On 13 April, the London Symphony Orchestra presents LSO Futures – Symphonic Sound World. Besides Webern’s Passacaglia, Boulez’ Notations and Debussy’s La mer, the focus of this concert is on Colin Matthews et al’s Panufnik Variations. This project comprises a series of nine different variations, showcasing the sounds and styles of Panufnik Scheme alumni: Max de Wardener, Evis Sammoutis, Christopher Mayo, Toby Young, Elizabeth Winters, Larry Goves, Raymond Yiu, Anjula Semmens and Edmund Finnis. The composition itself opens and concludes with pieces by Colin Matthews.

The idea for this composition came from the conductor François-Xavier Roth. He has directed most of the Panufnik Young Composers Workshops and asked its alumni to write a collaborative composition. The variations are all based on the same theme of Panufnik, the Universal Prayer. But each composition shows a different approach and realisation of this theme.

Don’t miss the concert on 13 April, 19:30, at the Barbican with the London Symphony Orchestra under François-Xavier Roth.

(Written on April 9, 2013 )

Inspired of the article in The Times about how to get kids to fall in love with classical music, we wanted to introduce to the man, who was a pioneer in developing education programmes in the UK: Richard McNicol.

(Written on April 9, 2013 )

The Independent

Sole bidder in the frame as decision on HMV’s fate draws near

The future of HMV, the failed entertainment chain, is likely to be decided over the coming days.

Classic FM

Music for Archbishop’s Enthronement revealed

Bach, Tallis, Tippett, Walton and more feature in the programme for the Enthronement service for the new Archbishop Of Canterbury, Justin Welby.

Huffington Post

Together, Science and Art Can Provide Answers in Search for Truth

As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of UCF this year, we are reminded that the core benefit of an upper-level education is the opportunity to pursue and obtain insight and knowledge over blindness and ignorance.

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LSO announces second free concert in London’s Trafalgar Square

BMW LSO Open Air Classics event focuses on works by Berlioz

Classical Music Magazine

Winners announced for the inaugural Music Teacher Awards

On 20 March 2013 the winners were announced for the first ever Music Teacher Awards for Excellence.

Music Week

Stuart Galbraith joins Association of Independent Festivals

Kilimanjaro Live CEO Stuart Galbraith has joined the Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) as a board member.

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(Written on March 22, 2013 )

On Tuesday 26 March, cellist Guy Johnston will feature on a new release of works by E. J. Moeran with Ulster Orchestra conducted by JoAnn Falletta. The album, to be released on record label Naxos, will include Moeran’s Cello Concerto, arguably one of the Anglo-Irishman’s most important works inspired by the landscapes of the Norfolk coast. The CD will also feature Lonely Waters with lyrics sung by soprano Rebekah Coffey, Serenade in G and Whythorne’s Shadow. Moeran’s works are renowned for being influenced by his Irish heritage, often containing fragments of well-known Irish folk tunes.

Following this, on Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 March Guy Johnston will guest-lead the ‘cello section of the London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Valery Gergiev. The orchestra will perform Brahms’ German Requiem and Szymanowski’s Stabat Mater, and will be joined by the London Symphony Chorus and singers Sally Matthews, Ekaterina Gubanova and Gerald Finley.

(Written on March 19, 2013 )

(Written on November 30, 2012 )

(Written on November 29, 2012 )

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Borletti-Buitoni Trust celebrates 10th anniversary in May 2013

Weekend of special events to feature the BBT’s most successful award winners

Classic FM

Final Fantasy Barbican concert with LSO announced

Nobuo Uematsu’s Final Fantasy music is to be played live by the London Symphony Orchestra at The Barbican on 30th May 2013, it has been announced.

André Rieu performs at Champions League football match

André Rieu performed in front of a packed stadium of football fans last week, treating the masses to a waltz.

Deceptive Cadence

Michel Van Der Aa Wins The Grawemeyer Award For Music

Up-close, a multi-disciplinary work by Dutch composer and director Michel van der Aa that combines a piercing cello concerto with an enigmatic silent film, has won the prestigious Grawemeyer Award for Music Composition.

Slipped Disc

UK musicians face 12.5% tax hit if they lose this case

The Court of Appeal is to hear a test case in December asking for a reversal of a recent judgement that would add 12.5 percent to a freelance player’s National Insurance costs.

Doyen of Dutch music has died

We have been apprised of the death today of Simeon ten Holt, one of the most most prolific Dutch modernists and hypnotic post-modernists.

The Telegraph

The Opera Novice: Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro

The Marriage of Figaro is so engrossing you almost forget you’re watching an opera, says Sameer Rahim.

China Daily

Opera singing mayor surprises residents

Mayor Chen Jianhua gave residents a happy surprise when he sang Yueju, or Cantonese opera, in the Guangdong provincial capital on Monday night.

Classic FM

(Written on November 27, 2012 )

WildKat PR are thrilled to be working with Daniel Harding, a conductor who belongs in the elite circle of world class conductors: a true leader in his generation.

Daniel’s current positions include Music Director of the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Principal Guest Conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra and Music Partner of the New Japan Philharmonic; as well as Artistic Director of the Ohga Hall in Karuizawa, Japan and the lifetime honour of Conductor Laureate of the Mahler Chamber Orchestra. Daniel began his professional career at the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, after assisting the revered Sir Simon Rattle. He then moved on to the Berlin Philharmonic where he assisted Claudio Abbado, before conducting the orchestra at the Berlin Festival.

His upcoming engagements include a new production of Verdi’s Falstaff at La Scala in Milan. Tickets for the performance are available here. 

This is followed by Der fliegende Holländer at the Staatsoper Berlin in April; a wonderful must-see production, with tickets available here.

For more information, visit Daniel’s website here. 

Julian Hargreaves

(Written on November 8, 2012 )

WildKat PR are delighted to be working with Jörg Hammann and the Orchestra Musica Romantica.

Artistic Director Jörg Hammann, and the Orchestra Musica Romantica will be making their world premiere in December with a charity concert, in order to raise awareness and funds for ACTION Medical Research, which, for the last 60 years has funded some of the best medical research worldwide for pregnancies, infants and young children.

The concert will present music from Mozart, Smetana, and Grieg, to provide a fresh and exciting music journey from Classical to Romantic music. The Orchestra Musica Romantica will be joined by Jörg’s colleague and Assistant Leader of the LSO, Tomo Keller, along with musicians from esteemed orchestras, such as the London Symphony, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Academy of St. Martin’s, and regular extras from the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, and students from some of the best and reputable music colleges in London.

The Cadogan Hall concert will take place on Saturday 1^st December at 7:30pm. To book tickets for the debut performance for the Orchestra Musica Romantica, visit the event website here.

(Written on November 2, 2012 )

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(Written on October 29, 2012 )