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Home , Arthur Benjamin, Arthur Bliss, Debbie Wiseman, Peter Bassano, Piano Concerto (Davies), Sarah Connolly

UPBEAT

AUTUMN 2018 You will only make NEWS FROM an impression if your INSIDE THE heart and soul are free to interpret the music you IN THIS ISSUE want to perform. DAME SARAH CONNOLLY BATTLE SOUNDS: COMPOSERS Sarah Connolly ON THE FRONT LINE HIGHLIGHTS IN THE LOCKED ROOM &

This summer acclaimed theatre director Stephen Unwin joined forces with Michael Rosewell to lead a talented RCM cast in two thrilling by and Huw Watkins.

Photos: Chris Chistodoulou Front cover: image courtesy of Christopher Pledger

2 UPBEAT AUTUMN 2018 CONTENTS WELCOME 4 NEWS The latest news and activities from TO UPBEAT the Royal College of Music

In this issue, we celebrate some of the talented vocal and 9 operatic work that takes place at the Royal College of Music – IN THE spotlight RCM Costume Supervisor both on and off the Britten Theatre stage. Jools Osborne

On page 12, hear from one of the most celebrated voices in classical music today: alumna Dame Sarah Connolly. The mezzo-soprano’s new release pays homage both to 120 years of both British 10 BATTLE SOUNDS song and her own RCM connection, with each of the 29 tracks written by RCM composers on the front line a composer who either taught or studied at the College. Read about her incredible musical journey, from soaking up in the RCM Library, to singing Rule Britannia at the Last Night of the BBC Proms. 12 Our opera theme continues with a backstage look at one of the most visually DAME SARAH CONNOLLY impressive aspects of any production: costume. On page 9, Costume On finding her voice and her new RCM-inspired release Supervisor Jools Osborne reveals the intricate creative process behind every outfit. This November also marks the 100th anniversary of the Armistice, and in the 14 RCM Library, the team have been busy digitising a fascinating series of letters SUPPORT US held in the RCM collections. Together, they tell the remarkable wartime story of five RCM musicians: composers , , and , and musicologist Marion Scott. Find out more, and read 16 excerpts from the historic letters, on page 10. STUDENT UPDATES You can tell us about your own recent projects and achievements by emailing [email protected]. The deadline for the spring issue of Upbeat is Monday 14 January 2019. 18 STAFF UPDATES 20 ALUMNI UPDATES Professor Colin Lawson CBE FRCM, Director 22 IN MEMORY

UPBEAT ONLINE Upbeat is available to read online at www.rcm.ac.uk/upbeat. Please help us to reduce our carbon footprint and receive Upbeat by email.

Director of Communications Talia Hull Editor Kathryn Lamont Designer May Yan Man Design www.splashofpaint.com Contact [email protected] UPBEAT AUTUMN 2018 3 NEWS IN THE NEWS

RCM COMES OUT WORLD-RENOWNED Opposite RCM Sparks TOP IN TWO HE MUSICIANS JOIN participants took part in a number SURVEYS TEACHING STAFF of BBC Proms workshops this he Royal College of Music has been ranked he Woodwind Faculty and the Music summer Tthe top music conservatoire out of all Higher TEducation Area team are delighted to Education Institutions in the UK, according to the welcome new teaching staff for the start of the 2018 National Student Satisfaction Survey. academic year. Students praised the excellence of the College’s Ole Kristian Dahl and Juliana Koch joined the professors and teaching staff, with 96% Woodwind Faculty in September. One of the reporting that staff made the subject interesting. world’s most outstanding players and Additionally, 99% of students responded teachers, Ole joins the RCM as Visiting Professor positively to the first-rate facilities found in the of Bassoon. He is a professor at the Staatliche RCM Library. Both results mark the highest Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst percentages across all UK conservatoires. in Mannheim and principal bassoon with the Swedish National Symphony . The RCM has also been ranked the number one UK conservatoire for music in and the Juliana Koch joins as professor of . Juliana Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019. is principal oboist of the Symphony The league table ranks UK Higher Education Orchestra and plays as a soloist and guest institutions by nine quality measures important principal with many of Europe’s most prestigious to students, and the RCM proved particularly . She has also played as principal successful in the graduate prospects category, oboe with the Royal Danish Orchestra and scoring 92.6%. studied baroque oboe with Saskia Fikentscher in Munich. Professor Colin Lawson, Director of the RCM, commented: ‘The RCM is committed to The RCM also welcomes two new members of providing the best musical training for talented the Music Education Area team. Dr Jessica Pitt young musicians from across the globe. I am and Dr Dave Camlin will work across the BMus delighted that our world-renowned professors, and new MEd programmes. Dr Pitt joins the industry-leading careers service and commitment RCM from Birmingham City University, where to improving our facilities are reflected in these she led the MA in Early Years Music. Dr Camlin results.’ is a singer, composer, educator and researcher. He was the founding Director of Cumbrian music organisation Soundwave and has been Head of Higher Education and Research at Sage Gateshead for eight years.

4 UPBEAT AUTUMN 2018 RCM JOINS LEADING RCM SPARKS GET DOCTORAL TRAINING CREATIVE FOR THE PARTNERSHIP PROMS

he RCM is the sole London music CM Sparks gave young people the T conservatoire to be included in a new AHRC R opportunity to engage with the BBC Proms in Doctoral Training Partnership as a member of a unique way this summer with courses tailored London Arts and Humanities Partnership (LAHP). around the Ten Pieces Prom. Comprising seven of London’s top universities Hosted by CBBC presenter Naomi Wilkinson, and six major non-HEI cultural organisations, the the Prom featured works by popular composers LAHP will offer up to 90 fully funded doctoral such as Copland, Tchaikovsky and Elgar. Young studentships annually across the humanities, performers were joined by the Ten Pieces awarded on a competitive basis to new Children’s Choir and special guests to explore doctoral students. the characters and stories behind the works. The first funded students will begin their studies Animateur Anna Jewitt and graduate composer in September 2019 and the last will begin in Charlotte Harding led a series of RCM Sparks September 2023. Training will be delivered by workshops for children aged 6–12 on the day the RCM alongside the seven other LAHP HE of the Prom. Participants spent the morning institutions, including King’s College London, exploring music from the matinee and working London School of Economics and Political creatively with a team of RCM musicians. Science and the Royal College of Art. For 13–18 year olds, composer Fraser Trainer As well as the opportunity to apply for the led the Springboard Composition Course, fully funded studentships, all of the RCM’s based around the music and composers doctoral students will benefit from a range of featured in the Ten Pieces Prom. This five-day new opportunities including training courses, course allowed an eclectic mix of young interdisciplinary collaborations between students musicians to collaborate with RCM musicians across institutions, study abroad grants and and write some exciting new music. secondments with the LAHP’s non-HE industry sector partners, such as the V&A and Google. To find out more, please visit www.rcm.ac.uk/research/ahrcpartnership

