-Pensioners on Founder's Day. "We felt honoured to have been invited back to perform the closing concert in the 2006 RHC Concerts in the Chapel. We were able to use as much of the space as possible, performing Gabrieli's Sonata Pian'e Forte from both ends of the Chapel. We were also pleased to be working with Ian Curror again in a performance of Saint-Saëns' Organ Symphony. In order to mark the Conferment of the Freedom of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea on the Royal Hospital in 2006, The RHC Concerts commissioned 'Fanfare and March' from the distinguished composer Joseph Horovitz for Brass10 to première in this concert. The piece was a huge success and left the audience with broad smiles on their faces! Performing in the RHC Chapel is a huge pleasure. There is always a warm atmosphere - even on a crisp November evening! The chance to meet and chat to the audience during the interval drinks in the Great Hall also adds to the experience and enables the performers to receive instant feedback, answer any questions and sign autographs! The environment of the RHC Concerts is great for established musicians as well as giving young performers the opportunity to showcase their talents." Amy Wetmore, Brass10 www.brass10.com