The Magazine for the Royal College of MusicI Autumn 2013

Leading the way

What’s inside... Welcome to upbeat... Here at the RCM, we’re proud to be ‘leading the way’ on many fronts: from our ground-breaking outreach programme RCM Sparks (pictured on the front Contents cover) to our innovative performances, far-reaching building projects and world-leading career development programme. 4 In the news We’re also leading the way in research, and in this issue we focus on the Updating you on recent RCM extraordinary activity of the RCM vibrant community. If you’re unsure why this activities matters to you, turn to page 10 to read Amanda Glauert’s passionate account of why every musician is a researcher, whether they realise it or not. Elsewhere, 10 Research – what’s in it for me? we introduce a new major collaboration with the Open University (page 11), Amanda Glauert explains why we hear from the most mature student at the RCM (page 12), and two early research is so important to the music specialists explain their fascination with uncovering and performing RCM lesser known baroque works (page 13). 11 Listening Experience Database Elsewhere, we also welcome a host of new students and staff while saying a A new project which aims to fond farewell to David Harpham who is leaving us after 39 years as Registry produce the world’s first database Officer. documenting the impact of music on people’s lives We’re always keen to hear from students past and present, so if you have anything you would like us to feature in the next issue of Upbeat, send your 12 From X-rays to A clarinets news and pictures to [email protected] by Monday 9 January 2014. 73 year old Keith Bowen explains how his research influenced a NB: Please note that we cannot guarantee to include everything we receive and performance of Wagner at the that we reserve the right to edit submissions. BBC Proms

13 Randall Scotting & Claire Upbeat online Bracher Did you know that Upbeat is available to read online at www.rcm.ac.uk/upbeat Two doctoral students discuss If you’d prefer to read it in this way, do contact us at [email protected] and we’ll their fascination with uncovering stop sending you a paper copy. If you’d like us to send you an email notification lesser known baroque works when Upbeat is published, let us know your email address too. 14 Remembering two RCM Friends Upbeat remembers David Poultney and James McAlinden

16 Student notes… Current student success stories

18 Staff notes… News from professorial, academic and administrative staff

20 Alumni notes… Updates from RCM graduates

22 Obituaries, Births and Marriages

RCM Symphony Orchestra performs Messiaen’s Turangalila-Symphonie at the Royal Festival Hall Photo © Ben Larpent

Front cover – RCM Sparks © Olivia Woodhouse Inside front cover – RCM International Opera School’s production of Offenbach’s La vie parisienne © Chris Christodoulou Inside back cover – RCM Alumni Reunion 1965-1975 © Chris Christodoulou

3 In the news... Chew Jun Ru: RCM Pioneer A student from the RCM has made Jun Ru said of his unique achievement: history by becoming the first graduate “It is a great honour to be the first in a traditional Chinese instrument in Chinese instrumental graduate of the the institution’s 130-year history. RCM. I first visited the RCM when I was on a trip with my family to London Singaporean Chew Jun Ru graduated some years back. Being thoroughly in July with a BMus in performance impressed by the RCM, it has always on the Erhu, a two-stringed bowed been a dream of mine to be an RCM musical instrument, sometimes known student, even though I majored in a in the Western world as the “Chinese Chinese instrument.” violin”. His studies have been principally undertaken at the Nanyang Academy In all, 20 NAFA students – the other 19 of Fine Arts (NAFA) in Singapore, and specialising in western instruments – ratified with an RCM degree thanks to graduated with RCM degrees in 2013. an historic agreement signed between This is the first time that any RCM NAFA and the RCM in 2011. degrees have been conferred outside the UK.

included the RCM Museum of Music’s Instruments bass viol by Barak Norman (pictured), Stephen Fry made in London in 1692. Meanwhile, Out and About National Museums Scotland displayed at the RCM the guitar attributed to Rene Voboam, Two treasures from c 1650, as part of their summer exhibition the RCM Special ‘Mary, Queen of Scots’. This instrument Collections were has a spurious association with Mary’s loaned out to private secretary David Rizzio, and special exhibitions appeared in the section of the exhibition over the summer. dedicated to the myths which surround our interpretation of Mary’s life. The National Gallery’s special The instruments are now back in the exhibition ‘Vermeer RCM Museum of Music, which is open and Music: The Art Tuesday to Friday 11.30am to 4.30pm and of Love and Leisure’, is free to visit. RCM students have had the opportunity to workshop a brand new opera with music by RCM graduate Louis Mander Ben Johnson – the audience favourite! and libretto by Stephen Fry. RCM graduate Ben Johnson has won On 2 July, Stephen Fry visited the RCM to the Dame Joan Sutherland Audience direct the students in a one-off workshop Prize at BBC Cardiff Singer of the and informal presentation of three short World. scenes from The Life to Come, an opera based on the short story by E M Forster. The prize – named after the much- Composer Louis Mander conducted the loved RCM alumna and soprano – was RCM Opera Orchestra as well as singers voted for by audiences in the hall and from the RCM International Opera across the globe. Ben wowed those School. audiences with his musicality and committed performances, including Stephen Fry tweeted: “Having fun stunning renditions of songs by a workshopping my operatic version of number of British composers associated Forster’s ‘The Life to Come’ @RCMLatest with the RCM. – the students are stupendous”.

