ISM MUSIC JOURNAL MARCH/APRIL 2022 | NEWS FROM OUR MEMBERS
NEWS FROM OUR MEMBERS We welcome your brief news (max. 150 words) and high-res images. Please email mj@ism.org The next deadline for copy is 28 March 2022 for the May/June 2022 issue
Anthony Gilbert, who will be 88 this year, has just self-published, via LifeBook, a short autobiography firstly roberthowardmusic.co.uk dealing with his early life, then the subsequent 60 years as a published Despite the ongoing limitations imposed New approach to a musical composer – a lesson in survival, by the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr Robert love affair perhaps? Some works are discussed Howard had a productive 2021. in some detail, but not analysed in Trio of Devotion, a novel by Back in June, the Prescot Festival of depth, so only one musical example Christopher Morley FISM about the Music & the Arts (of which Robert is (his first piece) is shown, but quite a relationship between Robert and Artistic Director and Founder), took few photos illustrate his life. Funding Clara Schumann and Brahms, has place in hybrid form, with a mixture for this project was generously made recently been published by Brewin of in-person events and online arts available by the Ida Carroll and the Books Ltd (£6.95). Founded on all the and music. Pitfield Trusts. Copies can be obtained factual details Chris has researched, it free of charge from gilbertcomp@ In August, Robert was interviewed begins with Robert’s courtship of Clara btinternet.com, though meeting the as part of the Prescot Makers and under the more than disapproving eye postage cost would be welcome. Players project, in association of her father Friedrich Wieck, continues The title is Kettle of Fish, a categorisation with Imaginarium Theatre and through the Schumanns’ fecund sometimes offered to his idiom. Knowsley Council. The resulting marriage, its happiness increasingly short film features clips of Prescot blighted by Robert’s mental condition, Parish Church Choir, of which Robert and then, after his death in an asylum, Some news from the South East coast is associate director, singing his Clara’s increasing dependence upon choral work For Mary, Mother of Our Robert’s favourite student, Johannes Lord, with conductor David Kernick. Brahms. The legacy of Clara’s own The film is available to view at pupils is explored, reaching well into imaginariumtheatre.co.uk the 20th century. Interest has already been expressed in expanding Trio of September saw several performing Devotion into a film. All profits from groups resume – Robert returned this book will be donated to the to conducting the Phoenix Concert Gwyn WIlliams Bursary for young Orchestra, giving monthly bassoon string players. performances with the Liverpool Bach Collective, playing principal Anthony Gilbert puts his bassoon with the Liverpool Mozart musical life into words Orchestra and directing a variety of choirs, orchestras and live events at St Edward’s College (Choir School to Tenor Greg Tassell writes: ‘I recently Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral). put on two charity recitals with the marvellous pianist John Harper to raise In December, South Liverpool Orchestra money for the Afghanistan appeal, celebrated its 45th anniversary and I’m pleased to say we raised over and Robert’s 10th anniversary as £600, all of which was donated to the conductor. Prescot Festival held its first Bridge to Unity charity, formerly called large-scale event since March 2020, Ems4Afghans, which helps provide with the Mayor of Prescot’s Charity refugees with clothes, equipment and Christmas Concert. Tenor David Kernick everyday items which they cannot premiered Robert’s new setting of Ave afford. St Andrew’s Church, Deal and Maria, with the composer at the piano. St Andrew’s Church, Broadstairs were Robert’s compositions (nearly 200 the two venues and rather splendidly a
Productivity despite the pandemic for Robert Howard
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titles) are available for perusal and purchase via sheetmusicplus.com
