Friday 26 February 2016

Features for today's broadcast Phonic FM 2-4pm Friday 26 February 2016

Catherine Cartwright
Double Elephant Print Workshop
Al Mutanabbi Street Coalition
Print Exhibition & Poetry Day
Exeter Library & Kaleider
Friday 4 March
Exeter University Symphony Orchestra
An Easter Concert
Southernhay United Reformed Church
Sunday 13 March

Chris Marshall & Claire Jones ("C2")
Tiverton Community Arts Theatre
Saturday 13 February
Wensleigh & Jacqueline Palmer
Glenorchy URC Exmouth
Wednesday 13 January
East Devon Choral Society
Verdi Gala Night
Tiverton High School
Saturday 11 May 2013
Delta Saxophone Quartet
"Crimson!" Launch
Soho Jazz Club
Tuesday 9 February
Dave Sanderson
Tubular Bells for Solo Piano
Crediton Arts Centre
Saturday 27 February
Matt Cann & Antiphon
"O My People" Launch
Exeter Cathedral
Saturday 30 January

Exeter University Symphony Orchestra (E.U.S.O.) "An Easter Concert" Southernhay Church Exeter 7pm Sunday 13 March 2016 Press Release from Luke Romaine & Catherine Bird

EXETER UNIVERSITY
SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Leader: Cyril Balaÿ
Conductor: 
Tim Pithers


Exeter University Symphony Orchestra

Southernhay United Reformed Church
Sunday 13 March 7pm

AN EASTER CONCERT

Conductor: Tim Pithers
Leader: Cyril Balaÿ

Johannes Brahms: Academic Festival Overture
Henryk Wieniawski: Second Violin Concerto
Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovky: Fifth Symphony

Tickets: £5 (student £3.50)


Exeter University Symphony Orchestra
(Tympani: Luke Romaine)


Monday 15 February 2016

Claire Jones "The Girl with the Golden Harp" Tiverton Community Arts Theatre (T.C.A.T.) Saturday 13 February 2016

Claire Jones

The Golden Harp
Claire played Victor Salvi's Golden Harp
as Official Harpist to the Prince of Wales
The Tiverton Community Arts Theatre (TCAT) is located in the school hall of Tiverton High School on the Petroc College Campus in Bolham Road in Tiverton. Since July 2012, when they hosted their inaugural production by Cornish theatre company 'Bish Bash Bosh' (Alan Kent's "The Tin Violin"), the theatre has put on regular theatre and music events - including the very popular outdoor Shakespeare productions in the school field by the Festival Players.

In 2015 the TCAT Committee were approached by a very special performer with the idea for a very special show. The incredibly talented and successful concert harpist Claire Jones is currently touring with her stage show which traces her journey of recovery after contracting the condition Myalgic Encephalopathy (M.E.), also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, with all its debilitating symptoms.

An accomplished public speaker
Before her illness her list of achievements had been exemplary. A First Class BA Degree from the Royal College of Music was followed by a Prince of Wales Study Award, and an MA from the Royal Academy of Music. During her MA training, Claire was also retained by the Royal Household as the Official Harpist to the Prince of Wales - a position she held for a further two years after she graduated. In her final year in the position, Claire performed at Buckingham Palace for the wedding reception of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

(The position of Official Harpist was revived by Prince Charles in 2000, after a break of 119 years, to showcase the Welsh harp, and Welsh musicianship. In 2006 international harpist and harp manufacturer, Victor Salvi, donated a superb golden harp to the Prince for the Official Harpist to play - shortly before Claire Jones took up the post.)

Holly Williams
dances to Gustav's Holst's
"Venus, Bringer of Peace"
- amazing image of a stellar nebula  
All of this Claire explained very succinctly, in her beautiful Welsh accent, at the opening of the concert. Despite all she has been through, her stage presence was as accomplished and engaging as ever. Taking us back in time she described the devastating symptoms of illness which brought her career to a full stop after such a glittering beginning.

Following an opening performance of a harp arrangement of  Audrey Coppard's musical setting of the folk song "Scarborough Fair" (made famous by Simon & Garfunkel), Claire introduced three arresting harp pieces (under the positive-thinking title of "Calm & Serenity") illustrating this unexpected hiatus. First Gustav Holst's "Venus" from his "Planets" suite - accompanied by a stunning slide show of astronomical images, including a spectacular close up of the constellation The Swan, showing a young (and very energetic) star with its awesome incandescent jets of ejected matter (Nebula Sh2 106). Against this impressive backdrop, Claire's illness and sense of loss were recreated in dance by Holly Williams, Director of Dance Party Cardiff & Pzazzwales.