This year marked the 30th anniversary The cast includedPeter Kirk, Bradley of the prestigious competition. Ben is Travis, Matt R J Ward and Katherine the second RCM graduate to win the Crompton, all fresh from their Audience Prize, following the 2007 appearances in the International Opera triumph of baritone Jacques Imbrailo. School’s hit summer production of

Photo © Chris Gloag © Chris Photo Offenbach’s operettaLa vie parisienne.

4 The Rhapsody Project Giving is RCM graduates Charlotte Harding, Woodhouse Professional Development Good for You Mika Sawai and Marcos Fernandez Centre, the project is an innovative new have been selected to participate way of motivating patients to get out of in a new project at Chelsea and bed and explore the hospital, beginning Westminster Hospital to help with the recovery process. patients’ treatment and rehabilitation. RCM Head of Composition William The composers have been tasked Mival is mentoring the composers, with writing relaxing pieces of music guiding the development of their for a special audio guide tour of the compositions and exploring with paintings, sculptures and installations them the role that art can play in the of Chelsea and Westminster Hospitals’ healing process. RCM musicians will be impressive art collection. Delivered recording the new works when they are in partnership with the RCM’s completed later in the year.

Two practice rooms have also been A Summer completely refurbished and decorated. New dimmer lights in the ceilings, RCM Council member and of Progress acoustic floor panels, air conditioning scholarship donor John Nickson has units and more mirrors have improved published a new book that sheds light Staff and students returning to the RCM their aesthetic and acoustic qualities. on the benefits of being generous. after the summer break have noticed a One room has also seen the addition of number of improvements. a new lectern and SMART interactive Giving is Good for You was launched Following the renovation of the whiteboard. These new rooms are the at the RCM on Thursday 6 June, and Amaryllis Fleming Concert Hall in 2008, first in a long-term strategy to refurbish is available to buy from Biteback a chequerboard of reflective panels has all rooms in the Blomfield building. Publishing. RCM staff, students, been added to the lighting bars above friends and supporters can get the The RCM’s commitment to providing the the stage. This addition is designed to book at a special price of £14.99 best possible environment for students, enhance the clarity of sound for the by visiting www.politicos.co.uk/ visitors and staff will continue in the performers. promotions and entering the coming months and years – keep an eye promotional code “RCM”. on Upbeat for details!

activities. Many engaging topics were science. I was especially struck by ISPS 2013 discussed including the psychological the number of different approaches and physiological processes behind and perspectives; and how inventive The fourth ensemble performance, and the most researchers can be when seeking International recent findings on performance health reliable, repeatable ways to measure Symposium on and wellbeing. ‘performance’!” Performance Science (ISPS) More than 200 delegates from 30 The ISPS is convened biennially by the was held in countries attended the symposium RCM Centre for Performance Science. Vienna at the University of Music and with around 25 representatives To find out more and download articles Performing Arts (MDW) in August. from the RCM. MSc student from the 2013 symposium please visit Nicola Pennill commented: “It was www.performancesience.org The 2013 theme of ‘Performing fantastic to experience first-hand the Together’ encouraged debate on the multidisciplinary nature of performance The 2015 ISPS will be held in Kyoto, science of collaborative performing Japan.

5 In the news...

include an open plan central amenity New Halls space which breaks out onto external Britain’s courtyards, an informal performance of Residence space, kitchens and a gymnasium. Greenest The RCM is delighted to announce a The costs of the project will be borne £44 million development of its halls of by CLV, who will take responsibility Conservatoire residence in West London. for the project in its entirety, For the fourth year running, the RCM provide investment, manage the has scored highly in the People & build programme and operate the Planet Green League, which assesses accommodation once complete in the environmental performance of UK 2015. Ensuring value for money and universities. affordable rents for RCM students are The RCM has appointed Campus Living cornerstones of the project, and the The RCM scored a solid 2:1 rating, not Villages (CLV) to create a brand new RCM will take a minor shareholding only maintaining our position as the state-of-the-art facility to house its in the development to ensure these UK’s greenest conservatoire for the students. The new accommodation, objectives continue to be delivered. fourth year running, but also securing replacing the current facility on first place among all of the UK’s Goldhawk Road, will comprise 177 studio Suitable alternative accommodation smaller specialist institutions. apartments, 170 en-suite rooms and arrangements will be made for students 63 standard rooms. The buildings will in 2014/15. Further details to follow. Music and Monarchy

