THU 6 FEB
NICOLA BENEDETTI Violin Masterclass
WHAT’S ON
COMING SOON
CLASSICAL
DEC ’19 – JA N ’20 0121 331 5909 | BCU.AC.UK/CONCERTS /RoyalBirmCons
@BirmCons
THU 12 DEC
NADINE BENJAMIN Birmingham City University
NAME YOUR SEAT
WHAT’S ON
World-class performances and tomorrow’s stars, today at RBC Indulge your love of music in our daytime and evening concerts from the very best young musicians to world-famous performers at the peak of their powers.
FREE LUNCHTIME MUSIC Mondays at 1.05pm Catch our rising stars perform everything from sublime solo piano to intimate chamber recitals, pulsating percussion to invigorating vocals.
“A wonderful venue showcasing brilliant young talent.”
COMMUTER CONCERTS
“A brilliant evening, such talented students, makes you feel very proud of our young people, music is safe in their hands.”
Thursdays at 6pm Beat the rush hour blues and enjoy concerts from the best up-and-coming artists making a name for themselves in the classical world.
ORCHESTRAL CONCERTS Our long-standing orchestral series feature a range of large ensembles showcasing their talents, tackling zestful, pioneering repertoire. Look out for our free pre-CBSO concerts at Symphony Hall, too!
GUEST ARTISTS Witness exceptional guest artists grown from both classical and new music roots perform programmes of beautiful, thought-provoking pieces.
Birmingham City University
“Wonderful music performed by a group of outstanding musicians. Incredible!!” “It was an excellent concert full of energy, vibrancy and virtuosity. It made everyone smile, sing, clap, whoop with joy and dance.” “Outstanding, amazing, breath-taking.” “We definitely left with a bigger smile than when we arrived, so mission accomplished!”
DON’T FORGET We also boast an impressive programme of jazz and theatre productions. See www.bcu.ac.uk/concerts for our full programme.
Experience cutting-edge compositions and thrilling performance art from our composers as they break new ground, seeking untouched territories of sound.
BE PART OF ROYAL BIRMINGHAM CONSERVATOIRE’S FUTURE BY NAMING A SEAT IN OUR FANTASTIC NEW CONCERT VENUE, THE BRADSHAW HALL.
Contact robin.leonard@bcu.ac.uk
HEAR WHAT OUR AUDIENCES HAVE TO SAY:
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SUN 1 DEC
BASAK ZENGIN: FROM BRITANNIA TO ANATOLIA 7.30pm Recital Hall £12 A fascinating voyage from Britannia to Anatolia with well-loved English and Turkish Art Songs. Dramatic soprano, Basak Zengin will take you on a breathtaking journey with stunning repertoire. Acclaimed pianist, Joseph Havlat and rising young star of classical guitar, Emre Gokalp will accompany her in this spectacular performance.
VENUE HIRE
Daisy Hibberd
IN BIRMINGHAM CITY CENTRE Jonathan French
Our new £57 million home offers competitively priced venue and studio hire options in creative, contemporary surroundings.
MON 2 DEC
PREVIN, MORRISON
Whatever it is, you’ll benefit not only from the facilities in our new Conservatoire, but also from the support and expertise of our dedicated events team.
1.05pm Recital Hall FREE ADMISSION Daisy Hibberd soprano Lucy Samuels cello Jonathan French piano
We offer: • Performance and artistic hire • Conference and meeting room hire • Recording studios • Rehearsals, workshop, audition and performance exam space • Awards, drinks receptions, launches and special occasions
Previn Four Songs (song collection) for cello, piano and soprano Toni Morrison text 1. Mercy 2. Stones 3. Shelter 4. The Lacemaker
Flat rental and commission-based rental packages are available. Please call us on 0121 331 5909 to discuss your artist or event in more detail. Alternatively, our prices are available upon request via conservatoireevents@bcu.ac.uk 4
BOOK NOW VIA WWW.BCU.AC.UK/CONCERTS OR 0121 331 5909
Free
Commuter
Orchestras
Guest artists
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Xizi Zhang
WED 4 DEC
Laura Tunbridge
YCAT AT THE CONSERVATOIRE: THE CASTALIAN QUARTET 1.45pm The Bradshaw Hall £10 (£8) Janacek String Quartet No.1 in E minor, Kreutzer Sonata Dvorak String Quartet in A flat, Op.105 The Castalian String Quartet was the recipient of the inaugural Merito String Quartet Award & Valentin Erben Prize and a Borletti-Buitoni Trust Fellowship Award in 2018. Highlights this season include a complete Brahms and Schumann chamber music cycle at Wigmore Hall, their Carnegie Hall debut and taking part in the Simmenauer International Beethoven Quartet Cycle. Zubin Kanga
TUE 3 DEC
XIZI ZHANG 1.05pm The Bradshaw Hall £10 (£8)
TUE 3 DEC
PUBLIC RESEARCH SEMINAR PROFESSOR LAURA TUNBRIDGE (OXFORD UNIVERSITY)
Xizi Zhang piano
3.30pm Workshop 2
Saint-Saëns Etude Op.52 No.4 Schumann Impromptus on a Theme by Clara Wieck, Op.5 (1850 version) Schumann Piano Sonata in F sharp minor, Op.11
The Piano’s Voice: Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann, Brahms
Xizi Zhang is currently studying for the Advanced Postgraduate Diploma (APD) with John Thwaites and Alasdair Beatson at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. Xizi has had masterclasses with renowned musicians such as Olga Kern, Richard Goode, Peter Donohoe, Jon Nakamatsu and has won 1st prize at both the 2008 Robert Schumann International Piano Competition for Youth and Beijing International Piano Festival Young Artists Concerto Competition.
