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    • 25 Feb 2021 Music on Thursdays Online: Thomas Ang, piano
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    • 2020 Archive >
      • Leatherhead's Lunchtime Concert Diary 2020
      • 27 Feb 2020 3pm Marina Kan piano
      • 23 Apr 2020 Concert for St George's Day
      • 1 May 2020 Music on May Day Online
      • 8 May 2020 Music for VE Day 75th Online
      • 14 May 2020 Piano à Deux Online
      • 20 May 2020 Wednesday at the Organ: Clocks Cathedrals
      • 28 May 2020 Music on Thursdays Guitars & Friends
      • 4 June 2020 Music on Thursdays Online: String Quartets
      • 11 June 2020 Music on Thursdays Online: Cello Tango
      • 18 June 2020 Music on Thursdays Organs of Paris Online
      • 25 June 2020 Music on Thursdays Flute Fest Online
      • 2 July 2020 Music on Thursdays Online: Virtual Viola
      • 9 July 2020 Music on Thursdays Online: Multi Piano
      • 16 July 2020 Music on Thursdays Online: Sackbutt to Trombone
      • 23 July 2020 Music on Thursdays Online: Harp Haven
      • 30 July 2020 Music on Thursdays Online: Oboe Omnibus
      • 6 Aug 2020 Music on Thursdays Online: Gentle Guitar
      • 13 Aug 2020 Music on Thursdays Online: Unusual Instruments
      • 20 Aug 2020 Music on Thursdays Online: Viola da Gamba
      • 27 Aug 2020 Music on Thursdays Online: Music & the Military
      • 3 Sep 2020 Music on Thursdays Online: Choral Music
      • 10 Sep 2020 Music on Thursdays Online: Clarinet Compilation
      • 17 Sep 2020 Music on Thursdays Online: The Voice
      • 24 Sep 2020 Music on Thursdays Online: Beethoven 250
      • 1 Oct 2020 Music on Thursdays Online: Eddie Lee's Jazz on Thursday
      • 8 Oct 2020 Music on Thursdays Online: Diphonon Viola & Accordion Duo
      • 15 Oct 2020 Music on Thursdays Online: Marion Bettsworth, organ
      • 22 Oct 2020 Music on Thursdays Online: CarmenCo - telling Carmen's story
      • 29 Oct 2020 Music on Thursdays Online: Phil Hopkins, classical harmonica
      • 5 Nov 2020 Music on Thursdays Online: Musical Fireworks
      • 12 Nov 2020 Music on Thursdays Online: Music of the Musicals
      • 18 Nov 2020 FINAL Wednesday at Christ Church Live Organ Concert - Mark Brafield
      • 17 Dec 2020 Music on Thursdays Online: Carols with CarmenCo
    • Christ Church Leatherhead
    • 2013 Anthony Cairns Concerts
    • 2012 Anthony Cairns Concerts
    • HGS1965
    • UNU Music on Thursdays Online:
    • Bitsa
    • W-I-P
MUSIC IN SURREY

Music in Surrey
&
Leatherhead's Lunchtime Concerts

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Music in Surrey Diary log



Music on Thursdays - Online

Thursday 2nd July 2020


Virtual Viola



Artistes: Ting-Ru Lai • Timothy Ridout • Jeremy Berry • Academia Bach de Buenos Aires with pianists Anthony Hewitt • Michael Refvem • Frank Dupree

Starts: when you are ready
Note: latecomers will be admitted at your personal discretion

Listening position:

Relax with your choice(s) of beverage, in a place of your choosing, alone, or with members of your household or your bubble
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Virtual Viola


Programme



Edwin York Bowen (1884-1961)
Two duets for two violas in G major (1920)

performed by: Ting-Ru Lai and Timothy Ridout


Georg Philipp Telemann (1681-1767)
Viola concerto in G major TWV 51:G9  (c.1716-21)
     Largo    slow, stately
     Allegro
    fast
     Andante    walking, moderately slow
     Presto    very fast

performed by Soloists of the Academia Bach de Buenos Aires



Johannes Brahms  (1833-1897)
Sonata for viola in Eb major Op 120 No.2  (1894/95)
     Allegro amabile    fast, pleasant
     Allegro appassionato    fast, with passion
     Andante con moto - Allegro    moderately slow, with movement - fast

performed by Timothy Ridout, viola, and Anthony Hewitt, piano



Rebecca Clarke (1886-1979)
Morpheus  (1917-18)

performed by Jeremy Berry, viola, and Michael Refvem, piano


ENCORE


York Bowen
Viola Sonata No 1 in C minor Op 18  (1905)
(ii) Poco lento e cantabile    a little slow, with a singing style


performed by Timothy Ridout, viola, with Frank Dupree, piano


Lynda Chang

Guest Presenter

Lynda Chang, piano, guest presenter,
Lynda Chang studied piano for four years with Kendall Taylor at the Royal College of Music where she achieved a 1st class honours BMus, and was awarded the Tagore gold medal, RCM’s annual nomination for the most outstanding student of the year. 