"Heartstrings" - a marriage proposal in Rio
The opening section continued with Edward MacDowell's "To a Wild Rose", accompanied by projected roses, and Zdeněk Fibich's piano sketch "Poème" (one of 379 sketches, dedicated to his lover Anezka Schulzová) skillfully arranged for harp by Claire's husband, percussionist Chris Marshall, also from Cardiff, and a graduate Trinity College of Music.

The second section, reflecting Claire's convalescence in her native Pembrokeshire, featured three original compositions by Chris Marshall accompanied by projections, controlled off-stage once again by Chris himself. These included images of Claire playing the pieces in some very chilly-looking locations - perfectly synchronised with Claires live playing on stage.

"Heartstrings" was accompanied by views of the Cristo Redentor in Rio de Janeiro - at the top of which Chris proposed marriage to Claire in 2012 - and also included views of Claire playing her harp on the beach at Southerndown in Glamorgan.

"Bluestones" - from the Preseli Mountains
Chris also interposed his arrangement of "Ar Hyd y Nos" (All Through the Night) in which Claire is accompanied by the London Mozart Players, before his own composition, "Coracles", from his "Teifi" suite (named after the river on the Ceredigion/Carmarthenshire border), and his masterpiece, "Bluestones", accompanied by images of Claire playing her harp under the 16 ton capstone of the mysterious Pentre Ifan dolmen in Pembrokeshire, with Carn Ingli in the background. The title "Bluestones" refers to the Preseli dolorite monoliths used in the third stage of building at Stonehenge in Wiltshire. (NB The heaviest of the Stonehenge monoliths was only a quarter of the weight of the Pentre Ifan capstone!)

Tiverton Flower Society
three arrangements
During the interval, part of the stage decoration was sold off by raffle. The Tiverton Flower Society's contribution of three beautiful arrangements of lilies went to three lucky audience members.

Charlotte Rhodes
"The Pink Panther"
After the break there was more audience participation as local harpists and Tiverton High School pupils joined Claire and Chris on stage. In front of a promising looking ensemble of djembe players in school uniform, Claire introduced three young students of the Devon harp teacher, Emma Graham.

Niamh Flynn played a harp arrangement of John Williams' music for the 'Cantina Band' of alien musicians, which appears in the "Star Wars" movie. Caitlin Davies, only nine years of age, played a delightful Welsh piece "Pwt ar y Bys" (Finger Study) on a diminutive Welsh harp.

Chris Marshall
djembe orchestra
Finally the oldest student, twenty year old Grade VI student Charlotte Rhodes played an arrangement of Henry Mancini's "Pink Panther" theme. The semi-tone slurs that open "The Pink Panther" are particularly challenging on harp, as the accidental notes are created by using the pedals. Charlotte was able to demonstrate her fine mastery of harp footwork.

As Chris removed the student harps, Claire introduced his djembe orchestra. Chris returned to lead the players in rhythmic hand-claps, then sang lines from an African song "Ghana Call Ashiya" which they repeated, before they all joined in a djembe ensemble performance of a Nigerian take on the Ghanaian 'High Life' rhythm.

Vibraphone: Chris MarshallHarp: Claire Jones
"Dance of the Young Princess"
Returning to the theme of Claire's Journey of Recovery, three further pieces reflected memories of vigorous youth. First Chris joined Claire on stage to play vibraphone in a duet with Claire's harp, composed by himself, called "Dance of the Young Princess". The combination of harp strings and vibraharp bars was entrancing to hear, and a delight to watch. In a homage to the Victorian fairy harp music which would have been an inspiration to Claire in her childhood, she played "La Danse des Sylphes" by nineteenth century Belgian harpist Félix Godefroid. The section finished with a traditional Welsh lullaby "Si Hei Lwli 'Mabi" (Sleep, my Baby), arranged for Harp by Chris.

