On the eighth day of the Winter Festival…

Spitalfields Music sent to me… pictures from Matthew Robins of the puppetry for the performance of the little match girl passion this evening.

Matthew’s puppets bring to life David Lang’s poignant the little match girl passion, sung by I Fagiolini alongside Bach’s Jesu, meine Freude and a small selection of Danish and German Christmas carols. Enjoy!

And as an extra special treat, Matthew has also shared with us this behind the scenes video, further exploring the puppets and the techniques he’ll be using in the show:

And for even more Matthew Robins head over to his blog: http://matthewjamesrobins.blogspot.co.uk/

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: The Academy of Ancient Music

“One of the world’s greatest period-instrumentbands, the Academy of Ancient Music, is stuffed full with the superstars of the historically-informed style of playing.” Glasgow Herald

With Easter upon us and a Bank holiday weekend to enjoy, we thought it would be a good time to draw your attention to The Academy of Ancient Music‘s wonderful Summer Festival programme which highlights three important events in the church calendar.

The Academy of Ancient Music is renowned as one of the world’s finest modern orchestras. Using old instruments and playing in styles appropriate to the time of composition, their classical and baroque performances allow the listener to hear the music as the composer originally intended.

For this year’s Summer Festival, Academy of Ancient Music have put together a double-bill which presents three events in the church calendar in three very different musical forms; one of Corelli’s devotional concerti grossi – written for Christmas, a Bach Cantata for the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and one of Zelenka’s settings of the Lamentations of Jeremiah – used during Holy Week. The beautiful Christ Church, Spitalfields provides a fitting venue for this fantastic programme, book your tickets now and join us on a musical journey back in time!

Academy of Ancient Music
Thursday 16 June 6.30pm & 8.30pm
Christ Church Spitalfields

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

60 seconds with… Rebecca

Round two of our 60 seconds with a Spitalfields Music team member. This week Marketing & Box Office Assistant, Rebecca discusses new year’s resolutions, her love for Contemporary Finnish composers and European Metal bands!

What was the first CD/LP/Album you bought?
I think it was a Savage Garden cassette tape… (which I am ashamed to admit I still listen to…)

Who’s your favourite composer?
A very difficult question but either George Crumb, Einojuhani Rautavaara, Magnus Lindberg or Kimmo Hakola. I have a little bit of an obsession with contemporary Finnish composers but I also really love Early music especially when played on period instruments!

Favourite song/album?
The album I am listening to most at the moment is: Rautavaara: Garden of Spaces; Clarinet Concerto; Cantus Arcticus on ONDINE. I also have a bit of a penchant for the ‘heavy’ stuff and listen to a lot of European Metal bands like Opeth, Textures and I even throw in a bit of ‘progressive fusion Italian jazz metal’ like Ephel Duath…

Favourite venue in London?
Probably Brixton Academy, for bands, because all the best tours end there! For classical, though, it’s the The Wigmore Hall. I really like the intimicy of the Wigmore Hall, and the fantastic acoustics – especially for chamber music.

Last concert/gig you went to?
Not counting any Spitalfields Music events, it would have been BBC Symphony Orchestra 80th birthday concert back in October. It was fantastic!

Red or white (wine)?
Both! (though not at the same time)

Any New Year’s resolutions?
To spend more time playing the Clarinet – I don’t get much time to play anymore since I moved in to my current flat. I need to try and find some decent rehearsal space!

What’s the best thing about working for Spitalfields Music?
Getting to hear a diverse range of music that I may not necessarily have heard otherwise, and meeting lots of great musicians!

Rebecca Steel
Marketing & Box Office Assistant