Although her professional career was spent in the computer industry, Lynda has been able to return to music and is kept busy as soloist, accompanist, chamber musician, avid concert goer, opera fanatic and occasional reviewer.

Lynda has been a regular at Leatherhead's Lunchtime Concerts since their first year, and has performed for us several times.

Please welcome Lynda Chang as Guest Presenter, and curator, of today's concert.

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Greetings Everyone!

As guest curator of your concert this week, I welcome you to the Cinderella of the orchestra - that understated, undervalued and often much mis-understood member - the VIOLA!

In spite of its almost invisible presence (it is often mistaken for a violin), the viola has a beautiful and, dare one say it, more mellow tone than the violin. Its amazing variety of colour and range was brilliantly demonstrated in the three concerts given by Timothy Ridout at Music on Thursdays between 2015 and 2017.  Aged 21 in 2016, Timothy became the first ever British winner of the highly prestigious  Lionel Tertis International Viola Competition.  Timothy has now embarked on a stellar international career.

Our concert today will showcase the viola from the baroque to the present - featuring Timothy where possible - and in the process hopefully converting you, the listener, to become an ardent fan of the instrument.

A personal note:  I have discovered that my music listening experience via the computer is immeasurably enhanced by a good pair of headphones, the kind that covers the whole ear.

York Bowen was a prolific English composer who is sadly unfamiliar to many of today's listeners.  His harmonic language largely followed the 'romantic' idiom and was much characterised by a dense chromaticism.

Here is a delightful and simple starter to whet the appetite - Timothy Ridout performs with fellow violist Ting-Ru Lai - a veritable 'two for the price of one'.

The rich robust tones of the two violas are a joy (who needs violins after all) and the 2 short contrasting pieces - performed with such enjoyment and graceful agility - are a fitting appetizer for the rest of the concert.

Timothy introduced Ting-Ru Lai to our audience while they were both still RAM students. While he has his international solo career, she is now a violist with the London Philharmonic Orchestra. Seeing these young musicians launch into their professional careers is one of the delights of the lunchtime concert - although, these two violists have leapt somewhat further ahead than many.

Timothy's first Leatherhead concert was an occasion in which the audience audibly relaxed after the first two notes, confident that here we were in the presence of genius.
Edwin York Bowen (1884-1961)
Two duets for two violas in G major (1920)


performed by: Ting-Ru Lai and Timothy Ridout
during the 2020 Lockdown


Georg Philipp Telemann (1681-1767)
Viola concerto in G major TWV 51:G9  (c.1716-21)
     Largo    slow, stately
     Allegro
    fast
     Andante    walking, moderately slow
     Presto    very fast

performed by Soloists of the Academia Bach de Buenos Aires: Pablo Saraví & Gabriel Pinette, violins • Kristine Bara, viola • José Araujo, cello • Fernando Fieiras, double bass • organ & direction: Mario Videla
An exact contemporary of Bach and Handel, Telemann was another prolific composer who was highly regarded during his lifetime but whose works have periodically fallen from favour since his death.

The first known concerto written for the viola, it is scored for strings and continuo - and, as seen in the chosen clip, can easily fit as a chamber ensemble into our Leatherhead Methodist Church. 

The work is tuneful with elegant melodies as well as exciting rhythmic drive.  No one can fail to be moved by the beautiful Andante, rightly earning the work a favourite place in the pantheon of viola music.

This performance by soloists of the Academia Bach de Buenos Aires is searingly honest and heartfelt - I was spellbound and touched by it. 

A violist friend said of this clip that it felt as if he'd dropped into a group of friends playing together.  Isn't that exactly what chamber music is all about?

I have chosen another Timothy Ridout recording, this time from his recital at the Wigmore Hall in 2017.

Originally composed for the clarinet, owing to Brahms's discovery of the beauty of the sound and tone colour of the instrument, the Eb Sonata was dedicated to the talented clarinettist Richard Muhlfeld, with whom Brahms gave the first performance. 

It was written 3 years before Brahms's death and undoubtedly has an autumnal feel to it.  It opens with a simple lyricism that develops into a world of colourful, opulent harmonies.  The central movement is surprisingly powerful.  The final variations are full of drama within the constant interplay between soloist and pianist.

Timothy's playing belies his youth.  It is deeply expressive throughout and shows exactly the maturity and restraint demanded by the music.  And in Anthony Hewitt, he has found an excellent partner who is equally sensitive to every nuance and give and take in the music.

