An Open Letter to BGS Members from Ian Segui, London Mandolin Society

Dear Bromley Guitar Society,

Due to the success of the 2009 Festival Concert, the London Mandolin Festival returns with a new theme "Rumba and Accordion" which will see players taking part performing pieces featuring the rumba rhythm and accompanied by an Accordion soloist. The festival would like to encourage the Bromley Guitar Society to participate!

Participation in the festival not only means improvement in technique with a concert to aim against and more substantial pieces to practice but participation also means meeting like minded plucked string players from all over London, and having a lot of fun. Evidence of this can be found from just talking to players and audience members of the first festival concerts including one your members Shirley who gave positive reviews on the event. The festival requires participation from at least one member from the Bromley Guitar Society in the final concert for the Society to be mentioned in advertisements, and during the concert.

If any members wish to hear any recordings from the festival to get an idea of the music to be practiced and performed, please visit the festival website on http://londonmandolinfestival.org.uk/music.html,
the parts to practice can be downloaded from http://londonmandolinfestival.org.uk/music/guitar.zip. Any other information on the festival including rehearsal dates and venue can be found in http://londonmandolinfestival.org.uk/. Any interested players please ask them to register at londonmandolinfestival@googlemail.com.

The festival looks forward to hear from guitarists!

Ian Segui
London Mandolin Festival Organiser.

News from the Lute Society

1. CONCERTS WITH MERIT STEPHANOS

Dear all
I wanted to let you know about my next concerts. None of them are in London, but if you are anywhere near the places they will happen, please do come along! I have posted links so you can have a look and below is a little blurb about the programme with The Clerks.

With all best wishes

Merit Stephanos


With JOGLARESA (http://www.joglaresa.com)
FRIDAY 23rd OCTOBER - BRIGHTON EARLY MUSIC FESTIVAL
Friday 23 October, Brighton 8pm St George’s, Kemptown
Brighton Early Music Festival
http://www.bremf.org.uk/


With THE CLERKS (http://www.theclerks.co.uk/programmes_Qudduson.html )

WEDNESDAY 28th OCTOBER, CAMBRIDGE http://http://www.ncem.co.uk/
THURSDAY 29th OCTOBER, CARDIFF http://www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk/
SATURDAY 31st OCTOBER, YORK http://www.ncem.co.uk/


Qudduson – Sanctus – Holy: the word reverberates through the sacred music of East and West. In this new programme, The Clerks join three Middle Eastern singers steeped in Islamic and Christian music.
Qudduson presents Middle Eastern chant and Western polyphony side-b-yside. The ancient Syriac liturgy of Aleppo – thought to be the oldest Christian chant repertoire in the world, the Islamic music of Sufism and songs from the Coptic Egypt are set alongside chant and polyphony from the Cathedral repertories of the Western Middle Ages and Renaissance.

Repertoire includes chant from the ancient chant from the Syriac, Byzantine and Maronite tradtions, Islamic chanting and improvisation and classical songs.
Music from the European Middle Ages and early Renaissance includes Gregorian chant and organum, polyphony by Palestrina, Pierre de la Rue and Giaches de Wert and a song by John Dowland.

A special commission by Robert Saxton will combine the various vocal forces involved in Qudduson.

For Qudduson, The Clerks are joined by George Qas-Barsoum is a bass soloist at the Church of Hayy Surian in Aleppo, which was built by refugees fleeing Edessa in the 1920s. His experience and knowledge of singing the Syriac Orthodox liturgy of this ancient community, some of the oldest Christian chant in the world, is unsurpassed.

Abdul Salam Kheir (Lebanese) specialises in Muwashahat (classical Arab song) as both singer (baritone) and oud player.

Merit Ariane Stephanos is a Coptic Egyptian/German singer and composer who draws on Arabic and Western classical contemporary influences in her music.
--
merit ariane stephanos
www.myspace.com/meritariane
0044-7971-339398

2. GUITAR CONCERT THIS SUNDAY

Luigi Boccherini

Guitar Quintets

7 p.m. Sunday 25th October

St John’s Chapel, St John’s Street, Chichester, West Sussex PO19 1UR

The Benavente Quintet

Judy Tarling and Ilana Cravitz – violins, Rosalind Hanson – viola
Lynden Cranham – ’cello, Peter Lay – guitar
(period instruments)

Tickets £10 (concessions £7) including wine
available from: judytarling@btinternet.com (01435 830839), Bastow’s Classics, 50 North Street, Chichester (01243 533264)
or on the door



3. SALE OF CDS ETC

James Evinson writes:

Tragedy!! I have reached the stage where I cannot keep collecting things (music, CDs and lute-related items excepted!) and am looking to find homes for a few items.