Holly Williams
"Toss the Feathers"
After putting an infectiously positive slant on the trials of illness and recovery Claire, with the help of Chris and Holly, finished with three pieces reflecting her new-found health, entitled "Vitality & Strength". Ástor Piazzolla's 1974 classic "Libertango" was a suitable opening - arranged by Chris for harp and cajón (a deceptively simple looking box-drum, full of tricks). This was followed appropriately by Nigel Hess' theme to Charles Dance's "Ladies in Lavender" (a story of recovery for the vioinist Andrea played by Daniel Brühl). Finally Chris had prepared a harp arrangement of an Irish folk song "Toss the Feathers" (very appropriate for a TCAT event, as it is normally scored for tin whistle and violin). Holly made her final appearance to perform a delicate Irish step dance, and Chris joined them both for an encore - playing a snare drum.





Saturday's concert was a great occasion for Tiverton Community Arts Theatre. Claire Jones and Chris Marshall, who are currently preparing the US release of their CD "Hands of Fire" and a ten-day tour of the East Coast starting on Thursday 4 March in Orlando FL and winding up in Baton Rouge LA ten days later. Immediately following the subsequent four days of post-tour press interviews in New York, they will be releasing their new album "Royal Harp Strings" on Silva Classics. It was an amazing privilege for us here in Devon to have a harpist to the Royal Family taking time out from such a hectic schedule to perform for us here in the West Country - and so generously to make way for new musicians to join her on stage.

Her performance was also a testament to her recovery from serious illness. Without Claire's explanations, however, no one would have guessed the journey of recovery she has been through. Every piece was played with commanding precision and subtle delicacy. The very professional synchronisation of video and slides with Claire's live playing, by Chris behind the scenes, was a joy to watch. Chris's own performance, on vibraphone, cajón and djembe, was equally engaging. Add the sensitive and evocative dance portrayal by Holly Williams, and the combination is a perfect stage performance.

Devon harpists, and aspiring harpists, including Emma Graham's students who attended the concert, will be greatly inspired by a visit from such an illustrious musician as Claire Jones - and by the wonderful music she has created with her husband Chris Marshall.

Other albums by the duo (also known as "C2") include "Girl with the Golden Harp" released shortly after Claire completed her contract as Official Harpist, "Journey" (Music to Soothe the Soul) which was inspired by her illness and recovery, and several classical albums including "Harp Concertos" recorded with the London Mozart Players.

Claire and Chris welcome enquiries by email - info@marshalljonesmusic.co.uk
Full details can be found on the Claire Jones website - clairejones.co.uk

Harp: Claire Jones
Cajón: Chris Marshall
Dance: Holly Williams
Harp: Claire Jones
Vibraphone: Chris Marshall
Classical Dance: Holly Williams
Introducing the djembe band: Claire Jones
Dance I : Holly Williams
Dance II : Holly Williams
Finale: Holly Williams, Chris Marshall, Claire Jones

1956 Cinerama production by Lowell Thomas: "Seven Wonders of the World" projected on purpose-built Omniscope screen with original 7-track stereo sound created by Mike Edgecumbe Sidmouth Methodist Hall Friday 19 & Saturday 20 February 2016





Cinerama


Sidmouth Methodist Hall
Friday 19 February 7.30pm
Saturday 20 February 2.30 & 7.30pm

SEVEN WONDERS OF THE WORLD

Exciting widescreen footage from
The Grand Canyon, Israel, Uttar Pradesh
Athens, Baghdad, Bangkok, Cairo
West Bengal, Saudi Arabia, Istanbul
Nairobi, Naples, New Delhi, Niagara
Rio de Janeiro, Rome & Tokyo (1956)

Producer: Lowell Thomas/Merian Cooper
Musical Score: Emil Lionel Newman
Conductor: Emil Newman

Omniscope projection screen & 7-track
stereo sound system built by Mike Edgecumbe

Tickets: £6 (U16  £3)

All proceeds to:
UNICEF Syria Children Emergency Appeal
(matched pound-for-pound by UK Govenment funding)

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Wednesday 10 February 2016

Alan Boxer's "Classical Café" Cullompton Community Centre Friday 11 March 2016


Classical Café

Cullompton Community Centre
Friday 11 March 7 for 7.30pm

BEARE TRIO & MUSIC DECO

        'Cello: Hilary Boxer 
                 Piano: Andrew Daldorph  
 Saxophones: Chris Gradwell
   Soprano: Kate Walker

Ludwig van Beethoven
Vincenzo Bellini - Max Bruch             
George Gershwin - Sir Noël Coward      
Charles MacPherson - Andrew Daldorph          

    Tickets: £12 (child £6)
Box Office: 01884 33265   
Online BookingKenarts Website     

Royal Albert Memorial Museum Fifth Annual Classical Concert Series Martin Roscoe Piano Wednesday 27 April Michael Petrov & Erdem Misirlioglu 'Cello & Piano Wednesday 25 May & The Eeden Quartet Wednesday 29 June 2016 Press Release from RAMM Business Development Consultant Margi Jervoise

Royal Albert Memorial Museum
(Queen's Street & Gandy Street)

Royal Albert Memorial Museum
announce New Concert Series sponsored by
Rathbone Investment Management 

Exeter’s Royal Albert MemorialMuseum Development Trust announces today that Rathbone Investment Management is sponsoring the fifth series of classical concerts at the museum in April, May and June 2016.

