An-Ting Chang Pianist and Composer New Album "Songs From My Room" Release 13 July 2022

Pianist, Composer & Theatre Director
An-Ting Chang

Pianist-Composer An-Ting Chang releases her first original piano album, "Songs From My Room" which documents, through her compositions, the complex feelings of the pandemic times from her room in London Old Street.

An-Ting is a concert pianist, composer, theatre director and currently the Artistic Director of Chinese Arts Now (CAN) which supports a wide variety of Chinese diasporic artists.

An-Ting's digital production, CAN X Two Temple Place Digital Exhibition and Immersive Performance, won Arts Council England's Digital Culture Award (Storytelling) in January 2022. An-Ting is the director and composer for the production.

During Lockdown, An-Ting put her feelings into her music in her room in London Old Street. The pieces she created on the piano were like a diary where she kept track of the pandemic time. Starting from 'London Night' in March 2020, where it was the first time An-Ting felt about a quiet and calm London. The feeling of bing in the 'Plague Time' became strong in April.

In May 2020, An-Ting starts to entertain herself by playing the piano with many ping pong balls inside and thus creating a fun rag-time piece 'Ping Pong Dance'. (youtube.com/watch?v=cecpC16RPq0)

'Last June' came out of An-Ting's fingers when the situation did not get any better after three-month lockdown, rising the feelings from BlackLivesMatter. The future of the world is like an enigma, not knowing where to go. In July, first released from the lockdown, An-Ting dances on 'Hoxton Street', followed by 'Past Time' when she broke up with her ex-boyfriend in August 2020.

An-Ting composed "Purple Dream" in September 2020, when the new lockdown was about to begin. The on/off isolation of the lockdowns was removing the certainties of our old lives and leaving us physically restricted. Yet the retreat from normality allowed space for new dreams and magic to flourish. A space in the quiet, away from the world and along with it, a new feeling of freedom.

About An-Ting Chang

An-Ting has performed regularly as a concert pianist at venues such as Southbank Centre, LSO St Luke's, King's Place, Newbury Spring Festival, Deal Festival, Cheltenham Town Hall, and the Akademie der Kuhste (Academy of Arts), Berlin .

She also has a broad background which includes a unique mix of science and art with a degree in Chemistry form National Taiwan University and MMus and PhD in performance from the Royal Academy of Music and is about to curate the next Chinese Arts Now (CAN) Festival in February 2023.

She released her classical piano albums"Water Image" in 2015 and "Carnival of the Animals" in 2021, which feature her transcription of Camille Saint-Saëns' "Carnival of the Animals" She is currently working on her digital production HomeX, originally commissioned by British Council Hong Kong and will be premiered in February 2023.

An-Ting, Songs From My Room, piano solo performed and composed by An-Ting 安婷

Track 1    London Night

Track 2    Plague Time

Track 3    Ping Pong Dance

Track 4    Last June
Track 5    Hoxton Street

Track 6    Past Tense
Track 7    Purple Dream

Track 8    The Jolly Frog

Track 9    Option 7
Track 10  Midnight Whisper

For any enquiries:
Antingchang1@gmail.com
+44 (0)7882 696146

Joe Levy Countertenor & Konstantinos Terzakis Piano: Exeter & Devon Tour Friday 27 May - Saturday 30 July 2022

Countertenor: Joe Levy
"CAST A SHEEP'S EYE"
16th & 17th Century Love Songs
Piano: Konstantinos Terzakis
'The Hall' Stepcote Hill - Friday 27 May
Cygnet Theatre Friars Gate - Wednesday 1 June
St Nicholas Priory The Mint - Thur/Fri 9/10 June
St Lawrence Chapel Ashburton - Sunday 24 July
St Mary Magdalene Taunton - Saturday 30 July

‘Cast A Sheep’s Eye’, meaning to give an amorous glance, brings to life love songs from 16th and 17th Century England. Join countertenor Joe Levy accompanied on the piano by conductor Konstantinos Terzakis, for an evening of music from across the Renaissance and Baroque periods. This includes works by Purcell, Dowland and Morley, as well as many that rarely get performed but are treasures nonetheless.

