Run down until the next Journey: 21 August - 4 September 2012

Something very special at Totnes Festival
Saturday 1st September
The Society of Strange and Ancient Instruments
Clare Salaman: nyckelharpa
Clara Sanagras: renaissance guitar
Joy Smith: gothic harp

(click here for the full run-down into September - and October)

Christopher Kent

Music@St. Paul's
Luchtime Concerts
St Paul's Church Honiton
Tuesday 21 August 1pm
CHRISTOPHER KENT
(resident organist at Bowood House Wilts
and authority on the Bryce-Seede Organ
at Powderham Castle - visited with his
St Nicholas Consort on Friday 18 May)
Organ Recital
Light Lunch (from 12.00) £4.50
Concert (1.00 - 2.00) £5.50

Pantaloons Theatre Company
The Importance of being Earnest

Pantaloons Theatre Company
Killerton House Gardens
Tuesday 21 August 7pm
Oscar Wilde:
THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST
Tickets: £15 (child £10)
Pre-show supper: £12.50
01392 881345  book online

Show of Hands
Miranda Sykes
Phil Beer
Steve Knightley

Show of Hands
Exeter Phoenix
Wednesday 22 August 8pm
guitar/voice: Steve Knightley
violin/voice: Phil Beer
double bass: Miranda Sykes
ROYAL ALBERT HALL REVUE SHOW
supported by:
The Urban Soul Orchestra
Phillip Henry & Hannah Martin
Tickets: £17
Exeter Phoenix Box Office
01392 667080
seetickets (10% booking fee)

Counter Tenor James Armitage &
Coloratura Soprano Lizzie Drury
made up for 'Welt-Parlament'
James is New Zealand
Lizzie is Congo 

Mittwoch aus Licht
Argyle Works Birmingham
Wednesday 22 - Saturday 25 August 4pm
Birmingham Opera Company will perform
the world premier of
Karlheinz Stockhausen's 6 hour Opera
(one of seven - one for each day of the week)
Part of the London 2012 Festival
Director: Graham Vick
Director of Music: Kathinka Pasveer
Part 1 - Welt-Parlament: Ex Cathedra
(Musical Director Jeffrey Skidmore)
Features coloratura soprano Elizabeth Drury
as 'Temporary President'
Part 2 - Orchester-Finalisten
Part 3 - Helikopter-Streichquartett
The Elysian String Quartet
and 'Grasshoppers' Helicopter display team
Part 4 - Michaelion: London Voices
(Musical Director Terry Edwards)
SOLD OUT !

Dr Matthew Wright

St Stephen's Project - Lunchtime Concerts
St Stephen's Church Exeter High Street
Thursday 23 August 1pm
(Fundraising lunch 12 noon)
Piano: Matthew Wright
(Dr Wright is Senior Lecturer in
Classics and Ancient History at Exeter University
and has just returned from a year as
Blegen Fellow at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie)

Admission FREE

(fundraining ploughman's lunch £5)

Sam Richards

Totnes Music Now
St Mary's Church Totnes (2.30pm)
Soundart Studio Dartington Hall (6pm)
Friday 24 August
A New Composition by Sam Richards
Totnes Improvisers Orchestra and Friends
Admission FREE
email: leechwellsam@googlemail.com

Steve Gordon

Steve Gordon's Exeter Guitar Ensemble
Exeter Phoenix
Saturday 25 August
Sir Edward Elgar: Serenade for Strings
(Arranged Alison Smith & Ivan Andrews)
Gerald Garcia, Mark Ashford, Mark Eden,
Helen Sanderson, Chris Stell - and David Cottam
Details to follow at esgmusic

conductor: Malcolm Latcham

The Pressenda Ensemble
at Totnes Festival
St John's Church Totnes
Sunday 26 August 3pm
SUNDAY SERENADE CONCERT
Arcangelo Corelli: Concerto Grosso in F
J S Bach: Fugue in B minor (on a theme
of Corelli) Double Violin Concerto
Felix Mendelssohn: String Symphony 12
Percy Grainger: songs from UK & Ireland
Astor Piazzolla: Autumn in Beunos Aire
Director of Music: Malcolm Latcham
(founder Academy of St Martin in the Fields)
joined in the double concerto by
violinist Catherine Hayek
Hosts: Divertimento Entertainments
Tickets: £12 (student/child FREE)
Box Office 01803 863677
enquiries@divertimento.uk.com
Totnes TIC 01803 863168

 - stay in the area for the opening of:

the big screen
Dartington Tilt Yard

Dartington Outdoor Film Festival 2012
Tennis Court, Dartington Space
Sunday 26 - Wednesday 29 August 8.30pm
Sunday: Some Like it Hot
Monday: Prometheus
Tuesday: North by Northwest
Wednesday: The Dark Knight Rises
Tickets: £7.75/6.50 (student £5.25 U18 £4)
Box Office: 01803 847070
Dartington website