I have a small pile of back issues of "Early Music News" magazines, dating from July/Aug '99 to Oct '03 (the last issue). Primarily news about the Early Music world and comprehensive UK-wide concert listings, each issue is around 12-16 pages. They are hole-punched for filing purposes (a handy A4 size), but otherwise in perfect condition. If anyone would like them for their archive, I will let them go to a good home for the price of postage & packing.

In addition to the above, I have a number of duplicate Lute CDs, from the time when I thought it might be a good idea to have a selection available for sale at Lute Society meetings. The lute world is much wider than just those who attend meetings, so CG has kindly consented to circulate the list of what I have available to all LS members. All are new, most (but not all) are still cellophane-wrapped. I will deal with all enquiries democratically on a "first come/first served" basis, although I do have some duplicates.

Cost would be £5 per CD, plus postage (£1 UK / £2 Europe / £3 USA & everywhere else). I can accept cheque (£ sterling), paypal (james_evinson@hotmail.com) or simply bring cash to the next Lute Society meeting.

Finally, if anyone is looking for a specific recording not on the list below, please drop me a line with details and I will let you know if/where I find a copy available.


CD Recordings for sale

NAXOS

Dowland - Consort Music & Songs (Rose Consort/Catherine King / Herringman) 8.55326, 1997

Weiss - Sonatas for Lute Vol 2, no's 5, 25, 50, (Robert Barto) 8.553988, 1999

Weiss - Sonatas for Lute Vol. 3, no's 2, 27 & 35 (Robert Barto) 8.554350, 1999

Weiss - Sonatas for Lute, vol. 4, no's 21, 37 & 46 ((Robert Barto_) 8.554557, 2001

Music of the Italian Renaissance (Shirley Rumsey) 8.550615, 1994

Music of the Spanish Renaissance (Shirley Rumsey) 8.550614, 1993

da Milano, Fantasias, Ricercars & Duets (C. Wilson / S. Rumsey) 8.550774, 1994

Holborne / Robinson, Pavans & Galliards for Lutes (C. Wilson / S. Rumsey) 8.553874, 1998

German Lute Songs (Martin Hummel, bar. / Karl-Ernst Schroder, Lute) 8.55935, 2002

Harmonia Mundi

Baroque Lute Music vol. 1, GG Kapsberger (Paul O'Dette) HCX 3957020, 2001 (reissue)

Baroque Lute Music vol. 2, da Milano, Borrono, lo'Aquila & de Rippe (Paul O'Dette) HCX 3957043, 2001 (reissue)

EMI Classics

Lautengalanterie - Falckenhagen, Baron, Hagen (Anthony Bailes), 8 26520, 2000 (reissue of 1979 recording to CD)

Lautenmusik von S.L. Weiss (Hopkinson Smith), 8 26513, 2000 (reissue of 1978 recording to CD)

Everything Else

European Lute Music (single CD selection from 4-CD set). (Konrad Rogossnig) Eloquence, DG 469 679-2

Varietie of lute-lessons (Lutz Kirchhof) - Sony, Seon SKB 60098, 1998 (reissue of 1982 recording)

Bach on the Lute, vol. II - BWV 1006, 1003 & 1005 (Nigel North) - Linn Records, CKD 029, 1994

Greensleeves, A Collection of English Lute Songs (Julianne Baird/Ronn McFarlane) - Dorian DOR 90126, 1989

The Mad Lover (works by Blow, Lawes, Boyce, Parry, etc) (Evelyn Tubb, sop./Frances Kelly, triple harp). Musica Obscura 070987, 1993

Nutmeg & Ginger, Spicy ballads from Shakespeare's London (Musicians of the Globe/Pickett) Philips, 456 507-2, 1999.

Meeting Saturday 17th October

After a heavy session of culinary over indulgence at a Thai restaurant (its all Mae Pings fault!!- the food was delicious!!), your correspondent managed to 'roll up' (literally) with guitar and sundries to St Marks for a brisk aerobic workout for the fingers and the ear.

Ray Butcher (the Lord Coe of the ensemble aerobics) took as all through our paces with a bash at the Drunken Sailor, followed by a reprise of our Federation Guitar Society Hit- that's right...I am referring to our old buddy Mr De Witt which was a ploy to get us ready for the main act- Scarlatti's Sonata in D for four guitars. This nifty little number is a major challenge, especially if you have been allocated the part for Guitar 1 where you suddenly have to pay a LOT of attention to all the notes around the 8th to the 12th fret.

But Ray was kind. We only have to get this one ready for the Beckenham Festival for 2010 which is just as well as it will take your correspondent up to 12 months just to make a decent stab at it!!

To lighten the mood a little, Christine Dabrowa kindly brought along a lovely little piece (Ronde) by Pieter Van Der Stack for four guitars. We'll add this to our repertoire for next year's festival as well.

We were entertained with a number of Solos from members as well.