Our APD students are performers at the very highest levels of study who are already launching their professional careers.
£5 Writings about the piano’s ‘voice’ in nineteenth-century lieder accord the instrument equivalent musical weight to that granted the singer and poetic text. This talk assesses whether the gradual increase in the piano’s significance in the songs of Schubert, Beethoven, the Schumanns and Brahms, reflects its ever-increasing dominance of nineteenth-century repertoire or reveals something about changing attitudes – then and now – towards the composer’s and performer’s authorial voice. Laura Tunbridge is a Professor of Music at the University of Oxford and the author of Schumann’s Late Style, The Song Cycle, and Singing in the Age of Anxiety: Lieder Performances in New York and London between the World Wars. She has just begun a Leverhulme Major Research Fellowship for a project on the string quartet.
THU 5 DEC
TUE 3 DEC
CELEBRATING MUSIC FOR VOICE AND GUITAR
TECHNOLOGY IN MUSICAL PERFORMANCE 2019 SYMPOSIUM FEATURING ZUBIN KANGA
6pm Recital Hall
Symposium 10am-6pm The Lab (registration from 9am) Concert performance 7.30pm Recital Hall Symposium £20 Early Bird, £30 Full price Concert performance £10 (£8) Technology in Musical Performance (TiMP) is a forum for all who engage with electronics in live music performance. The group aims to stimulate discussion and collaboration between performers, composers, sound artists, practitioners, programmers, software developers and sound designers on musical performance with/mediated by technology.
£10 (£8) Programme to include: Villa-Lobos Aria from Bachianas Brasileiras No.5 Lute Songs Falla Siete Canciones Populares Españolas This performance will focus on the depth and breadth of music written for and arranged for voice and guitar.
The symposium will feature a dynamic mix of performers, composers, technologists and academics, presenting cutting edge work in a variety of formats. This is followed by acclaimed pianist and composer, Zubin Kanga performing newly commissioned works for piano and multimedia, drawing from a range of inspirations including internet culture, film, TV, video art and sci-fi culture. Programme features works by Alexander Schubert, Claudia Molitor, Oliver Leith and Nicole Lizée.
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BOOK NOW VIA WWW.BCU.AC.UK/CONCERTS OR 0121 331 5909
Free
Commuter
Orchestras
Guest artists
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Pascal Pascaleff
TUE 10 DEC
FRI 6 DEC
COFFEE, CAKE & CADENZAS 1pm The Piano Bar, The New Alexandra Theatre
1.05pm The Bradshaw Hall
FRI 6 DEC
£10 (£8)
PETER DONOHOE PLAYS HAYDN
FREE ADMISSION Che-Yang Chu violin Wing Ki Chung cello Yen Li piano
Pascal Pascaleff piano
7.30pm The Bradshaw Hall £10 (£8)
Programme to include: Mendelssohn Piano Trio No.1 in D minor, Op.49 To guarantee admission please book in advance via www.atgtickets.com/shows. Please note that the Piano Bar is not currently wheelchair accessible.
M F T FRI 6 DEC
MFT HOSTS A CLASSICAL CHRISTMAS 7pm Recital Hall £8 £5 students Music For The Trees (MFT) is a fundraising concert series where all profits raised go towards reforestation programmes around the world. MFT has hosted five concerts around Birmingham over the past three months; this being their final concert of the winter series, showcasing some RBC's top classical solo and chamber groups. 8
PASCAL PASCALEFF
Peter Donohoe
Haydn Sonata in G Hob.39 Schubert Sonata in A D664 Webern Variations Op.27 Haydn Sonata in A Hob.26 ‘Al Rovescio’ Haydn Sonata in A flat Hob.46 Brahms Sonata No.1 Op.1 in C In the years since his unprecedented success as Silver Medal winner of the 1982 7th International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow, Peter Donohoe has built an extraordinary world-wide career, encompassing a huge repertoire and over forty years’ experience as a pianist, as well as continually exploring many other avenues in music-making. He is acclaimed as one of the foremost pianists of our time, for his musicianship, stylistic versatility and commanding technique.
Bach Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue, BWV 903 Schumann Fantasy in C major, Op.17 Liszt Transcendental Etude in F minor, S.139/10
MON 9 DEC
CHRISTMAS CAROL CONCERT 1.05pm The Bradshaw Hall FREE ADMISSION To celebrate the festive season, we welcome you to join us for our popular annual carol concert. With carols and festive favourites led by Royal Birmingham Conservatoire’s Chorus, audience participation is encouraged. Early booking is advised for this popular event!
JUNIOR CONSERVATOIRE END OF TERM CONCERT 7pm The Bradshaw Hall £8 (£6) Soloists, chamber musicians, choirs and orchestras from the Junior Conservatoire join together in a fitting finale to the end of term. BOOK NOW VIA WWW.BCU.AC.UK/CONCERTS OR 0121 331 5909
Pascal studies with Pascal Nemirovski and Anthony Hewitt at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, where he was the Denis Matthews Scholar between 2016 and 2018. Our APD students are performers at the very highest levels of study who are already launching their professional careers.
MON 9 DEC
TUE 10 DEC
OOTS CONCERTO COMPETITION SAT 7 DEC
Born in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, Pascal Pascaleff commenced his piano studies at the age of 11 with Maria Grueva. He went on to the National School of Music and Dance in his hometown under Elena Tasseva, receiving the Dobrin Petkov Prize upon graduation.