N.B. because of this year's excessive rain, the screen has been moved to the 'tennis courts' at Dartington Space - just 100yds from the Tilt Yard - Rain on the night? Simply move next door to the luxury of the Barn Theatre! (read details)

Adrian Partington
Director of Music
Gloucester Cathedral 

Organ Recital
Exeter Cathedral
Wednesday 29 August 7.30pm
Director of Music,
Gloucester Cathedral: Adrian Partington
J S Bach: Prelude & Fugue in Am 543
Orlando Gibbons: Fantasia for Double Organ
Gustav Merkel: Sonata No 8 in B minor
Henri Mulet: Exquisses Byzantines (Vitrail, Rosace)
Patrick Gowers: Toccata and Fugue
Henri Mulet: Carillon Sortie
Tickets: £7 (student £3 U18 FREE)
Exeter Cathedral Shop: 01392 271354

Jemma Webb
Memorial Variety Concert
Reed Hall Exeter University
Friday 31 August 7.30pm
Featuring local artists, including
new pairing: guitarist Clive Betts
and flautist Martha Soffker
Guitar: Isaac Albeniz 'Chants d'Espagna'
Guitar & Flute:
Astor Piazzolla 'Histoire du Tango'
Jacques Ibert 'Entr'acte'
(from Pedro Calderón's
'El Médico de su Honra)
They will discuss the concert on
'Classical Journey' Tue 21 Aug
Tickets: £5 - in aid of the Eve Appeal
Booking/Further Details (or to take part):
Sylvia Costigan 07914 617877
(Ellen Milford: 07872067673)

(Other performers in the Eve Appeal concert include: Katherine & Marina Kostigan, James Tomlinson, Luke Friend, Lauren Ross, Molly Emmerson - all performers under twenty five)

The Society of Strange
and Ancient Instruments -
gothic harp: Joy Smith
renaissance guitar: Clara Sanabras
hurdy-gurdy: Clare Salaman

The Society of Strange and
Ancient Instruments
at Totnes Festival
St Mary's Church Totnes
Saturday 1 September 7.30-9.30pm
THE MINISTRY OF ANGELS
trad: 'Blessed be the Maid Marie'
Mateio Fecha: 'Rui, Rui,chui'
Thoinot Arbeau: 'Belle qui tiens ma vie'
François Francoeur: Rondeau
trad: Joseph and the Angel Oxford
anon: 'Lullay, lullay - als I lay on Yoolis Nigh'
trad: 'When righteous Joseph wedded was'
John Playford: Doves Figary
Sarum Chant (Salisbury 15th Century):
A solis ortus cardine
The Play of Daniel (Beauvais 13th Century):
Angelus admonebit Abacue prophetam
Cantiga de Santa Maria
(Galician-Portugese 13th Century)
Cantiga 131: En tamanna colta non pode seer
Arcangelo Corelli: La Follia

double bass: Peter McCarthy

trad: The Three Ravens
trad: Devil Stick the Minister
trad: The Devil in a Bush
trad: The devil's Dream
Cantiga 115: Con seu ben sempre ven
trad: Buillo, pran ton tamborin!
trad: Pease Branle
trad: Candlestick Branle
voice, renaissance guitar, oud: Clara Sanabras
hurdy gurdy, nyckelharpa,
hardanger violin: Clare Salaman

harps & percussion: Joy Smith
basses: Peter McCarthy
(FULL DETAILS!)

nyckelharpa

Hosts: Totnes Early Music Society
Tickets: £12 (student/U18 £5)
Non-TEMS members (only), pay at the door.
Further enquiries/membership:
Chair: Jill Tomalin 01803 849414 email
Mem Sec: Jasper Solomon 01803 868883 email
TEMS membership webpage

Le Jazz
double bass: Mike Thorn
piano: Andrew Daldorph
clarinet/sax: Chris Gradwell
guitar: Andrew Barrett

Chris Gradwell and Friends
Blue Ball Inn, Sidford
Sunday 2 September 7.30pm
LE JAZZ
Clarinet/Sax: Chris Gradwell
Keyboard: Andrew Daldorph
Guitar: Andrew Barrett
Double Bass: Mike Thorn
Tickets: £8  Box: 07583 796855
glyn.holford@sky.com
Chris Gradwell Website

Musical Premiere
Station Theatre, Hayling Island (Hampshire)
Tuesday 4 - Saturday 8 September 7.45pm
OOPS for Theatre Productions
(original productions for . . . )
present 'For the Love of Undine'
by Chris and Alex Poulton
(Baritone Alex Poulton performed
'Opera through the Ages' with
Wing Wing Lam at St Mary Arches
on 19 October last year - and
Schubert's 'Winterreise' on 23 November
accompanied by Andrew Daldorph
Tickets: £10
Box Office: 02392 718718
Mobile: 07946 740958
Station Theatre website
oopsfortheatre website