Johannes Brahms  (1833-1897)
Sonata for viola in Eb major Op 120 No.2  (1894/95)
Allegro amabile    fast, pleasant
Allegro appassionato    fast, with passion
Andante con moto - Allegro    moderately slow, with movement - fast


performed by Timothy Ridout, viola, and Anthony Hewitt, piano at their Wigmore Hall, London, recital on 26th March 2017

Moving into the 20th century, Rebecca Clarke was one of those rarities - a female composer and professional orchestral viola player. She often featured the viola in her chamber music compositions.  She has been a sadly neglected composer whose timely revival is only partly down to the current fashion for all things 'female'.

And just to round the circle of this concert, Clarke studied at the Royal College of Music with Lionel Tertis - in whose name the international viola competition is held - who was considered by many as the greatest violist of the day.  Her Sonata for Viola and Piano (1919) has become a staple of the modern viola repertoire.

The piece I have chosen to end today's concert is Morpheus, written in 1917 when Clarke was pursuing a performing career in the US, where she spent the last 40 years of her life.  It is a beautiful single movement work with a muted, reflective and dreamy character, full of the most amazing colours and intensity.  After all, Morpheus was the god associated with sleep and dreams and I cannot imagine a more perfect depiction.

Here is the link to the recording with Jeremy Berry, viola, and Michael Refvem, piano - both young American musicians with solid chamber music credentials.  In particular, I commend Refvem's piano playing which enhances the performance with admirable subtlety and artistry.

Rebecca Clarke (1886-1979)
Morpheus  (1917-18)

performed by Jeremy Berry, viola,
and Michael Refvem, piano


ENCORE
My first acquaintance with York Bowen was the slow movement of his viola sonata no.1 in C minor, written in 1905 when he was only 20 years old.  I was captivated from the first bar as I hope you will be too. 

For this reason, plus the fact that Timothy Ridout rates himself as a great fan of Bowen's music, I nominate this movement as my encore item.

It is marked poco lento e cantabile - a perfect description for its beautiful lyricism.  But there is passion too, artfully suggested by his personal language of chromaticism as well as the rippling piano accompaniment in the middle and final sections.  Bowen writes the most rewarding parts for the piano, and as a pianist, I thank him with all my heart.

So here is Timothy, returning for one final appearance at our virtual concert.
Producer, Curator & Presenter: Lynda Chang
Copy Typist: Peter Steadman

York Bowen
Viola Sonata No 1 in C minor Op 18  (1905)
(ii) Poco lento e cantabile 
a little slow, with a singing style

  

performed by Timothy Ridout, viola
with Frank Dupree, piano
at the Wigmore Hall in February 2019

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We hope you have enjoyed your Virtual Viola  Concert Online


Watch your email and this website for next week's Multi Piano concert


comments welcome:  musiconthursdays@gmail.com
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Honorary President's 100th Birthday Appeal for MENCAP

What do you give the lady who says she needs nothing for herself? Even after 100 years?

Mollie Canning decided it would be a wonderful way to celebrate her 100th birthday if she could encourage people to give to the charity she has supported for quite a few decades (she didn't want to specify quite how many!)

So we are appealing to the listeners to these concerts to please join in, and drive the total raised well above her original £1,000 target, and on towards £5,000.

Every gift counts, small, medium, or extremely large. And if you are able to add Gift Aid that's even better.

Please write LCAS in the message box, and bear in mind costs to MENCAP will be around 5% -10% of your total donation.

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please click anywhere on the image above to donate to Mollie Canning's 100th Birthday Appeal for MENCAP

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Concert Selections Still Available for your listening on this Website:

Thursday

4th
June
2020

anytime

Music on Thursdays - Online

String Quartet Concert
Beethoven  &  Haydn

artistes: Alban Berg Quartett  •  Jasper String Quartet
plus a Haydn encore piece performed by the Tetra String Quartet


access concert: by clicking on the date or the pictures
Venue: this website and a place of your choosing

Alban Berg Quartett
Jasper String Quartet
Thursday

11th
June
2020

anytime
Music on Thursdays - Online

Cello Tango with 52 cellists

music by Piazzolla • Albéniz • Carter Brey • Carlos Gardel • Villa-Lobos


access concert: by clicking on the date or the picture
Venue: this website and a place of your choosing
cello, violoncello,
Carter Brey, principal cellist, New York Symphonia
Thursday