The RCM has featured in David Starkey’s BBC Two television series Music and Monarchy. In the four-part series, historian David Starkey explored how the story of British music has been shaped by the monarchy. Success for Several scenes in the final episode were The Science filmed at the RCM, documenting the RCM Graduates of Music RCM’s foundation in 1882 and the music of former RCM Director Sir Hubert According to statistics published by RCM Chairman Professor Robert Parry. the Higher Education Statistics Agency Winston has sought to understand (HESA), RCM graduates are some of the our relationship with the power of Two rarely-seen items from the RCM most likely to move on to employment sound in a four-part series for BBC Special Collections featured in the or further study. Radio 4. programme: the autograph score of Parry’s celebrated work I Was Glad and Of those who completed HESA’s survey, In The Science of Music, Robert a baton (pictured) that was presented 98% of RCM full-time first degree leavers Winston discussed topics ranging in 1899 by Queen Victoria to the highly reported that they were in employment from music’s evolutionary origins respected organist and choral director and/or further study six months after to the physics behind what we Sir , Master of the graduating. Walter Parratt hear. The programme also featured Queen’s Music and the first senior organ conversations with a variety of experts This figure of the 98% is the fourth professor at the RCM. Alumna Susanna across science and music including highest reported by graduates across 152 Hurrell also made an appearance as RCM Director Colin Lawson and UK higher education institutions. soprano soloist in a performance of Professor of Performance Science All of the figures are available on the Parry’s Jerusalem with the Choir of Aaron Williamon. HESA website: www.hesa.ac.uk Merton College, Oxford.

6 In addition, the renowned RCM Sparks The RCM and team delivered their biggest ever series of RCM Live! participatory events for families, children the BBC Proms and teens. They offered opportunities to The RCM has continued in its ground- explore the RCM and the Royal Albert breaking series of online broadcasts In 2013, the RCM was delighted once Hall, to create compositions inspired by via the RCM website. again to enjoy a close association with music at the BBC Proms and to take part the BBC Proms, the world’s biggest in fun-filled workshops led by In July, the RCM broadcast the entire classical music festival. inspirational musicians. Graduation Ceremony for the first time. With students from more than As usual, the RCM hosted more than 70 And in a welcome new development, the 60 countries graduating, it provided pre-concert “Proms Plus” events in our RCM also hosted “Proms Extra” – the a unique opportunity for more than Amaryllis Fleming Concert Hall, which brand new six-part BBC2 TV show in 1,000 families and friends from all were broadcast regularly on BBC Radio 3 which presenter Katie Derham and around the world to share their and included many appearances from famous guests from the music world special day. RCM students and staff. discussed the week’s performances. Some of our broadcasts are now available to watch on the RCM YouTube channel, including past masterclasses with baritone Gerald Finley, legendary violinist Ida Haendel and pianist András Schiff. Also available on YouTube are new videos showcasing various aspects of RCM life. You can witness trumpeter Ryan Linham prepare for a performance of Turangalîla at the Royal Festival Hall, or watch percussionist Kizzy Brooks take West Side Story into schools as part of the RCM Sparks outreach programme. You can visit our YouTube channel at RCM Sparks www.youtube.com/rcmlondon Photo © Sheila Burnett © Sheila Photo

The Big Give Christmas Challenge 2013 Challenge opens: Thursday 5 December 10am

The Royal College of Music is proud to be part of The Big Give Christmas Challenge 2013, during which we seek to raise £160,000 for the RCM Scholarship Fund. The Donors of the RCM and The Big Give have created a fund to match donations, meaning that for every £1 donated online, the RCM will receive £2. If you have ever considered making a donation to enable talented young musicians to train here, there is no better time. From 10am on Thursday 5 December, please visit www.theBigGive.org.uk to have any donation you make to the RCM (from £1 to £5,000) doubled. Contact Irisa Frankle for further details on 0207 591 4861 or [email protected]

7 In the news...

original manuscripts from the British From Community Georgian Music Library’s collection. Soprano Katherine Crompton, harpsichordist Marie to Concert Revealed! van Rhijn and violinists Magdelena RCM musicians are enhancing a major Loth-Hill and Ellen Bundy visited Platform exhibition at the British Library this the RCM Studios to record famous winter. works by Handel and Arne, as well as a fascinating selection of anonymous ‘Georgians Revealed: Life, Style and the tunes and songs. Visitors to the Making of Modern Britain’ runs from exhibition will be able to listen to the Friday 8 November 2013 to Tuesday music within the galleries, or purchase 11 March 2014. Marking 300 years an exclusive CD. since the Georgian period began, the exhibition showcases more than 200 The project was developed by the fascinating and rare artefacts, and British Library in association with explores the roots of today’s popular the RCM’s Woodhouse Professional culture. Development Centre, and the recording sessions were produced by RCM Alina Ibragimova To accompany the exhibition, RCM Artistic Director Stephen Johns. musicians have recorded a number of key musical works from the period, For more information, visit We are delighted to announce that the in some cases working from rare www.bl.uk/georgians-revealed RCM has received a major commitment from the Georg and Emily von Opel Foundation to support the teaching of string instruments at the Royal College of Music. The donation will support RCM Sparks Juniors, which offers intensive training for 40 local children who have demonstrated potential and would not otherwise be able to afford music tuition. As well as this work at grassroots level, which inspires children to take up a musical instrument, Mr and Mrs von Opel are supporting the training of elite RCM string students. Their donation is enabling annual residencies in the String Faculty for cellist Johannes Goritzki and violinist Alina Ibragimova, who will be presenting a series of inspirational

