| Status: | Active, open to new members |
| Leader: | |
| When: | Monthly on Tuesday afternoons 2:00 pm-4:00 pm 4th Tuesday |
| Venue: | Scout & Guide HQ |
| Cost: | £2 including refreshments |
Music Appreciation is a group of u3a members who like to listen to presentations on a wide range of music genres and extend their knowledge of the music and the composers.
Our programmes are varied and can last up to 2 hours depending on the choice of that month. A break for tea/coffee is taken about 3.00 pm.
Three times a year we have an open programme when members bring a CD track of their choice (lasting no longer than 6 mins). This allows everyone the chance and time to play their choice and make their comments on it. .
Group members can also prepare a whole presentation on a musical topic of their choice eg music genre , period , theme , composer etc but this is optional .
Come and join us for an interesting and stimulating afternoon with the opportunity to play and discuss your choice of music. Whatever your musical tastes you will be most welcome.
Programme for 2026
23rd June 2026 " Mood Music"
In this presentation Liz James will show how music of various genres , not just that of Glen Miller , can reflect or create differing moods and emotions
28th July 2026 : " Open forum ./ BYO
In this meeting members can play music of their own choice ,eg a CD track or via Bluetooth device (lasting no longer than 6 mins-This allows everyone the time to play their choice) and make their comments on it. .
Reports on previous meeting
Over past few years almost every genre of music has been played and listened to from light music to extreme classical including Stage Shows, Dance Music, Opera, Ballet and Orchestral and including Composers from Gershwin to Myaskovsky with performances by well known and sometimes little known soloists.
23rd June 2026 : “ Musical Moods”
This presentation by Liz James illustrated the way that music can both express and create different moods. This was demonstrated by music that suggested tranquility , relection/ contemplation, Joy, mystery / menace , frenzy , romance .and marching /ceremonial .
Play list
Trangulity
Edvard Grieg – “ Prelude - Morning “ from “ Peer Gynt Suite No 1 “ played by the Orchestra of St John Smith Square c John Lubbock
Joachim Rodrigo : "Fantasia para un Gentilhomme “for Guitar and Orchestra played by Carlos Bonnell ( guitar) with the English chamber Orchestra c. Stuart Bedford
Christoph Gluck : “ “ Dance of the Blessed Spirits” from the opera “ Orpheus and Eurydice” played by Sara Brooke (flute) and the Consort of Music c. Robert Clarke.
Relection / Contemplation
Giuseppe Verdi : “ Va Pensiero “Chorus of Hebrew slaves” from the Opera “ Nabucco” sung by the Bulgarian National Choir c Giorgio Robev
Robert Schumann: Traumerei (Dreams) from “ Scenes from Childhood” playedby Maurizio Zauiinini (piano)
Joy
Bernard Henrik Crussell : “ Clarinet concerto No 2 in F minor - 3rd movement “ played by Kjell-Inger Stevensom ( Clarinet) and the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra c Okko Kamu
Mystery / Menace
Gustav Holst : “ Uranus – the Magician “ from “ The Planets “ played by the London Symphony Orchestra c. Geoffrey Simon
Igor Stravinsky : “ Infernal Dance “from “ The Firebird”
Romance
Franz Liszt : 2 Lieberstraum No 3 in a flat - Paul Crossly (piano)
Johannes Brahms : “ Symphony No 3 in F minor – 3rd movement “ played by the RLPO c. Marik Janowski
Marching / Ceremonial
Edvard Grieg : “ March of the Trolls” from “ Lyric Suite Op54 played bythe Royal Philharmonic Orchestra c. Yondami Bull
Edward Elgar : “ Pompand Circumstance March No 4 in G major
26th May 2026 : “”Mozart in London “
This presentation by Vaughn Wall was based on the visit of the 8 year old prodigy to London in 1764 / 1765 and the influence on him of other contemporary composers , particularly Johann Christian Bach.
The youngest of the sons JS Bach - Johann Christian Bach , became the “Darling of Georgian society” and Master of Queen Charlotte’s Music.
It is believed that he and his music inspired Mozart to start to compose symphonies .
Reference was also made to the later friendship between Mozart and the older composer Joseph Haydn.
Play list
Mozart : “ Serenata Notturna - 1st movement played by Orpheus Chamber Orchestra
Mozart : “Rondo alla Turca “ ( 3rd movement of Piano Sonata No 11) played by Klara Wurtz
Mozart: Horn Concerto No 4 in G major – 3rd movement
Mozart : Symphony No 1 - played by the Mozart Artists c. Ian Page
Johann Christian Bach : Harpsichord Concerto No 1
Mozart : Symphony No 40 in G minor played by the Mozarteum Orchestra Salzburg
Mozart: Concerto for two pianos
Mozart : “ Arias from his opera “ The Marriage of Figaro” sung by Brigitte Fassbender and Tom Krause Joseph Hayn : Symphony No 82 “ The Bear”
24th February 2026: “ A Cabinet of musical curiosities “
In this presentation , David Sunderland shared some of the musical oddities that he has collected over many years which he put into varios categories . These were “ Special recordings” that were rare or even unique in some way eg a recording of sergei Rachmaninov on piano with the violinist Fritz Kreisler , a recording with Frank Sinatra as conductor not perfomer , Edith Sitwell reading her poems over music by William Walton in “Façade – an Entertainment “ ,and Noel Coward reading poems by Ogden Nash for Saint –Saens “ Carnival of the animals .