You will hear not only about the songs themselves and their composers, but also the world in which they were created. Music is a reflection of people’s hopes and fears and so through this concert you will learn more about life in 16th and 17th Century England. These are events not to be missed in some of the South West’s most beautiful and interesting buildings, from the ancient St Nicholas’ Priory in Exeter, to the glorious St Lawrence Chapel in Ashburton.

You can find out more about the tour on my website here - joelevymusic.com/live/

About Joe Levy

Joe is a countertenor and baritone with a passion for both classical and contemporary music. He originally trained as a classical violinist, before focusing more on singing. He has a particular interest in Baroque music, as well as Soul and Folk at a more contemporary level. He has performed both in choirs and as a soloist.

Originally trained as a violinist, Joe began singing in choirs before becoming a classical countertenor. In particular, he has a passion for Baroque and early music, performing Purcell and Handel alongside Mediaeval hymns in Middle English, and 17th Century folk songs. This said, he has always preferred a diverse repertoire, singing both as a countertenor and a baritone across various musical genres. This extends beyond classical singing and encompasses styles as varied as soul, jazz and folk. Joe considers the likes of Aretha Franklin, Amy Winehouse and Dusty Springfield among his greatest influences in his contemporary singing, though his full range of influences is much greater than this.

After growing up in London Joe moved to Exeter in 2012 to study Archaeology and Anthropology and has lived here ever since. The historic setting of the city and the dramatic land and seascapes surrounding it have heavily influenced him creatively. He often interweaves history and storytelling into his performances, giving audiences an insight into the world in which each song was created. Outside of performing Joe teaches singing at the Cygnet Theatre, a venue he works with closely and hs sung in several concerts there.

About Konstantinos Terzakis

Recently appointed Assistant Conductor of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (2022/23) and selected conductor at the Klangspuren Festival 2021 (Austria) under the Internationale Ensemble Modern Akademie, Konstantinos Terzakis has been based in the United Kingdom since 2019 where he has bolstered his education in conducting and collaborated professionally with a diverse range of ensembles and orchestras.

He completed his Master’s of Music in orchestral conducting with Martyn Brabbins, Garry Walker and Alasdair Mitchell, having been awarded a full scholarship by the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. He was awarded the Hugh S. Roberton Prize for Orchestral Conducting and the second prize of th 4th International Composer Award of Vienna. Alongside his studies, he has expanded his training in Ballet conducting with Richard Honner.

He has been awarded the first prize of the 9th National Conducting Competition of Michalis Economou and has been a finalist in the Lanyi Conducting Competition and the 1st Conducting Competition of the Athens State Orchestra.

Examples of other significant collaborations include the Ergon Ensemble, Red Note ensemble, Michalis Paraskakis' TETTTIX ensemble in Athens, the Greek Radio Symphony Orchestra, Greek Radio Contemporary Orchestra and Athens Symphony Orchestra.

Devon Philharmonic Orchestra Spring Concert Exeter Cathedral Saturday 30 April 2022 Press Release from Ellen Stratton

Devon Philharmonic Orchestra
Spring Concert
Copland, Gershwin & Tchaikovsky
Exeter Cathedral
Saturday 30 April 7.30pm
(Photography: Paula Fernley)

 

Piano: Robin Stevenson

Devon Philharmonic Orchestra is thrilled to be returning to Exeter Cathedral on Saturday 30 April at 7.30pm for a delightful spring concert featuring the evocative "El Salon Mexico" by Aaron Copland, inspired by Mexican folk and dance music, and the ever-popular "Rhapsody in Blue" by George Gershwin.

DPO is excited to welcome Robin Stephenson, pianist with 'Ensemble Philéa' (Paris), as the soloist in Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue", a 1920s classic, which fuses symphony music with American jazz. The evening ends with the dramatic and emotionally powerful epic "Symphony IV" of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.

