Thirteen for ’13 – Part 2

Continuing the introduction to our Summer Festival 2013 programme, with bring you the second half of Thirteen for ’13. Find what the rest of the Spitalfields Music team is eagerly anticipating in this June!

Aldeburgh

Phil, Development Administrator
It’s a near impossible task, but I have to pick Illuminating Britten as the concert I’m looking forward to the most. Featuring the fantastic Birmingham Contemporary Music Group performing a selection of Britten’s early works, it promises to be an evening of truly inspiring music – showing the genius of this composer that was already evident at a remarkably young age.

Benjamin Britten has long been a favourite composer of mine, and I’m so glad that Spitalfields Music will be able to play a part in celebrating his centenary. With the major celebrations taking place in Aldeburgh at almost exactly the same time, I’m sure this concert will be enough to satisfy the Britten fans who decide to stay in London. Fortunately for me, the concert also features music by another of my favourite composers, Aaron Copland, alongside works by Henze and Oliver Knussen.

Don’t miss the chance to hear this fantastic ensemble perform some beautiful works in the intimate setting of Shoreditch Church.

Illuminating Britten
Thursday 13 June, 7.30pm – 9.15pm

At Idea Store Whitechapel. Image: James Berry

Uju Maduforo, Finance Manager
I’m not a huge classical or contemporary music fan, not because I don’t enjoy it when I hear it, but because I just don’t know enough about it, or grew up listening to that type of music.  A slightly odd confession from someone who works for Spitalfields Music.  Anyway, I’m looking forward to this Summer’s Festival for two reasons.

1. I’m always pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoy the different events and,

2. It’s such fun doing something you wouldn’t normally do as part of your day-to-day activities.

I’m looking forward to The Great Enormo because of its location.  How uniquely quaint – an orchestra in a library.  I don’t even what the theme tune for Mr Enormo Biggins’ Great Fun Park sounds like (should I?), but it doesn’t matter because I’m sure anyone attending Idea Store that day either to hear the orchestra or to read, will leave with a smile and pleasant memories.  And it’s something children can enjoy too.  I loved Musical Rumpus at the Winter Festival not just because of the music but for the looks of awe, excitement and wonder on the children’s faces (even the babies looked pleasantly puzzled).

Have you ever felt pleasantly surprised when you tried something new and discovered how much you enjoyed it?  I feel that way anytime I go to a Spitalfields Music festival event.  There’s always something for everyone, and the mixture of settings, sounds, ages, faces – beautiful.  Who knows I just might try my hand at conducting.  Now that would be an interesting sight.

The Great Enormo
Saturday 15 June, 2.00 – 3.00pm

Early Opera Company director Christian Curnyn. Image: Alys Tomlinson

Camille, Development Manager
Just over two years ago I discovered Monteverdi’s music at Spitalfields Music Winter Festival 2010, and I was delighted to learn that Monteverdi’s work would be programmed again this summer, conducted by Christian Curnyn. On top of that, being quite a ballet and dance fan, I am very excited that the performance will include new dance work. And if that wasn’t enough, the choreographer in charge is Tony Adigun – who I recently discovered at The Place, when I attended a performance by his Avant Garde Dance Company. I was struck by the physical strength, intensity and commitment of the dancers, and the unusual mix of music and moves.

So to sum it up: Monteverdi, new dance, Christian’s early music versus Tony’s contemporary dance, in a converted warehouse, in East London – talk about an intriguing concept!

Early Opera Company: Monteverdi Ballets
Monday 17 June, 6.30pm – 7.30pm & 8.30pm – 9.30pm

Women Sing East. Image: James Berry

Kathryn, Programme Manager: Learning & Participation
The first thing I did when looking through this year’s Summer Festival brochure was to write the Women Sing East concert date into my diary!  There’s always something very special about the Women Sing East concerts; whether they’re singing Vivaldi, Scritti Politti or Freddy Mercury, I always get the tingle down the spine, my lips form an instant smile and I feel so much more positive about life!

Women sing East is our all-female group with singers from all walks of life who come together every Wednesday evening simply because they love to sing.  It is a proven fact that the act of singing releases endorphins, reducing stress and making you feel energised.  Even if you’re not singing with Women Sing East, simply listening to them can have that same effect – it’s infectious!

Following on from their mesmerising performance in our most recent Winter Festival of Vivaldi’s Gloria I’m thoroughly looking forward to hearing them again in our Summer Festival.  Some people might be asking how can they top the Vivaldi? You’ll be amazed at how well this group can rise to a challenge – I can’t wait!

Women Sing East
Wednesday 19 June, 7.30 – 8.30pm

Musical Rumpus. Image: James Berry

Laura, Programme Officer: Learning & Participation
In a general sense, the excitement of our Summer Festival 2013 comes from its newness. Having experienced my first Winter Festival only a short while ago, I am looking forward to exploring what the warm weather and uplifting sunshine mood brings to a fantastic Spitalfields Music Festival.

