News from the Lute Society

1. PURCELL CONCERT AND DANCE DISPLAY
Orpheus Britannicus, A Dance of the Hearts, presented by the Mercurius Company
Cadogan Hall, Sloane Terrace SW1X 9DQ, 0207 730 4500 http://www.cadoganhall.com/7.30 pm, Friday 18th Septermber 2009
Looks like a good show!

2. LUTE PLAYER IN LEICESTER SQUARE TALENT SHOW
Stephanie Feeney is singing and playing in the Cheese n’ crackers talent show in at the Leicester Square theatre tomorrow night, see http://www.leicestersquaretheatre.com/events.asp?eventid=71 for details

3. LUTE SONGS THIS WEEKEND IN CORNWALL
Jeni Melia, Chris Goodwin, Kathryn Hamilton Hall are doing their lute song [Campion, Dowland, Purcell etc] and poetry show, Sister Awake! depicting the life of a 17th century woman, plus some new song settings of 17th century women’s poetry, by Brian Wright, performed by Jeni and Brian, in the South West this weekend:
Friday 28th August, St Clement’s Chruch, Withiel, 7.30pm – details from Simon Coy. 01208 831906Sunday 30th, Stuart House, Liscard, 2.30 pm, - details from info@stuarthouse.org.ukSunday 30th August, 8pm The Old Methodist Chapel, Treligga, near Delabole, details: 01208 814138

4. TAKE THE RISK –

at the South Bank CentreFriday 2 – Sunday 4 October 2009Southbank Centre, LondonTake the Risk is a weekend exploring improvisation in early music, curated by lutenist Paula Chateauneuf and featuring some of the most innovative, experimental and exciting performers in this field.

From beguiling Sephardic songs and hurdy-gurdy extemporisations to the sophisticated music of the European courts, here are musicians encouraging themselves and their fellow performers to take a risk and rediscover a performing power that was once a given for classical musicians. Featuring performances by Paula Chateauneuf’s new group The Division Lobby, Stevie Wishart on medieval fiddle and hurdy-gurdy, The Orlando Consort, Erin Headley’s new group Atalante, and lutenist Crawford Young and Friends, plus a talk, open rehearsal, and open workshop.

For full details and to book, please visit http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/ or call 0871 663 2500.

Katie Vickers

Marketing Officer

Southbank Centre

September Meeting: Gary Ryan Master Class

After the successful Gary Ryan Masterclass held in January, I am pleased to announce that another one will take place at St Marks on Saturday 19th September

As with the last event, we will need to have a firm program in place prior to the session.

Participants in the Masterclass will also be charged a fee of £10.

The Master Class will be offered to seven participants (in twenty minute sessions). We hope to offer a program that ranges broadly from introductory to advanced.

It would assist us greatly in making the evening a success if we could receive prior notification of your intent to participate. Therefore could you please assist us by completing this form and posting it back to the address marked above by September 4th 2009 ? (Or you can send an email to aferrier.305@lgflmail.org )

Applications will be taken in order that they are received so the sooner you post your reply the greater the chance that you or your student will be able to participate. Please note that participants will be required to bring along a copy of the sheet music for their performance.

Admission to the Masterclass evening will incur a fee of £1 per BGS members. Non Members will be charged an admission of £3.00 (unless they take out membership on the evening)

Successful participants will be listed on the BGS Blog Site (http://bromleyguitarsociety.blogspot.com/ )

UPDATE Masterclass Program

News and Concert Gigs

1. WANTED: LUTE PLAYER FOR CHARITY GIG, CANCER RESEARCH, HAMPSHIRE, 25TH SEPTEMBER

Please contact Liz directly at phone no. below or on lizebether7@btinternet.com if you could play for them.

The event is in support of The Red & White Appeal (see http://www.redandwhiteappeal.org/ for more information).

The theme of the event is a rustic banquet in the style of Merry Olde England, which is to be held on a large private estate in Hampshire.

The guest list includes high profile individuals and businesses. We have a short time scale to organise it due to the late offer of the venue. The date is 25th September, and we are looking for a performer/s to enhance the atmosphere for the period of the Reception which will be between approx 6.45 - 8.15 pm, and will take place in a marquee.

