Hello Guitarfriends, some guitarnews from Europe………………….
I would like to send you a musical greeting from the Netherlands.
From my book “ Guitar Festival “Vol. 2 you can hear my composition “African Sunset”.
You can listen to this piece by opening the MP3 file in the attachment.
Guitar Festival Vol 1 an Vol 2 contain many pieces with a high standard CD and very attractive pieces to play in many differnte contemporary styles.
Guitar Festival is one of the almost 30 guitaralbums I have produced and they are published by Broekmans & van Poppel, Amsterdam.
For more info I would like to invite you to visit my website http://www.joepwanders.com/ or http://www.broekmans.com/ .
Take care
Joep Wanders
Guitarist, composer and author
BGS Meeting 20th September 2008
Ahh! The joys of an Indian Summer!! Oh to be in England! Well at least at St Marks Church in Bromley on a Saturday night at 6pm wondering if anyone was going to turn up....
But I wasn't disappointed!! Another great evening of plucking and strumming took place with larger than usual turnout from all members. Our regular Chairman, Denis Stockton is taking a well earned holiday in somewhere between the UK and Spain where he is no doubt enjoying a Sangria and the odd flamenco tablao.
(Update
Actually our intrepid chairman was in Italy as it turns out!!! Oh well....it's close to Spain I suppose..)
Which left your correspondent, ably assisted by Becky Clifford, with the task of 'leading' the nights pluck 'n strum' festivities. So it was with great relief on the part of us both, and the other members that our Miscellaneous Musical Maestro, Ray Butcher, arrived to lead the ensemble part of the evening. (If it was left to Becky and I to lead it , it would have been a very short meeting!!).
And in keeping with Ray's avuncular style, he provided us with some wonderful pieces, leading us into some uncharted waters. (especially for your correspondent- I was particularly shattered when he made me drop a section I had been practising for WEEKS and take up a different part on the Rossini piece!) But as usual he led us back to safe waters, leading to a wonderful evening with a lot of laughter.
The evenings solo spot saw some great efforts from the members, (despite the best efforts of Bromley's Boys in Blue). Pieces performed included
- Variations on 1 string (Written and performed by Steve!!!)
- Hits from the 50's (performed by Len Ivell)
- Waltz by Manuel Jose Ferrer (performed by Marion)
- Aria by Brescianlello (performed by Jenny)
- A Day in November by Leo Brouwer (performed by Stephen)
- Gavotte by Villa Lobos (performed by Trevor)
- Prelude by Curnow(???) (performed by Tom)
- Concerto by Diesel (duet performed by Rick and Tom)
- Bach and Friends - (performed by Miles)
Click here to listen to the performances. Vince Chittenden, our BGS unofficial sound engineeer tells me that Stephen Pearson wins the award for the greatest number of police sirens in a performance!! He also tells me that in his opinion, Variations on the String 1 is one of the greatest highlights of the evening!!
I should also like to thank Vince for preparing and rendering the sound files for our blog.
Special thanks again to Ray Butcher for his efforts in leading the ensemble session and to Trevor Pike for organisation of the catering.
Lots of exciting things will be happening over the next six months at the BGS. Apart from next months Amanda Cooks Concert (Bookings are open!!) we are fortunate to have Gary Ryan conducting a Master Class for member sin January plus two student recitals from his final year students. So make sure that you have reserved the third Saturday for the BGS for the next few months.
Calendar 2008-2009
- October : Amanda Cook Concert
- November : Members Evening (Ensemble and Solos)
- December: Christmas Party
- January: Gary Ryan Master Class
- February Members Evening (Ensemble and Solos)
- March: Widmore Visit (TBC)
- April: Student Recital plus Ensemble)
- May : Wealden Society
- June: Student Recital plus Ensemble
The meeting finished at 9:30 and I can only hope that I covered all bases in locking up the Church when we left. Come back soon Denis.......
Amanda Cook Concert Update 2
Bookings are now open for the Amanda Cook Concert which will take place at St Marks Church in Bromley on Saturday October 18th
ABC Classic FM Lute Project
Hi Folks
As a keen member of the Bromley Guitar Society, I do spread my affections around, particularly where Lute is concerned (as visitors to this site will no doubt agree). Apart from my rather wonderful Lorca Guitar, I also play a hybrid called the Guitar Lute which provides me with an almost authentic link to the golden age of renaissance music and a great deal of playing pleasure without the cost in purchase and change in playing style. Whether it provides listening pleasure to anyone else is somewhat debatable..
However, like Sting, I do love the Lute (and would love to buy one, although getting such a request past my nearest and dearest would take some effort). And it is terrific to see that modern composers are recognising what a beautiful instrument it is, both to look at and to listen.
Which is why I recommend a visit to the ABC Classic FM Lute Project Link. ABC Classic FM is the Aussie version of Radio BBC2 and it has a fine inventive selection of music styles and genres. (In fact in some ways I think it is better than Radio BBC 2 but as an Aussie expat, I am biased.)