When we return in September 2012

It's nearly time!
Marion Wood continues preparation
for Mahler's Eighth Symphony
Exeter Music Group
Symphony Orchestra
Sunday 16th September 5pm
Exeter University Great Hall

David Davies

Organ Recital
Exeter Cathedral
Wednesday 5 September 7.30pm
Assistant Director of Music,
Exeter Cathedral: David Davies
programme TBA
Tickets: £7 (student £3 U18 FREE)
Exeter Cathedral Shop: 01392 271354

Appassionata
Flute: Suki Trussler
Guitar: Alex Knight

Appassionata Guitar and Flute Duo
Temple Church Budleigh (EX9 6NN)
Wednesday 5 September 7.30pm
(repeated Shaldon, 7 Sept - see below)
Guitar: Alex Knight
Flute: Suki Trussler
Bach, Vivaldi, Handel, Albeniz, Scarlatti,
Granados, Faure, Ibert, Dompierre and
Piazzolla among others.
Tickets: £10
Budleigh Salterton TIC: 01395 445275
Alex Knight: 01364 644400 / 07896 438242
or wegottickets

Serenata
'Cello: Mary Harris
Harpsichord: Adrian Davis
Soprano: Louise Turner
Oboe/Cor Anglais: Hazel Todd

St Boniface Concert Society
Church of the Holy Cross, Crediton
Thursday 6 September 7.30pm
SERENATA
John Dowland
Peter Philips
Ralph Vaughan Williams
Georg Philipp Telemann
George Frederic Handel
Johann Sebastian Bach
Tickets: £10 (children FREE)
Info: Mrs Isolde Summers 01363 773472

Alex Knight

Appassionata Guitar and Flute Duo
St Peter's Church, Shaldon (TQ14 0ET)
Friday 7 September 8-10pm
Doors open 7.30, interval with refreshments
(repeat of Budleigh, 5 Sept - see above)
Guitar: Alex Knight
Flute: Suki Trussler
Bach, Vivaldi, Handel, Albeniz, Scarlatti,
Granados, Faure, Ibert, Dompierre and
Piazzolla among others.
Tickets: £10
Alex Knight: 01364 644400 / 07896 438242
or wegottickets

David Sawyer and the Chill Acoustic
Arthaven@redearth Gallery Bickleigh
Friday 7 September 6-9pm
Exhibition in Memory of Daphne Cartwright
with music by 'The Chill Acoustic'
who played at Gallery 36 on Sunday 22 July
Exhibition continues 8-22 September
11am-5.30pm on weekdays, -6pm weekends
Work by 9 artists - including Daphne Cartwright
Information: telephone Steve 07989 343121
email: steve@redearth-art.com
Redearth website

Marion Wood
Conducts the EMG Orchestra
at St Peter's School

Exeter Music Group Symphony Orchestra
St Peter's School Exeter
Friday-Sunday 7-9 September
Full rehearsal of Mahler's Symphony VIII
Hymn: Veni Creator Spiritus (Come Creator Spirit)
Scherzo: (closing scene of Goethe's Faust)
Final rehearsal - Friday 14 September
Conductor: Marion Wood
Leader: Clare Smith
(Performance: Great Hall, 16 September)
Info: Carol Galton
cgalton@gmail.com 01392 410660

A very special musical visitor from Kobe in Japan: Naoko Maeda plays Newton St Cyres church organ

Naoko Maeda
visiting organist from Japan
assisted by daughter Haruka

Only twenty four hours after Paul Morgan's wonderful organ recital at Exeter Cathedral, there was another special recital - this time at the Chruch of St Cyr and Julitta in Newton St Cyres. The church organist, Andrew Daldorph (himself a very accomplished musician), welcomed a very talented visitor from Kobe in Japan.

Naoko Maeda grew up in Aberdeen, and has a special fondness for the UK. She is here to revisit her Scottish home, but found time to entertain us here in Devon as well.

Mike Brett with the clapper board
'video rolling'

Master of Ceremonies
Andrew Daldorph

Mike Gluyas and Mike Brett were at the church for her performance, so we can expect high quality audio and video recordings in the near future. Naoko also brought her own studio CDs - so we have some recordings to enjoy straight away.

In a strange audience set up, Andrew Daldorph introduced Naoko from the front of the church with everyone facing him. Naoko then played at the console at the back of the church, sitting back to back with the listeners.

This didn't seem to matter, however, because the sound of the organ filled the church and seemed to come from all directions at once.

Naoko opened with Jeremiah Clarkes 'Trumpet Voluntary', a baroque classic, followed by a lesser known but familiar baroque piece - Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D minor. Her organ interpretation of three of Bach's Schubler Chorales was a delight to hear. "Wake for night is passing", "My soul magnifies the Lord" and "Come, Jesus, from Heaven" made a beautiful combination.