The section on unusual human voices included recordings by Yma Sumac , the Peruvian singer with a 4 ½ octave range , a Russian “basso profundo “, a Mongolian “throat singer “ , the painful catawailing of Florence Foster Jenkiins and the delightful “ Cats Duet by Rossini.
There followed some examples of musical arrangements with odd choices of instruments and an odd instrument - The “Glass Harmonica “
The finale was “ Beethoveniana” by Ian Farrington , based on the seven Symphonies of Beethoven ..
Playlist
“ Special recordings “
Grieg violin Sonata No 3 in C minor – played by Fritz Kreisler and Sergei Rachmaninov - 1928 recording
“Red - the colour of violence” by Andre Previn from “ Tone Poems of Colour by Several Hollywood composers .
William Walton “ Façade – an Entertainment” with poems by Edith Sitwell read by the author
Saint-Saens “ Carnivaal of the Animal” with poems by Ogden Nash read by Noel Coward - “ Introduction” and “ Tortoises”
Unusual human voices
Yma Sumac singing “ Hym to the Sun”
Alex Dimitriev - Russian basso profundo
A Mongolian “Throat singer “
“ Queen of the night” aria from Mozart’s “Magic flute “ being murdered by Florence Foster Jenkins
Rossini’s “ Duetto Buffo” (the Cat’s duet) sung by felicity Lot and Ann Murray with sir Andrew Davies on piano
Odd Arrangements
Four versions of the Prelude to Charpontier’s “Te Deum “
For organ , for orchestra , with loud drum addition , plus long drum solo introduction
The March from Profofiev’s “ Loveof three oranges . first orchestral , then by solo Accordian ( pathetic !)
Sinfonia concertante in E flat by Koseluch for piano , mandolin , trumpet and double bass
Sonatina No 2 for mandolin by Beethoven
Odd instrument - “Allegro and Rondo for Glass Harmonica “by Mozart - played by Christina Schohnfelder.
“ Beethoveniana “ by Ian Farrington .
January 2026 : Cancelled due to illness
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23rd December 2025: No Meeting Scheduled (Too close to Christmas)
25th November 2025: BYO / Member's Choice
Playlist
1 Delius – “ La Calinda “ from his “Florida Suite” played by the Halle Orchestra conducted by Sir John Barbirolli .
2 Debussy “ Arabesque No 1 “ for piano
3 Albinoni - Adagio from Oboe Concerto in D minor
played by Anthony Camden (oboe) with the London Camerata c, John Giorgiadis
4 Elgar – Cello Concerto - 2nd movement . Played by Jaqueline Du Pre with the London Symphony Orchestra c Sir John Barbirolli
5 “ Seven Drunken nights “ and “ The Black Velvet Band “ by “ The Dubliners “
6 Beethoven – “ Sonata for Mandolin and Piano
7 “ Big Yellow Taxi “ sung by Joni Mitchell
8 Delius - “Irmelin Prelude “ played by the Halle Orchestra conducted by Sir John Barbirolli .
9 Arturo Rubinstein - “ Melodie in F “ played by Stephen Hough ( piano)
10 “ Now sleeps the Crimson Petal “ – a song by Roger Quilter arranged for piano by Stephen Hough
28th October 2025: “Music and War“
This presentation by John Appleton was an interesting mixture of popular and classical music related to WW1 and WW2 in various ways.
Patriotic propaganda / public morale booster via the songs in the Music halls in WW1 was represented by "Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit-Bag, and Smile, Smile, Smile", theWW1 marching song and “ Over There", written shortly after the entry of the USA into the war .
For WW2 the examples chosen were We'll Meet Again" - a 1939 song most associated with the English singer Vera Lynn ,"Lili Marlene" , a German love song that became popular during World War II throughout Europe and the Mediterranean among both Axis and Allied troops and “Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree” with Anyone Else but Me" i a popular song that was made famous by Glenn Miller and by the Andrews Sisters during World War II.
For the category “To the memory of the fallen” the works chosen were
Le Tombeau de Couperin (The Tomb of Couperin) is a suite for solo piano by Maurice Ravel, composed between 1914 and 1917, “The Banks of green Willow “by George Butterworth who was killed by a sniper in 1916 when only 31 . Also a less s familiar work by Elgar , his“Salute to the Belgiums” ,also known as “Carillon “,and Goyescas, is a piano suite written in 1911 by Spanish composer Enrique Granados. It was inspired by the work of the Spanish artist Francisco Goya.:
The Horrors of War was dramaticly illustrated by“ Mars” from the Planet Suite by Gustav Holst
Wartime spirit
In spite of the bombing risk in WW2 the concert pianist Myra Hess organised a series of 2000 concerts held in the National Gallery
A recording of her playing her transcription of "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" by JS Bach was played as a tribute to a remarkable lady .