PERFORMING WITH TECHNOLOGY
7pm Recital Hall
6pm The Lab
£10 (£8)
£10 (£8)
In the second year of this prestigious competition, performers from all Conservatoire departments compete for the chance to perform with Orchestra of The Swan in The Bradshaw Hall on 10 June 2020, alongside Hyungi Lee, winner of the 2019 Bromsgrove International Musicians’ Competition.
Music Technology students from Royal Birmingham Conservatoire present a selection of new and exciting works that combine interactive technologies with musical performance. Spanning a broad range of genres, expect performances that examine ways in which technologies - new and old - can be used to generate, expose and explore musical ideas using novel and unconventional approaches.
Free
Commuter
Orchestras
Guest artists
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Caroline Pether
WED 11 DEC
Nadine Benjamin
CAROLINE PETHER (VIOLIN) 1.45pm Recital Hall £10 (£8) Caroline Pether violin RBC Strings Ensemble Brahms String Sextet in B flat Op.18 RBC tutor Caroline Pether is Leader of chamber orchestra Sinfonia Cymru and holds the Co-Leader position at Manchester Camerata. This afternoon she is joined by strings musicians from RBC to perform Brahms’s Sextet.
THU 12 DEC
NADINE BENJAMIN (SOPRANO) 6pm Recital Hall £10 (£8) Papagena
WED 11 DEC
ORCHESTRA OF THE SWAN: UPON A MIDNIGHT CLEAR 2.30pm The Bradshaw Hall £18-£25 Papagena vocal quintet
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Nadine Benjamin soprano Gomez Ferrer tenor Chris Hopkins piano
Join us for an exquisite celebration of the festive season. Upon a Midnight Clear is a breathtaking musical journey through the heart of winter. A mesmerising tapestry of ancient carols, popular songs and winter-themed classical favourites.
“
Nadine Benjamin’s Summertime is one of the loveliest I’ve heard.
1.30pm Pre-concert talk Orchestra of the Swan is the professional orchestra–in-residence at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. BOOK NOW VIA WWW.BCU.AC.UK/CONCERTS OR 0121 331 5909
” Richard Morrison, The Times.
Programme includes extracts from Verdi’s Otello, Ballo and Il Trovatore. British lyric soprano Nadine Benjamin is a charismatic and versatile artist who is in increasing demand on both the operatic stage and the concert platform. She is also developing great renown as an exponent of song, in particular Verdi, Strauss, Berg and contemporary American song. Hailed by Opera Now magazine as one of their favourite top ten sopranos in “a new generation of sopranos who are destined to have impressive careers”, Nadine won the inaugural Fulham Opera Robert Presley Memorial Verdi Prize in 2015.
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THU 12 DEC
#BIRMINGHAMNEWMUSIC 7pm The Lab £10 (£8) Frontiers presents a concert of new works by Royal Birmingham Conservatoire composers, featuring a wide range of styles utilising the flexible layout of the Lab in creative and inventive ways.
FRI 13 DEC
LUNCHTIMES @ BMAG: FRANÇAIX TRIO 12.30pm The Round Room, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery FREE ADMISSION Jacob Perkins oboe Will Hammond clarinet Dominic O’Sullivan bassoon Musicians from Royal Birmingham Conservatoire treat you to a delightful lunchtime recital in the beautiful surroundings of Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery.
FRI 13 DEC
LEGACY FELLOWS RECEPTION 5.45pm Organ Studio Free to all enrolled Legacy Fellows A special pre-concert reception for Legacy Fellows of Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. Admission to this event is by invitation only. If you are interested in becoming a Legacy Fellow, or finding out more about what is involved, please contact Robin Leonard on 0121 331 5534 or at robin.leonard@bcu.ac.uk
Daniel Lebhardt
FRI 13 DEC
RBC REPERTOIRE ORCHESTRA END OF TERM CONCERT: DVOŘÁK’S EIGHTH 7pm The Bradshaw Hall £15 (£12) Conductor Daniele Rosina Daniel Lebhardt piano Georgia Denham new piece Mozart Piano Concerto No.19 in F K459 Dvořák Symphony No.8 Join the Conservatoire’s Repertoire Orchestra for an end-of-term concert containing music from three different centuries. The programme begins with a brand new piece by RBC composer Georgia Denham. In the second-half Daniele Rosina will lead the orchestra in Dvořák’s Symphony No.8, a lyrical and optimistic work composed in 1889 and premiered by the composer the following year. In between, Advanced Postgraduate Diploma piano student Daniel Lebhardt plays Mozart’s 19th concerto, written in 1784 for the composer to perform himself.
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Birmingham Citadel Salvation Army
BOOK NOW VIA WWW.BCU.AC.UK/CONCERTS OR 0121 331 5909
SAT 14 DEC
BIRMINGHAM CITADEL SALVATION ARMY CHURCH CONCERT
MON 6 JAN
BOTTESINI, VIVALDI, RAVEL 1.05pm Recital Hall
3pm & 6.30pm The Bradshaw Hall
FREE ADMISSION
£10, £8, £6 for students/under 16s
Phoebe Cheng double bass
Christmas with The Salvation Army is an ever-popular event in Birmingham and is the perfect way to start your Christmas celebrations.