UPBEAT AUTUMN 2018 5 NEWS RCM BECOMES FIRST MUSICIANS UK CONSERVATOIRE CELEBRATED IN 2018 TO PARTNER WITH QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY OPERAVISION HONOURS

he Royal College of Music has become the CM alumnus Gerald Finley, and visiting first conservatoire to partner with professors Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and Right T R international opera streaming platform Debbie Wiseman, have been recognised for RCM alumnus Gerald OperaVision. The RCM’s dedicated section of Finley receives a CBE their achievements in the 2018 Queen’s at the Queen’s Birthday the OperaVision website launched in September Birthday Honours. and features a performance of Britten’s Albert Honours Gerald Finley received a CBE from HRH Herring, recorded in the Britten Theatre in The Prince of Wales at . Opposite 2015. Pablo Barrios with The opera singer is a leading performer and RCM musicians at the The RCM’s Albert Herring is directed by Liam dramatic interpreter of his generation, famous for Commonwealth Youth Steel and features graduate stars Nick Pritchard his acclaimed performances and for his award- Challenge Reception and Julien Van Mellaerts. Scottish soprano, winning recordings. Gerald is also passionately RCM alumna and Chair of Vocal Performance, committed to music education and charity work. Professor Janis Kelly performs the role of Lady Visiting Professor of Opera Dame Kiri Te Billows. The opera, which is sung in English, Kanawa was appointed a Member of the tells the story of a shy greengrocer who breaks Order of the Companions of Honour (CH). free from society’s expectations and learns to The RCM alumna and world-famous soprano stand up for himself. was awarded the honour in recognition of her OperaVision makes world-class opera services to opera. In 2004 she established the performances available online for free. Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation, which identifies Launched in 2017, the website offers a richly young future singing talent through mentoring diverse curated season of European opera in and teaching programmes. partnership with 29 opera houses from 19 RCM visiting composer Debbie Wiseman was countries. The platform has a specific emphasis awarded an Order of the British Empire (OBE) on attracting young, emerging audiences, for her services to music. Over the last 20 years, celebrating Europe’s cultural heritage and Debbie has composed many iconic themes for developing opera for the future. film and television productions, including Wolf To watch Albert Herring and find out more, visit Hall, Land Girls and Warriors. www.operavision.eu

6 UPBEAT AUTUMN 2018 DIRECTOR COLIN LAWSON EDITS GROUND-BREAKING EARLY MUSIC BOOK

rofessor Colin Lawson has co-edited a P significant reference book for historical performance practice: The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Historical Performance in Music. Published by Cambridge University Press, the book includes contributions from many Royal College of Music staff members, including Director of Research, Professor Richard Wistreich, Chair of Historical Performance, Professor Ashley and RCM Museum Curator, Professor Gabriele Rossi Rognoni. The encyclopedia comprises 700 pages of illuminating entries in categories including techniques and practices; the history of musical instruments; and the work of performers, scholars and composers. Focusing on performance, it will assist readers in recreating how musical works may originally have sounded. Professor Lawson commented: ‘It was a pleasure to edit this book alongside my talented co- editor Professor Robin Stowell. We hope that it Pablo composes will prove to be a useful and effective starting point for those wishing to immerse themselves for a prince in the fascinating world of early music and performance.’ RCM composer Pablo Barrios has had a specially written piece, commissioned by The Commonwealth Resounds, performed at Marlborough House to celebrate Prince Harry’s new role as Commonwealth Youth Ambassador. The ‘Your Commonwealth’ Youth Challenge Reception took place in July at Marlborough House, home of the Commonwealth Foundation. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were in attendance, as were hundreds of Commonwealth delegates and youth leaders. Pablo also presented members of the Royal Family with a beautifully bound score. RCM musicians Samuel Mallia (saxophone), Niki Moosavi (cello) and Gemma Riley () joined performers from The Commonwealth Resounds to perform the piece as Harry and Meghan arrived and departed. Pablo said: ‘It was a huge honour to have my work performed at the Commonwealth ceremony and to work with wonderful musicians from the RCM and Commonwealth Resounds. Being able to present my score personally to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex is an experience I’ll never forget!’ Find out more at www.commonwealthresounds.com

UPBEAT AUTUMN 2018 7 NEWS

Below RCM PART OF NEW RCM GRADUATES Eleanor Mackie, the NATIONAL MENTAL AMONG MOST new RCM Students’ Union President HEALTH NETWORK EMPLOYABLE IN UK

he Royal College of Music will be part of a tudents from the Royal College of Music T new Mental Health Network led by UK Scontinue to be among the most employable Research and Innovation (UKRI), focusing on in the UK according to data published by the loneliness and social isolation. Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) in July. The eight new Mental Health Networks were announced by UKRI and will bring together Of the RCM alumni who graduated in researchers from a wide range of disciplines, 2016/17, 100% of those who responded to including health, medicine and environmental HESA’s Employment of Leavers survey reported sciences. Many networks will also include that they had moved into employment or further insight from charity workers, health practitioners study six months after graduating. This is the and people with lived experience of mental third time in the last four years that the RCM has health issues. scored 100%, having been the only institution to score so highly in both the 2015 and 2016 The loneliness and social isolation network is surveys. As one of only two institutions scoring led by University College London in partnership 100% in this year’s survey, the RCM is proud with other high-profile institutions including, to continue its legacy of providing the best University of Birmingham, London School of opportunities for students. Economics and Political Science and Public Health England. It will address the gap in RCM Director Professor Colin Lawson understanding regarding how some people with commented: ‘The Royal College of Music is mental health problems come to be lonely. dedicated to preparing students for professional working life and this wonderful result confirms The Networks are supported with £8 million that we are doing our job successfully. The of funding for three to four years. As well as RCM Creative Careers Centre continues to offer investigating social isolation, they will progress a wide range of performance opportunities, mental health research into themes such as the paid work, professional networking and advice profound health inequalities for people with in many areas, allowing our talented students to severe mental ill health, youth and student launch careers within the music industry.’ mental health, domestic and sexual violence, and the value of community assets.

NEW STUDENTS’ UNION TEAM

Eleanor Mackie has been appointed the new Royal College of Music Students’ Union President. Taking over from outgoing president Nathan Cho, Eleanor and her team will represent and support the student body and provide a full programme of social events and activities throughout the year. Eleanor is supported by Vice President Elizaveta , Postgraduate Officer Lauren Brown, International Officer Claire Edwards, Concerts Officer Nicolas Kent, Societies Officer Natasha Strange, Communications Officer Ashby Mayes and Events Officers Ruth Hallows and Geeta Gustava Nazareth. RCM students can get further information about the RCMSU and its activities online at www.rcmstudentsunion.com

8 UPBEAT AUTUMN 2018 IN THE SPOTLIGHT: FEATURE COSTUME SUPERVISOR JOOLS OSBORNE

In the first of a new series exploring some of the most fascinating jobs around the College,Upbeat chats to Jools Osborne about how she brings costume designs to life on the Britten Theatre stage.

In a series of repurposed practice rooms behind the Britten Theatre, rails of period costumes hang in neat rows, sectioned, labelled and ready for each RCM singer to step into. Dressmaker mannequins stand against walls papered with designs. This is where the most intricate, intimate and often visually impressive work of the opera takes place: costume creation. On this Friday in September, RCM Costume Supervisor Jools Osborne and her assistant, Laura Pearse, are already pulling costumes for November’s opera, The Marriage of Figaro. Fittings begin on Monday and, with another ten boxes of costumes arriving that afternoon, space and time are at a premium. In the storage area upstairs leftover costumes, shoes and accessories are meticulously organised into boxes and rails, and so it Royal Shakespeare Company and the National comes as no surprise when Jools explains that: Theatre, but she’ll often journey further afield ‘To be a costume supervisor you need good to Bristol Costume Services or the Chichester organisational skills first and foremost.’ Second? Festival Theatre. ‘You’ve got to be able to work on your feet.’ Amongst her responsibilities, Jools runs the Jools completed an Art Foundation and a design budget. Her main expense isn’t luxurious Costume Interpretation and Supervisor course at fabric or high-end accessories, however, Wimbledon College of Art, then worked in film, but people. ‘Our freelancers are very skilled TV and theatre before first coming to the RCM professionals,’ she explains. Talented pattern as a freelancer in 1990. cutters in particular are worth paying for, because theatrical costumes ‘have to be robust, Over the years she’s taken sabbaticals to work like a suit of armour.’ As well as cutters, sewers on several films – including Phantom of the and milliners, Jools may also employ breakdown Opera, Elizabeth: The Golden Age and The artists. ‘They make a new costume look lived in,’ Duchess – but these days she’s happy dressing she explains. ‘You can have different levels of Above musicians. ‘What I love about the RCM is my Jools fitting RCM breaking down, from just a little bit of rubbing, relationship with the students,’ she says. ‘You mezzo-soprano to completely ripped and stained. It’s an art.’ don’t get the same contact on a film.’ Emily Sierra When the curtain goes up on opening night, Work on Figaro started back in May. The the costume team are kept busy dressing and process begins with the costume designer changing singers. Quick changes will have who, having met with the director, creates the been rehearsed weeks before. (Jools’ quick drawings that Jools and her team bring to life. change record was broken in just 30 seconds ‘Our job is to give the designer options,’ during Così fan tutte). Nevertheless, opening she explains. But first, she must interpret the night is still the most rewarding time for Jools. designs and find the fabrics. A lot of the textiles ‘Knowing that I’m part of a bigger picture of come from the Goldhawk Road, but Jools incredibly talented people, I really love that,’ she will occasionally venture into Soho or various says. ‘I always cry on the first night – because costume houses. This week, her quest for the there’s a certain amount of intimacy in opera, perfect Figaro fashion has seen her travel to the we really are a family.’