Naoko's 'favourite' piece - the Largo from Handel's 'Xerxes' - soon became ours too, when we heard Naoko play her own arrangement so beautifully. Mendelssohn's Sonate No 1 finished the first half perfectly.

Naoko Maeda
plays Jeremiah Clarke's 'Trumpet Voluntary'

In the interval the refreshments were delicious and very welcome. For an entrance fee of just £5 we were served sandwiches, canapes, and drinks. (Wine cost extra - but still very generous.) Naoko and her two children Haruka and Timoki met the audience. Sadly the children could not speak or understand much English, but with mum's help they soon understood how happy everyone was to see them. (The Daldorph children, George and Imogen, had particularly enjoyed their company over the previous couple of days.)

Haruka assists turning the pages

and operating the stops

After the interval the musical entertainment went from strength to strength. Naoko immediately launched into the incredible funfair sound of Louis Lefebure-Wely's Sortie in B flat (fun, but dignified). Mozart's Andante for mechanical organ used a very high register, like a celeste. Again there was the sound of the fairground, but lots of other ingenious inventions cleverly overlaid - and very cleverly arranged for one person to play.

pedal and manual keyboards

two manuals

Unfreid's arrangement of 'Amazing Grace' brought a religious tone to the proceedings, appropriate to the church setting, and was followed by a traditional Japanese song, 'Sakura Sakura' (Cherry Blossom). Naoko, using her own prepared notes, introduced the song in English, translating for us. "The cherry blossom is beautiful. Why don't we go out and see the cherry blossom?" Naoko's arrangement imitated traditional Japanese styles.The opening was deep, just like the version by the male voice choir 'Chanticleer' which we nearly heard on Tuesday. Later a strange high staccato led to a sudden and unexpected end - to a very moving piece.

three keyboards

In an odd echo of Paul Morgan's recital the night before, Naoko ended with Louis Vierne's 'Final' from  Symphony No 1. (Paul actually played Vierne's 'Lied' from '24 Pieces' followed by the 'Final' from Guilmant's Sonata No 1). The Vierne 'Final' was very different from Guilmant's - lively and comical with staccato embellishments. A beautiful finish to a very enjoyable concert.

As the audience applauded, and craned round to see the person who had been playing to them so beautifully, Naoko introduced a special encore. To the great pleasure of everyone, she played another traditional Japanese piece - Rofu Miki's 'Aka Tombo' (Red Dragonfly) with music added by Kosaku Yamada in 1927. A little translation: "I think of my young days when I was carried on my mother's back."

As in many of the other pieces in the recital, Haruka not only helped by turning the pages for her mother, but also controlled the stops - allowing Naoko to play seemlessly. Aka Tombo was a perfect addition, emphasising the Japanese musical heritage Naoko was bringing to her music.

Then, just to return us to the music of Europe, Naoko finished with the familiar and ever-popular 'Jesus, Joy of Man's Desiring' from 'Heart and Mouth and Deed and Life'. Closing with a very Western feel - but equally beautiful.

A wonderful concert - and, of course, we can hear some of Naoko's music on Tuesday's show - recorded at Toyonaka Church in Kobe.

A happy musical family
Timoki, Naoko and Haruka Maeda

Ruth Molins and James Keefe - back together again: St Stephen's Church Thursday 16 August 2012

Pianist James Keefe & Flautist Ruth Molins
a very enthusiastic duo

After Ten years of hard work, the St Stephen's Project has achieved its primary aim. At a cost of £1.5 million, the Church of St Stephen in Exeter High Street has not only been saved from dilapidation and ruin - but has been redecorated inside and out to make it a thing of beauty.

The lunchtime concerts at St Stephen's, an important part of the fund-raising effort for all those years, continue - raising more money and support for the continued maintenance of this historic building. There is no charge to attend, but the generous donations from audience members are always welcome. Also a simple, but satisfying, lunch is provided before each concert - providing a little extra profit.

Since the the church reopened, on Thursday 19th July, there have been two concerts already. On 2nd August the wonderful mezzo soprano Rebecca Smith gave a recital accompanied on the piano by her father Ron Smith - former Head of Music at QE school in Crediton. On 9th August Hilary Boxer's 'cello student Michael Dawson was there with his 'cello to give a recital accompanied by Andrew Daldorph. Michael is also well known for his Tenor singing and for playing the piano and organ himself. His 'cello playing is especially popular.

For the third concert (Wednesday 15th August) a very popular partnership were reunited - pianist James Keefe and flautist Ruth Molins.

James Keefe
chats with audience members
before the concert

Ruth Molins
the co-star arrives
right on cue

Back in 2010 James and Ruth (then known by her maiden name of Ruth Avis) delighted an audience in the Exeter Central Library Music Room with 'Songs for Flute and Piano' - Copland, Barber, Poulenc - and the exquisite 'Orange Dawn' by Ian Clarke (not related to our local pianist Joyce Clarke but, incredibly, Joyce and Ian worked together on the premiere).