Bottesini Grande Allegro alla Mendelssohn Bottesini Tutto il Mondo Serra Bottesini Une bouche aimee
Featuring over 100 performers, the line-up includes our excellent Bands and Choirs who will be taking centre stage, along with our very youngest children performing their Nativity play plus tambourine and dance groups. The guest vocalist is Karl Westwood from London who sings in the band FourHymn. You will have the opportunity to sing your favourite carols – and Santa Claus may even make an appearance.
Charlotte Sleet mezzo-soprano Jonathan French piano
This concert is for all the family with special prices for children and students.
EDWARD LEUNG (PIANO)
Vivaldi Cessate Omai Cessate Ravel Cinq mélodies populaires Grecques
WED 8 JAN
7pm Recital Hall
SAT 21 DEC
£10 (£8)
TOWN HALL GOSPEL CHOIR CHRISTMAS SPECIAL
Edward Leung piano
7pm The Bradshaw Hall £23, £19, £17 plus £1.75 booking fee Tickets available from www.townhallgospelchoir.com Get into the Christmas spirit with Town Hall Gospel Choir’s soulful and inspirational singing of festive favourites. Having collaborated with stars such as Hugh Masekela, Mica Paris, Ruby Turner and Muyiwa, we are excited to present this gospel extravaganza. Expect classic Christmas carols and songs obviously with THGC gospel flavour and twists. This evening’s programme will include soothing lush harmonies arranged by Musical Director, Colin Anderson and inevitably have you stomping, bopping and clapping along to all your favourites! Free
Commuter
Orchestras
Guest artists
JS Bach arr. Busoni Adagio from BWV 564 Haydn Sonata in C Major, Hob. XVI: 48 Chopin Sonata No.2 in B-flat minor, Op.35 Ives ‘The Alcotts’ from Piano Sonata No.2, Concord, Mass., 1840–60 Stravinsky L’Oiseau de feu (The Firebird) (transcribed by Guido Agosti) Edward is currently studying for the Advanced Postgraduate Diploma (APD) at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. Our APD students are performers at the very highest levels of study who are already launching their professional careers.
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THU 9 JAN
TUESDAYS IN JANUARY
TZU-JO HUANG (PERCUSSION)
BBC NEW GENERATION ARTISTS
6pm Recital Hall £10 (£8) Tzu-Jo Huang percussion Casey Cangelosi Iktsuarpok Pius Cheung Etude in D Major & d minor Casey Cangelosi Meditation Keith Jarrett arr. Manuel Barrueco The Köln Concert part IIc Nicolas Deyoe Fantasia IIIb Leigh Howard Stevens Rhythmic Caprice Pierre Jodlowski Time and Money, le cube Adi Morag Octabones
1.05pm The Bradshaw Hall £10 (£8) per concert We are delighted to announce that four of this season’s BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artists are performing in The Bradshaw Hall throughout January. Elisabeth Brauss (piano), Annelien Van Wauwe (clarinet), the Consone Quartet and Timothy Ridout (viola) will each grace the stage in this exciting series.
The BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artists Scheme helps to support talented musicians to reach the next stages of their careers and brings some of the world’s most promising new talent to listeners across the UK through BBC Radio 3 broadcasts.
Tzu-Jo Huang is currently studying for the Advanced Postgraduate Diploma (APD) at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.
Our APD students are performers at the very highest levels of study who are already launching their professional careers.
MON 13 JAN
BERNSTEIN, BARBER Elisabeth Brauss
Annelien Van Wauwe
Consone Quartet
1.05pm Recital Hall
Timothy Ridout
FREE ADMISSION
TUE 7 JAN
TUE 14 JAN
TUE 21 JAN
TUE 28 JAN
Evgenia Rubinova piano
Mendelssohn String Quartet in E flat Schumann String Quartet No.2 in F, Op.41
Frank Dupree piano
Schubert 4 Impromtus D899 Op.90 Beethoven Sonata in F minor Op.57, 'Appassionata'
ELISABETH BRAUSS (PIANO)
Elisabeth Brauss was born to musical parents and received her first piano lessons aged four. She has given numerous concerts as a soloist, chamber musician and with orchestra, including the hr-Sinfonieorchester, the Bochumern Symphonikern, the Dortmunder Symphonikern, the NDR Radiophilharmonie and the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen.
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ANNELIEN VAN WAUWE (CLARINET) Debussy Première rhapsodie Brahms Sonate für Klavier und Klarinette Op.120/1 Rachmaninov Moments musicaux Op.16 No.2 Allegretto Pierné Canzonetta Op.19 Widor Introduction et rondo Op.73 Belgian clarinettist and past New Generation Artist, Annelien Van Wauwe is known for her expressive, intensive, lyrical and honest performances. She is considered to be one of the most fascinating and original clarinettists of her generation.
CONSONE QUARTET
The Consone Quartet was formed at the Royal College of Music in London with the aim to explore Classical and Early Romantic repertoire on period instruments.
“The textures were always clear and voice-leading immaculate.” The Strad
BOOK NOW VIA WWW.BCU.AC.UK/CONCERTS OR 0121 331 5909
Brigitta Sveda piano Helena Townsend mezzo-soprano Johnny Budd piano
TIMOTHY RIDOUT (VIOLA) Enescu Konzertstück for viola and piano Rota Viola Sonata Schumann Dichterliebe, Op.48 arranged for viola and piano Since winning 1st Prize in the Lionel Tertis International Viola Competition in 2016, Timothy has gone on to perform widely internationally. Concerto engagements during the 2018/19 season include a residency with Baden-Baden Philharmonie and appearances with the Hamburg Symphony Orchestra, Tonhalle Orchester Zurich, Orchestre de Lille, Camerata Salzburg and Philharmonia Orchestra.
