 |
|||||||||||
|
|
|
|
Funtington Music Group |
|
|
|
FUNTINGTON MUSIC GROUP: 2007 REVIEW. The first five events turned out to be even more magical than expected. Christopher Gayford and Martin Cropper’s fascinating overview of Handel’s sonatas was followed by an enlightening assortment of music from the New London Chamber Ensemble, crossing the boundaries between classical and more modern, adventurous music – ending up with a bizarre sketch when balloons were suddenly released, drifting towards the remote upper reaches of the Chapel at the University of Chichester. One of the Ensemble’s lively members – Stephen Stirling – then returned in March for a stimulating presentation of the history and development of the French Horn over the past millennia, accompanied by one of the top concert pianists in Europe, Kathron Sturrock. The Student Showcase was, as usual, an enthralling musical contest for a fine selection of University talent, adjudicated by dynamic pianist/composer/conductor, Adam Swayne, whose amiable tenor enabled him to nominate the winners of £1000-worth of prizes in a gathering atmosphere of enjoyment, even though the finalists were waiting nervously in the wings. Immediately after concert pianist Mary Bruce’s enthralling lecture recital, 100 Years On, celebrating the innovative and exciting music of the first decade of the twentieth century, FMG was to experience the beginning of a plague of uncertainty. FMG’s yearly highlight is usually the Summer Evening Concert in June, but the Heath String Quartet were suddenly confronted with an illness problem, causing the eleventh-hour substitution of the Badke Quartet – and they were unable to perform in the Chapel, due to a last minute clash of bookings! Luckily, the Showroom Theatre was available, providing a completely different environment for an enchanting performance by the Badke, mingled with the usual high quality buffet supper served in an adjoining Studio! This near disaster started the ball rolling and, although Jonathan Hinden’s dynamic tour of the naughty goings-on in Verdi’s La Traviata rose to his usually elevated standard, FMG’s Committee was now under the hammer. Firstly, John Wheatley’s old friend, BBC Radio 3 presenter of Private Passions, Michael Berkeley, had to be excused from his lecture in October as the world premiere of his latest opera was to be given in New York at the same time. Next, our major event of 2007 – a recital and master classes by the internationally acclaimed soprano, Dame Inga Nielsen – had to be cast aside, owing to her serious illness. Such difficulties often promote exciting alternatives and FMG was suitably rewarded, in October, with a virtuoso piano, organ and violin-fest given by Head of Music, Ben Hall, and senior lecturer, Eulalie Charland – followed immediately in November by an energetic recital from another University lecturer, Susan Legg, accompanied by the exceptional pianist from the South Downs College, Peter Rhodes. Our 2007 season was brought to a triumphant conclusion with a memorable performance by the Aurora Ensemble, whose five players closed the so-called musical “barriers” with a programme which combined the familiar melody of Bizet, Grieg and Saint-Saens with the rhythm and satire of William Walton’s weird “entertainment”, Façade, unforgettable moments from The Sound of Music and then some seasonal carol-singing – speaking everybody’s language at once, fully demonstrating their ability to surprise, move, stimulate, inspire and amuse! John Wheatley |
|
|
|
[Home] [Introduction] [How to join] [Where we meet] [2010 Programme] [Past Programme] [Programme Reviews] [Review 2005] [Review 2006] [Review 2007] [Review 2008] [Review 2009] [Charitable Donations] [Links] [Committee] |