Conductor: Leo Geyer
(Photography: Paula Fernley)

Tickets: £20, £17, £15, £13

(Ticket price includes a programme for the concert.) 

ticket source.co.uk/devonphilharmonicorchestra/t-oninko

or by linking through from

devonphilharmonicorchestra.co.uk/whatson

For more information about Devon Philharmonic Orchestra please visit

devonphilharmonicorchestra.co.uk

Find us on Facebook or Instagram or follow us on Twitter.

DPO is proud to be supporting the Exeter and District Kidney Patients' Association through this concert. Exeter and District Kidney Patients' Association provides support to pre-uialiysis, dialysis and transplant patients and their carers in Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset.

"Au Lapin Agile" - Music on the Edge: Chris Caldwell, Susie Hodder Williams and James Boyd, Church of The Holy Trinity, Gidleigh, Sunday 20 February 2022

"Au Lapin Agile"
Guitar: James Boyd  Clarinet: Chris Caldwell
Flute: Susie Hodder Williams
A 'Sunday@6' performance at Holy Trinity Church Gidleigh

Bats in the Belfry!

On Sunday 20 February, guitarist James Boyd travelled through Storm Franklin to join saxophonist Chris Caldwell and flautist Susie Hodder-Williams for an hour 'Au Lapin Agile', reliving the vibrant artistic life of Montmartre in the early twentieth century - in the fifteenth century parish church of The Holy Trinity in Gidleigh, right on the edge of Dartmoor.

In an hour of non-stop entertainment, the trio performed compositions from the time, with readings, and also some specially commissioned modern compositions by friends of the trio. The programme included "Ária Cantilena" from Heitor Villa-Lobos' Bachianas Brasilieras V, with Susie playing Ruth Corrêa's lyrical line on her flute, "Autumn Song" by Stephen Voss and a special suite for solo flute by "Crimson!" collaborator Gwilym Simcock.

The evening's joy ended with a Bach sonata and "Nuages", that fabulous jazz party piece of the 'Quintette du Hot Club de France': these last two a scintillating juxtaposition of styles beautifully arranged for our very special ensemble - with a little ultra-sonic accompaniment from visiting pipistrelles! What a way to while away a cosy hour, while the storm raged outside. Truly 'Music on the Edge'.

Chris and Susie regularly put on these extraordinary musical gatherings, always on a Sunday and always at six o' clock in the evening. The next 'Sunday@6' will be on Sunday 27 March at the same venue. On that evening, an even larger ensemble will assemble for an evening of music entitled "Our Kind of Blue".

That "Au Lapin Agile" programme in full:

Sir Michael Tippett: "The Blue Guitar" part 2/3 "Dreaming" 1984

Wallace Stevens: "A Man with a Blue Guitar" (poem) 1937

Heitor Villa-Lobos: "Bachianas Brasileiras V" Ária (Ruth Corrêa) 1938

Letter to JB, March 2020

Eden Ahbez/Nat King Cole: "Nature Boy" 1948

Letter to SHW, May 20202

Stephen Goss: "The Autumn Song" (for Natalie Klein & Xufei Yang) 2009

Louis MacNiece: "Autumn Journal" (poem) 1938

Gwilym Simcock: "Suite for Solo Flute" (for Susie Hodder Williams) 2021

WH Auden: "If I Could Tell You" (poem) 1940

JS Bach (?CPE Bach/CF Penzel): Flute Sonata in E♭ BWV 1031 1734

Claude Debussy: "Nocturnes" No 1/3 1900 =

Django Reinhardt/Stephane Grapelli: "Nuages" 1930

Je m'en vais, j'me porte bien mieux sans toi
Ton souvenir transperce mon sang froid
J'ai envie d'te croire quand tu pleure
Mais plus je te hais moins le temps passe, yeah