I would be grateful if you could circulate this to your members in the hopes that there may be some that could assist us. I look forward to hearing from you. I can be contacted during work hours on tel: 023 8079 5276 or at any time on my mobile 07929 764618.

Thank you for your help.

With best wishes,

Liz Hole

Fundraising Officer

Southampton Hospital Charity

2. CONCERT, LONDON, 7th OCTOBER

Pantagruel are performing their programme Laydie Louthians Lilte at the East Finchley Arts Festival on Wednesday 7 October at 7.30pm, at All Saints Church, Durham Road, London N2 9NH.

Their semi-staged performances of renaissance songs and dances bring to life the passionate music of a distant age, with the pure and sweet voice of Anna Maria Antonius Wierød combined with citterns, gitterns, lutes and flutes played by Mark Wheeler and Dominik Schneider.

The largest source of instrumental music from this period of Scottish history can be found in many manuscripts of tablature for the plucked instruments, lute, cittern or mandora. These manuscripts contain often very short and rudimentary settings of pieces such as The Laydie Louthains Lilte, Put on your shirt on Monday, Kathreen Oggie, Its worse nor deathe to pairt withe the, Love is a labour in vaine, etc, which form the basis of Pantagruel’s arrangements and improvisations in this programme.

Many of these tunes can also be found in the numerous editions of the English Publisher John Playford (1623-1686), including his famous dance tutor “The English Dancing Master” (numerous edition between 1651 & 1723), which shows the increasing vogue for Scottish music in 17th century England.

Further information at http://www.eastfinchleyartsfestival.org.uk/ (tickets £15 and £10, concessions £12 and £8, under 18s £1, available from 1 September) and from http://www.pantagruel.de/.

The Festival also includes a lunchtime recital by viola da gamba duo Claire Bracher and Liam Byrne on Saturday 3 October at 12.30pm, including music by Gibbons, Christopher Simpson, M. de Ste. Colombe, Marais and Schenk. Tickets £5 (under 18s £1) http://www.claire-bracher.net/

Many thanks!
Best wishes,Jill

Jill Daviesmailto:Daviesjill@daviesmusic.org.uk

+44 (0)20 8888 615507721 317030 20

Elvendon Road

London

N13 4SJ

Full details of all artists and their current performances can be found at http://www.daviesmusic.org.uk/

3. RADIO 4 PROGRAMME, ‘LUTING THE PAST’, ON BBC LISTEN AGAIN – FOR THE NEXT THREE DAYS

You can catch this wonderful programme about Jakob Lindberg’s restored Sixtus Rauwolf lute
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/b00m17qg

It originally went out on 18th August and was repeated today Saturday, at 3.30

4. ANOTHER PETITION ABOUT THE LICENSING ACT

Hi again,

Hot on the heels of an earlier petition in support of live music.

I have been sent details of another petition which this time is supported by the Morris Federation and is in support of removing licenses for small venues.
It is a further effort to protect our interests that will benefit from your support.
A petition calling on the Prime Minister to stop using the Licensing Act to criminalise live music and to implement amendments that would exempt small gigs has gained over 1000 signatures since it was launched last Monday, 27

July:http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/livemusicevents/Please consider signing. If you support the petition, pleasecirculate the link above as widely as possible.

All the best,

Ray Black

5. LUTE SONG RECITAL, 6TH SEPTEMBER, ST ALBANS

Annabella Tysall - soprano
David Miller - lute and theorbo

Works by Dowland, Purcell, Mesangeau & Robert de Visée
6th Sept 2009, 4pm

Woodmansterne Sunday Tea-Time Concerts, The Town Hall, Market Place, St Albans

Tickets £10 from Angela, 01923200619, angela@woodmansterne.co.uk or

Tourist Information 01727864511 and on the door

And a message from the Butcher of Enfield!!

Received the following email from Ray Butcher (Enfield Guitar Society:

NOW ON YOUTUBE.

For your amusement the student concert at the Dillington summer school which (that) I attended at the beginning of August.