"Fanfare for the Common Man" is a renowned orchestral work by Aaron Copland, composed in 1942, symbolizing the spirit of the common man during World War II.
Chopin's “Military Polonaise,” composed in 1838, is a powerful and patriotic piece that symbolizes Polish glory and national pride. It was played repeatedly on Polish radio after the invasion of Poland bythe Germans
Remembrance
“Nimrod' is the name given to the ninth and best-known variation in Edward Elgar's Enigma Variations, an orchestral work of 14 variations on an original theme composed between 1898 and 1899. It is played every year on Remembrance Suday at the Cenotaph
“The Dam Busters March” is a musical composition by Eric Coates, created for the 1955 British war film The Dam Busters. This march has become synonymous with both the film and the achievements of the RAF in WW2.
PlayList
“ Pack up your troubles” by George Henry and Felix Powell - Sung by Murray Johnson .
“Over there” by George M Cohan
“Le Tombeau De Couperin” By Maurice Ravel
“The Banks of Green Willow” by George Butterworth
“ Goyescas” by Enrico Granados
“Mars” from “ The Planet Suite” by Gustav Holst
“ We’ll meet again “ sung by Vera Lynn
Lili Marlene
“ Don’t sit under the apple tree” sung by the Andrews Sisters
“ Jesu , joy of man’s desiring” by JS Bach
“ Fanfare for the Common Man “ by Aaron Copeland
“ Military Polnaise “ by Frederic Chopin
“Nimrod” from “ Enigma Variations “ by Edward Elgar
“ The Dambusters March “ by Eric Coates played by the Band of the RAF
23rd September 2025 - “Frederick Delius – his life and music “
In this presentation by Liz James examples were played from early works like “ Summer Evening” from 1888 through to “ Fantastic Dance “ which was penned in 1934 by Eric Fenby from fragments when Delius was in the final stages of his last illness. It was interspersed with details of Delius’s background and life .
While some of the music were familiar pieces there were also lesser known works like his “ American Rhapsody” . This was an earlier version of his “Appalacia” which is more widely heard ,
His early years in America are also reflected in his “ Florida Suite” with influences from the music of the plantation workers .
His ability to create pictures and moods of English gardens and the English countryside was well illustrated in the music examples . Surprising perhaps for a composer who spent most of his life abroad ,
Play list
1 “Summer Evening” from “ Three small tone poems” *
2 “ American Rhapsody” played by the Leipzig Consort
3 &4 “ Florida Suite II - By the river “ and III “Sunset -near the plantation “
played by the English Northern Philharmonia c David Lloyd-Jones
5 “ The Walk in the Paradise Garden “ *
6 “Summer night on the river “ from “ Two pieces for small orchestra “ *
7 “Fantastic Dance” *
8 “ In a Summer Garden” played by the Orchestra of the Welsh National Opera c Sir Charles Mackeras
* Played by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra c, Davis Lloyd-Jones
26th August 2025 : “ British Music “
In this presentation Norma Wardle gave examples of music that have sounded quintessentially represented “ British” down the ages from Tudor times to the 1960s .
Music by composers from Purcell to Gerry Marsden , and starting with a piece ,” Greensleeves” , often attributed to King Henry VIII but the real composer is unknown , the ubiquitous “ Anon” .
Music moods went from gentle countryside to State Occasions .
Play List
Vaughan-Williams - “ Fantasy on Greensleeves” played by the Academy of St Martin in the Filds c Sir Neville Mariner
Benjamin Britten – “Variations and fugue on a theme by Purcell” – the young Persons guide to the Orchestra” Played by the RLPO cVasily Petrenko
Handel – Water Music suite no 2 excerpt Played by Collegeum Aureum
John Field - “Irish Dance” and “Rondeau Ecossais” Played by Miceal O’Rourke (piano)
George Butterworth –“ English Idyll No 2 “ Played by the RLPO c John Wilson
Sir Arthur Sullivan arranged by Sir Charles Mackeras “ Pineapple Poll” excerpt Played by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra c Charles Mackeras
Frederick Delius - “ On hearing the first Cuckoo in Spring “ played by the Royal Philharmonic c Sir Thomas Beecham
Sir Edward Elgar - “ Pomp and Circumstance March No 1” and “ Salut d’Amour” played by The Royal Philharmonic
Sir Arthur Bliss - “ Checkmate “ – finale Played by the Ulster Orchestra c Vernon Handley
Vaughan-Williams - “English Folksong Suite “ start Played by the RLPO c John Wilson
Handel arranged by Ian Tracy - “Alla Danza” from “Water Music” Played by Ian Tracy (organ)
Gerry Marsden arranged by Tim Jackson “Ferry across the Mersey” Played by the RLPO c Vasily Petrenko
22nd July 2025 : “ 20th century American Composers”
Colin Russ gave a presentation of music composed from 1903 to 2000 with some familiar names and some surprises .
Music genres ranged from Romantic Classical of George Whitefield Chadwick and Amy Beach to the minimalism of Steve Reich ,
En route there was music from “Rodeo” by Aaron Copland that now epitomises rural America and “America” from Leonard Bernstein” West Side Story that is definitely east coast .