UPBEAT AUTUMN 2018 9 FEATURE Battle sounds: RCM composers on the front line

100 years after the end of WW1, the RCM Library has begun to digitise a fascinating series of letters held in the RCM collections. Together, they tell the intriguing wartime story of RCM composers Herbert Howells, Ivor Gurney, Arthur Bliss and Arthur Benjamin, as well as their friend, musicologist Marion Scott.

When Britain entered the war in August 1914, reads an editorial in the Christmas 1914 RCM Below three of the composers at the Royal College of Magazine. ‘Lessons have been given and Ivor Gurney Music left their studies and enlisted immediately. received … talents have expanded’. In an Arthur Benjamin joined the Officer Training address the following spring, Parry declared Opposite (top) Corps, Arthur Bliss became an officer in the that, ‘civil life has to go on’ and with it, the A letter from Marion Royal Fusiliers and Ivor Gurney, initially rejected development of ‘special gifts of art’. Scott to Herbert Howells because of his eyesight, was later accepted into Yet by 31 May 1915, civil life, too, was on the the Gloucestershire Regiment. That September, firing line as Zeppelins rained their first bombs Opposite (bottom) RCM Director Sir Hubert Parry stood in front of Arthur Bliss in uniform down on London. The raids intensified over the his students and gave voice to a persevering next year. On 5 April 1916, Scott wrote from sense that, amongst the monstrous bloodshed to the capital to tell Howells of ‘those monstrous follow, the sacrifice of such talented individuals Zeppelin moths which the fine weather fetched would be felt as a particular tragedy. ‘Our out of their cocoons’. The Germans launched the pupils are made of different stuff,’ he declared. first ever chlorine-gas attack later that month and ‘Some of them are so gifted that their loss could then, on 1 July 1916, the Battle of the Somme hardly be made good.’ began. Only six days into the conflict, Bliss was Howells, in poor health, did not enlist. Amongst wounded and sent to Derbyshire to recuperate, his peers and teachers, there was a feeling that a convalescence that, he wrote to Howells, at the composer ought to be spared from active least allowed a brief pause in which to ‘think service. But in March 1916, as conscription a little about music.’ A month later, the battle began in Britain, Howells confided in a letter to claimed the life of RCM composer George Scott that, ‘the contention that potential creative Butterworth. artists should be preserved cannot hold good Howells’ letters show that frequently, music now that so many of them have been slain’. became the language with which these RCM Parry, too, spoke of the apparent incompatibility composers chose to respond to this new between these two desires – protecting one’s gift reality. Against the evolving soundtrack of the or following the conflicting pull of patriotism. The battlefield, they created their own sounds. question of Howells’ enlistment, however, was Compositions were passed from Europe back to put to rest when he was diagnosed with Graves’ England, confirming Parry’s assertion that, ‘the disease and declared exempt from service. His art we follow is fit to be pursued and cultivated subsequent letters, and those of Scott -- who even by the side of the greatest doings of active wrote for numerous music publications and co- life.’ founded the new Society of Women Musicians -- are invaluable in painting a picture of life on Gurney found unexpected inspiration on his first the home front, both at College and beyond. night on the front. Arriving to relieve a Welsh regiment, he spent the evening immersed in In the early months of the war, there was a Welsh song in what he deemed a ‘strangely sense of business as usual at the RCM. ‘It beautiful entry to war’s rout.’ Despite taking is surprising how little the convulsions and a gunshot to the shoulder in April 1917 and upheavals of the European struggle have wrestling long-term mental health problems, affected the calm stability of English institutions,’ the soldier maintained an impressive musical

10 UPBEAT AUTUMN 2018 and poetic output. Indeed in July, Scott wrote October, both Gurney and Howells had caught to Howells that, despite his deteriorating the virus. That month Scott wrote to a fl u-stricken psychological state, Gurney had ‘a new song Howells describing how ‘the infl uenza is raging already planned in his head’. The composer in London’. By November she revealed that was gassed that September, however, and the whole Scott household was also ill, and invalided back to Britain. He was reposted lamented ‘all the millions who have suffered’ to Northumberland, but suffered his second from this ‘devil of a disease!’ breakdown in March 1918. In the autumn, the College was rocked when Having not engaged in active service, Howells the pandemic claimed the life of one of its own. was, unsurprisingly, the most prolifi c composer Scott penned a desperate letter to Howells: ‘For during these years -- Bliss compared his friend’s twenty fi ve years all but three months Sir Hubert energy to ‘the machine gun that links its has been Director, and there are no words nor [cartridges] at a rate of 500 a minute’. Several tears which can express what this loss will be to of his compositions are documented in his College’. The letter was postmarked 7 October letters to Scott. In March 1916, he wrote of 1918; Parry died that very day. fi nishing ‘this latest microscopic fancy of mine’. While the fi nal months of the year brought fresh The piece, Sir Patrick Spens, was to become his tragedy – Bliss was injured in a gas attack a fi rst major choral work. Later, he sent Benjamin few days after Parry’s death -- it also brought some part songs, and his friend wrote back new music. Benjamin penned a violin sonata, enthusiastically: ‘They are economy in war-time while Gurney returned from Europe with the itself!’ mud-spattered manuscript of By a Bierside, Benjamin, meanwhile, was attached to the famously composed by candlelight in a trench Royal Flying Corps in November 1917 and mortar. On 10 November, Scott wrote to The letters form part of the immediately taken with what he termed ‘God’s Howells: ‘It makes me so happy that at this great Herbert Howells Collection, own sport’. Between fl ights, the Australian found time in the world’s history, you and Ivor are both housed in the RCM Library. time to begin a ‘Cyrano overture’. ‘Perhaps it bringing into the world these beautiful things, Digitised versions can be will be a miniature tone-poem,’ he mused in which will live and go down to succeeding accessed by searching the June. But just two months later, his plane was generations as fl owers of the English spirit, RCM Library catalogue: shot down by a German squadron under the fadeless and fragrant.’ The next day, on 11 leadership of a young Hermann Göring. News November 1918, the armistice fi nally brought https://rcm.koha-ptfs.co.uk of his imprisonment at Ruhleben internment fi ghting to a close. camp – where he spent the remainder of the war – was received with some relief in London. Scott wrote to Howells, ‘Though it is sad to think of him “in” Germany, a prisoner … thankfulness overfl ows every other feeling’. On 19 May 1918, German Gothas launched a huge night raid on London. Weeks later, an even deadlier threat arrived on British shores. The Spanish fl u reached the capital in June. By

UPBEAT AUTUMN 2018 11 FEATURE Dame Sarah Connolly: celebrating song

Since graduating from the Royal College of Music in the 1980s, mezzo-soprano Dame Sarah Connolly has gone on to perform at some of the most prestigious venues and events in the classical music world. Upbeat talks to the opera star about finding her voice and her latest release, Come to Me in My Dreams – a stunning song collection that pays homage to 120 years of British composers who either taught or studied at the RCM.

