This Sunday (19th May), renowned flautist Katherine Bryan will be performing at London’s National Geographic store, as part of their Cultural Calendar. Beginning at 4:30pm, the concert will include works from both her debut album and her latest album, of which will be released on Monday 20th May.
Join us at the Brompton Street store for an afternoon of virtuosic and stylish playing.
Watch the video below for an insight into Sunday’s performance:
(Written on May 17, 2013 )
Aldeburgh Music’s experimental programme, Faster Than Sound, which joins the dots between musical genres and digital art forms, is holding their next event tomorrow evening.
Internationally acclaimed violinist Pekka Kuusisto and cellist Peter Gregson have collaborated with London-based technologists Reactify and composer Nick Ryan to perform an innovative programme of new works, exploring the interaction of live performers and electronics.
The latest in the Faster Than Sound series present new software goPlay, which intelligently ‘listens’ to the players, allowing them to improvise and interpret the music without the limitations of a soundtrack or strict metronome. The software has been programmed with key elements to enable it to act as a true accompanist.
Watch the video below for a small insight into tomorrow’s highly anticipated event.
Visit the Faster Than Sound website here to find out more and to purchase tickets.
The concert will begin with a talk at 6:30pm, ahead of the 8pm concert.
(Written on May 17, 2013 )
The WildKat PR team are delighted to announce the launch of our Open Sessions. The free, quick-fire consultancy scheme invites music industry individuals to come and chat to members of the team, where we will offer free advice in a broad range of areas, such as PR, social media, performances and events, sponsorship, budgets, branding, your image, websites, photography and videography, marketing and consultancy.
With over 25 years of experience in the music industry and an extensive range of consultancies to offer, the WildKat PR team are keen to help individuals in areas where they may not have much knowledge and experience, or are perhaps hesitant due to costs, as well as expanding and developing our relationships even further into the music industry. With the free Open Sessions, WildKat PR welcomes you to our offices in Central London through a quick and easy online booking, where you can choose your area of query and the best time for you.
Visit the website here to find out a little more, and to book your slot.
We look forward to meeting you, and helping you wherever we can!
(Written on May 17, 2013 )
Ms. Davidson, who will begin her tenure on July 1, 2013, succeeds Norma Hurlburt, who is stepping down after serving in the position since 2000. Having worked for the last forty-five years in the field of chamber music, Ms. Hurlburt is forming her own business for executive and personal consulting for non-profit organizations.
Suzanne Davidson has enjoyed a long career as a leader of important arts, education, and entertainment institutions. She is the former President of the School of American Ballet at Lincoln Center, and before that was Producing Director of Second Stage Theatre. She came to Second Stage Theatre after producing on- and off- Broadway for her own production company for a number of years. Her producing career began with the original production of “Evita”, which she oversaw for Robert Stigwood on Broadway and throughout the US and Canada, as Co-Chief Operating Officer for Stigwood Group, Ltd., producer of such classic movies and soundtrack recordings as Saturday Night Fever and Grease. Ms. Davidson began her career as an associate in the Entertainment department of Paul Weiss, and most recently has been Associate Dean and Vice President of New York Law School.
On behalf of the Chamber Music Society, Peter Frelinghuysen, Chairman of the Board, commented on the appointment of Ms. Davidson:
As the Chamber Music Society enters an ambitious new phase of growth and innovation, Suzanne Davidson is the ideal person to lead the organization. Her prior experience of leadership at Lincoln Center, and her impressive career-long record of institution building, marketing, and fundraising will be tremendous assets as CMS develops exciting new ways to make chamber music an important part of our everyday culture; grows to meet escalating demand from consistently sold-out concerts; builds a diverse audience of all ages and nationalities; increases its performance schedule at our Lincoln Center home; and expands its presence around the country and abroad.
CMS Artistic Directors David Finckel and Wu Han responded:
The Chamber Music Society could not be more fortunate to welcome Suzanne Davidson as its new Executive Director. Her broad expertise in the performing arts and entertainment, and her passion for chamber music, bring a wealth of exciting new ideas to our partnership. We are deeply respectful of the leadership position that CMS holds as the Lincoln Center constituent committed to producing and presenting the highest quality chamber music, from classical to new music, with the finest musicians, and together we already have lots of plans to expand the horizons of the art form, artists and audiences.
On accepting the position, Ms. Davidson remarked:
There is nothing more exhilarating than hearing great musicians create uniquely intimate, thrilling musical experiences in the most beautiful living room in the world – Alice Tully Hall, the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center’s home – and in warm and wonderful spaces around the world. It is a great honor to have this opportunity to join with world-renowned Artistic Directors David Finckel and Wu Han, a powerful, dedicated board and growing Global Council, and a wonderful staff, to lead CMS as it heads towards its 50th Anniversary. I can’t wait to begin.
The Chamber Music Society is also pleased to announce the signing of a third-term contract for Artistic Directors David Finckel and Wu Han through the 2018-19 season. The extension of their contract affords them the longest tenure since that of founding Artistic Director Charles Wadsworth.
Mr. Finckel and Wu Han renew their contract with CMS at a time characterized by acclaimed levels of artistic excellence, innovation, and box office success.
On signing their new contract, they commented:
As we put pen to paper again, at the gracious invitation of our Board of Directors, we are both thrilled by their faith in our vision, and at the same time humbled by the responsibility of guiding this rapidly evolving organization. Over the past seven years, CMS has become our artistic home. Our hard-working, inspired staff, our generous and visionary Board, and the incredible artists coming from all over the world to perform, truly make CMS ‘such stuff as dreams are made on.’ We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to continue our work for CMS, and we pledge to the task our lasting commitment and deepest dedication.
(Written on May 14, 2013 )
Our latest video blog with the young musicians of the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel reveal what instrument that they would play if they did not play their first instrument!