By visiting this link you will see master lutenist Tommie Andersson performing new compositions by Michael Atherton, Rosalind Page, Damien Ricketson and Elena Kats-Chernin at the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre in Penrith as part of the 2008 Aurora Festival.
Here is Tommie playing Michael Atherton's piece RunSted:And Varin Said.
Just love it!!
Amanda Cook Concert- Watch this space!!
The Bromley Guitar Society Executive got together yesterday to map out a plan of campaign for the Amanda Cook Concert (which is scheduled for the 18th October- make sure your diary date is free for that evening!!) plus the extra treat of having Gary Ryan drop in and play a couple of pieces!!! (A birthday treat for Denis!)
More information along with flyers, booking information and contacts will be available on this site and the BGS Web Site shortly!
There are some exciting new developments that will be taking place early next year with a Masterclass conducted by Gary Ryan plus two recitals performed by his students.....if you want to learn more you'll have to attend the next meeting on Saturday September 21st!!
In the meantime if you want to learn more about Amanda Cook click here.
KINGSTON EARLY MUSIC FESTIVAL
(Courtesy Loki Music)
Dear concert-goer,
I hope you will be able to attend the some or all of the events in this Autumn's Kingston Early Music series, to be held in the beautiful surroundings of the Lovekyn Chapel [Kingston Grammar School], opposite main school building, London Road, Kingston upon Thames KT2 6PY.
[1] Thursday 18th. September, 7.30pm: 'Soaring aloft into the clouds...' William Byrd and the Golden Age of English keyboard music.A harpsichord recital to be given by YEO Yat-Soon including music by Byrd, Gibbons and Tomkins.
[2] Thursday 16th. October, 7.15pm: 'Raise, Raise the voice' - a concert of 18th.-century songs, cantatas and sonatas to be given by young professional recent graduates..
[3] Thursday 13th. November, 7.15pm: 'Down to the Greenwood must we go': Renaissance songs, madrigals and dances together with one or two more recent pieces re-arranged for Lute and Flute; to be given by Stephen Carpenter and William Summers.
[4] Thursday 4th. December, 7.15pm: 'Stella Splendens - Bright Star on the Mountain'. Medieval music for Christmas to be given by The Bardos Band, including Soprano, Fiddle and Harp.
All concerts use copies of original instruments and are given in a friendly, informal manner, with opportunities to talk to the musicians.They are organised by Loki Music, which runs concerts, events and educational activities involving historically informed music in South West London and elsewhere.
Tickets are available [a] on the door, costing £8, £6 [concessions] or £0 [children aged 16 or under];or [b] in advance, to reserve seats and to book for all four concerts [£28, or £20 for concessions] by posting a cheque made out to 'Loki Music' with a covering letter to Loki Music, Kingston Early Music Series, 10 Viking Court, Beaver Close, HAMPTON, Middlesex TW12 2BZ.
Enquiries: 020.8941.4917;williamsummers@uwclub.netwww.lokimusic.co.uk
Dear concert-goer,
I hope you will be able to attend the some or all of the events in this Autumn's Kingston Early Music series, to be held in the beautiful surroundings of the Lovekyn Chapel [Kingston Grammar School], opposite main school building, London Road, Kingston upon Thames KT2 6PY.
[1] Thursday 18th. September, 7.30pm: 'Soaring aloft into the clouds...' William Byrd and the Golden Age of English keyboard music.A harpsichord recital to be given by YEO Yat-Soon including music by Byrd, Gibbons and Tomkins.
[2] Thursday 16th. October, 7.15pm: 'Raise, Raise the voice' - a concert of 18th.-century songs, cantatas and sonatas to be given by young professional recent graduates..
[3] Thursday 13th. November, 7.15pm: 'Down to the Greenwood must we go': Renaissance songs, madrigals and dances together with one or two more recent pieces re-arranged for Lute and Flute; to be given by Stephen Carpenter and William Summers.
[4] Thursday 4th. December, 7.15pm: 'Stella Splendens - Bright Star on the Mountain'. Medieval music for Christmas to be given by The Bardos Band, including Soprano, Fiddle and Harp.
All concerts use copies of original instruments and are given in a friendly, informal manner, with opportunities to talk to the musicians.They are organised by Loki Music, which runs concerts, events and educational activities involving historically informed music in South West London and elsewhere.
Tickets are available [a] on the door, costing £8, £6 [concessions] or £0 [children aged 16 or under];or [b] in advance, to reserve seats and to book for all four concerts [£28, or £20 for concessions] by posting a cheque made out to 'Loki Music' with a covering letter to Loki Music, Kingston Early Music Series, 10 Viking Court, Beaver Close, HAMPTON, Middlesex TW12 2BZ.
Enquiries: 020.8941.4917;williamsummers@uwclub.netwww.lokimusic.co.uk