Fracturée ta vie à présent n'est qu'une pensée
Mon âme est en guerre, j'aimerai quitter la tranchée
L'ombre de ton corps apparaît sur le plancher
Ton sourire et tes lèvres à mes yeux sont étrangers

J'écris notre histoire, je lis dans ta voix
J'ai peur qu'elle se heurte quand elle pense à moi
J'suis dans des sables mouvants, j'regarde le ciel et j'm'envole
La colère partage ma vie, plus j'm'en veux plus j'suis mauvais

J'suis perdu, j'suis seul dans l'noir
Les battements de cœur sont violents
Elle s'enfuit, la haine prend place
Je n't'apprécie pas vraiment

Sans toi je me sens libre, sans toi je me sens vivre
Je fais face à l'immense nuit, je demande pardon elle m'a fait sauter dans le vide

Dans les nuages
Dans les nuages
Dans les nuages
Dans les nuages
Dans les nuages
Dans les nuages
Dans les nuages

J'erre dans le blizzard et songe
J'aime quand le climat est sombre
Mon sabre est serti de pierres
L'esprit a fuit la raison

On ne partage pas la même plume, t'es dans la Lune j'suis sur Neptune
On dit qu'on s'aime, on ne s'aime plus
Tu m'as cherché, tu m'as perdu, yeah

Traverse ma douleur c'est un brasier infernal
On n'a pas su me fuir, dans mes bras c'est enfermé
Tes mots sont éphémères, leur valeur éternelle
J'observe mon passé je ne suis bon qu'à faire mal

Sans toi je me sens libre, sans toi je me sens vivre
Je fais face à l'immense nuit, je demande pardon elle m'a fait sauter dans le vide

Dans les nuages
Dans les nuages
Dans les nuages
Dans les nuages
Dans les nuages
Dans les nuages
Dans les nuages

Justin Newland Phonic FM 2pm Friday 14 February & Exeter Library 2pm Sunday 16 February 2020

JUSTIN NEWLAND

Local Author To Drink Coffee

in Exeter Central Library

Somerset author, Justin Newland, will be visiting Exeter Central Library from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday 16th February 2020.

You'll find him in the Ground Floor Café drinking coffee and eating cake, and signing copies of his latest novel, The Coronation. Set during the Enlightenment, the novel is a historical fantasy and reveals the secret history of the event that shaped our modern world – The Industrial Revolution.

He'll also sign copies of his other novels: The Genes of Isis and The Old Dragon's Head.

The event is free. Just drop in.

- - - - -

Justin writes supernatural thrillers and secret histories in which real events and historical personages are guided and motivated by numinous forces.

He gives library talks, does book signings and appears on radio and in literary festivals.

A Doctorate in Mathematics, he lives with his partner in plain sight of the Mendip Hills.

- - - - -

About The Coronation -

Andrew Deane: "... explores the themes of belonging / outsiders, politics, religion / spirituality, war and the lives of everyday people, all of which are filtered through the lens of the other-worldly."

For more information, visit the Justin Newland Website

Leo Geyer and the Devon Philharmonic Orchestra 'Music in the Galleries' Royal Albert Memorial Museum Saturday 7 March 2020 - Press Release from Andy Henderson

Trumpet: Brian Moore

Music in the Galleries
 

Royal Albert Memorial Museum

& Art Gallery
7th March 2020

Doors and bar 6.45pm

Concert 7.30pm

Tickets: £10 (or £5 if under 16)

Explore the galleries of the museum to hear specially commissioned music performed by the musicians of Devon Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus, inspired by objects in the museum's collections. Instrumentalists and singers will perform in ensembles around the museum during the evening, as the audience choose their route through the galleries and stop to listen to the performances.

The composers have taken their inspiration from a wide range of objects including microscopic diatoms, an Inuit map carved onto a bone, a Chinese gown, pocket watches and RAMM's famous Gerald the Giraffe. The new compositions will reflect a range of musical styles with influences from Indian music, jazz and other genres.

At the end of the performance, a finale composed by Devon Phil's Music Director Leo Geyer will be performed by all the players and singers and heard all around the museum.