Diabolo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtntybMz1KM

Or would you like a comparison for the first movement.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1hE8U8yWX0
or
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZJqlTKITzk
or
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnF3QiYmyow

Lair
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUmL5HPD0k4

Daemon Dance
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uK5wBu9RIfY

Tower of Echoes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uzETcRdmGI


Diabolo Final Confrontation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLrOaZynxxU


Pachelbel's Canon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmRZS9JCvjo

Albinoni Adagio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x77WPY8r9JM

Clock Shop
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fY0Zcwywc4

Un Echo d'Amerique du Sudr
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StyYlwSyZFU


This is the result of 5 days hard graft. If you would like to advertise on your respective sites, webpages and members to see what they have missed. I will be eternally grateful.

Ray"

And we have done so Ray!!

Bromley Guitar Society Concert: Nora Buschmann 2010

Update....Update....Update....

Tickets are now available for the Nora Buschmann concert.

BGS Members
£8 per adult; £4 per child/student,£20 Family Ticket (2 Adults 2 chilcren)

Non Members
£10 per adult, £5 per child/student, £25 Family Ticket (2 Adults 2 Children)

Download booking form here


Please make sure that you have penciled in Saturday April 17th 2010 in your diary as we have booked renowned German Guitarist, Nora Buschmann to give a recital at St Marks Church (Westmoreland Road Bromley BR2 0TB).





Nora has been featured as the BGS Performer Spotlight for this month. She has performed widely in Europe, Sweden and South America. We are proud that the Bromley Guitar Society will be hosting her UK debut.





Reviews of her performances are listed below:


"Exquisite" (Frankfurter Rundschau)


"Brilliant and contentful" (Lahrer Zeitung)


"Profound and sensitive" (Fränkische Landeszeitung)


"... artist personality together with virtuous control of the instrument and the whole range of sound of a concert guitar... " (Mitteldeutsche Zeitung)


"... that rhythmic concentration and fragile luzide tone giving complete themselves ideally, which is a consequence of an extremely safe performance technique, a virtuousity, which is always in the sense of composition and shaping ..."(Nürnberger Nachrichten)


"Spirited and piquant" (Rheinische Zeitung)


Check out this performance of Nora playing Barrios 'Una Limosna por el amor de Dios'




Keep watching this space for more details about booking arrangements..

Federation Guitar Societies Concert Updates

Recital by Amanda Cook
Saturday 26th September 2009 at 7:30pm
Bognor Regis West Sussex

Recital Hall, 46 Sudley Road, Bognor Regis PO21 1ER

Admission: £12, (£8 members), full-time students half price, under 16 free.

Amanda Cook's highly acclaimed performances are noted for their sensitive musicality, fluid technique, and her ability to draw the audience in to her musical world. She has won numerous international prizes and has performed and given masterclasses in the USA , South America and throughout Europe.

01243 866462

Web site - www.westsussexguitar.com/opus85.html

West Sussex Guitar Club

Reminder:Bromley Guitar Society Annual General Meeting

Notice is hereby given that the twenty eighth Annual General Meeting will be held on Tuesday 18th August 2009 at Kenwood Drive Beckenham at 7:30pm

Agenda

1. To receive apologies for absences

2. To receive and vote on the adoption of minutes from the 2007 Annual General Meeting .

3.To discuss any matters arising from the minutes

4.To receive the Chairman's report for the 2008-2009 season

5. To receive the Treasurer's report for the 2008-2009 season and the vote on the adoption of the accounts for the financial year ending June 2009.

6.To set the subscription rates and visitor's entrance fees.

7. To elect committee members for the 2009-2010 season.

8. To appoint auditors for the 2009-2010 season

9To appoint signatories to the Building society account for the 2009-2010 season.

10. To consider any other business

Update

Click here for AGM 2008 Minutes

Click here for the Chairman's report 2009 Report

Andrew Ferrier
Hon Secretary
Bromley Guitar Society

Performer Spotlight: Nora Buschmann

Nora Buschmann first came to my attention when I found a copy of her recording of Suite Orientale. After hearing her rendition of the Prelude from Bogdanovich's Levantine Suite, I was totally 'blown away' . This was one young artist that I had to learn more about.