Bernstein I Hate Music Larsen The river is Larsen Where the river bends Chanler These my Ophelia Barber Nocturne Duke There will be Stars Hundley The Astronomers Bernstein Jupiter Has Seven Moons
This concert will be broadcast live on BBC Radio 3.
Free
Commuter
Orchestras
Guest artists
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WED 15 JAN
KA PEK HO (DOUBLE BASS) 7pm Recital Hall £10 (£8) Ka Pek Ho double bass Bottesini Introduction and Variations on the Carnival of Venice Tchaikovsky Variations on a Rococo Theme Hertl Sonata for Double bass and Piano Ka Pek Ho is currently studying for the Advanced Postgraduate Diploma (APD) at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.
Our APD students are performers at the very highest levels of study who are already launching their professional careers.
THU 16 JAN
PHOEBE CHENG (DOUBLE BASS)
SUN 19 & MON 20 JAN
GREAT BIRMINGHAM BRASS FEST Join a stellar line-up of international brass superstars for a festival of concerts, horn-hangouts, masterclasses and participatory events at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.
6pm Recital Hall £10 (£8) Phoebe Cheng double bass Bottesini Grande allegro di concerto: Alla Mendelssohn Franck Arr. Eugene Levinson Sonata in A Phoebe is currently studying for the Advanced Postgraduate Diploma (APD) at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.
Our APD students are performers at the very highest levels of study who are already launching their professional careers.
FRI 17 JAN
LUNCHTIMES @ BMAG 12.30pm The Round Room, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery FREE ADMISSION Musicians from Royal Birmingham Conservatoire treat you to a delightful lunchtime recital in the beautiful surroundings of Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery.
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Featured artists include: Sarah Willis (Berlin Philharmonic, and International Chair of Brass Studies at RBC) Philip Cobb (Principal Trumpet, London Symphony Orchestra) Peter Moore (Visiting Artist at RBC, Principal Trombone, London Symphony Orchestra) Katrina Marzella (Solo Baritone, Black Dyke Mills Band) Onyx Brass (“easily the classiest brass ensemble in the UK”, BBC Music) Connaught Brass (Winners of the inaugural Philip Jones Brass Quintet competition, 2019) Tim Jackson (Principal Horn, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra) Alan Thomas (Principal Trumpet CBSO, Septura) Graham Sibley (Principal Tuba, CBSO) Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Brass Band (Directed by Ian Porthouse) Full programme details available at www.bcu.ac.uk/brassfest20
SUN 19 JAN
SIDE-BY-SIDE WITH RBC BRASS BAND Directed by Ian Porthouse, with Katrina Marzella and Peter Moore 9.45am The Bradshaw Hall Open to all brass band instrument players of Grade 5 standard and above.
SARAH WILLIS’S HORN HANGOUT LIVE Featuring the CBSO Horns, Katrina Marzella and Ian Porthouse 11.15am Recital Hall Rare chance to watch Sarah Willis, RBC’s International Chair in Brass Studies, in action in her legendary horn hangout!
CONNAUGHT BRASS 12.30pm The Bradshaw Hall Lunchtime recital to include Adam’s Rib by James MacMillan and Monteverdi’s Scherzi Musicali. Fresh from their triumph in the inaugural Philip Jones Brass Quintet competition, this an opportunity to catch this thrilling young ensemble at the start of what is sure to be a major international career.
Festival Pass £25 Day Passes £15
BOOK NOW VIA WWW.BCU.AC.UK/CONCERTS OR 0121 331 5909
Connaught Brass
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Katrina Marzella Photo by Hazel Whittall
MASTERCLASSES 1.30pm Workshop Rooms An array of masterclasses to observe, including Sarah Willis, French horn (Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra), Peter Moore, trombone (London Symphony Orchestra), Alan Thomas, trumpet (RBC Associate Head of Brass, CBSO, Onyx Brass, Septura), Graham Sibley, tuba (CBSO, RBC tutor).
MASTERCLASSES 4pm Recital Hall and Workshop 1 More opportunities to learn from the greatest players around, featuring classes from Katrina Marzella, baritone (Black Dyke Band) and Philip Cobb, cornet (London Symphony Orchestra).
MASSED BLOW Directed by Sarah Willis 5.30pm The Bradshaw Hall Open to ALL, a chance to play in a large ensemble directed by Sarah Willis.
Philip Cobb
ROYAL BIRMINGHAM CONSERVATOIRE BRASS BAND Directed by Ian Porthouse, with guest soloists Philip Cobb, Katrina Marzella and Peter Moore 7pm The Bradshaw Hall Ray Farr Intrada: Ein’ Feste Burg Peter Graham Baritone Concerto (soloist Katrina Marzella -Black Dyke Band) Gordon Langford Rhapsody for Trombone (soloist Peter Moore - Principal Trombone, London Symphony Orchestra, ECHO Klassik young artist) Ernest Tomlinson Cornet Concerto (soloist Philip Cobb - Principal Trumpet, London Symphony Orchestra) With an outrageously talented line-up of global brass superstar soloists, this is a rare opportunity to hear some of the great works for solo brass and Brass Band, from the evergreen Langford Rhapsody for trombone to the rarely performed, ultra-virtuoso, Tomlinson Cornet Concerto via a wonderful new baritone concerto by Peter Graham. With the fabulous RBC Brass Band, under the sparkling direction of Ian Porthouse, this is an unmissable concert for all brass lovers.