Now James and Ruth were back with a new repertoire - some very exciting music.

Introductions

'Out of the Cool'
Dave Heath 1979

and grace

style

After the initial announcements, Ruth did all the talking. Her first choice was 'Out of the Cool by Dave Heath. Heath composed the piece soon after he graduated at the age of 21 - at the request of flautist Richard Blake. The first performance was at the Cookham Music Festival (Berkshire) in 1979. Although carefully notated in classical style, the piece plays, as intended, like a jazz improvisation.

James played with delicate control providing a gentle undercurrent to Ruth's dancing melodies. Occasionally the flute led us gently into a passage for piano alone - when we could appreciate James' economic style to the full.

perfect posture

perfect embouchure

Despite all the work put into the building, there was clearly something still not right with the electrics. As Ruth and James played the lights first went out one by one, they came on together - as if someone were trying to distract the players. The duo, however, did not turn a hair, but carried on playing as if oblivious to all distractions.

From modern we moved swiftly to baroque and the music of J S Bach. In the B minor Sonata James' touch was supremely delicate, with nothing forced. Ruth was poised and confident. Each concentrated on an apparently independent tune - combining in perfect counterpoint. Ruth's short isolated phrases integrated perfectly into James's continuous melody. There was a fascinating echo of Michael Colquhoun's 'Framing the Silence', which Ruth played at 'Nonclassical' night on 11th December last year. Instead of silence, the flute now framed a piano melody, in an endless stream of polished perfection.

The Largo e Dolce really was 'dolce'. James remained impressively composed while Ruth enraptured the audience right up the the tender last note. A slight crisis with the manuscript pages delayed the final movement - and allowed Ruth a to take a break for a much needed drink of water. The final movement was just as advertised. Presto. James calmly moved up a gear while Ruth became increasingly animated. As the speed increased, so did the passion. A wonderfully moving conclusion.

passion and movement

Finally we heard Philippe Gaubert's 'Sonate', the first piece that Ruth really fell in love with - at the age of fifteen. Now, a few years later, Ruth gives her debut public performance.

James' piano part rippled like Ravel's 'Ondine' while Ruth's flute carried on an independent conversation against the piano background. Occasionally James would have a little 'chat' of his own on the piano keyboard. As the pace picked up, Ruth performed amazing runs up and down the scale on the flute - almost the 'glissandi' of Heitor Villa Lobos' 'Assobio a Játo' (Jet Whistle) which we heard Ruth play on Tuesday's programme. Unexpectedly, the very delicate end to the opening 'modéré' came not on the flute - but the piano.

The following 'lento' was a gentle heartbeat on the piano, and a delicate sound like falling leaves on the flute - which drops out completely from time to time. As James slowed and increased the intensity on the piano, Ruth prepared to re-enter the piece. A painful, but beautiful process to watch - and to hear.

The 'allegro moderato' was initially relaxed, but built up to a piano cadenza, matched by Ruth's flute as the piano line dissolved back into those delicious ripples. a wonderfully harmonious finish.

The Reverend Sheila Swarbrick

Sheila Swarbrick of the Central Exeter Parish Team Ministry was quick to take the stage and express the thanks of everyone for a wondeful concert.

Sheila reminded us also of the contribution that Ruth and James have made in the past, with other concerts in aid of the St Stephen's Project.

The audience concurred with Sheila's sentiments - especially about the incredibly high standard of music we had just heard.

Ruth and James are both professional musicians - Ruth with at least two local orchestras, while James is principal keyboard player with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. We are all extremely grateful to them both for giving up their time to entertain us - and charge nothing for admission. Heartfelt thanks.

Deepest gratitude to James Keefe of the
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
for coming to entertain us in Exeter

and his talented music partner
Ruth Molins
Piano and flute in perfect harmony

A very interested audience member
Jazz guitarist Jesse Molins
- Ruth's husband of course
(Watch this space for news of where
Jesse will be playing in the near future)

Dr Matthew Wright

One more concert remains in the series - another pianist, this time playing solo. Dr Matthew Wright Senior Lecturer in Classics and Ancient History at Exeter University has just returned from a year as the specially invited 'Blegen Fellow' at Vassar University in Poughkeepsie NY.

We have missed his piano recitals and comic songs - not to mention his 'musical chairs' with Tony Yates at the console of the St Margarets organ in Topsham on Sundays.

We are all very interested to hear what he has in store for us this Wednesday. Don't forget - charity lunch at 12 noon, just £5, followed by a free recital at 1pm. Donate what you feel appropriate at the end. The venue in St Stephen's Church, Exeter High Street.

Bravo!
(photo: Chris Avis)

Exeter Cathedral Organ Recital Series - Organist Emiritus Paul Morgan Wednesday 15 August

Paul Morgan
Organist Emeritus of Exeter Cathedral
returns to give a special recital

Over the summer organ aficionados have enjoyed fortnightly concerts by masters of the console from across the country, and some from much closer to home.