Delving into the programme, Summer 2013 for me is the takeover of Monteverdi.  For a more matured ear, we have the cross arts celebration of Monteverdi Ballets. Combining the talents of the Early Opera Company and Avant Garde Dance, Monteverdi will be revealed in a new light.  For the more delicate ears, we have Musical Rumpus: Movers & Shakers which follows on from the massive success of Musical Rumpus: A Fairy Queen in the Forest which we toured in Barking & Dagenham and Newham last year. Monteverdi will be re-imagined into another interactive and captivating piece for 0-2 year olds. Working once again with the experiences of the Early Opera Company and East London Dance, the same magnificent minds will cultivate this piece, the only difference being that the audience members will be less than half the size!

As always I am looking forward to reaching new audiences, bringing new insight into the area of cross cultural and cross arts work, and of course, indulging in sunshine and ice-cream!

Musical Rumpus: Movers & Shakers
Thursday 20 June, 10.30am – 11.30am & 12.00pm – 1.00pm

Scanner. Image: Alys Tomlinson

James, Programme Manager: Festivals 
This is my first summer festival working on producing events for Spitalfields Music and I’m continually inspired by how rich and diverse the programme is to the extent that it is incredibly hard to single out any one event or aspect of the festival as one I’m most looking forward to; they all promise to be stupendous!

What I find most attractive about Spitalfields as a place is how the old and new seem to coexist seamlessly; one minute you’re walking past the former home of a Huguenot silk-weaver, the next you’re crossing the ruins of a 13th century crypt whilst gazing up at the wall of glass which is the Heron Tower. So, for me, what I’m most looking forward to is Gazelle Twin’s Flow Forms, which forms part of our Associate Artist series with Scanner and promises to celebrate this unique and diverse history.  It’s a wonderfully fresh project, inspired by John Dowland’s flow my tears where we’ll be taking a trip underground to visit some very unusual, unique and rarely seen spaces in Spitalfields.  I grow to love every element of this project more and more as it develops and how it is set to transverse such a variety of genres, periods and art-forms.

Scanner: Flow Forms
Friday 21 June, 6.30pm – 8.30pm
Saturday 22 June, 3.30pm – 5.30pm & 6.30pm – 8.30pm

You can explore our full Summer Festival programme on our website. With general booking now being open, we look forward to hearing your own top picks!

Spitalfields Music Summer Festival
7 – 22 June 2013
Booking opens Monday 4 February, 10.00am
spitalfieldsmusic.org.uk | 020 7377 1362

Thirteen for ’13 – Part 1

As a special kind of celebration for the new year, we asked our 13 team members which Summer Festival event they are most looking forward to seeing in 2013! (It was also an excuse for some word-play…) Take a look at our staff picks ahead of booking opening Monday 4 February at 10.00am.

Open Souls. Image: Alys Tomlinson

Helen, Office Manager and Volunteer Co-ordinator
I’m very keen to see Open Souls as Seb Rochford is simply one of the most talented and inventive musicians around at the moment. He’s very quietly spoken and then produces these incredible organic rhythms.  I have seen him play with Polar Bear several times and something magical always happens. It’s as if a door opens in the air when they play and something completely surprising appears. The idea of him exploring Indian classical music with Jason Singh beatboxing and the vocals of Ranjana Ghatak is very enticing. Bishopsgate Institute is the perfect venue to see them in as it’s very welcoming and informal, and has a kind of elasticity that suits contemporary performances very well.

I’m also drawn to Scanner: The Haxan Cloak. I’ve known of Scanner’s work for several years – from his early eerie guerrilla mobile phone network scanning to his reinterpretations of classical composers such as Handel, Bach and Sciarrino. He took these three to laptop and decks for last summer’s Night of the Unexpected in Bishopsgate Institute and it is somehow very satisfying to hear how he reworks the well-known themes and pieces.

The Haxan Cloak includes Scanner taking a new look at John Dowland’s Lachrimae – I’m eager to see how he mixes it up!

Open Souls
Friday 7 June, 8.00pm – 10.00pm

Kate, Programme Director: Festivals 
The first of our Associate Artist Scanner’s (aka Robin Rimbaud) series is one that I anticipate will be full of surprise. Bobby Krlic, the sound artist behind The Haxan Cloak and a performer fast gaining a cult following, is creating a new work for this event which I hotly anticipate will be a stunning fusion of sound worlds framed with unique atmospheric visuals in his inimitable style. I love working at Bishopsgate Institute – the beauty of the building is cemented in the history of the area – and we’ll be inviting audience to drink in the Victorian splendour in an informal atmosphere. Perhaps one of the elements I am most excited about is the enticingly named Computer Junk Orchestra – instead of ending up on the scrap heap following a recent dabble with fame appearing in a well-known advert, this live orchestra of scanners and computers will be programmed to play versions of Dowland in a unique and spectacular installation. As you watch in disbelief you may even be invited to orchestrate your own computer performance…