Onyx Brass
MON 20 JAN
ORCHESTRAL HORN SIDE-BY-SIDE MASTERCLASS Featuring Sarah Willis and Timothy Jackson (Principal Horn, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra) 9am Recital Hall
BOOK NOW VIA WWW.BCU.AC.UK/CONCERTS OR 0121 331 5909
BRASS CHAMBER MUSIC MASTERCLASS 2pm The Bradshaw Hall Watch RBC’s best student groups in action under the guidance of Onyx Brass.
Featuring Onyx Brass, Peter Moore and Tim Jackson
ONYX BRASS, CONNAUGHT BRASS, RBC STUDENT ENSEMBLE AND INTRODUCING RBC YOUTH BRASS
12pm Recital Hall
7pm The Bradshaw Hall
Rare chance to watch Sarah Willis, RBC’s International Chair in Brass Studies, in action in her legendary horn hangout!
Bernstein arr. Crees West Side Story Suite (RBC Youth Brass) Timothy Jackson Three Worlds for triple brass quintet (world première) Simon Dobson new work for brass quintet (première) John Adams arr. Onyx Brass Shaking and Trembling (world première of new arrangement for triple brass quintet)
SARAH WILLIS’S HORN HANGOUT LIVE
PETER MOORE & JOANNE SEALEY TROMBONE AND PIANO RECITAL 1.05pm Recital Hall Join international trombone superstar Peter Moore and RBC’s own brilliant pianist Joanne Sealey in a recital of consummate artistry and expression: Peter makes the instrument sing in a way that is truly breathtaking.
Trade stands available both days, provided by Phil Parker, Ltd with instruments available to try.
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Peter Moore Photo by Kaupo Kikkas
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The final gala concert of the inaugural Great Birmingham Brass Fest will open with the debut of a newly formed youth ensemble, featuring the best young brass players from music hubs across the West Midlands and directed by Amos Miller, Head of Brass at RBC. It will then feature a smorgasbord of electrifying brass chamber music from Onyx Brass, described by BBC Music as “Easily the classiest brass ensemble in Britain”, including several world premières, in two of which they will be joined by both Connaught Brass and a student ensemble from RBC.
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MON 20 JAN
TUE 21 JAN
1.05pm Recital Hall
1.05pm The Bradshaw Hall
£10 (£8)
FREE ADMISSION
£10 (£8)
See page 19 for details
See page 14 for details
Frontiers presents a concert of new works by Royal Birmingham Conservatoire composers, featuring a wide range of styles utilising the flexible layout of the Lab in creative and inventive ways.
PETER MOORE & JOANNE SEALEY TROMBONE AND PIANO RECITAL
TUE 21 JAN
Jamie Savan
BBC NEW GENERATION ARTISTS: CONSONE QUARTET
#BIRMINGHAMNEWMUSIC 7pm The Lab
Katherine Tinker
TUE 21 JAN
PUBLIC RESEARCH SEMINAR: PROFESSOR JAMIE SAVAN (ROYAL BIRMINGHAM CONSERVATOIRE) 3.30pm Workshop 2
Jonathan Kelly
£5
FRI 24 JAN
Venetian Discoveries
TUE 21 JAN
MILLENNIAL PERCUSSION 8pm Centrala, Digbeth £5 including free drink Millennial Percussion Katherine Tinker producer/piano Toby Kearney producer Holly Teague soprano Programme to include: Alexander Schubert Star Me Kitten Anna Meredith Flex Alexis Bacon Ojibwe Song Iannis Xenakis Okho
Millennial Percussion collaborates with BCU Stage Management students and continues to showcase some of the most adventurous music written for percussion in the first of two extraordinary programmes at Centrala in 2020. Drawing on cutting edge repertoire, this concert combines virtuosic playing with immersive lighting, screen and audio, and features a rare performance of Alexander Schubert’s Star Me Kitten alongside unmissable music from Anna Meredith and Iannis Xenakis, and world premières by Fumiko Miyachi and Katharina Wallace.
Jamie Savan discusses some of his recent work editing, performing and recording music from the Venetian publishing houses of the early seventeenth century. This seminar will explore some of the ways in which the music of lesser-known figures, such as the 1616 Vespers of Amadio Freddi (c.1580-1643), can help us to understand the work of established ‘canon’ composers such as Claudio Monteverdi within a broader and richer context. Jamie Savan is Professor of Performance-led Research at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. Venice has proved an enduring inspiration for the different threads of his research, embracing applied organology, critical editing and historical performance practice. He is founderdirector of the Gonzaga Band and a member of His Majestys Sagbuts & Cornetts, these ensembles forming both the testing ground and important outlets for his research in the form of live performances and recordings.
RBC SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: STRAUSS’S OBOE CONCERTO 7pm The Bradshaw Hall £15 (£12) Conductor Jaume Santonja Jonathan Kelly oboe Programme to include: Strauss Oboe Concerto We are delighted to welcome Jonathan Kelly, formerly of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and now Principal Oboe of the Berlin Philharmonic, to perform Richard Strauss’s Oboe Concerto with the Conservatoire’s Symphony Orchestra. One of the composer’s last works, it features in a concert conducted by current CBSO Assistant Conductor Jaume Santonja. During the second half of tonight’s concert, the honorary award of Doctor of Birmingham City University will be conferred upon RBC’s founding Principal, Professor Kevin Thompson.