Following the successful concert series held over the past four years, RAMM’s Development Trust has organised another series of classical concerts to be held at RAMM.

The series will start on Wednesday 27 April with internationally acclaimed pianist, MartinRoscoe, playing Debussy, Schumann and Beethoven.

On Wednesday 25 May, cellist, Michael Petrov and pianist, Erdem Misirlioğlu will be playing Bach, Beethoven and Rachmaninov.

To close the season on Wednesday 29 June, The Eeden Quartet, will be playing Haydn, Brahms and Mendelssohn.

Sarah Tobey, Regional Director, Rathbones Exeter commented:

We are delighted to be supporting RAMM Development Trust for the fourth year with their excellent programme of classical concerts.  It is amazing to be able to attract world class musicians to such a central location in Exeter where the audience can enjoy an intimate experience surrounded by wonderful art.

All concerts commence at 7.30pm. Museum doors open at 6.30pm.
Drinks are available prior to concert and during the interval.
Tickets£20 (concessions £18)
Season Tickets: £55 (concessions £50)
Advance booking is essential.
Box Office: RAMM reception 01392 265858
Online Booking: RAMM website


THE CONCERTS


Rathbones Spring Concert Series
Martin Roscoe
Royal Albert Memorial Museum
(Gallery 20, Garden Reception Entrance)
Wednesday 27 April 6.30 for 7.30pm
PIANO RECITAL
Piano: Martin Roscoe
Robert Schumann: "Kinderszenen" Opus 15
Ludwig van Beethoven: Waldstein Sonata
                     (Piano Sonata in C No 21 Opus 53)
                                      Moonlight Sonata
(Piano Sonata in C# minor No 14 Opus 27 No 2)
Claude Debussy: "Children's Corner"
                            "L'Isle Joyeuse"
Tickets: £20 (concessions £18)
Season Tickets: £55 (concessions £50)
Box Office: RAMM reception 01392 265858
Online BookingRAMM website




Rathbones Spring Concert Series
Royal Albert Memorial Museum
(Gallery 20, Garden Reception Entrance)
Wednesday 25 May 6.30 for 7.30pm
'CELLO & PIANO DUETS
'Cello: Michael Petrov
Piano: Erdem Misirlioğlu
Johann Sebastian Bach: 'Cello & Piano Sonata
                                        No 3 in G minor BWV 1029
Ludwig van Beethoven: 'Cello Sonata No 3 in A Opus 69
Sergei Rachmaninov: 'Cello Sonata in G minor Opus 19
Tickets: £20 (concessions £18)
Season Tickets: £55 (concessions £50)
Box Office: RAMM reception 01392 265858
Online BookingRAMM website





Rathbones Spring Concert Series
Royal Albert Memorial Museum
(Gallery 20, Garden Reception Entrance)
The Eeden Quartet
Wednesday 29 June 6.30 for 7.30pm
THE EEDEN QUARTET
(formerly The Wu Quartet, renamed after
 Gilles van der Eeden,  Bonn Court Organist
 & tutor to Ludwig van Beethoven)
Josef Haydn: "Rider Quartet" Opus 74 No 3
Felix Mendelssohn: Quartet in A minor Opus 13
Johannes Brahms: Quartet in A minor Opus 51 No 2
Tickets£20 (concessions £18)
Season Tickets: £55 (concessions £50)
Box Office: RAMM reception 01392 265858
Online BookingRAMM website




Garden Reception Entrance


All three concerts will be held in Gallery 20 at the Royal Albert Memorial Museum.

The way in is from the Exeter Phoenix car-park, via the Garden Reception Entrance.

The door open at 6.30pm for a drinks reception prior to each concert.

(drinks are available for a £2 donation).