This performance is part of the CoMA Festival of Contemporary Music for All.

Tickets available from the RAMM Website

Tamsin Waley-Cohen appointed as Artistic Director of The Two Moors Festival

The Two Moors Festival is delighted to announce the appointment of Tamsin Waley-Cohen as Artistic Director of the Festival

Two Moors Festival Artistic Director
Tamsin Waley-Cohen
(Benson Russell Photography)

Tamsin Waley-Cohen is an outstanding violinist with a major British and international career, playing with top orchestras worldwide, as well as being a member of the Albion String Quartet. Known to West Country audiences from her many appearances at the Festival since its early days and from her own Honeymead Festival, she knows and loves the West Country well.

This is an exciting time for the Two Moors Festival with Tamsin on board to lead it in this celebratory 20th season and to further develop it in the future. This builds on the outstanding work of the Festival and its founder, Penny Adie who, with her husband John Adie, established it to serve the people of Exmoor, Dartmoor and Devon in the face of the dreadful foot and mouth outbreaks of 2001, becoming the major music festival of the South West.

Tamsin Waley-Cohen, Artistic Director:

"I am thrilled to be working with the Two Moors Festival, a festival that I have had the pleasure of playing in since its very inception, and whose home is some of the most beautiful and wildest landscape in England."

Penny Adie, Founding Artistic Director:

"She has all that it takes to propel the organisation on to the next phase of its journey."

Richard Fletcher, Chairman, the Two Moors Festival:

"Tamsin is the ideal choice for our new Artistic Director and she is already bubbling over with new ideas."

Stephen Beville "Box of Delights" Piano Recital South Street Baptist Church Saturday 21 December 2019

Stephen Beville
"Box of Delights"
Saturday 21 December

On Saturday afternoon, as Storm Elsa drenched the streets of Exeter, South Street Baptist Church offered a welcome refuge - and inside, Stephen Beville provided a spectacular piano recital.

Stephen had prepared a selection of music he called his "Box of Delights". Over two hours the audience enjoyed Mozart's Sonata in A major, with its distinctive closing rondo in the style of Turkish zanissary bands, eight intricate nocturnes by Francis Poulenc, Beethoven's stand-alone piano movement "Andante Favouri" and three waltzes and a polonaise by Chopin.

The opening Mozart was controlled and precise, with sudden injections of power creating a world of contrasting moods. The minuet introduced complex trills and the spirit of the vivacious 28 year old Mozart shone through in Stephen's playing. The final Turkish rondo was feverish, exhilarating, and great fun - like a very well coordinated fireworks display.

With Poulenc's nocturnes Stephen demonstrated a variety of moods and styles from restful and languorous to strident and filled with vigour. Some portrayed specific images - lightly skipping girls at a ball, solemnly tolling bells, an eerie phantom and delicately fluttering moths.

Stephen kept the energy and enthusiasm of Poulenc's inventiveness and imagination alive with each successive piece, finally wrapping up the story with the reflective and clarifying coda. An engaging musical journey.

Many thanks to the Church Warden for teas and coffees in the interval and, as promised, every flavour of Turkish delight - to reflect that Turkish rondo that was so enjoyable in the first half.

Stephen recreated the musical atmosphere after the break with Beethoven's Andante. Each phrase seemed to build into a dance, full of energy and excitement. This lovely piece was the perfect precursor to Stephen's virtuoso finale - the music of Frédéric Chopin.

The first two of his waltzes were in turn intricate and sparkling, then smooth and melodious. The last was amazingly virtuosic with endless showers of elaborate trills. Stephen performed it perfectly, and was clearly in his element. The polonaise opened in grand style and seemed to involve an endless succession of complex and inventive musical ideas. Stephen conveyed the perfect combination of frenzy and control thoughout. "Box of Delights" was a perfect description!