© The British Library Board Library British © The masterclasses. Mr von Opel commented: “As a keen Primary Proms On Thursday 10 October, the RCM violinist who has benefitted from the Junior Department Chamber Orchestra inspiring tuition of an RCM professor, I am performed at a pair of very special delighted that this donation will underpin events. the depth and breadth of stringed instrument activities at the RCM. I hope Taking place at the Royal Albert Hall, it will have a transformational effect on the two London Primary Proms – the lives of the next generation of world- run by national music charity Music class musicians, as well as those being for Youth and hosted by CBBC’s encouraged to try for the first time.” Barney Harwood – offered 7,500 young Londoners the chance to hear outstanding music-making by some of the capital’s leading young performers.

The enthusiastic audience enjoyed performances by a brass band, percussion ensemble, a big band and a choir, as well as the Junior Department Chamber Orchestra’s vibrant RCM Sparks

performances of Warlock’s Capriol Suite. Burnett © (c) Sheila Photo

8 Hello and goodbye... Welcoming new arrivals…

Students We are delighted to welcome a total of 360 new students from 53 different countries for this new academic year at the RCM. This year, we have awarded more than £2 million in scholarships to RCM students, helping more young musicians than ever to fulfil their dream of studying at the RCM. Thanks to generous donors, we are delighted to welcome 13 new scholarship titles including the Neville New scholarship recipients Wathen Scholarships, the John & Marjorie Coultate Scholarships, the Future of Russia Scholarship, the Ernest Miranda Francis joins the RCM as the Junior Fellowship), Jens Lynen (Constant Hecht Scholarships, the Charles Knoll new Head of Junior Programmes. & Kit Lambert Junior Fellowship), Ian Scholarship, the Dasha Shenkman In this new role, she succeeds Peter Tindale (Lord and Lady Lurgan Junior Scholarship, the Gary & Eleanor Hewitt as Head of the RCM’s Junior Fellowship), Simon Callaghan (Anthony Brass Scholarship, the Betty Brenner Department and will also work closely Saltmarsh Junior Fellowship), Marie van Scholarship, the Greenbank Scholarship, with RCM Sparks, the RCM’s wide- Rhijn (Linda Hill Junior Fellowship in the Robin Ritzema Scholarship, the reaching learning and participation Harpsichord) and Richard Carne Junior Humphrey Searle Scholarship, the programme. Fellowship holders: the Albany Piano Victoria Sharp Scholarship and the Tait Trio (Pippa Harrison, Gemma Sharples To coincide with the start of two new and Verity Evanson). Trust Scholarship. We extend sincere research projects – Musical Impact and thanks to our supporters for making Creative Practice as Mutual Recovery – these new scholarships possible. We also welcome back for a second we’re delighted to welcome three new year Jennifer Hughes (Gilbert and Stephanie Bissell has been newly elected Research Associates: Liliana Araújo, Eileen Edgar Junior Fellowship), Jocelyn as President of the Students’ Association. Sara Ascenso and Daisy Fancourt. Freeman (Phoebe Benham Junior Stephanie and her team will represent Fellowship), Jennifer Carter (Adami and support the student body, and New Junior Fellows Award for Piano Accompanists) and provide a full programme of social events The RCM welcomes a host of new Junior Quartet in Association: the Sacconi and activities. Fellows for 2013/14 academic year Quartet (Ben Hancox, Hannah Dawson, including Maksim Stsura (Mills Williams Robin Ashwell and Cara Berridge).

A fond farewell... David Harpham This October marked the end of an era when we said farewell to David Harpham, who retired as Registry Officer after an incredible 39 years at the RCM. Stephanie Bissell (second from right) After first coming to the RCM as a singer, David acted as representative for the Students’ Association before joining the Professors and Staff staff in 1974. We’re delighted to welcome four new David carried out a huge number of professors this September: Norwegian roles over the years, but many students violist Ida Bryhn, Italian double bass and staff know him best as the principal player Gabriele Ragghianti, American organiser of the RCM auditions. David mezzo soprano Lucy Schaufer and Dr was often the first point of contact for Wiebke Thormählen as Area Leader in applicants, and generations of students History. We also welcome Gabriele Rossi have expressed their gratitude for the Rognoni as the new Curator of the RCM help he offered in steering them through Museum of Music and RCM Collection this often nerve-wracking process. of Instruments. We send David all best wishes for a very happy retirement.