Monday 8 February 2016

Tubular Bells for Solo Piano Arranged & Performed by Exeter Pianist Dave Sanderson Crediton Arts Centre Saturday 27 February 2016

DAVE SANDERSON

Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells arranged for solo piano and performed live by Dave Sanderson with an opening set of his own original works
This is a unique opportunity to hear Mike Oldfield’s classic 1973 instrumental album ‘Tubular Bells’ performed live when stripped bare of its glockenspiels, organs and ‘two slightly distorted guitars’ then faithfully re-constructed as a solo piano piece.
From the haunting introductory motif of Part One right through to the concluding Sailor’s Hornpipe of Part Two, Dave Sanderson performs his own piano version of Oldfield’s groundbreaking prog-rock epic live; journeying from one melody, riff and texture to the next with only his two hands, one instrument and no pre-recorded loops or backing tracks.
Exeter-based Dave Sanderson (An Evening Without James Taylor, Mr Food from BBC’s Steve Wright In The Afternoon) is delighted to be coming to Credition Art Centre with this new solo live project which, as well as ‘Tubular Bells’, will also include a selection of his own original piano pieces.

TICKETS £8 (£6 for concessions) are available from Crediton Arts Centre 01363 773260,
Crediton Community Book Shop, Sandford Post Office and online at ticketsource.co.uk

Dave Sanderson

Dave Sanderson
Crediton Arts Centre
(East Street EX17 3AX)
Saturday 27 February 7.30pm
TUBULAR BELLS FOR SOLO PIANO
A Solo Piano Arrangement
of Mike Oldfield's Classic
Tickets: £8
Box Office: 01363 773260

Friday 5 February 2016

Substance & Shadow Theatre Company and the return of "Skin Deep" Cygnet New Theatre Exeter Friday 5 February 2016

The Old Firm
Substance & Shadow Theatre Company
Cygnet New Theatre, Friday 5 February

Nathan Simpson is Alex
Midge Mullin is Jem
Three years after the première of "Skin Deep" at the City Gate Hotel, Substance and Shadow Theatre Company have brought the play back to Exeter for four nights as part of a tour of the South West. (See review of the redux at the Exeter Ignite Festival - Bikeshed Theatre 8 June 2013)

This year, after playing the Barbican in Plymouth, and the Wardrobe Theatre in Bristol, Substance and Shadow returned to Exeter for a four-night run at the Cygnet New Theatre - and their old home, the cellar bar of the City Gate Hotel on Exeter's Iron Bridge.

Once again Nathan Simpson is Alex, the more successful stay-at-home 'brother' of Jem, played by Midge Mullin. The recreation of their close but antagonistic acting relationship is precise - renewed seemlessly after three years - unlike the relationship between the two characters they play, after their three year separation.


Mike Gilpin is Sam
Rosie Mullin is Pearl
Mike Gilpin, as the malleable Sam (or 'Biro' as he is disparagingly called), is still master of the Rubik's Cube, but not of his own life. Brighter than he seems, he is still not bright enough to stay out of trouble.

Rosie Mullin, as the enigmatic outsider Pearl, observes and interacts. Her distance and impartiality lend perspective and depth to this provincial tale of insecurities and prejudice.

This production is as sharp and arresting as ever. The four main players interact with balletic precision. They create a great dramatic tension, even for those who are familiar with the story. Jill Coley was replaced by Tracey Norman as Alex and Sam's Grandmother (originally an off-stage character, but subsequently introduced in the flesh to wind up any loose ends). Nan's concluding monologue stands alone as a homage to the endurance of a single mother in post-war Britain.

The run continues at the Cygnet tomorrow night (Saturday 6 February) at 7.30pm, before moving to the City Gate Hotel on Monday and Tuesday night at the slightly later time of 8pm.



Substance & Shadow Theatre Company
"Skin Deep" 2013
Jill ColeyMichael Gilpin
Rose Mullin
Nathan Simpson
Midge Mullin
1. Cygnet New Theatre
Friday/Saturday 5/6 February 7.30pm
2. City Gate Hotel (Cellar Bar)
Monday/Tuesday  8/9 February 8pm
          "SKIN DEEP"
Jem: Midge Mullin  Pearl: Rose Mullin
Alex Coombes: Nathan Simpson
Samuel Coombes: Michael Gilpin

Mrs Coombes: Tracey Norman
Tickets: Cygnet £8.50 City Gate £7
Online Booking for Cygnet: Fri/Sat
City Gate: tickets on the door
Press Release from Rosie Mullin