Stephen Beville creates a dazzling impression every time he plays. His performances are full of thrilling showmanship, delivered with impressive skill. More recitals will follow before long and, in the meantime, Stephen is working on new recording projects. He is working on a new Beethoven CD, and will also be releasing recordings of his own compositions later in the year. As the date of publication approaches, Stephen will be discussing his work on Phonic FM.

We can hear his flamboyant exposition of Beethoven - plus Chopin, Schumann and Boulez - on his 2012 album "In Karlsruhe", which is available from the Stephen Beville Website.

Thank you Stephen for another rousing recital of piano wonders. - Until next time!

East Devon Choral Society 'Mozart Requiem' St Paul's Church Tiverton Saturday 23 November 2019

EAST DEVON CHORAL SOCIETY
Orchestral Leader: Fiona McLean-Buechel
Musical Director: Andrew Daldorph

'Cello: Hilary Boxer
Double Bass: Graham Tuck

Sue North's most recent assignment as Vice-Chair of the East Devon Choral Society was a glorious night of music by Mozart, with a smattering of Bach thrown in.

Chairman Martyn Green made an impromptu appearance on the conductor's rostrum, standing in for the incumbent Rev Andy Humm, and introduced the evening's entertainment. Sadly he had to announce that Nicholas Yates was not able to sing the Tenor solos. Happily, the very capable Matthew Jeffrey was available to take over.

Matthew is a Physics student at Exeter University, sings in the Exeter Cathedral Choir, and is the Musical Director of the Exeter University Singers. Needless to say, his contribution throughout the evening was of the highest standard.

Also in the solo line-up were soprano Rebecca Yates, mezzo soprano Louise Mott, and bass Tim Mirfin.

First Violin:                

The music started with the choir singing Mozart's delightful and moving 'Ave Verum Corpus' (Hail True Body). The sound was impressive, and all credit must go to Andrew and the choir for their meticulous preparation. The mighty orchestra which accompanied them is only available for rehearsal on the day. It is amazing what the singers accomplish with just Andrew, conducting, guiding, and providing piano accompaniment all at the same time.

The orchestra, led by Fiona McLean-Buechel was as superb as ever. Fiona was in Exeter for many years running musical classes under the banner of 'Joined Up Thinking Music Devon'. Now she is based in Bournemouth, but still leads the orchestra regularly for Andrew. Throughout the entire programme, Fiona's fiery energy, spectacular precision, and interpretive flair, infused every piece with excitement and energy.

Soprano Rebecca Yates

The first half ended with Mozart's 'Laudate Dominum' (Praise Ye the Lord, O Ye Servants), with Rebecca Yates singing the soprano solo. A perfect close to beautiful selection of music.

Mezzo: Louise Mott

Also in the first half Louise Mott regaled us with Cherubino's aria from 'Cose fan Tutte': 'Voi che Sapete che Cose e Amor' (You Ladies who Know what Love is). After the solomn Ave Verum, Louise's playfulness as Cherubino came as a refreshing diversion. The orchestra support was subtle, involving no brass, and with all the string players playing soft pizzicato - the violinist and violists holding their instruments like classical guitars.

Tenor: Matthew Jeffrey

Rebecca Yates had been planning to perform the duet 'Domine Deus' from Bach's Mass in B minor with husband Nicholas Yates. With Nicholas unable to join us, Matthew Jeffrey stepped into the breach with supreme confidence. With sensational flute accompaniment by Tina Guthrie, they sang together as if they had been rehearsing for months.

Bass: Tim Mirfin

Finally, Tim Mirfin's solo performance was something else entirely! In Leporello's aria from Mozart's 'Don Giovanni' he sings to Elvira about the many thousands of woman who have been seduced by his master the Don: "Madamina, il catalogo è questo delle belle che amò il padron mio" (Dear Lady, this is the list of the beautiful women whom my master has loved). Tim brought a mighty tome, to which he referred for details.