9 Research - what’s in it for me?

are inspired and inspiring if they know actually means. Perhaps the Performance something of the traditions they Simulator can help us understand the inhabit. Against that sense of context differences between performing in the they can map their own power to concert hall and in the recording studio transform. or between notions of ‘stage presence’ in different artistic and scientific One of the many things artists do is to disciplines? There are research projects use the past to project into the future. developing in this very area, stimulated Researchers too are required to be by the RCM’s growing partnerships with aspirational; research is about drawing Imperial College, the Science Museum, up a blueprint for new knowledge and the Royal Central School of Speech and understanding. Research and art and Drama. empower each other if research is viewed in that creative sense. Another example of collaboration is the Singing a Song in a Foreign Land Research at the RCM project, which explores music written by émigré composers, and shows how The distinctiveness of the conservatoire historical awareness can transform research environment is that the the experience of performers and benefits of new knowledge can be tested audiences. The RCM’s own history is immediately in performance and with illuminated by the accounts of exiles audiences. The research venue is not the from war, rebuilding their lives around ivory tower, it’s the concert room. music. The working of archival material This is even true of our most scientific into curated concerts has confirmed how research and artistic perspectives can strand of research activity: performance reinforce each other. science. The RCM’s Centre for Amanda Glauert explains Performance Science draws performers And then there are listeners. The into investigating their own practice question of how different audiences why research is so though the lens of empirical psychology listen to music and make sense of what and sociology. It involves expert they hear is the subject of the RCM’s important to the RCM, scientific analysis and experimentation, large-scale collaboration with the Open but the object of study is still the University: the Listening Experience and why every musician is business of how performers seek to Database. (see page 11). a researcher, whether they communicate with audiences, how they overcome performance anxiety, how Performers and composers they can enhance their own creativity. realise it or not… Research is always partly a self-defined Of course much RCM research is inspired activity. If musicians are to be involved it I have always been inspired by what I call by the amazing richness of our Special requires them to embark on a process of the ‘John Wallace view of research’. John Collections, which help bring the past enquiry, and then be able to demonstrate Wallace (Head of Conservatoires UK and alive. For example, we have possibly to others the benefits of their newly Principal of the Royal Conservatoire of the earliest example of a keyboard gained knowledge and understanding. Scotland) is a great model for combining instrument as well as the autograph of Many composers can demonstrate a top-class artistic career with a passion Mozart’s much-loved Piano Concerto in just such benefits; in fact musical composition has historically been viewed for enquiry of all kinds. When speaking C minor. Much of our research involves as a science for that reason, revealing to conservatoire students, he used to responding to what these sources tell new understanding of the phenomenon say that ‘research’ should mean anything us, be that through the ‘pure’ research from working out what might bring in an of sound. of editing manuscripts and studying audience, to finding some new repertoire historical instruments, or through to keep your enthusiasm alive, to sorting Some composers and performers choose the ‘applied’ research of finding new out which instrument (in his case, which to embark on that process of enquiry ways of programming concerts and trumpet) a particular piece would work and demonstration very explicitly; some communicating with audiences. best on. He saw research as a continuum prefer to leave the enquiry implicit. But whichever camp they fall into, all from market research, to practical Three flagship projects problem-solving, to outright innovation conservatoire students need to question in a quasi-scientific sense. It is exciting to see projects that draw what they are doing if they are to reach different aspects of the RCM’s research their full potential. Research tools To quote our very own Director Colin environment together. Our Performance provide one way of provoking questions Lawson, another great model for Simulator can offer all sorts of hard and it is vital students experience the conservatoire-based research: all artists evidence about the effects of performing benefits they can bring. A conservatoire have to be advocates for what they do, on our minds and bodies, but is also a is a place of self-realization, and every and advocacy is fuelled by a sense of practical tool for performers to explore kind of tool and resource should be context. Performers and composers what the ‘live-ness’ of performance employed to that end.