1950s, and he loved Britten’s War . Mum preferred chamber music and the intimate artistry of Hermann Prey, Dame Janet Baker, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau and ’s recordings. By the time I went to the RCM I was familiar with many of these artists – it was a bit of a golden age!

You studied piano and singing at the RCM and ultimately decided to follow your voice, but do you still sit down at the keyboard? I don’t practise the piano anymore but I accompany myself learning repertoire and try to play as much of the score as I can to get the feel of the piece. That’s a great advantage because I can sense the geography quickly. I can also transpose and read a figured bass, which has proved very useful in early music operas that haven’t been edited or transformed into official vocal scores. I had thought I’d become an accompanist, never a solo pianist, You came to study at the RCM in the but Sir David Willcocks – my principal at the 1980s, but can you tell us a little Above time – persuaded me to become a singer. Dame Sarah Connolly about your early musical education growing up? Was this the career path Photo: Christopher Pledger How did your career and your voice you always had in mind? progress after graduating? I knew my destiny involved music making from After graduating I joined lots of professional around ten years old. I had passed Grade 5 choirs and took part in live radio shows like piano with distinction and the die was cast. I Friday Night is Music Night as a soloist and was also composing a lot of piano pieces in the chorister. It was a lot of fun, but my confidence style of my favourite composers, Debussy and as a singer wasn’t great. Even after leaving Mozart. I loved listening to pop too, especially the BBC Singers aged 29, I was aware my soul, David Bowie and rhythm and blues. I’d technique needed taking in hand. I noted who worked out how to play them all on the piano the best singers were and who taught them. -- to the delight of my friends! Most were taught by Gerald Martin Moore. At home, dad played opera on his record He gave me what I needed, and he’s still my player all the time, anything from Mozart teacher. I was also working a lot with Philippe through to Britten. He proudly talked about the Herreweghe as one of his regular mezzo production of Tosca he saw at in the soloists. He helped me understand Bach from an

12 UPBEAT AUTUMN 2018 authentic 18th-century perspective. I eventually made my opera debut as Annina in Welsh National Opera’s at the age of 31, which is considered very late! looking back at your journey, what advice would you offer current RCM musicians aspiring to become professional singers? When you’re ready to hit the professional world and auditions, imagine your talent is a business project. Be objective about what you need to fi ll your toolbox. If it’s a different kind of technique, fi nd the teacher who can help. Singers could take language coaching and try to get basic conversational skills in French, German and Italian. Build a profi le based on the music YOU love rather than what others tell you -- banish the words ‘ought to’ and replace them with ‘want to’. You will only make an impression if your heart and soul are free to interpret the music you want to perform.

You’ve performed in some of the most prestigious venues and events in the classical world, from Glyndebourne to Sleep, dreaming and twilight appear , but where have you most to be dominant themes throughout Come to Me in My Dreams enjoyed taking to the stage? the album. Do you fi nd lullabies lend is available now on themselves to the ? Chandos Records. The Last Night of the Proms was an adrenaline blast the like of which I have never experienced. There’s a dark psychology to British poetry, Wisely, I prepared very well for all four of the largely because of two world wars. The items I was performing, so at least I wouldn’t be composers responded to this and I believe too worried about word recall. I’ve also loved this shaped the style of English song. Britten’s working with Sir David McVicar, wherever it has lullabies are all dark in meaning and many of taken me, and performing at Wigmore Hall is the songs on this disc are openly expressing loss always so special. of some kind. Over the years you’ve been the The album offers 29 carefully chosen recipient of a number of accolades songs across a 120-year time span. and honours, from a DbE to Royal How did you select the pieces? Were Philharmonic Society Singer of the there any that resonated with you in You will only Year, but what would you say has particular? make an impression been the most personally rewarding moment in your career so far? There were so many songs to choose from but I if your heart and tried to stick to music that I liked and that suited soul are free It’s always when younger singers tell me that I me rather than what I ‘ought to’ include. See? have shown them, through recordings or live to interpret the That dreaded phrase! Some people tried to performance, that I sing the truth with the music. music you want to steer me towards cheerier choices but I decided This gives them the courage to be truthful, and to embrace the melancholy and then things fell perform. to open up the repertoire, whether Baroque or into place. Ivor Gurney has always fascinated Mahlerian. me, both as a person and a composer, so his songs take pride of place. I was thrilled to Tell us a little about how your latest discover Rebecca Clarke’s beautiful Cloths of CD came about – why did you Heaven and Muriel Herbert’s Lost Nightingale. feel moved to recognise an RCM I got to chat with Muriel Herbert’s daughter, connection? the writer Claire Tomalin, because of this disc. I might be biased, but to me it’s fairly obvious Mark-Anthony Turnage’s gift of a song, Farewell, that the majority of famous British composers was written especially for the album, and it was studied at the RCM. I spent a lot of time in the icing on the cake. As was discovering two the RCM Library as a student, soaking up the Britten songs languishing unsung and unloved in standard and unusual mezzo repertoire. the Britten-Pears Foundation Library!

UPBEAT AUTUMN 2018 13 SUPPORT US SUPPORTING THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC Music has the power to transform lives. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, generations of gifted students from around the world have been nurtured and trained at the RCM. We would like to thank in particular our More Music Founding Patrons, Leadership and Principal Supporters, as well as those who have made donations of £1,000 or more between 1 August 2017 and 1 August 2018. Gifts are listed alphabetically in order of surname.

