This letter was sent out to all members in November 2020

Dear Members and Friends

Another month has gone by and we find ourselves, now unfortunately, in a very familiar position. Because of the on-going Covid-19 pandemic, Bradford Theatres still do not know when their venues will be able to open. They did however receive the good news in October that they have been awarded almost £900,000 as part of the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund, which is designed to enable arts and similar institutions nationwide to have a sustainable future. The grant will mean Bradford Theatres can continue their education and outreach work.

This newsletter includes

  • Recommended Listening
  • Ilkley Chamber Music Online – Update
  • A Christmas stocking-filler whilst supporting artists? 

Recommended Listening

The Gould Piano Trio, along with clarinettist Robert Plane, should have been playing for us on 11th November the following programme:  Mozart’s Piano trio in G major, K564, Ravel’s Piano trio in A minor and the Messiaen’s Quartet For the End of Time.  The Gould Piano Trio has been at the forefront of the international chamber music scene for over a quarter of a century. Its partnership with highly acclaimed clarinettist Robert Plane is almost as long. Now comprising violinist, Lucy Gould, cellist, Richard Lister, and pianist Benjamin Frith, the Goulds — with Robert — have a warmly sympathetic artistic rapport, strengthened by ties of family and friendship.

The evening would have opened with Mozart’s last piano trio. Probably written for amateur players, it is an elegant and charming work. This would have been followed by Ravel’s only trio, written in a mad hurry in anticipation of war service in 1914. It is a true sonata for three instruments on a classical model.  Messiaen was a prisoner of war in 1941 when he wrote his famous Quartet for a group of fellow concentration camp inmates to perform. Written in the composer’s  highly individual style and inspired by a passage from the Book of Revelations, the piece is not what one expects of a quartet, for only half of its eight movements use all four instruments; others are solos, one a striking clarinet piece, duets and trios.

Raymond Waud has provided these CD recommendations:

Mozart:  The Kungsbacka Piano Trio have made an excellent recording of this work, coupled with Piano trios K542, 548, 442.The performances are invigorating, and the technical quality of the recording is superb. The medium price CD is produced by Naxos 8.570519. A superb alternative on Decca 446 1542 (2 discs at budget price) has the reliable Beaux Arts Trio performing all the Mozart Piano trios, including the Clarinet trio with Jack Brymer.

Ravel:  There are so many superb recordings of this work that choice is difficult. As usual, from Hyperion at full price (CDA67114), we can expect, and get, excellent performances in first class sound. The Florestan Trio perform the Ravel, coupled with the Fauré and Debussy Piano trios. As a medium price alternative, the Joachim Trio on Naxos 8.550934 are well recorded in the Ravel, Debussy and Schmitt Piano Trios.

Messiaen:  Gil Shaham, Paul Meyer, Jian Wang and Myung-Whun Chung, on DGG 4690522 (full price), give one of the best recorded performances that I have heard. The Gould Piano Trio and Robert Plane made a very good recording, some years ago, on Chandos CHAN 10480. Unfortunately, the CD has been deleted, but a download, or specially burned CD, can be bought from Chandos via their web site.

Ilkley Chamber Music Online – Update

Our plans for supporting artists that should have been playing our first four concerts this season have been progressing.  The details of the commissioned podcasts will be available on the club’s website at:

https://ilkleyconcertclub.org.uk/ilkley-chamber-music-online/

From here you will be able to click on an artist to access a specific podcast.

Prior to each podcast being made available we will email you an ICC specific password to enable you to access it. You should receive one before each event.  If you have not please contact Robert Templar at rdtemplar@btinternet.com.

Each artist’s page will include ICC’s own programme and biographical notes, plus recommended recordings to give you as best we can a typical ICC experience.

Wednesday 18th November – Saturday 21st November
PAUL LEWIS piano

Beethoven 33 Variations on a waltz by Anton Diabelli op 120
‘Diabelli Variations’

Wednesday 25th November – Saturday 28th November
GOULD PIANO TRIO with ROBERT PLANE clarinet

Milhaud Suite for violin, clarinet and piano
Mozart Trio in G K564
Brahms Trio in C op 87

Wednesday 2nd December – Saturday 5th December
NATALIE CLEIN cello with CÉDRIC PESCIA piano

Schubert Sonata in A minor for arpeggione and piano, D821
Rebecca Clarke Sonata for viola and piano

Wednesday 9th December – Saturday 12th December
RACHEL PODGER violin with VOCES8 vocal ensemble

A Guardian Angel

A Christmas stocking-filler whilst supporting artists?

Roger Higson and artist Roger Chapman have written ‘From Duet to Decet’ to support musicians, whose livelihoods have been shattered by the Covid-19 pandemic. A light-hearted introduction to chamber music it gives you everything you need to know to enjoy the chamber concert experience.
Read it and find out about musical instruments, ensembles, composers, famous chamber works, venues, music societies, music festivals and much more.

‘We wrote the book because we and very many music societies around the country have had to cancel our concerts and very aware of the financial hardship that so many of our musicians have been facing. We felt that this would be a good way of supporting them as well as spreading the message about the joys of chamber music.’

Written to support musicians, all proceeds from the sale of this book will be given to Help Musicians UK. To order a copy at ONLY £12 (incl. post and packing), please go to www.riponconcerts.co.uk

Ilkley Concert Club