Music from film scores by Bernard Herman and John Williams were a reminder of their contribution to our musical memories .
Playlist
Leonard Bernstein : “ America” from “ West Side Story” - the 1965 recording with Kiri Te Kanawa and Jose Careras singing the main roles.
John Adams : “ A short ride in a fast machine” played by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales c Mark Elder
George Whitefield Chadwick : Tone poem “Euterpe” plyed by the Nashville Symphony Orchestra c. Kenneth Schemerhorn .
Aaron Copland: “ Bucheroo Holiday” from the ballet “ Rodeo” played by the San Francisco Symphony c, Michael Tilson Thomas .
Amy Beach : “ Romance for violin and piano “ played by Humari (v) and Chelsea Wamg (p)
Eric Whitacre : “Sleep” sung by the Eric Whitacre Singers c. the composer
Steve Reich: “ Duet for 2 violins and String Orchestra “ played by the Leipzig Radio Symphony Orchestra .
Bernard Herman : “ Prelude and Rooftop” from the Film score for “ Vertigo”
John Williams : " Imperial March " from the film “ Star Wars “ played by The Los Angeles Symphony Orchestra .
24th June 2025 : BYO / Members Choice
In spite of a low attendance , members enjoyed a wide selection of music including classical , jazz and brass band . Included were some more familiar works by Copeland , Schubert and Ravel with a lesser known work by Ibert .
It was a surprise to find that the famous conductor Sir Malcolm Sargent had a couple of early compositions performed at the Proms in the 1920’s , and a recording had been found of one of them .
There were Brass Band arrangements of two Lennon and McCartney songs and a Jazz number by Miles Davidson and others by a local Jazzband .
Play list
Copland – “ Hoedown” from “ Rodeo” played by theeeee San Francisco Symphony Orchestra c Michael Tilson Thomas
Schubert - Piano Quintet in A major “ The Trout” 4th movement
Lennon and McCartney -
“ Yesterday “ played by the Band of Yorkshire Imperial Metals
“ Eleanor Rigby “ plyed by the HG & the Ettaswell Band
Ravel – “ Daphne and Chloe “ - “ Lever du jour” played by the LSO c, Pierre Monteux
Miles Davis - “ “ So What” from his album “ Kinf of Blue”
Sargent - “ Impressions on a windy day” played by the Royal Ballet Sinfonia c Gavin Sutherland
“ Abide with me” played by the Hammond Sauce Works Band
Chicago Teddy Bears playing “ It don’t mean a thing if its not got that swing”
27th May 2025 : “ British Composers in a lighter mood”
Part of this presentation by David Sunderland was of “light” music composed by some of our composers who are better known for their more “ serious” works eg Vaughan-Williams , William Alwyn , Elgar , Walton and Britten .
The other part was of music by composers best known for their ”!light” music or rather their music maybe familiar but the composers names may not be. . Most of the first group of composers wrote for the theatre and later for the cinema and television , particularly in their early careers to provide an income . Walton’s music for “ Façade” was background music to a reading of poems by Edith Sitwell but he later created two orchestral suites from them . Benjamin Britten’s “ The Spider and the fly “ is certainly unlike the rest of his familiar repertoire ,It is a jazzy piece ,written for the theatre and echoes Gershwins Rhapsody in Blue .
Many of the second group remained “part-time” composers while pursuing other careers eg Gordon Jacob wrote four books on music and was a regular presenter on radio and TV . James Langley and Alan Langford alias Alan Owen were BBC music producers .
Play list .
Vaughan-Williams - “ Norfolk Rhapsody No 1 played by the CBSO c Louis Fermaux
William Alwyn - Suite of Elizabethan Dances – Nos 1 &4 Played by the Royal Ballet Sinfonia c Gavin Sutherland
Edward Ellgar- “ La Capricieuse “ played by Arthur Grumiaux (v) and Istvan Hajdu (p)
William Walton – “ Façade suite No 2 - Popular Song and Foxtrot Played by the CBSO c Louis Fremaux
Benjamin Britten - “ The Spider and the Fly” from his “ Johnson over Jordan Suite “
Richard Rodney Bennett - “ Muder on the Orient Express” - Walz
Clifton Parker - “ The Glass Slipper “ - overture *
Gordon Jacob “ The Barber of Seville goes to the Devil” *
James Langley - “ The Coloured Counties “ *
Alan Langford - “ Two Worlds “ *
David Lyon - “ Joie de Vivre “ *
* Played by the Royal Ballet Sinfonia c Gavin Sutherland
22nd April 2025 : Members Choice / BYO
In spite of many absentees , the meeting produced an enjoyable mixture of the familiar and unfamiliar from several music genres from Weber to modern via swing. and an African/American ballet including clarinet and electric violin works ,
Playlist
" Shipbuilding " by Robert Wyatt
" Purple Electric violin concerto " -( start ) by Ed Alleyne-Johnson
Carl Maria von Weber- "Clarinet Concerto " 3rd movement Played by Emma Watson with the English Chamber Orchestra c, Yan PAscal Tortellier
Mahler Symphony No 2 " Resurrection" finale Soloists Arleen Auger (sop) and Dame Janet Baker (mezzo) CBSO c. Simon Rattle
Astor Piazzolla " History of the Tango" part 1 " Bordel 1900" played by Morgan Szymanski ( Guitar)
Glen Miller " Sunrise Serenade " and " a String of Pearls "
William Grant Stills " La Guiablesse" ( the She-Devil) Berlin Philharmonic c. Isaiah Jackson
" La Donna e mobile" from Verdi's " Rigoletto" and Nessun Dorma" from Puccini's " Turandot" sung by Placido Domingo with the Vienna Philhamonic
25th March 2025 : " Sullivan without Gilbert "
Sir Arthur Sullivan is now best known for his 14 operatic collaborations with the dramatist W.S.Gilbert including H.M.S. Pinafore , The Pirates of Penzance and The Mikado
Many of these are still performed all over the world by professional companies and amateur operatic societies’
However his other compositions include 10 more operas without Gilbert , 11 major orchestral works, ten choral works and oratorios.