Scanner: The Haxan Cloak
Saturday 8 June, 8.00pm – 10.00pm

Associate Artist, Scanner. Image: Alys Tomlinson

Michael, Marketing Manager
It’s probably fair to say that within the Spitalfields Music office, I perhaps have a reputation for needing some heavy caffeinating in the morning… and the afternoon… So, it’s a little unsurprising that I was drawn to our Associate Artists’, Early Opera Company’s performance of JS Bach’s quirky secular Coffee Cantata at new venue Hoxton Arches. And there’s more; not only do we get about half-an-hour’s music about coffee addiction, but there’s also coffee tasting from artisan caffeine experts Whitechapel Coffee Company! Yum.

Early Opera Company: Coffee Cantatas
Sunday 9 June, 1.30pm – 2.45pm & 3.30pm – 4.45pm

Early Opera Company’s Christian Curnyn with an East London Dance performer. Image: Alys Tomlinson

Samantha, Director of Marketing & Development
“Curiouser and curiouser” said Alice – and could there be a better philosophy for choosing festival events! Topping my curious-ometer would be the Ukelele Orchestra of Great Britain’s programme honouring Robert Johnson. It has ukuleles in it, it has tall tales and legend, it’s a bit blue-grass and a bit Delta blues. Come to Shoreditch and be transported to a Mississippi knees-up. Can’t promise catfish and cornbread, but do expect a lot of fun – what’s not to like! A tightly-run second is sound artist (and Associate Artist) Scanner’s series opener with The Haxan Cloak. Scanner’s roll-call of projects spans Tate to Royal Ballet, fashion to architecture; his collaborative partners run the gamut from Bryan Ferry to Michael Nyman; and his admirers include Björk and Aphex Twin. So undeniably a smart cookie then, but in describing this installation he calls it “playful”, which is definitely short-hand for ‘curious’ – so for me, long-hand for ‘first off-the-block and on the front row.’

The Devil at the Crossroads
Monday 10 June, 7.30pm – 9.15pm

Image: George Nigel Barklie

Sanaa, Marketing & Box Office Assistant
Many people describe their musical heroes as legends, but Robert Johnson’s life was truly made of grand ones. The Devil at the Crossroads is sure to be a joyous and booming celebration of the blues man’s talents and so I much look forward to being a part of such a lovely, spirited event.  With performances from none other than the Ukelele Orchestra of Great Britain, all I can say is I’m surprised a ‘Now that’s what I call legend!’ CD hasn’t been released yet.

If you would like to be transported to Mexico but are too in love with our Summer Festival programme to leave, Morgan Szymanski’s intimate performance at one of London’s gem venues, Hoxton Hall is for you. Three Sketches of Mexico really is a summer delight – with the cherry on top.

Morgan Szymanski
Monday 10 June, 6.30pm – 7.30pm

Morgan Szymanski

Clare, Programme Director: Learning & Participation
Charlotte Barbour-Condini has been working with the Learning & Participation programme over the winter providing a star performance with young musicians from THAMES Saturday Music Centre and she’s also been to school assemblies off Whitechapel High Street inspiring a number of our youngest participants before our Winter Festival 2012. The magical combination of extraordinary composers (JS Bach to Roxanna Panufnik), Charlotte’s dynamic playing, positively sparkling harpsichord provided by David Gordon all partnered with the atmospheric and intimate Hoxton Hall is irresistible.  I can’t wait for this concert!

Charlotte Barbour-Condini
Tuesday 11 June, 6.30pm – 7.30pm

Charlotte Barbour-Condini. Image: Benjamin Harte

Abigail, Chief Executive
In June I can’t wait for a return visit to Hoxton Hall.  In our Winter Festival 2012 it hosted EXAUDI and Opera Erratica with their beautifully intriguing ‘holographic opera’ Toujours et Pres de Moi. Arriving at the hall is like entering wonderland. Behind a modest door, from the streets of 21st-century Hoxton, lies a wonderful historic gem. As you enter, a whole other world opens up and London’s history gently re-presents itself to you.  And the hall itself, seating fewer than 150 people, wraps its audience up, enchants and somehow the outside world completely disappears for an hour or so.

We thought for this summer we’d put a series of intimate chamber concerts in the hall, featuring some of the UK’s brightest musical talent – from local girl and finalist in last year’s BBC Young Musician of the Year Charlotte Barbour-Condini to one of our most promising young composers Mark Simpson. The series ends with a new song-cycle by composer Emily Hall and writer Toby Litt. The pair were last featured with us with their piece for Streetwise Opera in our Winter Festival 2010. Their style, combining folk and classical traditions, is perfect for Hoxton Hall and the event promises an evening with one foot in the 21^st century and the other in the past.