On Wednesday last week (15th August) a former organist at Exeter returned to play the great instrument he knows so well. Organist Emeritus Paul Morgan. joined a large and enthusiastic audience at 7.30pm to discuss his choice of pieces.

To save climbing up and down from the organ loft, Paul discussed all the pieces he was about to play from the floor of the Cathedral before ascending. Once in the loft, Paul could be seen on a vast back projected screen which displayed closed-circuit TV images from a camera pointing at the manuals.

as Paul plays
the audience watch him on closed-circuit TV

His first piece was 'Toccata, Fuge and Humn on 'Ave Maris Stella' by Flor Peeters, a very varied and entertaining piece from the late twentieth century. When the audience clapped loudly to communicate their appreciation to Paul in his lofty aerie, he had only to turn in his seat to give a friendly, disembodied, wave in return.

Beethoven's Adagio for mechanical organ was something quite different. Written for an (unsuccessful) job application, this tune is intended for playout by punched card - allowing chords and sequences not possible for human hands. With slight rearrangement, Paul was able to play the 'impossible' chord sequences and keyed glissandi. Far from seeming taxing, the whole piece was incredibly restful.


Bach's Fantasia and Fugue was classic Bach. Big chords were linked by fabulous melodious phrases. Each movement ended with a big pedal sequence. Watching Paul on the Screen, it was important to remember that this was not a recording - he was creating all this wonderful sound especially for us.

Sir William Harris's 'Prelude' from 'Four Short Pieces' returned us to something more restful - like the theme of a favourite movie. Sir William Walton's Coronation March 'Orb and Sceptre, on the other hand, was grandiose from the outset, with loud opening fanfares leading into a jazzy combination of the National Anthem and Mendelssohn's wedding march. The audience was further amazed as Paul's assistant turned back several pages during one of the more lively fanfares - so that we could enjoy it all again.

The mood changed again with Harvey Grace's 'Resurgam' from his 'Ten Compositions for Organ'. This was very ponderous in an ominous gothic style, interspersed with softer passages. Accasionally thrown in were real glissandi - quite something on an organ of that size.

Maurice Duruflé's 'Scherzo' was very complicated with many stop changes. The overall effect, however, was gentle and playful -almost dream-like, leading to a slow hypnotic last chord. Louis Vierne's 'Lied' from 'Vingt-quatre Pièces en Style Libre' featured two hands playing two voices on two manuals - a hymn with a recurring chorus. Each repeat was softer and slower until the last phrase, high on the top manual, and rumbling deep on the pedal keyboard.

Alexandre Guilmant's 'Final' from Sonata No 1 finished the recital in fast and furious style. Each phrase was an avalanche of sound, with lots of switching from one manual to another. The excitement built until a natual break, leading to a softer passage - and the inevitable increase back to full speed. After a little passage in the style of Bach, the grand finale ended with the fastest and most furious passage of all.

As the audience applauded, Paul had to race down the stairs from the loft to appear in person and receive his acclaim. Then he had a long walk 'off' into the transept. Sadly there was no question of a curtain-call or encore. The distances involved would have made it all take just too long. Nevertheless, the audience were well satisfied with their evening's entertainment. Superb music played by an acknowledged expert, and modern technology used to maximise the audience's involvement and enjoyment.

At £7 a head, these recitals are well worth a visit. They are on once a fortnight on Wednesdays. The next concert is on Wednesday 29 August. Adrian Partington, the Musical Director of Wells Cathedral (and Conductor of many world class orchestras including the LSO) will be here to perform a collection of tunes ancient and modern. (Full Details in the 'Concert Run-Down'.)

Two weeks later, on 5 September, our own Assistant Musical Director, David Davies, will give the final recital.

Many thanks to the Exeter Cathedral Musical Director, Andrew Millington, and the Cathedral Events Co-ordinator Laurence Blyth, for keeping up such a standard of music at the Cathedral. Long may it last!

A stellar performance by flautist Ruth Molins: Classical Journey, Tuesday 14 August 2012

Perfect for radio
Ruth Molins plays 'Jade'
from Pierre-Octave Ferroud's 'Trois  Pièces '
Classical Journey, Tuesday 14th August

Punctual and professional, Ruth Molins arrived promptly at 11am this morning to take part in a feature about the third of this year's four 'Summer Lunchtime Concerts' at St Stephen's Church in Exeter's High Street.

Following on from the captivating Rebecca Smith (Mezzo-Soprano) and the remarkable Michael Dawson ('Cello), who performed on 2nd and 9th August respectively, Ruth will be at St Stephen's with pianist James Keefe this Thursday, 16th August.

The church volunteers will lay on a light lunch at 12 o' clock, for the modest sum of £5, all proceeds going to the work of Central Exeter Parish. The lunch is optional, however, and the music is free! Ruth and James will be ready to play by 1pm. Because clearing up always takes longer than one expects the recital is actually scheduled to start at 1.10.