There was also numerous church pieces, songs, and piano and chamber pieces. His hymns and songs include "Onward Christian Soldiers "
It is these other compositions that form the basis of this presentation by David Sunderland . Most were created before his collaborations with W.S. Gilbert started when Sullivan in his late 30’s .
Playlist
" The Yeomen of the Guard" - Overture Played by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Sir Malcolm Sargent
"Incidental music to Shakespeare's The Tempest
"L'Isle Enchanrtee " - BBC Symphony Orchestra c, Andrew Penny
Symphony in E " Irish" - 3rd movement - RLPO c Charles Groves
" The Lost Chord" - sung by Webster Booth
Cello concerto in D Major - 1st movement soloist: Paul Watkins BBC SO c by Charles Mackeras
"The Long day closes " sung by Voce 8
"The Golden Legend" - prologue - BBC Philharmonic with the Leeds Philharmonic Choir c. Charles Mackeras
"Imperial March" - BBC Concert ORchestra c. Owain Arwel Hughes
"Victoria and Merrie England" - part ! Britannia BBC Concert Ochestra c Owain Arwel Hughes
" Overture in C " In Memoriam" RTE Concert Orchestra c. Andrew Penny
25th February 2025 : "The Music of Cole Porter "
Vaughan Wall gave a comprehensive account of the “ riches to even more riches “ life of this prolific American composer and playboy. It was accompanied by music from some of his best known musicals sung by some of the best artists of the time with a couple of modern recordings to show that his music remains popular today ,
Unlike many song composers , Cole Porter also wrote the words and it was a pleasure to be able to hear every one of the often witty words , unlike much music today .
Playlist
1) “When they begin the Beguine “ Perry Como
2) " " Julio Iglesias
3) “Let’s do it “ Eydie Gorme
4) “ You do something to me “ from “ Forty Thousand Frenchmen” sung by Marlene Dietrich
5) “ Night and Day” from the musical " The gay Divorce" Frank Sinatra
From the Musical " Anything Goes"
6) “Anything Goes” f - played by Cole Porter with Vince Giordino and the Nighthawks
7) “ You’re the top “ “ “
8) “ It’s de lovely “Lady gaga and Tony Bennett
9) “ I get a kick out of you” “ “
10) “ Don’t fence me in “ Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters
11) “ Miss Otis regrets” - Ella Fitzgerald
12) “ I’ve got you under my skin” Frank Sinatra
13) “Every time we say goodbye” Mick Hucknall of Simply Red
14) “ It’s too darn hot ! “ Ella Fitzgerald
From “ High Society” film soundtrack
15) “ High Society “ Louis Armstrong
16) “ Well, did you ever” Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra
17) “ Who wants to be a millionaire Frank Sinatra and Celest Holm
18) “ True love” Bing Crosby and Grace Kelly
19) “ I love you Samantha” Kenny Ball ( Midnight in Moscow CD)
28th January 2025 : MEETING CANCELLED -(too many members unable to attend
26th November 2024: MEETING CANCELLED - (group leader unable to attend )
22nd October 2024 “ Some music discovered on the Classical channels of Internet radio “
This presentation by Barbara and Colin Redwood was mainly chamber music of Baroque Era music and introduced group members to some previously unheard of composers eg Francesco Mancini and Antonio Rosetti ( who was born Franz Anton Rossler but chose an Italian name) , also the early to mid 19th C composers Ignaz Lachner and Savirio Mercadante .
There were also items by more familiar composers like Vivaldi , Teleman , Handel and Mozart plus a piano concerto by Mozart’s rival Antonio Salieri .
Donizetti is famous for his 30 operas so it was a surprise to hear a piece written for Oboe and Harp .
From the 20th C there was a piece with definite Irish flavour - part of the Suite for Strings by the Ulster composer and pianist , Joan Trimble , another unknown to most of us .
An afternoon of discovery for us all .