In his introduction, Tim was a little hazy about the exact number of hundreds (or thousands) in each country, but once he was singing in Italian he was word perfect. Also, to add to the outrageousness of Leporello's revelations, Tim drew out from between the pages items of lingerie varying in size to illustrate the catholic tastes of his master. A magnificent example of opera buffa, and a very stark contrast to the sacred mass that was to follow in the second half.

Musical Director: Andew Daldorph

After the interval, the choir and orchestra regrouped for the big event of the evening, Mozart's Requiem in D minor. For a full hour the audience were bathed in the sublime music and emotions of Mozart's very last major work. The soloists formed a quartet and performed in harmony with the great voice of the choir. The instruments of the orchestra had many opportunities to shine, to which they rose admirably. Especially note-worthy was the resounding trombone solo by Glyn Bowen in the Tuba Mirum. The two other trombonists, Jeremy Loysen and Rick Wall, and the trumpeters Phil Makin and Brian Moore, provided a surfeit of rousing fanfares.

The choir were in fine voice and brought enormous vigour and passion to the music. Andrew drew out every last ounce of expression from the choir and orchestra, and each part of the mass was equally exciting and moving. There was a brief break in the music after the closing words of the Hostias: "Fac eas, Domine, de morte transire ad vitam, quam olim Abrahae promisisti et semini ejus" (O Lord, let them pass from death to life, as you promised Abraham and his decendants).

Orchestra Leader:
Fiona McLean-Buechel

The orchestra members carefully re-tuned their instruments and the choir took a collective breath before delivering the climactic words of the mass: "Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, Dominus Deus Sabaoth!" (Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of the Heavenly Host!). After the exultant "Hosanna in Excelsis" (Praise in the Highest), the gentle "Agnus Dei" (Lamb of God) entreated He, who takes away the world's sins, to have mercy - and to let eternal light shine on all departed souls.

This was another triumphant outing for the East Devon Choral Society, and an extremely impressive display of vocal skill and style for the audience. Thank you to Sue North, Martyn Green, Fiona McLean-Buechel (and Peter McLean-Buechel who also come over from Bournemouth, to sing tenor) and, of course, to the choir's Musical Director Andrew Daldorph. Everything was perfectly prepared - not just the music, but also the warm welcome at the door from Vic North in tie and tails, the helpful ushers, right down to the efficient provision of wine and soft drinks in the interval

Many thanks, and well done everyone!

Next year the East Devon Choral Society return to Exeter Cathedral on Saturday 9 May to commemorate the 75th anniversary of VE Day, with "The Armed Man" by Karl Jenkins and another chance to hear Andrew Daldorph's own composition "Songs of Hope and Creation", first performed in the Cathedral in 2009. Ticket information will appear here soon, and further information can be obtained from Sue North on 01884 253494.

Don't forget, Andrew's Exeter Chamber Choir will be in concert three times before Christmas - at Buckfast Abbey, The Church of St Michael and All Angels, Alphington, and The Great Barn, Higher Ashton.
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Exeter Chamber Choir
Buckfast Abbey
Saturday 7 December 7.30pm
A CELEBRATION OF CHRISTMAS
Musical Director: Andrew Daldorph
Heinrich Schütz: "Magnificat"
(Meine Seele erhebt den Herren)
Heinrich von Herzogenberg: Motets
Traditional Carols - for all
Tickets: £10
Online Booking: Abbey Website
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Exeter Chamber Choir
Conductor: Andrew Daldorph

Exeter Chamber Choir
St Michael's Alphington
Saturday 14 December 7.30pm
A CELEBRATION OF CHRISTMAS
Musical Director: Andrew Daldorph
Heinrich Schütz: "Magnificat"
(Meine Seele erhebt den Herren)
Heinrich von Herzogenberg: Motets
Traditional Carols - for all
Tickets: £10
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Exeter Chamber Choir

Exeter Chamber Choir

Great Barn Higher Ashton
Wednesday 18 December 7.30pm
CHRISTMAS CAROL CONCERT
Musical Director: Andrew Daldorph
A candlelit carol service with
readings by Maynard students
Tickets: £12 (child £6 family £30)
Online Booking: TicketTailor
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East Devon Choral Society