18th
June
2020

anytime

Music on Thursdays - Organs Online

Organs of Paris  ♥ Les Orgues de Paris
organs from the top three Parisian churches, from the concert hall, and from one other venue

artistes: Olivier Latry, Daniel Roth, Thomas Ospital, Jean Guillou, Wayne Marshall, Aaron Shows

music, including improvisations, by: Latry • Marcel Dupré • JS Bach • Debussy • Ron Goodwin • Michel-Maurice Lévy • Marshall • Katchaturian • Saint-Saëns


access concert: by clicking on the date or the pictures - from Thursday 18th June onwards
Venue: this website and a place of your choosing

cello, violoncello,
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Thursday

25th
June
2020

anytime

Music on Thursdays - Online

Flute Fest

artistes:

Sir James Galway  ♦  Lady Jeanne Galway  ♦  Paris Voxmusicorum Orchestra, conductor Ada Pelleg    ♦    Icelandic Flute Ensemble
David Antich, recorder  ♦  Leonardo Luckert, cello  ♦  Ignasi Jordà, harpsichord
Gianluca Vanzelli, flute  ♦  Kammerorchester Timisoara, conducter David Crescezi
Shin-jung Oh, flute ♦ Heo Jung-hwa, piano    ♦    Dave Valentin, jazz flute


music by: Cimarosa • Boismortier • Händel • John Rutter • Pedro Flores

access concert: by clicking on the date or the pictures
Venue: this website and a place of your choosing

Sir James Galway & Lady Jeanne Galway
Flute Fest
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Please note: LCAS cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies in or amendments to the information on this website.
Please check with the event organiser before you commit to any expenditure
Registered address: 31 Elmer Cottages • Fetcham • KT22 9BU
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  • Welcome
  • Leatherhead's Lunchtime Concert Diary 2021
    • 25 Feb 2021 Music on Thursdays Online: Thomas Ang, piano
    • 4 March 2021 Music on Thursdays Online: Vivaldi
    • Newsletter Request
  • Surrey Music Diary
  • LCAS Charity
  • Artistes
  • Composers
  • Archive & Unpublished
    • 2020 Archive >
      • Leatherhead's Lunchtime Concert Diary 2020
      • 27 Feb 2020 3pm Marina Kan piano
      • 23 Apr 2020 Concert for St George's Day
      • 1 May 2020 Music on May Day Online
      • 8 May 2020 Music for VE Day 75th Online
      • 14 May 2020 Piano à Deux Online
      • 20 May 2020 Wednesday at the Organ: Clocks Cathedrals
      • 28 May 2020 Music on Thursdays Guitars & Friends
      • 4 June 2020 Music on Thursdays Online: String Quartets
      • 11 June 2020 Music on Thursdays Online: Cello Tango
      • 18 June 2020 Music on Thursdays Organs of Paris Online
      • 25 June 2020 Music on Thursdays Flute Fest Online
      • 2 July 2020 Music on Thursdays Online: Virtual Viola
      • 9 July 2020 Music on Thursdays Online: Multi Piano
      • 16 July 2020 Music on Thursdays Online: Sackbutt to Trombone
      • 23 July 2020 Music on Thursdays Online: Harp Haven
      • 30 July 2020 Music on Thursdays Online: Oboe Omnibus
      • 6 Aug 2020 Music on Thursdays Online: Gentle Guitar
      • 13 Aug 2020 Music on Thursdays Online: Unusual Instruments
      • 20 Aug 2020 Music on Thursdays Online: Viola da Gamba
      • 27 Aug 2020 Music on Thursdays Online: Music & the Military
      • 3 Sep 2020 Music on Thursdays Online: Choral Music
      • 10 Sep 2020 Music on Thursdays Online: Clarinet Compilation
      • 17 Sep 2020 Music on Thursdays Online: The Voice
      • 24 Sep 2020 Music on Thursdays Online: Beethoven 250
      • 1 Oct 2020 Music on Thursdays Online: Eddie Lee's Jazz on Thursday
      • 8 Oct 2020 Music on Thursdays Online: Diphonon Viola & Accordion Duo
      • 15 Oct 2020 Music on Thursdays Online: Marion Bettsworth, organ
      • 22 Oct 2020 Music on Thursdays Online: CarmenCo - telling Carmen's story
      • 29 Oct 2020 Music on Thursdays Online: Phil Hopkins, classical harmonica
      • 5 Nov 2020 Music on Thursdays Online: Musical Fireworks
      • 12 Nov 2020 Music on Thursdays Online: Music of the Musicals
      • 18 Nov 2020 FINAL Wednesday at Christ Church Live Organ Concert - Mark Brafield
      • 17 Dec 2020 Music on Thursdays Online: Carols with CarmenCo
    • Christ Church Leatherhead
    • 2013 Anthony Cairns Concerts
    • 2012 Anthony Cairns Concerts
    • HGS1965
    • UNU Music on Thursdays Online:
    • Bitsa
    • W-I-P