Play List :
1 Francesco Mancini - Sonata No 19 in e Minor fro Recorder
2 Mozart - Flute Quartet No 1 in D major
3 Teleman – Sonata for Bassoon and Continuo in F Minor – movements 1&3
4 Vivaldi – Oboe Concerto in C R.446 Nos 1 and 3
5 Handel – Organ Concerto No 6 in B flat
6 Salieri – Keyboard Concerto in B Flat Major
7 Ignaz Lachner – Piano Trio in C major Op 103 1st movement
8 Fernando Sor – Rondo in C Op22 for Guitar
9 Gaetano Donizetti – Andante sostenuto in F Minor for Oboe and Harp
10 Saverio Mercadante – Concerto for 2 flutes in D Major
11 Francesco Antonio Rosetti - Horn Concerto in E Flat Major
12 Joan Trimble - Suite for strings - finale
13 Vivaldi - Le Quattro Stagione ( The Seasons) Concert No 4 in F Minor
24th September 2024 : " Water and music"
Using a wide range of musical examples , this well received presentation by John Appleton explored the fascination of composers for water in all its guises and included some surprises.
There were songs from film , film musicals and musical theatre and an unusual choral version of "The Blue Danube". Also played was music composed by Vivaldi for the newly invented "transverse flute" (i.e modern flute) and from his "seasons" . There were some direct connections like Chopin's "Raindrops" prelude , Jeux d'eau by Ravel ,Handel's "Water Music" , Smetana's " Vlatava" and Mendelssohn's " Hebrides Overture . The connection was less direct in the case of Dvorak's sonatina " Indian Lament " which was inspired by the legend of Minihaha -" laughing water". The most unusual item was part of a work by Alan Hovhaness " And God crated great Whales" that included the haunting sounds of Bowhead and Humpback whales .
Playlist
1 "Singing in the rain". sung by Gene Kelly. from the Original Film Soundtrack.
2. "Reflections on the nature of water- Fleet." Jacob Druckman Third Coast Percussion. ( Marimba)
3 " Prelude No 15 "The Raindrop" Chopin. Royal Symphony Orchestra.
4 "Jeux d’eau, 2 M30. Maurice Ravel. Helen Grimaud. (p)
5 "Concerto no.2 in G Minor, RV31. "Summer" Antonio Vivaldi, Nigel Kennedy, (v) English Chamber Orchestra
6 "Violin Sonatina in G Major, Op100, "Indian Lament" Antonin Dvorak, Randall Goosby, (v) Zhu Wang.(p)
7 "Water Music - Suite No 2 in D Major." George Frederic Handel. RCA Victor Symphony Orchestra c. Leopold Stokowski.
8 "The Blue Danube Waltz. "Johann Strauss 11. Chorus of the Vienna State Opera,Vienna Philharmonic c. Willi Boskovsky
9 "Old Man River ( From "Showboat" by Jerome Kern ans Oscar Hammerstein ) - sung by Paul Robeson in Carnegie Hall 1958.
10 T"he Moldau . Vlatava "(From Ma Vlast) Bedrich Smetana, Vienna Philharmonic, c, Herbert von Karajan
312 "Flute Concerto No1 in F Major" ,Antonio Vivaldi,Jiri Stevin,(FL) Slovak Chamber Orchestra c. Bohdan Warchal.
12 "Fingal’s Cave " from " The Hebrides Overture ",Op26, Felix Mendelssohn, London Symphony Orchestra, c.Antal Dorati.
13. "And God Created Great Whales, " Alan Hovhaness, Philharmonic Orchestra c. David Amos,
14 "Raindrops keep falling on my head," sung by Dean Martin ( Composed by Burt Bacharach and Hall David for the film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid)
Meeting 27th August 2024 : Gustav Holst - A one-hit wonder ?
This year is the 150th anniversary of the birth of Gustav Holst , now most associated with his suite “The Planets”.
Some composers write one piece so popular that they are known for nothing else and David Sunderland was tempted to include Holst in his list of presentation on one-hit musical wonders”.
However , he reminded us that although Holst died aged only 56 , he composed almost 200 works, including operas , ballets , choral hymns and songs. – a list taking 26 pages on Wikipedia.
In this presentation we heard some of his other works that are regularly performed today eg the “ St Paul’s Suite” and “ A Somerset Rhapsody” but also some works that are rarely heard in concert and for which few recordings are available .
These included “ A Winter Idyll” , composed while he was still a student and much influenced by Wagner, part of his “ Indra “ tone poem from the period when Holst set several Sanskrit poems to music and a Suite from one of his ballets “The Perfect fool” ,a parody on the works of Wagner , Verdi and Debussy .
When Holst died young aged 56 he had only completed the Scherzo from his planned symphony but this proved to be “ not the music of an old man” and gave an indication of what music he might have given us .
Perhaps the most widely performed of Holst’s music is one that most do not associate with him - his beautiful setting of the carol “In the bleak midwinter.