They are going to start with something very modern, the first musical commission written by the newly qualified David Heath in 1978. originally this was a solo piece requested by flautist Richard Blake and first performed at the 1979 Cookham Festival. Cookham is on the Thames, downstream from Henley in Berkshire. The festival is now an annual 'celebration of arts and music' which takes place every May, and is now host to the one day pop festival, 'Let's Rock the Moor' - on 'Cookham Moor' (i.e. Marsh Meadow!) a fitting venue for Heath's debut.

This Classically notated jazz piece has since been arranged for piano and flute - or saxophone (soprano or alto). It will lead perfectly into the music of the greatest jazz improviser of all time - Johann Sebastian Bach (as Chris Caldwell might call him). James and Ruth will play Bach's First Flute Sonata, in B minor. That's what we were listening to at 10.30, played by Stephen Preston and Trevor Pinnock on baroque flute and harpsichord (but not Jordi Savall on viola da gamba - that was a little daydream!)

Finally thay will play Philippe Gaubert's Sonata for flute and piano - but which one? We shall have to wait and see. We variously hazarded the nineteenth and twentieth century for Gaubert. When did he actually live? 1879-1941! No recordings of Gaubert or Heath were available for the programme - their music can be heard exclusively at St Stephen's Church on Thursday.

Ruth told us about her long association with pianist James Keefe (now principal keyboard player with the City or Birmingham Symphony Orchestra). They went to school together. She also told us about her work with Bob Jevon's Exeter Symphony Orchestra - under the direction of Brian Southgate - and John Welton's Exeter Music Group, under Marion Wood.

We heard recordings -
Ruth and Hilary Boxer ('Cello) playing Franz Danzi's Duetto 2 at the Corn Barn in Cullumpton
Ruth and James playing Gabriel Faure's Siciliene at last year's Dawlish Festival
Ruth and the Force Five Wind Quintet playing the Rondo from Beethoven's Piano and Wind Quintet
Ruth and the Exeter Symphony Orchestra (cond. Mark Perry) playing John Rutter's Suite Antique
Ruth and Hilary Boxer playing 'Assobio a Játo' (Jet Whistle) by Heitor Villa-Lobos

Ruth played live! -
'Jade' from Pierre-Octave Ferroud's 'Trois Pièces'
and the more familiar 'Syrinx' by Claude Debussy

Ruth got the gory facts right - Ferroud lived only from 1900 to 1936 before his untimely death in a road traffic collision - which decapitated him. A terrible tragedy. He composed the three pieces in 1921.

Only eight years earlier, Debussy composed 'Syrinx'. Does the tune represent the nymph Syrinx or the god Pan? Both. Originally intended for the entr'acte of Gabriel Mourey's play 'Psyché', the piece was called 'Flûte de Pan', until Debussy remembered he'd used that name already. The music represents Pan's overtures of love to Syrinx and her attempt to evade him by hiding in the marsh as a reed. When Pan cuts the reeds to make his pipes - Syrinx is decapitated too!

Many thanks to Ruth for taking us on such a glorious 'journey'.

Earlier in the show we also heard a Soundart Radio recording of Compagnie Guilia at Bogan House in Totnes last year. Howard Frey and Julia Thomas were heard introducing Rondo de Sanabria, which featured Julia's Northumbrian small pipes and Nick Millington's bouzouki. Howard Frey and Simon Cassell provided percussion on bells, darbuka, and tambourine.

The Bogan House concert was the first after the death of Compagnie's baroque 'cellist Mike Edwards in a road traffic collision a year before. Tragically Simon Cassell died only two months after the Bogan House concert. Incredibly the remaining three players have found the strength to carry on and, with their new violinist Marc Walpot, are planning more performances for the future.

We hope to see the new 'compagnie' in the studio in September - to discuss the life and work of the wonderful Simon Cassell, and to introduce us to their new repertoire. They will be very welcome!

By popular demand, we heard the Winchester Cathedral Choir sing Gregorio Allegri's 'Miserere Mei, Deus' - which we have also heard sung by the choirs of King's College Cambridge, and New College Oxford - all equally delightful!

Another very talented woman featured - but without being heard in the studio or any recording. Naoko  Maeda from Japan will be at the Chruch of St Cyr and Julitta in Newton St Cyres on Thursday evening at 7.30pm (entrance £5). This incredibly talented Japanese organist has prepared a thrilling selection of Organ pieces to perform for us on 138 year old church organ.

We heard the third of Bach's six "Schübler" Chorales - the restful 'Wer nun den Lieben Gott Lässt walten' (He who allows god alone to rule him) Played on the Metzler Organ at Trinity College Cambridge by Simon Preston. (Slight confusion - it was Stephen Preston playing the baroque flute in Bach's sonata.)   Naoko will play the first, fourth and sixth of the chorales. ('Wake for night is passing', 'My soul magnifies the Lord', 'Come, Jusus, from Heaven to Earth'.)