Mark Simpson
Tuesday 11 June, 8.30pm – 9.30pm

Rest
Wednesday 12 June, 8.00pm – 9.45pm

Lady Maisery. Image: Alys Tomlinson.

Watch out for Part 2 of Thirteen for ’13 coming soon…

You can explore our full Summer Festival programme on our website and make your own picks ahead of booking on Monday 4 February.  We look forward to hearing them!

Spitalfields Music Summer Festival
7 – 22 June 2013
Booking opens Monday 4 February, 10.00am
spitalfieldsmusic.org.uk | 020 7377 1362

My Favourite Places around Spitalfields

Our Learning & Participation Programme Director, Clare Lovett shares with us some of her favourite places in the area.

For thinking, meetings and catching up with friends: Skylight Cafe

I’m always on the lookout for great meeting spots, and I’ve recently discovered the fantastic Crisis Skylight Cafe on Commercial Street.  The cafe is just beyond the hustle and bustle of the market, and has plenty of space to spread out! They have amazing coffee and cakes; lunch here is also delicious!  Recent meetings have included discussions with potential Associate Artists and there’s usually a whole bundle of folks catching up and planning projects.  It’s an inspirational space, which also happens to provide on-the-job training and experience for homeless people and ex-offenders.  If you’re in need of a still point in a mad world of shopping, sightseeing or planning your next project, then Crisis Skylight Cafe is your thinking place.

For people watching, chilling out at lunch and spotting interesting Art:  Bishops Square

There’s always something going on at Bishops Square. On the rare occasion that I can pause for lunch, it’s my top place to sit and watch the world go by.  Recent activity has included a new installation of butterflies in jam jars, with confuses city workers and tourists trying to work out whether they’re real or not (they’re not)…the wonderful Spitalfields E1 Routemaster is often parked outside and there’s a real sense of relaxation before the onslaught of the afternoon stint of work.  Grab a falafel wrap from Pilpel, or a hot sandwich from Golds and watch the world in microcosm!

 

Staff Pick: Yoolis

This winter I’ll be getting my Festive fix from Jogleresa, with their marvellously medieval programme of traditional English music. Think jousting, dancing, carolling and period instruments! What more could you want?!

The group, directed by Belinda Sykes have been performing their mix of ancient and traditional music since 1992 combining elements of Medieval, Middle Eastern, Flamenco and Celtic sounds. Their Winter Festival programme includes English, Spanish and Italian carols from the twelfth century to the sixteenth. Originally these carols (made up of song and dance) would have been rooted in pagan traditions and had no religious connections but, as most carolling was done on religious feast days the church gradually stifled the carol until nothing was left other than a religious song to be performed. What I love about Jogleresa is the way they embody the boldness and raw sounds of the original carols whilst mixing in hints of their multicultural backgrounds creating a unique and exhilarating sound!

Rebecca Steel
Communications Manager

Have a listen to some of Jogleresa’s tracks on this Spotify Playlist

Yoolis
Monday 19 December 7.00pm
Shoreditch Church
Tickets: £5 – £15
www.spitalfieldsmusic.org.uk/yoolis

Staff Pick: Christmas Market

With the Winter Festival starting in under 24 hours(!), our Development Administrator, Camille De Groote, shares why she thinks our opening event is not to be missed.

We are now well into December and as we all know, in London, I feel even more than anywhere else, there is absolutely no chance of escaping the Christmas madness that takes over the city – reindeer petting, fun (and slightly dangerous) ice skating, crazy shopping sprees, and much, much more …  For some, it’s a bit too much. For others (like me and I know at least one of my dear colleagues), it’s the best time of the year! So I will go around quite a few Christmas markets, but the one I look forward to the most, is our very own in Spitalfields!

Spitalfields Music’s Christmas Market will feature a gospel choir, a string quartet, a brass band and a magical puppetry group, and excerpts from the acclaimed Homeless Oratorio so it is fair to say that it is going to be one of a kind! Taking place in Crispin Place (part of Spitalfields Market), the market is free for all to enjoy. We will be raising funds for Crisis, a national charity for single homeless people, based just around the corner from Spitalfields, which does incredible work in the local community.

I am particularly looking forward to the performance by the Crisis puppetry group. I recently joined them for a rehearsal and I was mesmerised by the striking life-like characters of the puppets (which are handmade at Crisis!) and the touching acting of the puppeteers.

Come and join us for the festive launch of the festival. I promise, the groups performing will leave you with plenty of warmth to get you through the cold days!

The Christmas Market is from 12-4pm tomorrow, Saturday 10 December, in St Crispin’s Place, Spitalfields E1 Market.

P.S. don’t miss the Water Poet’s Christmas Fayre on Folgate Street after the Christmas Market closes!