Playlist
1 “Jupiter – The Bringer of jollity “ (1917) Played by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic conducted by Sir Charles Mackeras
2 A Winter Idyll (1897) Played there by the Ulster Orchestra conducted by JoAnn Falletta
3 In the Bleak Midwinter – setting by Holst 1904-5 Sung by the group Tenebrae conducted by Nigel Short
4 “Indra” tone poem ( 1903 ) opening Played by the Ulster Orchestra c JoAnn Falletta
5 A Somerset Rhapsody Played by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra c. David Lloyd-Jones,
6 St Pauls Suite 1st and 2nd movements Played here by the City of London Sinfonia c, Richard Hickox
7 - The Perfect Fool – Introductory Ballet Music Played by the London Philharmonic Orchestra c Sir Adrian Boult.
8 Scherzo from the unfinished Symphony Played by the Munich Philharmonic c Douglas Bostock
9 “ The Planets - 6th movement – “ Uranus – The Magician Played by the London Symphony Orchestra c Richard Hickox
Meeting 23rd July 2024 - Open forum / BYO
As usual with this type of meeting , a wide selection of music was played including popular . film , light opera and classical . There were old favourites in different arrangements and some surprises . Vocal and piano pieces were popular .
Play list
“ Mustang Sally” by the Commitments
“ The Eternal vow” from the film “ Crouching Tiger , Hidden Daggers “ composed by Tam Dun , played by the Royal Philharmonic c. Paul Bateman
Franz Schubert ‘s “ Moments No 2” played by Alfred Brendel (piano)
“ The old songs” by David Paneranz and Buddy Kaye also “ Bermuda Triangle” by BM , Boussman and Feldman - sung by Barry Manilow,
“ Let it go” from the film “Frozen” soundtrack , score by Christopher Beck - sung by Idina Menzel also the instrumental “ Elsa & Anna and the trolls”
Franz Schubert ‘s Symphony No 8 “ The unfinished” - 2nd movement
Played by the Royal Concertgebouw Orchesta c Nikolaus Harnoncourt
“ Vienna – City of my Dreams “ by Rudolf Sieczynski - sung by Placido Domingo with the English Chamber Orchestra c Julius Rudel
Paul Creston’s The Rumour “ played by the CSBO c, Simon Rattle
Gershwin’s “ The man I love” arranged as a piano solo by Pergy Grainger - played by Isata Kenneth-Mason
Chopin – “ Grande Valse Brilliante” played by Ingrid Flitter ( piano)
25th June 2024 : The life and music of Aram Khachaturian 1903 - 1978
This presentation by Liz James introduced members to works by this Armenian/Russian composer that are rarely heard like his piano and violin concertos and Symphonies . The inclusion of a Georgian traditional instrument , sounding like a musical saw, in the 2nd movement of his Piano concerto was not appreciated by our members ! The " musical fireworks" in the 3rd movement of his violin concerto were more to our taste , as was the excerpt from his 2nd Symphony .
There were also more familiar works like pieces from his ballet suites including " The Sabre Dance "from " Gayane " and the Adagio from "Spartacus " - recognised as the introductory music from the TV series " The Onedin Line".
Although honoured by the State early on in his career , like many other composers in Russia , Khachaturian's music fell out of favour with the authorities and he switched to film composition . He later taught at the Moscow Conservatory and toured outside Russia , promoting his own works.
Playlist
Piano Concerto - 2nd movement -Played by the London Philharmonic c Raphael Frubeck de Burgos . Soloist Alicia da Larrocha
Violin Concerto - 3rd movement Played by the London Philharmonic c. Anatole Fistoulari soloist Ruggiero Ricci
Symphony No 2 - 4th movement Played by the Vienna Philharmonic c Aram Khachaturian
Ballet Suites Played by the St Petersberg State Symphony Orchestra c, Andre Anichanov
From " Gayane" Suite No 2 " Lullaby and " The Sabre Dance" , Suite No 2 " Solo / Love Duet"
From " Spartacus : Suite No 1 " Victory of Spartacus - Dance o the Gladiators" and suite No 2 " Adagio of Spartacus and Phygia
23rd April 2024: Open forum / BYO
As usual this members choice meeting produced a wide variety of music from popular via musicals and Jazz to Classical . Composers included some unfamiliar names like Heino Kaski from Finland and Stephen Schwartz ( of “Godspell and “Wicked” fame) . There was a Mandolin version of some dances by Edward German and a trumpet concerto from Leopold Mozart , the father of Amadeus Wolfgang .
Play list
1 )Heino Kaski : “A Night at the Seaside” played by Janne Mertanen (piano)
2) Eric Whitacre : “ Water Night” – played by The London Symphony Orchestra Strings c. Eric Whitacre
3) Andrew Lloyd Weber and Tim Rice : “ Don’t Cry for me Argentina” from “Evita” – sung by Madonna
4) K Reid/ G Brooker : “ A whiter Shade of Pale “ sung by Annie Lennox
5) Edward German : “ Three Dances from “Nell Gwyn” played by Simon Meyer ( Mandolin)
6) Stephen Schwartz : “ When you believe” from the musical “ The Prince of Egypt” sung by the cast of the stage show
7) Leopold Mozart : Trumpet Concerto pt 1 played by the Orchestre de Chambre Jean-Francoise Paillard
8) Johny Dankworth : “ Suite on William Hogarth”
9) Gustav Holst: “ Mercury” from “ The Planet Suite
26th March 2024 – “ The life and Music of Jean Sibelius “
Considering the popularity of works by this composer and his status as the National composer of Finland, it is surprising that this was the full presentation on Jean Sibelius given to the group.