Every fortnight, we publish an interview with the young musicians in our special video blog series. The previous interviews are still available to watch on our YouTube channel.
Watch the video below for an insight into the musical personalities of the young musicians from one of the most prestigious centres of excellence in Europe.
To keep up to date with Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel news and events, visit their website, Facebook and Twitter, along with the WildKat website for regular blog posts.
(Written on May 10, 2013 )
Violinist Daniel Hope’s performance with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales at the Brangwyn Hall in Swansea last Friday (3rd May) will be broadcast on BBC Radio 3 this upcoming Sunday.
Newly-appointed Principal Conductor Thomas Søndergård marked his first performance with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales with Wagner’s Siegfried Idyll and Traüme, along with Schumann’s Fourth Symphony. The programme also included Viennese composer Eric Korngold’s Violin Concerto, featuring Daniel Hope as the soloist. Daniel’s ‘dreamily poetic’ performance received highly praised reviews, comparable with Jascha Heifitz, who premiered the concerto in 1947. Rian Evans’ review for The Guardian can be read here. The Violin Concerto has also been selected as BBC Radio 4′s Pick of the Week, which can be heard from 6:15pm.
BBC Radio 3 will broadcast the concert at 2pm on Sunday Concert, presented by Nicola Heywood. The programme will be available both on the radio and online.
Keep up to date with news regarding Daniel Hope through his Facebook, Twitter and regular posts on the WildKat PR website.
Harald Hoffmann
(Written on May 10, 2013 )
Following the release of Tom Hodge’s Capriccio for Carolina last month, we interviewed the composer to find out about his creative relationship with designer Carolina Herrera.
Keep up to date with news from Tom Hodge through Facebook, Twitter and regular posts on the WildKat PR website.
(Written on May 9, 2013 )
As multimedia becomes a more and more important role in our life, it is already used in different types of art in order to develop it further and bring new aspects in the interpretation of pieces.
Approaches of dealing with multimedia in theatre can be seen in the productions of Katie Mitchell, a British theatre director, and Leo Warner, a video designer. Their productions are characterised by the use of cameras, multimedia projections, and the sound techniques of early silent cinema on stage, with actors scurrying about filming their colleagues and swapping roles with one another. Piece “Fraulein Julie”, premiered at the Schaubühne theatre in Berlin in 2010 and now on at the Barbican in London, and “Waves”, premiered in 2005, both incorporate this idea and new method.
A way to deal with multimedia in opera can be seen in the new, groundbreaking interpretation of Mozart’s “Die Zauberflöte“ at the Komische Oper Berlin. Opera and multimedia are brought together in a union never seen before. The director of the opera house, Barrie Kosky, restaged this piece with British theater group “1927“. “1927“ had already used the method in their shows, a dynamic interaction between animation and actors.
In “Die Zauberflöte“ a plain wall is used on stage to project the animations and to create a wonderful fantasy world with flying recorders and growing plants. This unique interpretation still proves an enormous success and can be watched and understood regardless of potential language barriers.
Have a look at the trailer here… but it is definitely better to see it live at the Komische Oper Berlin!!
(Written on May 8, 2013 )
In celebration of the re-release of their album ‘Two by Four’, Piano Interrupted performed at London’s National Geographic store last night. The 21st century digital vs. analogue trio performed music from the re-release, as well as the world premiere of the Piano Interrupted remix of Tom Hodge’s Capriccio for Carolina.
Capriccio for Carolina revolutionised the marriage between music and fashion and was premiered at New York Fashion Week in February 2013. Commissioned by Carolina Herrera, following her use of Hodge’s works as the soundtrack to her SS12 show at New York Fashion Week, Capriccio for Carolina was the pinnacle inspiration for Carolina’s designs for her AW13 collection; an innovative practice in the relationship between a fashion show and the catwalk music.
Keep up to date with news about Tom Hodge and Piano Interrupted through Facebook, Twitter and regular blogs from the WildKat PR website. Capriccio for Carolina can also be purchased from the iTunes store here.
With the launch of their Cultural Calendar, curated by WildKat PR, London’s National Geographic store will host a number of exciting events. Check out upcoming events here.
(Written on May 7, 2013 )
Accentus Music are pleased to announce to today the release date for the DVD and Blu-Ray of Mahler’s 4th Symphony in the United States of America.
The production label continues its Mahler Cycle, following the success of Mahler Symphonies No. 2 and 8 in 2011. The Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, with soprano Christina Landshamer, performed the 4th Symphony under the direction of Riccardo Chailly last year.
The DVD and Blu-Ray discs feature special bonus material including Riccardo Chailly discussing his interpretation of Mahler’s 4th Symphony. Both versions include two tracks featuring the forgotten technology of the “Welte Mignon” piano device, which allowed piano music to be recorded onto a built-in paper roll in the instrument and for that same recording to be played subsequently, without a pianist. In 1905, Gustav Mahler recorded himself performing the finale of his 4th Symphony on a Welte Mignon piano. This recording forms part of the DVD / Blu-ray bonus material.
Accentus Music will be continuing its distinct collaboration with world-renowned Leipzig artist Neo Rauch, who created the evocative artwork for the covers of Mahler’s Symphonies No. 2 and 8. Rauch has painted another one-off piece inspired by his experience of Riccardo Chailly and the Gewandhaus Orchestra rehearsing and performing Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 4. The painting, entitled “Hohe Zeit” (“Solemn Time”), forms the DVD and Blu-ray cover.
The DVD and Blu-Ray is now available in the United States, United Kingdom and Germany, and can be purchased from most major stores. It will be released in France on 7th May.
For more information on Accentus Music and their productions, visit their Facebook, Twitter and read regular blogs on the WildKat PR website.
(Written on April 30, 2013 )