More Music The Estate of Michael Rimmer The Dolly Knowles SUPPORTING Founding Patrons Victoria, Lady Robey OBE Charitable Trust THE FUTURE ABRSM HonRCM Professor Christopher & The Estate of George The Estate of Emma Rose Vivienne Liu OF MUSIC Frederick Burgan Soirée d’Or Scholarships The Estate of Billy Newman The Wolfson Foundation The Estate of Ann Richardson From becoming an RCM The Estate of Basil Coleman Croucher Hong Kong Peter & Dimity Spiller Friend to leaving a gift in Principal Supporters Steinway & Sons your Will, there are many Charitable Foundation Heritage Lottery Fund Meredith & Denis Coleman Michael Whittaker and ways you can support the the Big Give Christmas Royal College of Music. The Estate of Christopher The Estate of Thomas Cottrell Hogwood CBE HonDMus The Estate of Heather Curry Challenge For more information, Kingdom Music Education J Paul Getty Jr Charitable Trust The please visit Group The Harbour Foundation Accommodation Trust www.rcm.ac.uk/ Rena & Sandro Lavery Kirby Laing Foundation Supporters supportus The Estate of Neville Wathen John Lewis Partnership Ruth West HonRCM & Philip Loubser Foundation The Estate of Gillian Ashby Alternatively, contact the Dr Michael West John Nickson & Simon Rew Ashley Family Foundation Development team on Garfield Weston Foundation The Pure Land Foundation The Estate of Kenneth Atkinson [email protected] The Julia & Hans Rausing Trust Dr Linda Beeley Leadership Supporters Leopold de Rothschild 1959 Lord Black & Mark Bolland Jane Barker CBE FRCM Charitable Trust The Boltini Trust G & K Boyes Charitable Trust The Estate of Humphrey Searle Bowerman Charitable Trust The Derek Butler Trust Dasha Shenkman OBE Cambridge in America Philip Carne MBE HonRCM & HonRCM Brian & Janice Capstick Christine Carne The Peter Sowerby Foundation Sir Roger & Lady Carr The Estate of John & H R Taylor Trust HonRCM Marjorie Coultate The Estate of Ivor Charles Treby The Estate of Ella Carstairs The Estate of Jocelyn Cruft The Estate of Gweneth Thomas Sivewright Catto The Estate of Margaret Dewey Urquhart Charitable Settlement The Foyle Foundation Sir Siegmund Warburg’s Lord Davies of Abersoch CBE The Future of Russia Foundation Voluntary Settlement The Drapers’ Company The Harry and Gylla Godwin The Gilbert & Eileen Edgar Charitable Trust Major Supporters Foundation HEFCE Laurie Barry Lesley Ferguson Linda Hill HonRCM & The Bertarelli UK Foundation Fiona & Douglas Flint Dr Tony Hill The John Curwen Society The Freakley Family Sara Nelson Horner Peter & Annette Dart Gisela Gledhill The Leverhulme Trust Fishmongers’ Company Elaine Greenberg & The Linbury Trust Hamish & Sophie Forsyth Linda Perez The Estate of William Mealings The Hargreaves and Ball Helen Hamlyn Trust The Mirfield Trust Charitable Trust The Abinger Hammer Award The Polonsky Foundation The Headley Trust Terry Hitchcock Geoffrey Richards HonRCM & The Kiri Te Kanawa The Houston Family Valerie Richards Foundation UK

14 UPBEAT AUTUMN 2018 Independent Opera at Pro Musica Ltd Core Contributors Professor Colin Lawson CBE Sadler’s Wells Russell Race Robert Anderson FRCM David James The Hon Robert Rayne and The Anglo Norse Award David & Sue Lewis JMC Mrs Benita Refson Avenue Chapter of Royal Arch Charles & Dominique Lubar Ruth Keattch The Estate of Charles Stewart Freemasons Marcus McDonald James and Clare Kirkman Richardson Isla Baring OAM David Mildon The Honourable Society of the Sir Simon & Lady Robertson John & Halina Bennett Ellen Moloney Knights of the Round Table Roland Saam Lady Bergman Music Talks James & Margaret Lancaster Christopher Saul Blenheim Music Circle Jennifer Neelands Lark Music Hilda Scarth The Bliss Trust Keith O’Nions Lee Abbey London Alethea Siow & Jeremy Furniss Gary & Eleanor Brass Gordon Palmer Charitable Trust Dr Mark Levesley and Kathleen Beryl Sleigh Bequest Kevin Porter HonRCM Christina Hoseason Charitable Trust Edward Brooks Kerry & Dimity Rubie Carol & Geoff Lindey Bryan Stott Lorraine Buckland South Square Trust Ian and Natalie Livingstone Ian Stoutzker CBE FRCM Sir Anthony Cleaver FRCM & Sudborough Foundation Lord and Lady Lurgan Trust Betty Sutherland Lady Cleaver Janis Susskind OBE HonRCM The Hon Richard Lyttelton & Ian & Meriel Tegner Andrew Curran Robert Swannell Romilly Lyttelton Richard Toeman / Weinberger Jonathan Davie Sir Richard & Lady Sykes Ian Mactaggart Trust Opera Scholarship The Derek Hill Foundation Kara Radcliffe The Estate of Anthony Mason Universal Music Group Douglas and Kyra Downie John and Jenny Reid The Mercers’ Company Rev Lyndon van der Pump The Ann Driver Trust Janet Richardson Sir Peter & Lady Middleton FRCM & Edward Brooks Dr Ian & Janet Edmondson Anthony Thornton FRCM FRCM The Finnis Scott Foundation Rhoddy Voremberg Jamie Milford Their Serene Highnesses Prince Douglas & Adele Gardner Opperby Stokowski Collection Rosemary Millar HonRCM & Donatus and Princess Heidi Professor Alice Gast Trust Richard Millar von Hohenzollern Elaine Gould Ofenheim Charitable Trust The Howard & Abby Milstein Brian and Anne Wadsworth OBE Peter Granger The Wall Trust Foundation Sir Peter & Lady Walters Edwin and Hilary Green John Ward Midori Nishiura HonRCM Bob & Sarah Wigley Julian Hardwick Marc Wassermann and P F Charitable Trust Jane Wilson Lily & Julian Harriss Lisa Osofsky The Charles Peel Charitable Professor Lord Winston & Greta Hemus Sir Robert & Lady Wilson Trust Lady Winston John & Susan Heywood Yip Wing-Sie The Stanley Picker Charitable The Worshipful Company of Lilian Hochhauser CBE FRCM The York Competitive Festival Trust Musicians The Estate of Barbara of Singing Richard Price FRCM and Sue Price The Wyseliot Charitable Trust Margaret Holt

We are deeply grateful RCM FRIENDS FESTIVE OFFER to longstanding Friend and RCM supporter, the Give the gift of music this Christmas late Kenneth Atkinson, Treat yourself or a loved one to an RCM Friend membership who generously left 1% of and save £5 when you purchase before 31 December. his estate to the RCM in his Will, amongst several Becoming an RCM Friend is the best way to keep up with other charities. news and events taking place at the RCM, while showing your support for young musical talent. For just £40 a Ken was a loyal supporter year (usually £45) or £35 when you pay by Direct Debit for many years, regularly (usually £40), you will receive: attending concerts and taking a genuine interest in the progress of RCM students. The Kenneth Atkinson • regular advance information on RCM events via the Scholar for 2018–19, bass-baritone James Schouten, Events Guide has recently commenced his MPerf in Vocal Studies • priority booking for all RCM performances and and is indebted to Ken for giving him the opportunity opera productions to study here and fulfi l his huge potential. • access to an exclusive programme of termly The RCM is deeply grateful to all our generous legacy Friends events pledgers for the transformational impact their legacy • in-depth views of RCM life through Upbeat magazine gifts can have. For more information on legacy • monthly Keynote email giving or to discuss leaving a gift to the RCM in your Will, please contact Emma McCormack, Supporter To become a Friend or for more information, contact Engagement Manager – Legacies on Emma Adlard, Head of Supporter Engagement, on 020 7591 4761. 020 7591 4743.

