NEWS
AROUND THE UK If you have any news you would like to share, email editor@makingmusic.org.uk STRATFORD-UPON-AVON
BRIGHTON & NEWCASTLE
Life after adopting a composer A thriving musical legacy In 2018, the Fretful Federation Mandolin Orchestra’s (FFMO) collaboration with composer Esmeralda Conde Ruiz resulted in The other ocean, seven short movements to accompany pieces of local film footage from Screen Archive South East. The footage celebrates early 20th century life in Brighton and includes scenes of children sledging down snowy slopes and holidaymakers playing beach games. Since its premiere performance, the orchestra has found ways to keep the piece alive by putting on several performances in and around Brighton. One of the intentions behind The other ocean is to stimulate memory and allow the audience to relate to it in a personal way. Esmeralda wrote the piece and chose the films after asking the orchestra about their own memories. ‘The film evokes a lot of reaction with the audience 6
HIGHNOTES Spring 2020
and it’s wonderful to hear them laugh or express amazement or to know they feel moved by the way it ends beautifully with humming. It connects us in a new and different way with the audience,’ says Lindsay Stoner, musical director of the FFMO. Meanwhile, Newcastle-based group The Singers worked with composer Edmund Hunt, the result of which is the piece Vita Hominum. Also closely linked to location, Edmund’s piece uses medieval Latin texts by local figure the Venerable Bede, which evoke the sea. ‘It feels like something in which many people have a stake. It is not solely ‘my’ piece anymore,’ Edmund says. Since its premiere, The Singers have performed Vita Hominum no less than four more times, including at Coventry Cathedral. Read the project blogs: makingmusic.org.uk/news
Above: The Fretful Federation Mandolin Orchestra performs The other ocean
As part of the International Pipe and Tabor Festival organised by member group the Taborers Society in September, a consort of tabor pipes played at Shakespeare’s burial place in Holy Trinity Church, Stratford. This was possibly the first time a consort like this has been heard in England since Tudor times. Five hundred years ago tabor pipes were commonly heard at court, but during the next couple of centuries were replaced by recorder consorts and string ensembles. The consort performed two pieces of music published by Michael Praetorius – La Volta and La Bourree. As a result of the performance, a collection of music for tabor pipe consort is now being compiled and will be available through the Taborers Society. pipeandtabor.org DORSET
“Music has given me lifelong friends from all walks of life. It is a tremendous leveller and brings a massive amount of enjoyment..” Member quote from Making Music Together exhibition
The Solo Trust in Dorset has commissioned two pieces by the composer Peter Hope. Along the Shore is an 18-min choral work for solo soprano, choir and orchestra, and the other is a slightly shorter work, Tall Trees, for a similar ensemble plus children’s choir for particular verses. The text is based on the cycle of life as seen in Thomas Hardy’s home woodland. Both works are free for any leisuretime choir to perform, and are available to listen to on Youtube. For more info and to request free parts contact peter@ peterhopemusic.com and Anthony Gannon at antganon@ gmail.com