10 Listening Experience Database

In 1964, RCM alumnus Benjamin Britten of listening to music of all kinds. It will help us to form a better understanding gave a speech in which he described include a huge variety of information: of the effect of music on listeners and the “true musical experience” as a “holy not only what people are listening to and ways in which it is, and has been, valued triangle of composer, performer, listener”. where and when they are listening to it, and understood in society. We believe it When this concept is turned into a but also – crucially – the effect it has on will enhance our understanding of how diagram, it is usually drawn as a triangle them. As Professor David Rowland (Dean recording and broadcasting technologies with three equal sides, as if all three of Arts and Humanities at The Open have affected people’s relationship with participants in the musical experience University) has said: “Music is a deeply music, and offer a new range of evidence are equal partners. However when it personal thing. Whether it’s a nursery of how music is studied and learned. comes to the written history of music, rhyme we remember from childhood or It will also sharpen our insight into the things aren’t quite so equal; a visit to the a song we have come to love as we grow settings and ways in which music has library or a quick internet search will up, each of us has our own individual been performed.” reveal huge amounts of information on soundtrack. Now, for the first time, On 17 December, the RCM will play host historical composers and performers, but we will be able to capture and bring not very much at all on listeners. to the inaugural Listening Experience together a massive range of personal Database Symposium. Project managers So – if we accept Britten’s idea that the listening experiences from any historical Simon Brown (RCM) and Helen Barlow listener is an intrinsic and vital part of period and from any culture.” (OU) will reflect on the first few months the experience – how can we hope to In addition to gathering together pre- of activity and outline the future of the understand the history of music if we’re existing information from a variety of project, while RCM and OU researchers only getting two thirds of the story?? will explore a wide variety of subjects, archives and historical sources (such as Fortunately, in Britten’s centenary year, including “Listeners’ responses to the the RCM’s very own Bradley Bulletins, the RCM is leading the way in rectifying BBC’s music output”; “Women listeners from the mid-20th century) – the RCM the situation. in the 18th and 19th centuries”; “English and OU team will also be inviting the listeners in Italy”; and, appropriately The RCM has joined forces with the public to take part. Listeners worldwide enough, “Listening to Britten”. Open University for a ground-breaking will not only be able to upload their own scheme called the Listening Experience documented evidence, but will also be If Britten himself is listening in Database (LED). This ambitious three- able to search the database themselves somewhere – we hope he would year project, funded by a £750,000 to discover how other people have been approve. research grant from the Arts and affected by music. Humanities Research Council, aims Visit the LED website at to produce the world’s first database Beyond that, of course the database www.open.ac.uk/Arts/LED documenting the impact of music on promises to become a valuable resource people’s lives. for a wide range of sectors and groups, In 2014 we will be asking for listeners to such as performers, educators, social contribute to the database. For more The Listening Experience Database will historians, libraries and museums. The information keep an eye on future issues – for the first time – gather in one place RCM’s very own Dr Ingrid Pearson of Upbeat, or email Arts-Listening- records of people’s personal experiences explains its relevance: “The database will [email protected]

11 From X-rays to A clarinets

The Bass Clarinet Having just begun my second year of part-time study I have already gained My MA dissertation topic – The Rise so much. Colin Lawson and Ingrid and Fall of the Bass Clarinet in A – was Pearson insisted that the paramount suggested by Daniel Leeson, editor of questions must always be about the the Neue Mozart-Ausgabe volumes on music and the sound: that has resulted in Mozart’s wind music. This topic was amazing lessons from professor Michael ideal; small enough that the study could Harris on bass clarinet and from Colin be made fairly complete within a year, Lawson on classical clarinet. I have with a world catalogue of instruments also included within my project the numbering fewer than 20, and a construction of a replica bass clarinet comprehensive list of works numbering by Catterino Catterini from the Oxford just over 60. Bate Collection (shown below). This It is very gratifying that my research has has seen me form contacts and gain already had some impact. Partly as a practical training in instrument building result of this dissertation, the Orchestra at the Cambridge Woodwind Makers of the Age of Enlightenment used an foundation, led by Daniel Bangham. historical bass clarinet in A at their concert performance of Act II of Tristan Life at the RCM und Isolde at the 2010 BBC Proms. The The RCM is an environment in which one player in question told me: ‘When played can learn so much. My interaction with on the correct instrument, I felt that the a stimulating group of fellow doctoral music played itself, whereas on the B-flat students (to my mind, one of the key I felt that I had to work hard on phrasing elements of a graduate school) has and the right kind of sound’. Since then, been fascinating and satisfying. I always the Robert Schumann Hochschüle in enjoy attending masterclasses, whatever Düsseldorf has restored its bass clarinet the instrument or voice; it is always an How did a retired scientist in A, the provenance of which traces advantage to understand as much as back to the first performance ofTristan possible about the other instruments. I influence a performance in Bayreuth. attend as many concerts as I can, limited only by the need to commute from of Wagner at the BBC Doctoral Studies my home in Warwick. And I enjoy the Proms? 73 year-old Keith This work led directly to an invitation sounds of other students practising as from professors Ingrid Pearson and I walk around the RCM, with thoughts Bowen, the oldest student Colin Lawson to continue studies for a ranging from ‘OMG that is unbelievably at the RCM, explains all… doctorate at the RCM. Originally I had awesome’ to ‘Play it slowly and stop no such thought, nor did I think the practising your mistakes’!! RCM would be interested in a geriatric By this stage in my life, while I’m quite Music and Science research student! But one visit convinced confident with many aspects of my life, I me that I would be welcomed as part As a serious and enthusiastic clarinettist, see no reason to stop learning! The RCM of the growing research community, I had to face up to a difficult career environment is an ideal one in which to and that the environment would be choice between music and science. I continue this process, and if some of my incredibly rich for my interest in clarinet thought, probably correctly, that I would experience also rubs off onto my fellow development, which is now focussed on be a better scientist than musician, students, as I learn from theirs, so much the early, so-called “bassoon-form” bass and worked first as a professor of the better! engineering at Warwick University, then clarinets. as a technical director of a small public company making X-ray instruments for industry.