UPBEAT AUTUMN 2018 15 STUDENT UPDATES STUDENT UPDATES

Piano Competition, and released a CD of COMPOSITION piano sonatas in September… Thomas Kelly below CONGRATULATIONS has been awarded First Prize in the Chamber XueLin Xie’s new Music Competition and Second Prize in the album of piano Nino Russell has won the Theodore Holland Piano Competition at the Virtuoso and Belcanto sonatas Intercollegiate Composition Competition… Festival. Allan X Chen premiered three pieces this summer: Watch at the Grypario Cultural Center in Greece, In Time at the Cheltenham Music Festival’s Composer’s Academy and his string STRING SUCCESSES quartet at the highSCORE Festival in Italy… The Kandour Quartet (Aleem Kandour, Iona RCM Junior Department student Alexia Sloane Allan, Nazlı Erdoğan, and Robbie Stanley- has won the BBC Proms Inspire Competition with Smith) has won the Boconnoc Music Award… Elegy for Aylan. The piece was commissioned Clara Garde has won the European Soloist for Classic FM’s 25th birthday celebrations Competition in Violin, and performed Prokoviev’s and performed by the Aurora Orchestra under Violin no 2 in Bulgaria in September Christopher Stark at the Proms in August. with the Symphony Orchestra of Ruse… Julia Hwang performed a short tour of Korngold’s SHARE with Nicholas Daniel this YOUR NEWS KEYBOARD summer, and made her South Korea debut with a performance of the Bruch Violin Concerto with Tell Upbeat readers about ACCOMPLISHMENTS the New World Philharmonic Orchestra under your recent successes by Gum Nanse in August… Esther Abrami has emailing [email protected] Laura Farré Rozada has performed Roberto Gerhard’s with the Camerata performed as a soloist with the Yorkshire Young Eduard Toldrà Chamber Orchestra at Sinfonia in Leeds Town Hall. The fi nal rehearsal Barcelona’s Auditori Eduard Toldrà... Peggy was broadcast live on Sky News and fi lmed by Wu has won Second Prize and the Audience Classic FM... Ha Im Choi has been awarded Prize at the Birmingham International Piano First Prize in the Chamber Music Competition at Competition… Arina Lazgiian has been the Virtuoso and Belcanto Festival. announced as the Piano Fellow for 2018/19 and has also been selected as a fi nalist for the International VOCAL ACCOLADES Piano Competition… JunLin Wu has won First Prize at the In Musica Roma International Piano Peter Edge hosted and performed in an opera Competition 2018… Victor Dai has been gala in Shropshire in October. ‘Opera on an awarded the Dr Bill Williams OBE Memorial Autumn Evening’ also featured a full line-up of Second Prize at the Australian Concerto and RCM performances from Milly Forrest, Poppy Vocal Competition… Tamila Salimdjanova Shotts, Hannah Crerar, Rhys Batt and William has been awarded a semi-fi nal prize in the Diggle… Rory Carver has been selected for Leeds International Piano Competition 2018, Les Arts Florissants’ academy for singers… Ben while alumni Salih Gevrek and Samson Smith has secured a place at The National Tsoy were awarded quarter fi nal prizes… Opera Studio for the 2018/19 season. Antoine Pichon was placed as a fi nalist at the ICoM Piano Award 2018 International Competition in Hamburg, where he also won the Yamaha special prize for the most interesting WOODWIND AWARDS interpretation of a work by Chopin… XueLin Xie Kristin Hammerseth has been appointed organised and performed in a charity concert in an Associate Flute of the Philharmonia Foshan Youth Palace in July, which also featured Orchestra... RCM Junior Department fl autist performances from RCM musicians Jonathan Marie Sato has won the RPS Duet Prize for Ma, Tiffany Cheng, Yiming Li, Karrie Yip and Young Instrumentalists, alongside pianist Noah John Lee. XueLin was also part of the judging Zhou… Robbie Marrs performed a programme panel in the fi nal of the GOCAA International of Mussorgsky, Ligeti and Debussy with the

16 UPBEAT AUTUMN 2018 Left Lauren Brown in Jordan with the Wind-Up Penguin Theatre Company

National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain at the BBC Proms in September… Lauren Brown has taken part in the Wind-Up Penguin Theatre RCM Worldwide Company’s three-week project in Jordan, where Esther Abrami she performed a wordless music-theatre show Violinist has won the 2018 RCM Worldwide competition to over 1,000 underprivileged children in with a photo taken during the Summa Cum Laude international youth refugee camps and community centres across music festival in Vienna. the country. The runners-up were Polish composer Tymon Zgorzelski, whose photo was taken in Croatia, and a submission from France sent by RCM alumna and recorder player Fatima Lanham. ROYAL COLLEGE To view more entries search #RCMWorldwide on Twitter and Instagram. OF MUSIC COMPETITIVE PRIZES Sam Howes and Alex Taylor have won the Percussion Competition… The Prince Consort Trombone Quartet has won the Brass Ensemble Competition… Theodore Platt has won First Prize (Lies Askonas Prize); James Atkinson has won Second Prize (Cuthbert Smith Prize) and Julieth Lozano has won Third Prize in the 2018 Lies Askonas Competition, while Prajna Indrawati was awarded the Pianist Prize (Titanic Memoriam Prize)... The Artha Quartet (Charlotte Saluste-Bridoux, Line Faber, Ana Dunne-Sequi and Silvestrs Kalnins) has won the Helen Just & Susan Connell and Sacconi Quartet Prize… Philip Nelson has won the RCM Double Bass Prize… The Century Fund Prize and The Richard III Prize have been awarded jointly to Laure Chan and Ensemble La Notte (Gabriella Jones, Iain Hall, Matthew Lewis and Aidan Phillips)… The Aesthesia Saxophone Quartet (Jonny Vaux, Daniel Scott, Stephanie Frankland and Ashley Brand) has won the Launchpad Prize in the Woodwind Ensemble Competition.

UPBEAT AUTUMN 2018 17 STAFF UPDATES STAFF UPDATES

Assistant Head of Undergraduate Programmes Dr Anastasia Belina has appeared on BBC Right Norma Fisher’s Radio 3’s BBC Proms Extra 2018 and in the recent CD, Editor’s BBC TV series Our Classical Century to discuss Choice in the the works of Shostakovich. In July, she was on July issue of the jury of several competitions at the Llangollen Gramophone International Musical Eisteddfod. She is currently completing her next two edited volumes, Cambridge Companion to Operetta and Cosmopolitanism in Music History. Research Fellow in Performance Science Terry Clark has been running a series of interdisciplinary workshops for RCM students and Imperial students on the MEd in Surgical Education programme, in order to encourage them to explore other domains of performance. In one session, students were gowned and put Composition professor Kenneth Hesketh has through one of Imperial’s simulated operating released three discs, one on the Paladino Music theatres, then taught to perform a vocal song in label (In Ictu Oculi – orchestral works) and on the RCM performance simulator. the Prima Facie label (Diatoms for two ). This summer piano professor Norma Fisher Another disc, including his work Inscrizione has given masterclasses at the Jerusalem (derivata) – A lie to the Dying, performed by Academy of Music and Dance in Israel and at RCM alumni, will also be released in November the Bydgoszcz Academy of Music in Poland. on the Challenge Classics label and a tribute to She also sat on the jury of the Ricardo Viñes Ken featured in the periodical Musical Opinion International Piano Competition in Spain, on the occasion of his 50th birthday. while Norma Fisher at the BBC Volume 1 was Saxophone professor Kyle Horch has performed selected as the Editor’s Choice in the July issue in and led the Saxophone Summer Course of Gramophone magazine. at MusicFest Aberystwyth. Kyle also gave a Vasco Hexel, Area Leader in Masters concerto performance at the Aberystwyth Arts Programmes in Composition for Screen, has Centre and shared a recital with Lars Lien at published a new book, The Film and Media the Old Hall, Aberystwyth University. In August, Creators’ Guide to Music. He draws on over he performed and taught at the Singapore 15 years’ experience as a media composer Saxophone Symposium, giving recitals as well and educator to offer practical advice and as one-to-one lessons and chamber coaching. accessible examples to aspiring, emerging and This summer piano professor Peter Jablonski established fi lmmakers, animators, multimedia gave masterclasses at the Peter Jablonski creators and video game designers. Piano Academy in Sweden and sat on the Dr Trevor Herbert has been appointed to a jury of several competitions at the Llangollen Personal Chair as Professor of Music Research at International Musical Eisteddfod. In September, the RCM. Trevor is a former foundation scholar he was on the jury of the International George of the College and Research Fellow. As a Enescu Competition in Bucharest, gave a professional trombonist he has performed with solo recital at the Romanian Athenaeum and various orchestras and ensembles including the performed Ernő Dohnányi’s Variations on a BBC Symphony Orchestra. Nursery Tune with the Tampere Philharmonic. Bassoon professor Martin Gatt has released a Professor Janis Kelly, Chair of Vocal new recording, Après un rêve, as a companion Performance, has appeared at the Metropolitan disc to Abendlied. Martin will also be travelling Opera New York as Mrs Rutland in Marnie, to Hong Kong in February 2019 where he will composed by Nico Muhly with libretto by adjudicate for the Hong Kong Schools Music Nicholas Wright. Marnie opened in October and Speech Association 71st Music Festival. and included a global cinema showing.