We also managed to fit in the vivace from Mendelssohn's First Organ Sonata (William Whitehead at Buckingham Palace) - which Naoko will also be playing, but sadly not Louis Lefébure-Wely's 'Sortie in B flat', which Naoko will also be playing - that would have been the icing on the cake!

In the closing moments we did 'accidentally' hear the 12 voice San Francisco male voice choir 'Chanticleer' singing the opening bars of 'Sakura Sakura' (Cherry Blossoms). We heard the solo soprano version in October last year - sung by Val Howels at Branscombe. Naoko Maeda will play an arrangement of this traditional Japanese song on the Newton St Cyres organ.

We couldn't hear 'Sakura Sakura' in full, however, because we had one last mission to fulfil - to hear the opening of Karlheinz Stockhausen's 'Helicopter String Quartet' which failed to play on 17 July. With computer assistance we heard 'Turbine Start' - Engines, frenetic string playing, and the players sounding off the numbers in German, each screeching to be heard. It was stunning stuff - some found it frightening, just at Stockhausen intended. The full quartet, indeed the full five hour opera, 'Mittwoch aus Licht', opens in Birmingham next Wednesday.

A wonderful journey. Thank you to everyone who contributed.

Classical Journey Tuesday 14 August - Ruth Molins

Flautist Ruth Molins
Recital at St Stephen's Church
Thursday 16 August 1pm
(photo Chris Avis)

Leicestershire small pipes, Darbuka and Bouzouki
Julia Thomas, Howard Frey and Nick Millington
of 'Compagnie Giulia', in rehearsal at Totnes

Three talented women feature on this week's Journey. Julia Thomas (with Howard Frey, Nick Millington and the late Simon Cassell) form 'Compagnie Giulia' who open the programme with mediaeval music. From the mediaeval period we shall move on to baroque, classical, romantic and modern music relating to the two spectacular concerts that are coming up on Thursday - Ruth Molins and Naoko Maeda.

Ruth herself will be in the studio at 11am to tell us all about the wonderful lunchtime concert at the newly refurbished St Stephen's Church in Exeter High Street - where she and James Keefe (pianist) will reform their magical partnership. We can also hear a recording of Ruth's outstanding performance of John Rutter's 'Suite Antique' with the Exeter Symphony Orchestra at the Southernhay United Reformed Church on Saturday 14 July - thanks to the recording skills of Chris Avis.

Let's not forget also that Soprano Elizabeth Drury (still very much a 'Topshamite') will be appearing with the Ex Cathedra Choir under Jeffrey Skidmore in the Birmingham Opera Company's production  of Karlheinz Stockhausen's five hour opera 'Mittwoch aus Licht' at the Argyle Works in Digbeth next week. Performances will start at 4pm every day from Wednesday to Friday, 22-25 August.

Also included in the programme is the extraordinary 'Helecopter String Quartet'.  At the end of the last 'Classical Journey' (Tuesday 17 July) many listeners were disappointed not to be able to hear the quartet, owing to a technical hitch. With beefed up audio equipment we fully intend to hear those helicopters this week!

Two talented musicians
James Keefe and Ruth Avis
Exeter Library 25 Oct 2010

St Stephen's Project - Lunchtime Concerts
St Stephen's Church Exeter High Street
Thursday 16 August 1pm
(Fundraising lunch 12 noon)
Flute: Ruth Molins (née Avis)
Piano: James Keefe
Dave Heath Out of the Cool

J. S. Bach Sonata for flute in B minor
Philippe Gaubert Sonate

Admission FREE

(fundraining ploughman's lunch £5)

Hear Ruth on 'Classical Journey' 14th August

Naoko Maeda

Organ Concert to Celebrate the Centenary
of the Society of Our Lady  of Lourdes
Church of St Cyr & St Julitta
Newton St Cyres
Thursday 16 August 7.30pm
Organist: Naoko Maeda
Jeremiah Clarke: Prince of Denmark's March
J  S Bach: Toccata and Fugue in D minor
               Schubler Chorale:
              "Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme"
              "Meine Seele erhebt den Herren"
              "Kommst du nun, Jesu, vom Himmel herunter"
G F Handel: "Xerxes" - Largo
Felix Mendelssohn: Sonata No 1 in F minor
Louis-James-Alfred Lefébure-Wély: Sortie in B flat
W A Mozart: Andante in F K.616
Richard Unfreid: arrangement of 'Amazing Grace'
Naoko Maeda: Arr. of 'Sakura Sakura' (cherry blossom)
Louis Victor Jules Vierne: Final from Symphony No 1
Admission: £5 on the door
Two further recitals on Friday 17 August:
Exeter Cathedral: 9am
St David's Church Exeter: 4pm