Nora is a international musician and teacher based in Germany, where she presently holds a professorship at the University of Rostock.

According to her web site, she was born in Berlin and began her artistic-musical career with Jürgen and Monika Rost at the "Franz Liszt" College of Music, Weimar. As a scholarship holder of the Berlin Cultural Foundation for Young Artists (Kulturfonds-Stiftung), she continued her studies in the soloist class of Hubert Käppel at the Cologne College of Music (Musikhochschule Köln).

She perfected her skills with virtuosos such as David Russel, Manuel Barrueco, Oscar Ghiglia and Thomas Müller-Pering. She is also a prizewinner of national and international competitions - the International Guitar Competition in Kutna Hora, Czechia (1986); the "Heitor-Villa-Lobos" competition in Esztergom, Hungary (1987); the "Tonger Wettbewerb", Cologne (1992); the "Deutscher Musikwettbewerb", Bonn (1992); the International Guitar Competition of Gargnano, Italy (1993).

As a scholarship holder of the German Council of Music (Deutscher Musikrat), Nora Buschmann has been invited to perform a great number of solo concerts (among others at the Frankfurt and Nürnberg opera houses, the Beethoven-Haus in Bonn and NDR-Funkhaus Hannover) and to make appearances with orchestras in Germany.

She has made radio recordings with the Norddeutscher Rundfunk and the Bayrischer Rundfunk. During a four year stay in Greece, Nora Buschmann turned her interest and activities to teaching and chamber music. She worked intensively on traditional Greek music and Byzantine singing.

Nora Buschmann is a regular recitalist and teacher in important International guitarfestivals including Iserlohn and Bielefeld (Germany); Esztergom (Hungary); Istanbul, Adana and Karaburun (Turkey); Thessaloniki and Afitos (Greece) and Sinaia (Romania). The Goethe Institute and the Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen (ifa) have invited her for many events. Concert journeys have taken her to Poland, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, the Ukraine and to Argentina.

The Levantine Suite is one of my favourite of all the Bogdanovich compositions and, those of you, like myself, who have tried to make sense of the music score, soon realize that this is not an exercise for the faint hearted. For me, personally its a mixture of sweetness (in the music) and bitterness (in the fact that I will never be able to 'nail' it). And I won't even start on the complexity associated with Domeniconi's Konyunbaba.

On the other hand, Nora's performance of these works are absolutely flawless. Her mastery and clarity are evident in her performance of these highly complex and beautiful pieces. She captures all the nuances associated with Eastern music influences with its rich tonality, and renders their perfomance with balance, structure and emotion which is almost spriritual in its intensity. She immediately stamps her authority. She is one of those rare performers who can make a guitar sing.

Thanks to Nora, I have almost worn out my Ipod with constant replays of the Suite Orientale. But I'll forgive her anything!! I'd pay to hear her play scale exercises!!

If you haven't done so, do yourself a favour and get a copy of any of her CD's!

She has released her latest CD 'Apassionata Latina' featuring the works of Barrios-Mangore, Morell and Bellanati. I am pulling out all stops to get a copy of this one as well. And so will you, when you watch her in action!

To use the ultimate laconic Aussie accolade, 'she's not bad'!!

JULIAN BREAM TRUST – STUDENT GRANTS

Registered Charity No: 1130890
PRESS RELEASE
This is to announce the newly established JULIAN BREAM TRUST (Registered Charity Number 1130890), which will make scholarships available to exceptionally gifted students of either the classical guitar or lute at the following institutions: The Royal Academy of Music, the Royal College of Music and the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Cardiff (for Senior Awards) and The Royal Academy and Royal College of Music (for Junior Awards).
Each Julian Bream Trust Scholarship will be awarded on the basis of musical merit and will cover the full cost of tuition fees at the rate set by the relevant institution for Home/European Union students as applicable.
For further information students should please contact the relevant college

THE ADMINISTRATION OF SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS
BY THE JULIAN BREAM TRUST

Senior Awards

1. These scholarships will be known as ‘The Julian Bream Trust Scholarships’

2. The scholarships will be available only to exceptionally gifted students of either the classical guitar or the lute at the following institutions:
The Royal Academy of Music, the Royal College of Music and the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

3. Each JBTS will be awarded on the basis of musical merit and will cover the full cost of tuition fees at the rate set by the relevant institution for Home/European Union students. Applications for additional bursary money, based on financial hardship, may also be considered in consultation with the specified institutions.