East Devon Choral Society
 Conductor: Andrew Daldorph

Exeter Cathedral
Saturday 9 May 7.30pm
VE DAY 75TH ANNIVERSARY
A Shared Moment of Celebration
Musical Director: Andrew Daldorph
Orchestra Leader: Fiona McLean-Buechel
Karl Jenkins:
"The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace"
Andrew Daldorph:
"Songs of Hope and Creation"
Tickets: TBC
Information: 01884 253494

Philippa Mo 'Classical Journey' Phonic FM 2pm Friday 22 November 2019

Violin: Philippa Mo
(Photography: Guy Carpenter)

Violin: Philippa Mo
(Photography: Guy Carpenter)

On Saturday 2 November this year Leo Geyer held the inaugural concert of his 'Devon Philharmonic Orchestra'. In addition to the sensual and evocative 'Lontano' by György Ligeti, and the mighty Fifth Symphony of Dmitri Shostakovich, Leo and the orchestra had also prepared the Violin Concerto in A minor by Antonin Dvořák.

For the Concerto, Leo was able to call on the very skilled playing of a former musical collaborator, Philippa Mo.

Violin: Philippa Mo

(Photography: Guy Carpenter)

Philippa graduated from the Royal Academy of Music to the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing. She has since returned to Beijing to teach - and given performances in Turkey, Kazachstan and even Mongolia.

Philippa has given the premiere performance of works specially composed for her by modern composers, including the founder of Nonclassical, Gabriel Prokofiev. On October 26th this year Philippa was in Anglesey to perform a special composition dictated by the shipping forecasts, "I bawb yn y môr", to commemorate the loss of 460 lives when the 'Royal Charter' was dashed to pieces on the east coast of Anglesey on 26 October 1859.

Philippa played for a similar memorial at the Tate St Ives on 9th April 2016. Exactly 40 years earlier the Barbara Hepworth Sculpture Garden was created at the Tate, featuring her six sculpture suite, 'Guarea'. After the death of her son on an RAF mission in Thailand in 1953 Barbara took a trip to Greece and was inspired to create the six sculptures. They are all carved from the trunk of a single guarea tree from Nigeria.

Corinthos

Delos

Leo Geyer composed 'Guarea' to reflect the form and symbolism of three  - Delos, Corinthos & Delphi.

'Delos' is played on two strings, just as the sculpture extends from the two central piercings. 'Corinthos' is played on the bass string with 'woody' microtonal harmonics relating to the great mass and solidity of the sculpture. 'Delphi' responds to the lyre-like internal strings of the sculpture. The pizzicato sequence reworks the First Delphic Hymn - one of the earliest notated pieces of music.

Delphi

We will have a chance to enjoy Gaurea on today's 'Classical Journey' programme, with commentary by Philippa herself. From the Leeds College of Music, Philippa will phone in to discuss this and many other projects. Her recordings of rarely heard works for two violins with Harriet MacKenzie (as the Rhetorica Duo) have featured on several programmes this year. She has also created several concert series. At Sladers Yard in Dorset Philippa performed the complete violin repertoire of Bach, and all the Telemann violin Fantasies.

There have now been ten '@Shortwave Nights' recitals involving Philippa's violin in duet with a wide range of musicians playing a variety of instruments - not to mention the countertenor voice of Will Towers. Today's show will also include recordings of Philippa playing Handel Sonata in A in London with guitarist (and arranger) Martin Fogel - and a recording made in Rio de Janeiro of 'Nightclub 1960' from 'L'Histoire du Tango' by Astor Piazzolla, and 'Praeludium and Allegro' (in the style of Gaetano Pugnani) by Fritz Kreisler arranged and played with Philippa on the marimba by Ronni Wenzell.

Classical Journey airs today, Friday 22 November, from 2-4pm on Phonic FM (106.8 FM and online at phonic.fm).