With semi-retirement from my ‘day job’, I once more had the chance to study music seriously. I started out at the Open University, first with their excellent Diploma in Music (which I completed mainly on trains and aeroplanes while commuting around the world for my industrial job) and then their MA in Music. Bass Clarinet by Catterino Catterini (Oxford University Bate Collection) that Keith is replicating at the Cambridge Woodwind Makers foundation

12 Randall Scotting & Claire Bracher

What interests you about uncovering these lesser known works? CB: Well the Pepusch Trio Sonata hadn’t been played since about 1700, when the composer arrived in England. So to be the first ones to put a voice to it is pretty exciting. RS: You have these pieces that haven’t been heard for centuries. For example I’m currently working with a manuscript of a baroque opera by the Italian composer Giovanni Antonio Giaj which is in the RCM Collection – even the most Randall Scotting seasoned performers have rarely heard Claire Bracher that name. So it’s exciting to discover that the music is really great, and really Doctoral student Randall very unique. How do you make your research appealing to audiences? Scotting and Viol consort What process do you go through CB: I think you have to mix the from discovering the piece exists to programme up with well-known coach Claire Bracher performing it in front of an audience? composers to draw people in. But I discuss their fascination CB: I originally found out about the hope a lot of audiences pick up on Pepusch through Michael Mullen in the our excitement on performing these with uncovering lesser RCM Library. My approach is to stick unfamiliar works. with the original manuscript as I feel known baroque works… very strongly that the way it is written RS: I always try to find connections on page influences the way I perform the with other composers from the time to help audiences put them in context. I Where do your research interests lie? piece. I’m more creative playing from the original edition. think the venue also helps – I’ve done RS: As a countertenor I’ve sung a lot of a couple of concerts at Handel House Baroque opera, particularly Handel, but RS: I start with the original manuscript, where you’re performing to an audience have always been curious about other, but as I’m often dealing with a larger who already have a vested interest in the less well known music from that period. ensemble, I need to go through each part period. Starting my doctorate was my first step correcting mistakes and making editorial into scholarly academia. The idea is to decisions. I then create a modern edition Where next? unearth baroque manuscripts from the for my ensemble to play from. CB: I’m looking forward to performing at first half of the 18th century and create St George’s Hanover Square with my duo modern editions of them from which my CB: Being able to use the Kessler viols, partner on Friday 21 March next year as ensemble Ballo Baroque can perform. which is one of the best collections of part of the London Handel Festival and English viols in the country, is incredible. the release of my new CD. CB: I’m interested in recording and They’re all in playing condition and it performing a small collection of music really changes how you perform the RS: We’re working towards a concert from the RCM Collection for viola da music. at London’s Holy Trinity Church on gamba including a rarely heard and Tuesday 3 December, which features the unrecorded Trio Sonata by Johann What condition are the manuscripts in? opera by Giaj. We’ve also been invited to Christoph Pepusch. So along with my RS: It really varies. With some Germany next February to participate duo partner Jadran Duncumb and RCM manuscripts you’ll find there are bits in the Göttingen Historical Music Series violinist Guillermo Martinez we’ve been missing or the manuscript itself can be International Competition for Young exploring this work. Incidentally, we also quite messy or badly preserved. There’s Ensembles. discovered a set of Violin Sonatas by one manuscript from 1707 I’m looking Pepusch and would love to hear from at where the ink has melded into the any violinists interested in learning them! paper and so I’ve had to find ways of Find out more making sense of it all. I’ve even started : One of the reasons I was keen to RS using technology to remove some of the study at the RCM was because of the You can follow Claire and Randall on ‘background noise’ so I can isolate the twitter and Collections. I like the idea of research and @ClaireLBracher original markings. In contrast, the opera @RandallScotting. performance going hand in hand. I’m not I mentioned earlier by Giovanni Antonio an academic, I didn’t want to be stuck Recordings of the Pepusch Trio Giaj is so beautifully presented and looking at these pieces without giving a Sonatas are available at preserved – it found its way into British voice to them! www.youtube.com/DuoLabyrinthe Royalty and was donated to the RCM by Queen Victoria – and so working from Find out more about Randall’s this manuscript is a dream. ensemble Ballo Baroque at www.ballobaroque.com

