Artist Focus: European Union Baroque Orchestra

‘EUBO plays music from 300 years ago, not to create a museum but a here-and-now experience.’ 

(Lars Ulrik Mortensen, Music Director, EUBO)

European Union Baroque Orchestra

Bringing together some of the finest young baroque musicians from across Europe, the European Union Baroque Orchestra (EUBO)  provides a creative platform for new talent. The orchestra offers around 25 graduates the opportunity to immerse themselves in baroque music and performance, playing around the world and working with some of the most respected conductors and directors.

The ensemble has racked up a number of accolades over its 26 year history. They are currently orchestra-in-residence in Echternach, Luxembourg, and have the honour of being an EU Cultural Ambassador. In this role they start a tour around the continent of their new programme Joy and Sorrow unmasked with music by Bach, Handel, Ferrandini and Torelli, and featuring Swedish soprano, Maria Keohane.

Their concert at our Winter Festival explores the breathtaking transformation of instrumental writing style that occurred towards the end of the 18th century. The so-called ‘Enlightenment’ moved away from strict baroque structures, focusing on melody and sentiment, allowing for more freedom of expression. Virtuoso flute and recorder player Alexis Kossenko directs A Breath of Enlightenment, and will also feature as a soloist.

To experience some of EUBO’s music, have a listen to our EUBO Spotify playlist.

Discover Europe’s most talented musicians at our Winter Festival – EUBO in A Breath of Enlightenment, Saturday 17 December, 7.00pm at Shoreditch Church (St Leonard’s). Book your tickets now!

Artist Focus: Polar Bear & the Neil Cowley Trio

British experimental jazz quintet, Polar Bear have a long-standing reputation as one of the most exciting bands on the UK jazz scene. Led by drummer Seth Rochford, the band brings together tenor saxophonist Pete Wareham, Tom Herbert on double bass, second tenor Mark Lockheart and Leafcutter John on guitar and electronics. Their style merges elements of free-jazz, funk, drum & bass and electronica to name but a few, and their involvement with the F-IRE Collective confirms their commitment to musical innovation.

“A raw,live in the room sound …It’s jazz shorn of cliché that demands to be taken on its pigeonhole rebuffing merits” Mojo

Former Zero 7 keyboardist and classically trained pianist Neil Cowley formed the Neil Cowley Trio in 2005. Richard Sadler on double bass and Evan Jenkins on drums underpin Cowley’s energetic and infectious piano melodies giving the jazz trio a rock-tinged backbone. Awarded a BBC Jazz Award for Best Album in 2007, the trio have moved forward with their sound following up the award-winning album Displaced with the dynamic Louder Louder Stop in 2008 and the more complex but subtle Radio Silence in 2010.

Both acts provide a thrilling live experience and we can’t wait to seem them together at this year’s Summer Festival!

Catch Polar Bear & The Neil Cowley Trio on Tuesday 21 June at the Village Underground.
Tickets £15
Book now!

Artist Focus: Arte dei Suonatori

Baroque orchestra (or rather “an orchestra in a baroque manner” as they describe themselves) Arte dei Suonatori has a prolific concert schedule averaging on nearly one hundred concerts a year, performing in various settings and instrumental combinations. Formed in Poland in 1993 the group originally consisted of Polish string and continuo players, but over the years the orchestra has become more international, featuring musicians from Germany, England, Holland, France and Ireland. Having initiated and hosted five early music festivals, they should feel at home for their London debut in June at the Summer Festival. Swedish virtuoso recorder player Dan Laurin teams up with the orchestra to perform Telemann’s lively Polish concertos along with one of his most well-known masterpieces the Recorder Concerto in F major. The group will also perform works by Vivaldi including L’estate (Summer) and L’autunno (Autumn) from the ‘seasons’.

“Performances that crackle with vitality…Perfection from Poland via Italy” Stanley Sadie, Gramophone

Catch Arte dei Suonatori with Dan Laurin on Monday 13 June at Christ Church Spitalfields. For more info and to book see www.spitalfieldsmusic.org.uk

Artist Focus: Joyful Company of Singers

Now that booking has opened for the Summer Festival 2011 we’re going to crack on with our regular Festival blog features. This week we introduce the Joyful Company of Singers for the first Artist Focus post of the Summer Festival!

The Joyful Company of Singers is one of Europe’s finest chamber choirs and renowned for their wide range of repertoire. They’re extremely committed to new music and regularly premiere brand new works all around Europe.

Since conductor Peter Broadbent founded the choir in 1988 they have won many national and international competitions and make regular appearances at music festivals throughout the UK and Europe. In an exploration of plainchant, old and new, they’ll be bringing a fantastic selection of works to Shoreditch Church this summer. From plainsong to Pärt and Tomás Luis de Victoria to Gabriel Jackson this is a fantastic opportunity to hear some of the most exciting names from the young generation of British composers.

“Peter Broadbent’s Joyful Company of Singers, is one of the most agile and flexible choirs in the land, as comfortable tussling with today’ s music as they are gliding through plainchant.” Geoff Brown, The Times

Joyful Company of Singers
Tuesday 21 June 8.30pm
Shoreditch Church (St Leonard’s)
Tickets: £5-£20