4. The selection of JBT scholars will be carried out by each of the above institutions in accordance with its normal auditioning procedures and criteria.

5. The Trustees must be satisfied that the selected scholars have provided clear evidence of the level of musical ability and commitment likely to result in a major international career.

6. Applicants may be of any nationality, but must be under 20 years old for Undergraduate and under 26 years old for Postgraduate programmes.

7. JBTS awards are tenable for up to 4 years at undergraduate level and up to 2 years at postgraduate level. Each award will be subject to annual review by the respective institution in consultation with the JBT, and the recipient will be expected to achieve an overall classification at annual examination in the highest category, i.e. Class I for undergraduates and Distinction for postgraduates.

8. It is envisaged that no more than 3 scholarships will be made available by the JBT in any one year. Should one of the above institutions not receive an applicant of the standard required (cf. para. 5), the JBT will defer the award of its scholarship for that year.

9. Funds will be transferred from the JBT to the specified institution after the latter has:

a) provided timely and extensive advertisement of the availability of the JBTS,
b) carried out the due processes of audition, selection and nomination of applicants for the JBTS,
c) supplied the JBT with necessary information about such applicants and the date on which their studies are due to commence for each year of their course,
d) received confirmation from the applicant of acceptance of the offer of both the place at that institution and the terms of the JBTS, and
e) confirmed that the applicant has duly enrolled.

10. In response to the requirements under para.9a)b)c) and d), the JBT will send the specified institution a written pledge of its commitment to funding the scholarship(s) for the forthcoming academic year. In the event of a reduction or cessation of funds being made available by the JBT, however, the Trustees will provide adequate notice to each of the specified institutions prior to the actions described in para. 9a).


Junior Awards

1. These scholarships will be known as ‘The Julian Bream Trust Junior Scholarships’.

2. The scholarships will only be available to exceptionally gifted students of either the classical guitar or the lute at the junior departments of the following institutions:
The Royal Academy of Music and the Royal College of Music.

3. Each JBTJS will be awarded on the basis of musical merit and will cover the full cost of tuition fees. Applications for additional bursary money, based on financial hardship, may also be considered in consultation with the specified institutions.

4. The selection of JBTJ scholars will be carried out by each of the above institutions in accordance with its normal auditioning procedures and criteria.

5. The Trustees must satisfied that the selected scholars have provided clear evidence of the level of musical ability and commitment that could result in a scholarship award to the senior department of the RAM or RCM. In the assessment of younger applicants more weight should be given to the exceptional quality of their potential.

6. Applicants may be of any nationality, but must be of school age, and resident in the United Kingdom.

7. Each award will be subject to annual review by the respective institution in consultation with the JBT and the recipient will be expected to show consistent progress.

8. It is envisaged that no more than 2 junior scholarships will be made available by the JBT in any one year. Should one of the above institutions not receive an applicant of the standard required (cf.para.5), the JBT will defer the award of its scholarship for that year.

9. Funds will be transferred from the JBT to the specified institution after the latter has:
a) provided timely and extensive advertisement of the availability of the JBTJS,
b) carried out the due processes of audition, selection and nomination of applicants for the JBTJS,
c) supplied the JBT with necessary information about such applicants and the date on which their studies are due to commence for each year of their course,
d) received confirmation from the applicant and the applicant’s parents or guardians of acceptance of both the offer of a place and the terms of the JBTJS.

10. In response to the requirements under para.9 the JBT will send the specified institution a written pledge of its commitment to funding the scholarship(s) for the forthcoming year. In the even of a reduction or cessation of the funds being made available by the JBT, however, the Trustees will provide adequate notice to each of the specified institutions prior to the actions described in para.9a).