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BOOK NOW VIA WWW.BCU.AC.UK/CONCERTS OR 0121 331 5909
Free
Commuter
Orchestras
Guest artists
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SAT 25 JAN
CHAMBER MUSIC SATURDAYS
Timothy Ridout
12pm Library of Birmingham FREE ADMISSION Hear some of our best young musicians perform in the Library of Birmingham. Strings, woodwind and brass ensembles from the Conservatoire present beautiful programmes completely free of charge. Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity! Children very welcome.
SAT 25 JAN
JUNIOR ROYAL BIRMINGHAM CONSERVATOIRE
TUE 28 JAN
BBC NEW GENERATION ARTISTS: TIMOTHY RIDOUT (VIOLA) 1.05pm The Bradshaw Hall
7pm The Bradshaw Hall
£10 (£8)
£8 (£6)
See page 15 for details
BOOK A MUSICIAN
Talented young artists from the Junior Conservatoire present an engaging programme of music.
MON 27 JAN
BRAHMS
1.05pm Recital Hall FREE ADMISSION Risa Sekine violin Angela Monge-Alvarez cello Robert Markham piano Brahms Double Concerto for Violin, Cello and Piano Dobromir Tsenov piano Vladigerov Bulgarian Rhapsody Op.16 "Vardar" Smetana "Aus der Heimat" (From my homeland) JB 1:118 Vladigerov "Dance" from Two Bulgarian Paraphrases Op.18
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Boult’s Bar and Restaurant is located on Level 0 with a simple range of hot and cold food for you to enjoy throughout the day and evening – equally perfect for you to enjoy before or after a concert or just when you are meeting up with friends. Also located here, the bar serves a range of quality wines, fizz, craft beers and fabulous cocktails.
BOOK NOW VIA WWW.BCU.AC.UK/CONCERTS OR 0121 331 5909
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire is proud to boast a wide range of artists from prize-winning concert pianists to lively folk ensembles and jazz bands. Whatever the occasion, we have a portfolio of soloists and ensembles who are able to provide high quality live performance or background music, and who are experienced in performing at concerts and events in venues across the United Kingdom.
For further information, please contact: Lynsey Hopkinson, Director of Book A Musician bookamusician@bcu.ac.uk 0121 331 6902
Birmingham City University
WED 29 JAN
HARP +
7pm Recital Hall £10 (£8) Royal Birmingham Conservatoire harpists Katharine Sherratt, Helena Bowen, Emily Hopper, Georgina Taylor, Sun Yuning
WED 29 JAN
YCAT @ THE CONSERVATOIRE: JONIAN KADESHA (VIOLIN) & FILIPPO GORINI (PIANO) 1.45pm The Bradshaw Hall £10 (£8)
Eve Abram flute Emma Holmes flute Emily Hicks flute Annie Lucas viola Jolivet Petite Suite Hovhaness The Garden of Adonis Shankar L'Aube Enchantée Holst Rig Veda (excerpts) Britten A Ceremony of Carols (excerpts) A rare chance to hear beautiful and intimate original chamber works written for various ensembles and duets featuring the harp.
Enescu Menetrier for Violin Solo Beethoven Violin Sonata No.8 in G Op.30, No.3 Skalkottas Petite Suite No.2 for violin and piano Brahms Violin Sonata No.3 in D minor, Op.108
Since winning First Prize and Audience Prize at the Telekom-Beethoven Competition in Bonn in 2015 Italian pianist Filippo Gorini has enjoyed a steadily rising career. His concert appearances have drawn unanimous acclaim on many prestigious stages such as the Berlin Konzerthaus, Hamburg Elbphilharmonie, Munich Herkulessaal, Società del Quartetto di Milano, and the Samsung Concert Hall in Seoul.
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EX MACHINA 7.30pm Recital Hall
THU 23 JAN
£10 (£8)
ROYAL BIRMINGHAM CONSERVATOIRE OPEN DAY
Naomi Sullivan Director RBC Saxophone Ensemble and Friends
10am-4pm
John Cage Four5 Matthijs Van Dijk Can We Talk About Ian Stewart Make Me a Pallet on the Floor Jacob Ter Veldhuis Jesus is Coming Marc Mellits Ex Machina
Our Open Day is designed for those considering taking a course at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and also for staff involved in the teaching of these students and advising them on higher education courses.
RBC Saxophone Department will perform pieces influenced by cultural movements from 1991 onwards. Drawing the sound worlds of minimalism, silence, Mississippi blues, rock, pop and more. Including UK premieres of works by Matthijs Van Dijk (South Africa) and Ian Stewart (United Kingdom).
The day will consist of workshops and talks about Royal Birmingham Conservatoire’s courses and life at the University.
For further information and a programme for the day, please see the website bcu.ac.uk/ conservatoire/opendays or contact 0121 331 5901 or e-mail conservatoire@bcu.ac.uk
FRI 31 JAN
DANIEL LEBHARDT (PIANO)
“To regard him simply as a huge talent is not enough: there is an element of pure genius in this young man” Süddeutsche Zeitung on Jonian Kadesha Over the last year Jonian’s career has flourished with him making his debut with Scottish Chamber Orchestra at Tivoli Hall in Copenhagen, the RTE Concert Orchestra at the National Concert Hall in Dublin, the Royal Philharmonic, New Russian State Symphony (conducted by Yuri Bashmet), Albanian Radio and Coburg Philharmonic Orchestras.