John Mann reprised his performance of Sonatina from Masterclass. Rob Sellery played some wonderful Brouwer pieces while Tom Rimmer gave a tribute to Turlogh O'Carolan with Planxty Irwin, followed by a duet of easy Sor pieces with Rick Frenkel. Unfortunately we have no sound files or photos (damm)- in fact we have been a bit remiss in this area lately- I'll make sure that we have something ready for the next meeting.


It was a great evening as one normally expects. Special thanks to Shirley Russell for stepping in to take on Trevor's role as BGS 'Quartermaster' of refreshments (Or should that be Quartermistress???...no don't go there Andrew!!)

We were missing our erst while chairman who is rumoured to be wandering around the Bulgarian Countryside somewhere with a guitar in one hand and a bottle in the other. However we are confident that Theresa will keep an eye on him to make sure that he behaves! Hopefully we will see him emerge at the December meeting!!

Unfortunately Ray won't be available to lead us with ensembles at the next meeting as he has another commitment (and no, the rumour that he is in despair at our last performance is not true!!). However, Christine has kindly offered to step in and lead the ensemble practice for November.


Don't forget to keep February free as the Wealden Guitar Society will be entertaining us with some guitar performances

Vida Guitar Quartet Concert

Received this message from Stephen Hatfield

Dear Andrew,
Just to let you know a bit late about this concert at Bradbourne House, East Malling ME19 6DZ,
at 8 p.m. on Thursday 22nd October. It is a lovely venue, where we have concerts once a month.
I attach a programme.
Best wishes,
Stephen

Here is the programme for The VIDA Guitar quartet concert.
We are very lucky to get four of Englands best guitarists.
I hope you can all make it. Don't forget your friends.


VIDA GUITAR QUARTET - Mark Ashford, Mark Eden, Helen Sanderson, Christopher Stell

Paulo Bellinati (b. 1950)
Baião de Gude
Joaquín Turina (1882-1949)
La oración del torero (The Prayer of the Bullfighter) Op.34 (arr. Colin Downs)
Manuel de Falla (1876-1946)
El amor brujo (Love, the Magician) (arr. Mark Eden)

INTERVAL
Pierre Attaingnant (c. 1494 – c.1551)
Six Dances (arr. Colin Downs)
Manuel de Falla (1876-1946)
from El sombrero de tres picos (from The Three-Cornered Hat) (arr. Mark Ashford)
The Neighbours’ Dance
Dance of the Corregidor
The Miller’s Dance
Georges Bizet (1838 - 1875)
Carmen Suite (arr. William Kanengiser)
Aragonaise
Habanera
Seguidilla
Toreadors
Entr’acte
Gypsy Dance

VIDA GUITAR QUARTET
The VIDA Guitar Quartet brings together four guitarists of exceptional artistry who share a passion for chamber music. After their debut at the World Youth Guitar Festival in 2007, the Quartet have rapidly gained a reputation as one of the most dynamic guitar ensembles in the UK, performing at venues including Kings Place (London), the Sage (Gateshead), St George’s (Bristol) and other events such as London Guitar Festival in the Fall, Bath International Guitar Festival, Dilllington Guitar Festival, and Winchester Guitar Festival.

Mark Ashford is an internationally renowned performer and teacher. A former scholarship student at both Chetham’s School of Music and the Royal Academy of Music, Mark finished his studies with the eminent guitarist David Russell in Vigo, Spain. He is a prize winner at many national and international competitions including the Guitar Foundation of America, Alessandria International Guitar Competition, Scandinavian International Guitar Competition, Julian Bream Prize, and BBC Radio 2 Young Musician. He has performed as a soloist at major concert halls including, the Wigmore Hall, Purcell Room, Bridgewater Hall, Queens Hall (Edinburgh), St George’s Bristol and the Guildhall London. Mark’s latest solo CD is of Rodrigo’s ‘Concierto de Aranjuez’ recorded with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Nicholas Cleobury. He teaches at the Birmingham Conservatoire of Music and in 2003 was elected an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music for his achievements in the music profession.

Mark Eden and Christopher Stell are well known as the Eden Stell Guitar Duo, one of the most innovative guitar ensembles in the world. They formed in 1990 whilst studying at the Royal Academy of Music, and continued their studies with Sérgio and Odair Assad in Brussels. The duo’s career was launched auspiciously as winners of both the South East Young Musicians Platform and the Park Lane Group young artist concert series. Since then they have gone on to record eight CDs on the BGS, Docker and Hänssler Classic labels, their latest ‘Music for an Island’ BGS117 is a multimedia CD. Mark and Christopher have perform in over 20 countries at venues including London’s Wigmore Hall and Southbank Centre and Germany’s Stuttgart and Beethoven Halle. Concerto engagements have included performances with renowned ensembles such as the Prague Chamber Orchestra, and the duo are the only guitarists since Julian Bream to receive an ‘Editor’s Choice’ in Gramophone Magazine. They hold teaching positions at the Royal College of Music, Birmingham Conservatoire and Guildhall School of Music and Drama Junior department, and give classes in other music academies and guitar festivals all over the world. They were elected Associates of the Royal Academy of Music in recognition of their performing achievements and are D’Addario strings sponsored artists.