News from the Lute Society

1. LUTE CONCERT, NORWICH 15th AUGUST

Il Divino and the English Orpheus
A lute recital of music by Francesco da Milano and John Dowland
Jacob Heringman
Saturday 15th August
7.30 pm
King of Hearts, Fye Bridge Street, Norwich NR3 1LJ
http://tinyurl.com/mckcrg

Tickets £10 (£6 concessions)
Box Office 01603 611423
http://www.kingofhearts.org.uk/

A concert exploring music from two of the finest renaissance lutenist composers and by one of the finest contemporary players. This is a rare chance to hear Jacob Heringman in Norwich.

The concert is promoted as part of the 10th international lutemaking summer school where two renaissance lutes are being made for use in the Norfolk schools lute project. http://www.vanedwards.co.uk/summers.htm



2. LUTE SOCIETY SUMMER PARTY SATURDAY 5th SEPTEMBER

Members are warmly invited to the Lute Society summer party at 6.00 pm, Saturday 5th September 2009, at the home of John and Joyce Reeve with music from 6.30, performed by Bill Carter and Lynda Sayce. Food and drink kindly supplied by the hosts

RSVP!!!! Please contact: jreeve@dsl.pipex.com if you’d like to attend.

Places are usually limited to 50, so reply soon to avoid disappointment.



3. RADIO 4 PROGRAMME ON GESUALDO

Thought you might like to know about this. Also goes out Sat 8th Aug at 3.30pm. Or you can hear it after the Saturday repeat on www.bbc.co.uk/radio4, or you can catch it on the Listen Again function until next Monday.

Gesualdo – Musician and Murderer
Tuesday 4 August
1.30-2.00pm BBC RADIO 4

Aled Jones tells the curious story of composer Carlo Gesualdo – Third Prince of Venosa, Eighth Duke of Gesualdo – who was the primary suspect for the murder of his wife and her lover.
As the programme explores the strange values of four centuries ago, it is tempting to see a relationship between the double murder, for which he was famed throughout Italy, and his music. Yet as Gesualdo's biographer Glenn Watkins states, it was the custom in Italy for a man to uphold his family's honour.

A visit to Gesualdo's castle, currently being restored, takes listeners to the scene of his country retreat. But the biggest key to his state of mind is, perhaps, his music. Gerald Place and the fellow singers of the Gesualdo Consort demonstrate some of the music's beauty, and intrinsic peculiarity, as the composer sets up extraordinary difficulties of pitch and intonation. Singing about the torments of love, and about death, listeners perhaps see a parallel between his art and his life.

The merits of Gesualdo's writing have been hotly contested over the centuries, but he is now being appreciated as a composer of great skill – as well as one of a highly complex, yet fascinating character.

Presenter/Aled Jones, Producer/Geoff Ballinger

4. PETITION TO REFORM THE LICENSING ACT
Those who were members five or six years ago will remember our little part in campaigning against the current Licensing Act, which adds bureaucracy and cost to the business of putting on small live music concerts, or prevents them altogether. One could have foreseen that this matter would not lie, so thanks to Ray Black for passing on the following:


The LibDem Party have proposed a Live Music Bill, which will exempt venues with a capacity smaller than 200 from music licensing, exempt performances by two musicians or fewer and ban the Form 696.

The Bill has passed its first reading and will be debated later this year.

Please support this Bill by signing the No 10 Petition at:
http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/livemusicevents/

The petition reads:

We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to stop criminalizing live music with the Licensing Act, and to support amendments backed by the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, and the music industry, which would exempt most small-scale performances in schools, hospitals, restaurants and licensed premises. Under the Licensing Act, a performance by one musician in a bar, restaurant, school or hospital not licensed for live music could lead to a criminal prosecution of those organising the event. Even a piano may count as a licensable 'entertainment facility'. By contrast, amplified big screen broadcast entertainment is exempt. The government says the Act is necessary to control noise nuisance, crime, disorder and public safety, even though other laws already deal with those risks. Musicians warned the Act would harm small events. About 50% of bars and 75% of restaurants have no live music permission. Obtaining permission for the mildest live music remains costly and time-consuming. In May, the Culture, Media and Sport Committee recommended exemptions for venues up to 200 capacity and for unamplified performance by one or two musicians. The government said no. But those exemptions would restore some fairness in the regulation of live music and encourage grassroots venues.