This omission was corrected by Colin Russ who illustrated a biography with chronological excerpts from his prolific output of over 500 works .
These included familiar pieces like the “Karelia Suite – 1st movement (once used as the introductory music for the TV programme “ This Week” and “ Finlandia “ 1st movement” ( still used as the introductory music for “ The Sky at night “and parts of two of his 7 Symphonies .
However , more rarely heard items were included including a piano impromptu , a string quartet and parts of his incidental music for a production of Shakespeare’s “The Tempest “.
Mention was made of his influence on the movement for Finnish nationalism and the mystery about his composing little in the last 30 years of his long life.
Sibelius – Playlist
“ Vattendropper” ( “Waterdrops”) played by Yoshiko Arai on violin
“ Karelia Suite “ 1st movement – Played by the Philharmonia Orchestra c, Vladimir Ashkenazy
Six Impromptus OP 5 No 5 in B Minor – Havard Gimse ( piano)
“Finlandia” – played by the London Symphony Orchestra c, Gannadi Rozhdestvensky
“Valse Triste” “ “ “ “
“Pelleas and Melisande” – 1st movement “ At The Castle Gate” , 10th movement “ The Death of Melisande”
“Voces Intimes” – 1st movement – Emerson Quartet
Symphony No 4 – 2nd movement – Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra c. Simon Rattle
Symphony No 5 – 3rd movement – “ “
“ The Tempest” Suite No 1 “The Storm” & “ The Dance of the Nymphs” played by the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra c, Neemi Jarvi
27th February 2024 – Music from around the World
The first part of this presentation by Nick Williams was a musical tour , giving us music from Tchaikovsky and Kenny Ball representing Russia , moving to Finland with some Sibelius , then to Hungary with music by Liszt and Germany with some Schumann. A long flight to China was necessary for part of a concerto based on a folktale in a version orchestrated to include traditional Chinese instruments.
The second part of the presentation was in the form of a quiz with the members asked to identify the country or city in the titles of the pieces . While the music was familiar, the search for the answers produced much good natured speculation and memory searching.
A presentation obviously much enjoyed by the attendees.
Play list – part 1
Russia : “March Slav” by Tchaikovsky – played by the Royal Philharmonic c, Adrian Leaper
“ Midnight in Moscow” Played by Kenny Ball
Finland : 3rd movement of Sibelius “Violin Concerto” played by Victoria Mullova (v) with the Boston Symphony Orchestra c. Seiji Ozawa
Hungary : Liszt’s “ Hungarian Rhapsody No 2 “ Played by the Berlin Philharmonic c, Herbert von Karajan
Germany : Piano Concerto in A minor by Robert Schumann – Played by Raola Lupa (p) with the London Symphony Orchestra c, Andre Previn
China : “ Butterfly Lovers Concerto “ by Chen Gang and He Zhanjao – last two movements Played by Joshua Bell (v) with the Singapore Chinese Orchestra c.Tsung Ye
QUIZ Answers
“ April in Paris” – played by the Count Basie orchestra
“ Out of Africa “ by John Barry from the film soundtrack
“ Tahiti-Trot “ variation by Shostakovich on “ Tea for Two”
“ El Salon Mexico “ by Aaron Copland
“ Italian Symphony “ by Mendelssohn
“ Buenos Aires” from “ Evita” by Andrew Lloyd Webber
23rd January 2024: The Music of Sir Malcolm Arnold
This presentation by David Sunderland gave a selection from the works of this prolific British composer . With 140 ” Classical” works and over 100 film scores to choose from , selection had proved difficult and concentrated more on his lighter music and film scores .
Malcolm Arnold started his career as a trumpet player , becoming principal trumpet of the London Philharmonic for many years while becoming famous and wealthy as a film and documentary score composer .
He wanted to be recognised as a composer of ” serious” music but his tonal style ( i.e. love of a good tune ) was more popular with concert audiences than it was with the music critics of the time .
Although many of the composer’s works showed a mischievous sense of humour , his life was full of personal tragedy .
Playlist
1 “ The Bridge on the River Kwai Suite “ – finale. Played by the BBC Concert Orchestra c Barry Wordsworth
2 “ Trumpet concerto “ Played by John Wallace with the Bournemouth Sinfonietta
3 “ Backus the Dandipratt” Played by the BBC Concert Orchestra c Vernon Handley
4 “ English Dances – Set 2” Nos 1 & 3 Played by the Queensland Symphony Orchestra c Andrew Perry
5 “ Symphony No 2 “ – 4th movement – Played by the BBC Welsh orchestra c Malcolm Arnold
6 “Inn of the 6th Happiness” – Suite – finale Played by the London Philharmonic
7 “ Grand Concerto Gastronomique for Eater , Waiter , Food and Orchestra” Performed by the Liepaja Symphony Orchestra c John Gibbons
8 “ Clarinet Concerto No 2 “ – 1st & 3rd movements Played by Michael Collins with the London Musici c. Mark Stephenson