Helen Sanderson studied guitar at the Royal College of Music with Charles Ramirez, graduating with both the Madeline Walton prize for guitar and the prestigious Anthony Saltmarsh Bursary. Her active concert career has included concerts at major international guitar festivals and recitals at the Purcell Room, St Martin-in-the-Fields, Barbican Hall, the Academy of Arts (Berlin), the British Embassy in Vienna, Bath International Guitar Festival and Winchester Guitar Festival. In addition to her solo performances, Helen is also much in demand as an adjudicator, recording artist and accompanist for voice and guitar repertoire, working in partnerships with Mark Wilde (tenor) ‘Ancient Melodies’ (Docker Records), Susan Legg (mezzo-soprano), and the eminent countertenor James Bowman.

‘Love, the Magician’ (BGS118) is the VIDA Guitar Quartet’s debut CD recording with the BGS label with a programme of distinctly Andalucian flavour.
VIDA Guitar Quartet play D'Addario strings.

www.vidagq.com
You can download photos of VIDA from our website at www.vidagq.com
just go to PRESS PACK and choose your image.

Have a listen here

Message from William Beauvais

I am a classical guitarist from Toronto, Ontario, Canada and will be doing a private concert in Gravesend as noted below. There is still room for a couple of people so if anyone from your environs is interested please have them e mail me @ william_beauvais@hotmail.commuch oof the music that will be performed is on the my space which is noted below as well.

http://home.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user&MyToken=d016a278-4def-4146-8d5a-c8884917809e

Tuesday 13th October from 7pm onwards.
The Rum Puncheon Pub
87 West Street
Gravesend
DA11 0BL

Thank you,William Beauvais

BGSTV presents 'Off the Rails' with Will Punter!

I am pleased to publish BGS member Will Punter's first composition 'Off the Rails'. It is a truly evocative piece with some influences from Andy McKee, Gary Ryan and others. Will has put together a performance of the piece which is truly awesome!

Listen to it here !!



You can download the music by visiting this link.

Now here is a challenge for BGS Members....A bottle of wine for any member who can play this piece for the Christmas Party in December! That should give you all some time to practice!!

News from the Lute Society

1.CONCERT IN YORKSHIRE

Could you please let members know of the following concert...
7.30pm Saturday 3rd October 2009Lastingham Church, Nr. Helmsley, North Yorkshire (a truly beautiful 13thcentury church with Norman crypt and wonderful acoustics).

Dante Ferrara on lute, citterns, orpharion, colascione and hurdy-gurdyincluding works by F. da Milano, Molinaro, Kapsberger, Dowland, Johnson,Holborne, Purcell. With guests Mike Sargeant on recorders, crumhorns andvarious pipes and Richard Haynes on baroque hurdy-gurdy.

Admission free - donations in aid of church fund.

2. CONCERT IN LONDON

This Sunday – 4 October 2009 – at 5pm

The Lantana Ensemble
Monteverdi and his World
Directed from the keyboard by Peter Holman

St. Mary’s Church, Stoke Newington Church Street, N16 9ES

Music from Orfeo and Il Ballo delle Ingrate
Settings by Monteverdi and Rosenmüller of Confitebor tibi, Domine
Instrumental music by Rosenmüller, Cavalli, Legrenzi and Marini

Performed by: Rebecca Hickey (soprano); Judy Tarling, Ilana Cravitz (baroque violin); David Brooker, Zen Edwards (baroque viola); Amelie Addison (baroque cello).

Tickets: £12, £8 concs on the door. Discount advance online tickets £10 at http://www.ilanacravitz.com/shop.html

Transport: The church is opposite Clissold Park. Bus 393 passes the church & 73 (from Angel tube) and 476 within 25 yards. Note that Stoke Newington Church Street is currently one way (east-west) so diversions are in operation. Ask the bus driver if it’s best to get off at the last stop on Albion Road. Close to Stoke Newington railway station (Liverpool Street-Enfield line).

Nearest tubes with bus connections: Manor House (bus 141 or 341 southwards); Finsbury Park (bus 106) ; Highbury & Islington (bus 393 to Clapton).

3. XMAS LUTE SONGS FROM JAMES BOWMAN

Green Growth the Holly
James Bowman and Dot Linnell perform Elizabethan Xmas music for lute and countertenor
St Catherine’s Church, Houghton on the Hill, LE7 9GD
2nd December at 7.45
Tickets £12 from roger@cigol.com or 01162 412849