18 UPBEAT AUTUMN 2018 Vocal Studies professor Justin Lavender has Violin professor Itzhak Rashkovsky has been interviewed for the October issue of contributed to a recent article published online Below Opera magazine. The article focuses on Justin’s on The Violin Channel. The article featured Ashley Solomon opera company, Arcadian Opera, and its latest several international string teachers who each with Li Lin production, Ethel Smyth’s The Wreckers. The advised on the common mistakes they see when RCM Library provided a facsimile of the full sitting on a conservatoire panel. score for the opera. Pande Shahov, Head of Aural and Academic Programmes professor Andrew Musicianship at the Junior Department, was McCrea gave a keynote lecture on organ chosen as one of the composers-in-residence historiography at the Global Baroque at the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music Conference at Cornell University in September. in in August. His Piano Concerto Andrew is the editor of this year’s Journal of the no 2 (commissioned by CFCM) had its world British Institute of Organ Studies and has recently premiere at the opening concert of the Festival. published a study of the English organ sonata Chair and Head of Historical Performance in Studies in English Organ Music, part of the Ashley Solomon has performed a duet on the Ashgate Historial Keyboard series. baroque flute alongside Li Lin on the Guzheng. Flute professor Susan Milan has received a The concert took place at the Royal College of Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Music and was attended by Mr Yongli Wang, Flute Association of the USA, which will be Minister Counsellor of Education for the People’s recognised at an award ceremony and banquet Republic of China in the United Kingdom. in August 2019. Susan has also joined the Flute Aaron Williamon, Head of the Centre of Faculty of the Royal Northern College of Music Performance Science, was shortlisted for the and in September sat on the jury of the Nicolet Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC) International Flute Competition. Health Humanities Medal, as Chair of Healthy Head of Composition William Mival’s Rond Conservatoires. Healthy Conservatoires brings premiered at Brentwood Cathedral in July. The together stakeholders from across the wider piece was performed by Professor in Charge performing arts community to assist in supporting of Organ David Graham as part of the 10th health promotion and occupational wellbeing. Anniversary Organ Recital, in a programme that Piano professor Andrew Zolinsky gave a featured a number of works by RCM composers recital in the Orange Theatre Concert Hall in such as Howells and Stanford. SHARE Shenzhen, China in August. The concert was YOUR NEWS Speech and language coach Norbert Meyn organised by Andrew’s former student, Liwen Tell Upbeat readers about has given a lecture recital at the 2018 Chen, with help from RCM musician Xiyuan your recent successes by Association of Anglican Musicians Conference Sun, and was attended by Mutong Shao and emailing [email protected] in Texas. Norbert introduced his research at the Lifei Weng. RCM, which explores the legacy of musicians who came to Britain from Nazi-occupied Europe. The programme included songs by Peter Gellhorn, recently published through RCM Editions. In June, Norbert’s Ensemble Émigré also gave a special recital of Gellhorn’s works. Violin professor Madeleine Mitchell has recorded an album of chamber music by alumna Grace Williams, to be released in 2019. She was joined by professor John Anderson, visiting professor David Owen Norris, alumnus Roger Chase and teachers Konstantin Lapshin and Sarah-Jane Bradley. This summer Madeleine also performed at the Buxton International Music Festival, taught at the Orfeo International Festival and gave a recital at St John’s Smith Square for American Independence Day alongside Kyle Horch and Nigel Clayton. Rosie Perkins, Research Fellow in Performance Science, has been elected to the steering group of the Royal Society for Public Health’s Arts, Health and Wellbeing.

UPBEAT AUTUMN 2018 19 ALUMNI UPDATES ALUMNI UPDATES

Léonie Adams has featured as Guest Principal Soprano Charlotte Hoather won the Voice of the SHARE YOUR Cello with Scottish Opera. Her chamber Future International Singing Competition at the NEWS group, The Dionysus Ensemble, has also Eisteddfod Festival in July, receiving a prize of been appointed as the first ever Ensemble In £6,000 and the new silver Pendine Trophy. Tell Upbeat readers about your Residence for The Commonwealth Resounds. recent successes by emailing Former composition professor Joseph Horovitz [email protected] David Sutton Anderson premiered a new saw his oratorio Samson performed by fellow commission for the annual Colourscape Music alumnus Sir and conducted by Festival in September. How far away is a former Head of Brass Peter Bassano at St Mary’s rainbow? featured acoustic instrumental music as Church, Wendover in May. Horovitz’s Captain well as live electronics and dance. Noah and his Floating Zoo was also performed Below by the BBC Singers and conducted by alumnus Composer and pianist Eduardo Andrade made Tatty Theo and The John Wilson at the Barbican in June. In July, his Cadogan Hall debut in May as part of The Brook Street Band professor Simon Lepper accompanied Dame Urology Foundation Charity Gala Concert. He Felicity Palmer in Horovitz’s Lady Macbeth at Bottom received the Best Music Award at EuroFest for Emily Sun Wigmore Hall. the animation Leave a Print, and an Honorific Mention at the 5th Carlos Fuentes Award Lisa Illean’s piece Cantor was awarded Ceremony in July. Instrumental Work of the Year at the Australian Art Music Awards in August. João Araújo has won the John Newmark Best Collaborative Pianist Award at the 2018 Previous RCM Benjamin Britten Piano Fellows Concours musical international de Montréal. Dinara Klinton, Pavel Kolesnikov, Alexander Ullman and Nikola Avramovic attended the David Braid has formed the Braid Ensemble second annual Philip Loubser Foundation (PLF) (comprising fellow alumuni Peter Cigleris and Fellowship Gathering in Amsterdam in August. Rossitza Stoycheva alongside Emily Gray and The unique gathering involved discussions led Gerard Cousins) to perform his works. The group by Ivo van Hove and Edward Gardner. debuted at Southbank Centre in July. David has also released a new CD, David Braid: songs, Dinara Klinton and Ewa Tytman-Csiba were solos and duos, and his Score for an Imaginary selected to take part in the First International Film was performed by the London Mozart Chopin Piano Competition on Period Players at St John’s the Evangelist in November. Instruments in Warsaw, Poland in September. Their performances were live-streamed via the Composer and conductor Lee Yuk Chuan Fryderyk Chopin Institute in collaboration with received the Singapore Chinese Cultural Polish TV and Polish Radio. Contribution Award from the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, Grace Fu at the launch of Pavel Kolesnikov has released a new recording the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre’s Cultural which features his International Piano Series Extravaganza in May. debut recital at Southbank Centre as well as his Hallé Orchestra concerto debut and chamber RCM Junior Department alumnus Jacob Collier music performances at Wigmore Hall. teamed up with conductor Jules Buckley and his Metropole Orkest for a special BBC Proms Maria Kustas won Second Prize and the collaboration in July, in which he sang and Audience Prize in the Premio Roberto Melini performed on a number of instruments. International Piano Competition in Italy. Baritone Daniel D’Souza has won the AESS Baritone Simon Lobelson will perform the Dame Patricia Routledge National English Song title role of Gregor Samsa in Brian Howard’s Competition 2018. Metamorphosis for Opera Australia’s 2018 season. Simon is currently professor of Percussionist and composer Ruairi Glasheen is voice, lecturer and coach at the finishing his first documentary, Hidden Drummers Conservatorium of Music. of Iran. It will form part of a series revealing the ancient drumming traditions from around The two-year anniversary of the death of Alan the world through the eyes of the young people Loveday was honoured in a tribute concert by keeping them alive. New Zealand Symphony Orchestra soloists in