OPEN DAY
THU 30 JAN
7pm Recital Hall £10 (£8) Daniel Lebhardt piano Iain Burnside Photo by TallWall Media
WED 29 JAN
VOXBOX: HOME SWEET HOME 7pm The Lab £10 (£8)
Beethoven Piano Sonata No.18 in E flat, Op.31 No.3 Liszt Harmonies du soir (Transcendental Etude no.11) S.13 Liszt Spanish Rhapsody S.254 Bartók Out of Doors Sz.81 Daniel is currently studying for the Advanced Postgraduate Diploma (APD) at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.
Our APD students are performers at the very highest levels of study who are already launching their professional careers.
Home, they say, is where the heart is. It’s also where some of the best songs come from - whether exploring identity, family relationships, or good old bricks and mortar. In this wide-ranging programme, we welcome internationally-acclaimed pianist, Iain Burnside, who has worked alongside our students to create a concert of songs and duets to challenge our ideas of domesticity. BOOK NOW VIA WWW.BCU.AC.UK/CONCERTS OR 0121 331 5909
Free
Commuter
Orchestras
Guest artists
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OUR SUPPORTERS
HOW TO FIND US
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire is extremely grateful for the generous support of all its donors, in particular the following individuals, foundations and organisations.
INDIVIDUAL DONORS
The Family and Friends of Margaret Asher S S Baden Andrew Banks The Estate of Royston Beech Margaret Beesley Ian Bentley Dr Keith Bradshaw OBE DL Tony & Veronica Bridgewater A J Briscoe Paul Butcher Tony Davies & Darin Qualls Stuart Denning Professor Andrew Downes H J Edgar Alan Fairs G Gregory John Gripton & Rosemary Phillips Tony Hales CBE Elizabeth Hobbs Mark Hopton Sean Kelly Donald Main Kerry Milan Herm Miller Marita Morrison A R Phillips Andrew Rackham Richard Rathbone Joseph Seager Margaret A Tait Judith Taylor A C Turner The Family and Friends of Gwyn Williams Jane Williams & Bob Walker
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FOUNDATIONS AND ORGANISATIONS
LEGACY FELLOWS
Awards for Young Musicians Cheltenham Ladies College Churchill Music Marden House Concerts Orchestras for All PRS Foundation Signatur Sophie’s Silver Lining Fund The Alan Edward Higgs Charity The Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation The Aspinwall Educational Trust The Brooks Van Der Pump Charitable Trust The Carne Trust The Denis Matthews Memorial Trust The DMC McDonald Foundation The Ernest Cook Trust The Fidelio Charitable Trust The GDST Shrewsbury The GNC Charitable Trust The George Cadbury Trust The Gibbons Family Trust The Headley Trust The John Avins Trust The Leverhulme Trust The Michael Bishop Foundation The Music and Dance Scheme The Nicholas Boas Charitable Trust The Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Association The Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Trust The Schubert Ensemble Trust The Wolfson Foundation Universal Music UK Sound Foundation
Tony & Veronica Bridgewater John Gripton & Rosemary Phillips Marita Morrison Jeremy Patterson Richard Rathbone Jane Williams & Bob Walker
If you would like to support the work of Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and its students, please contact Robin Leonard at robin.leonard@bcu.ac.uk or on 0121 331 5534. Thank you for your support!
BOOK NOW VIA WWW.BCU.AC.UK/CONCERTS OR 0121 331 5909
HOW TO FIND US
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire is situated at 200 Jennens Road, Birmingham B4 7XR, opposite Aston University and behind Millennium Point.
PARKING
There is a multi-storey car park owned and managed by Birmingham City Council situated adjacent to Millennium Point. The car park entrance is on Howe Street off Jennens Road. If you are using a sat nav please use the postcode B4 7AP.
BUS ROUTES
The 14, 55, 66 and 94 all go from Priory Queensway (B&M Bargains) and stop on Jennens Road. There is a stop almost opposite Royal Birmingham Conservatoire with a pedestrian crossing nearby.
ACCESSIBILITY
Wheelchair users are entitled to concessionary priced tickets with a complimentary companion seat. Guide dogs are welcome at all Royal Birmingham Conservatoire venues. If you wish to bring a guide dog or wheelchair, please let the Events Office know by calling 0121 331 5909. PLEASE NOTE that listings are correct at time of going to print.
ROYAL BIRMINGHAM CONSERVAT OIRE AS SOCI AT ION Join us today to support the musicians of tomorrow! Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Association (RBCA) is a subscription-based membership association which supports the work of students at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. Our international membership consists of alumni, current and former members of staff, distinguished Honorary Members including the President of Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Sir Simon Rattle OM CBE Duniv, parents, friends and all those wishing to support our objectives. Formerly a registered charity, RBCA is now officially part of, and wholly administered by, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. Our work is overseen by a committee comprising senior Conservatoire staff and volunteers who possess a diverse range of expertise and experiences across different sectors and industries. RBCA’s primary objectives are to provide financial support to individual students for a variety of needs (such as instrument purchase and repair, travelling and living expenses and masterclasses) and to help produce the Conservatoire’s twice-yearly promotional magazine
Fanfare. We also support Conservatoire students’ involvement in the CBSO’s Learning and Participation Programme. Membership of RBCA is open to anybody wishing to support the work of the students at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. The students increasingly need your help in these days of economic challenge and uncertainty. Please visit our website www.bcu.ac.uk/conservatoire/bca to see the benefits offered to RBCA Members and join us online or by requesting further details from Robin Leonard by emailing rbca@bcu.ac.uk or calling 0121 331 5534.
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