20 UPBEAT AUTUMN 2018 his home city of Palmerston North in June. The Citta Della Pace Audience Prize. Sara currently virtuoso performed on ’ directs the annual Spirit of Music Festival. track, which turned 50 this year. Christopher Strange has been appointed as Soprano Marie Lys has won First Prize in the Assistant Organist at York Minster. Christopher Cesti International Singing Competition for graduated from the RCM in July and has just Baroque Opera in Innsbruck, Austria. completed two years as the Graham Rogers organ scholar at Chelmsford Cathedral. Julien Van Mellaerts has been awarded the Maureen Forrester Second Prize and the Violinist Emily Sun and cellist Ariana Kashefi German Award at the 2018 Concours have been selected to join the City Music musical international de Montréal. Foundation Programme as 2018 CMF Artists. Emily is the first solo violinist to join the scheme, Richard Pinkstone has performed the titular role which provides musicians with mentoring, in The Grange Festival’s Albert Herring, which professional development and promotional tools was one of three productions shortlisted for a and offers various performance opportunities 2018 South Bank Sky Arts Opera Award. and collaborations with CMF Patrons. Conductor and bassoonist Warwick Potter has As part of his Benjamin Britten Piano Fellowship, been appointed as Director of Performance Alexander Ullman is recording Russian ballet and Engagement at the School of Music, The piano transcriptions at the Wyastone Concert University of Queensland. He will also be Hall in the Wye Valley, alongside producer conducting the university Symphony Orchestra in Andrew Keener. The recordings include music Shostakovich and Stravinsky in the near future. Top from The Nutcracker, Cinderella, Firebird Suite Colourscape Music Helen Sanderson was presented with a and Petrushka. Festival Churchill Medallion in June, which recognised Composer Bertram Wee has won Third Prize the successful completion of her overseas in the Ding Yi Music Company 3rd Singapore Below research as a Churchill Fellow. Helen travelled Simon Lobelson, International Composition Competition Category photographed by across America to investigate whole class guitar B for his piece, Imagine Scenes. Tie Zhou programmes in a variety of different settings, Georges Antoni. picked up the Singapore Style Award in the Image courtesy including schools on San Carlos Apache Indian competition, and also performed in Shanghai Opera Australia Reservation and a Juvenile Detention Centre. for the International Composition Masterclass Composer Christopher Schlechte-Bond has Concert with Unsuk Chin. premiered his choral composition, The Juggler, Composer Jeffery Wilson’s new work, CONNECT in a concert at St Edmund’s Church to celebrate Saxophone Concerto for Rob Buckland, Join our LinkedIn group, visit the 10th anniversary of the Leeds chamber choir premiered in London in March and a wind www.rcm.ac.uk/alumni Cantabile. Specially commissioned by the choir orchestra version will be given with the Central or contact the Alumni team on for the event, the piece takes inspiration from Band of the Royal Air Force later in 2018. Rudyard Kipling’s poem of the same title. [email protected] or Saxtet Publications will also publish the work, 020 7591 4743. Pianist Sebastian Stanley has undertaken a with a percentage of royalties going to Help ‘Beethoven Sonatathon’, performing sonatas Musicians UK. across the country in order to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support. The charitable challenge is inspired by his father, a two-time cancer survivor, and will end with a 12-hour ‘Sonatathon’ in February 2019 in which he will perform all 32 works. Tatty Theo has released a new CD, Handel Sonatas for Violin and Basso Continuo, with The Brook Street Band and fellow alumna Rachel Harris. Soprano Gemma Summerfield has been awarded the last ever Chilcott Award for young British opera singers, presented by the Royal Philharmonic Society. For the last 13 years, the award has offered funding to an emerging British Opera Singer, in honour of the late singer Susan Chilcott. Sara Deborah Timossi, née Struntz, has won the Premio Bonporti International Baroque Violin Competition 2017 and received the Rovereto

UPBEAT AUTUMN 2018 21 IN MEMORY IN MEMORY

Composer Darrol Barry was born in Salford and joined the local school brass band aged 14 as a tuba player. His talent for music soon became apparent, and he went on to play baritone and euphonium. His interest in composition and arranging was also encouraged by his school music teacher, and he continued arranging for brass bands even as he left school to become an apprentice joiner. In 1978 he enrolled at Salford University on the pioneering LTCL course in Band Musicianship, before moving to London to study composition LEAVING A with Joseph Horovitz at the Royal College of LEGACY Music. His professional career soon took off, and as a respected freelance composer and Richard Nelson By remembering the RCM arranger he worked for many of the major in your Will you can play a publishing houses including Studio Music, signifi cant role in helping the Richard Norman Nelson was a distinguished Wright & Round, Bernaerts Music and Obrasso. College continue to inspire violinist and conductor. He was born in Dublin He taught at Salford University, Barnsley and educate musicians of the in 1931 and studied at the Royal College College and Accrington & Rossendale College future. of Music during the 1950s. Richard enjoyed before taking up the role of Composer and Arranger in Residence at The Royal Guard of For more information on a full musical career working with orchestras Oman in 2002. He leaves behind a fi ne array leaving a legacy to the across the world. In London, he worked with of compositions for all levels. Darrol passed RCM, please contact Emma the Royal Philharmonic, London Symphony away on 3 June in Muscat, Oman. McCormack on and BBC Symphony Orchestra. He was a founding member of the Academy of St Martin 020 7591 4761 or in the Fields, Concertmaster of the Emma.McCormack@ Symphony, founding member of the Purcell was born in Glasgow but spent rcm.ac.uk String Quartet, and Professor of Violin and much of his childhood near London, composing Chamber Music at the University of Alberton. from the age of six. He conducted the London Richard also founded the Sooke Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra in the world premiere of Orchestra in 1997 and was a recipient of the his fi rst symphony when he was aged just 15. Orchestras Canada Betty Webster Award, Oliver went on to become one of the most the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee brilliant and well-respected composer-conductors Medal, and the Barbara Pentland Award of of his time. He conducted for different orchestras Excellence for his many years of dedicated around the world and his recordings included service to Canadian music. His effect on so works by , Modest Mussorgsky many of his students was truly life changing and . He was awarded a and he continued to build and nurture vibrant CBE in 1994 and became Music Director of the musical communities around him until the end. in 1998. His many awards Richard passed away on 23 February 2018. included the Nemmers Prize and the Royal A special Celebration of Life concert took place Philharmonic Society Conductor Award. Oliver in his memory in Canada in March, featuring worked with the BBC Symphony Orchestra performances from some of the musicians he and most recently with the Birmingham touched throughout his life. Contemporary Music Group. He produced many popular works and became well known, in particular, for his opera adaptation of the children’s classic, Where the Wild Things Are. Oliver received an FRCM from the RCM in 1989 and was due to receive an Honorary Doctorate in Music in 2019. He passed away on 8 July.

22 UPBEAT AUTUMN 2018 SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS THROUGH THE bIG GIVE CHRISTMAS CHAllENGE 2018

SAVE THE DATE 12pm on 27 November – 12pm on 4 December 2018

for one week only, your support could have twice the impact on our students’ lives.

With your help we can unlock up to £50,000 of matched funding. This will provide much-needed scholarships for our gifted students, enabling them to achieve their full potential, whatever their background.

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UPBEAT AUTUMN 2018 23 KEEP IN TOUCH

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