13 Remembering two RCM Friends

He had a life-long passion for music and in 1986. This remained one of his fondest With their enthusiastic the Welsh proverb: “To be born Welsh is memories which he would recount to attendance at concerts, to be born privileged. Not with a silver staff and patrons alike. spoon in your mouth, but music in your recitals and masterclasses, heart and poetry in your soul” was close Born in Ireland in 1927, James McAlinden to his heart. He was also a member of moved to England as a young man. RCM Friends provide the highly acclaimed all-male vocal He followed a distinguished career as group “Men in Scarlet”, made up of seven an accountant with both The British vital support to the RCM Chelsea Pensioners, who went on to Council and The British School of Rome. release a hugely successful album which He maintained a strong relationship with and its talented young sold more than 100,000 copies. family in Ireland and made regular visits back home. musicians. Recently, two David was born on 16 March 1929 in of our most loyal and Pontypridd, Wales. At 14, he enlisted in Two current students Josephine Goddard the army where he completed a three- and Tyrone Whiting performed at his committed Friends sadly year Engineering Apprenticeship before requiem mass in the Carmelite Priory, being transferred to the Royal Engineers paying a lovely tribute to a treasured and passed away and here we in 1946. His posts included many places loyal member of the RCM family. in England and as far away as Egypt. For All who knew James will recall his love remember them. his loyal service, David was awarded the and enthusiasm for music making. We 1939–1945 War Medal and the General offer our thoughts, sympathies and best Service Medal – Canal Zone Clasp. wishes to all his family and friends. Following his 16 years of service in the Army, David was employed as an Office James died on 22 September 2013 aged 86, Manager at Casson Condor & Partners surrounded by dear friends. architectural firm. It was here that he met the architect, Sir Hugh Casson, who later designed the RCM’s Britten Theatre. Welcome to David joined the Royal Hospital Chelsea in May 2002 where he fully involved new Friends himself in the daily routine of the Hospital and took on the role of a Tour and Supporters Guide and, concurrently, the Editor of the Royal Hospital’s Tricorne magazine. We are delighted to welcome the He worked tirelessly raising substantial following people who have recently sums of money for a number of charities made their first donation to RCM including the RBL, RNLI, ABF and the Institute of Cancer Research. Mr Stephen Anson Ms Jennifer Barlow Never short of a word, David made Susan Bartlett friends with everyone he met and was Orest Biszko a familiar face at the RCM. He will be greatly missed by all of us here. Dan Bleicher Mrs Maxine Buchanan-Michaelson David died in the Margaret Thatcher Mr Clifford Caesar Infirmary of the Royal Hospital, Chelsea Mrs Margaret Carmichael on 10 October 2013 aged 84 years. Mr Philip Curry James McAlinden Mike Holmes Reginald Horrocks An RCM Friend for more than 26 years, Robin Kent James was one of our longest standing Kate King supporters and was a well-loved and Penelope Maclachlan David Poultney familiar face around the RCM. With the benefit of living locally, James frequently Oriana Trust attended concerts and events at the Bhumika Pather David Poultney RCM including the 2013 President’s Visit. Ricardo Pereira David Victor Poultney had a close His philanthropic generosity ranged Margaret Richter-Oentrich relationship with the RCM, and for many from the restoration of the Amaryllis Mr Peter Wall years was an RCM Friend and Patron. Fleming Concert Hall, the annual Big Mr Dominic Ward He was passionate about his connection Give campaign and Restore a Score Mr Stephen Waters with the RCM and took every scheme. James also had the privilege of Zhaocai Wei opportunity to tell people he met about attending the final dress rehearsal before Ms F Wynne the events and concerts he attended. the Royal opening of the Britten Theatre

14 Supporting the future of music...

Music has the power to transform lives. The Tait Trust Scholarship Tania Chislett Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, Sir Peter and Lady Walters Sir Anthony Cleaver FRCM and Lady Cleaver generations of gifted students from around Edward Brooks FRCM Mrs Carol J. Hagh the world have been guided and inspired Sir Gordon Palmer Scholarship Ms Greta Hemus at the RCM. We would like to thank in Douglas and Kyra Downie Mr and Mrs John Heywood particular those who have made donations Mark Loveday Scholarship Monica Moezinia of £1,000 or more in the last twelve months. Arthur Wilson Trombone Award David Poultney (1929-2013) Gifts are listed in descending order. Else and Leonard Cross Charitable Trust Mrs R Rothbarth Yehudi Menuhin Award Dimity and Kerry Rubie Supporters of named scholarships, bursaries Midori Nishiura Barbara Simmonds and Junior Fellowships Bell Percussion Betty Sutherland Estate of Dr Neville Wathen Kirby Laing Foundation Dr Yvonne Winkler The Estate of Humphrey Searle Peter Granger John Cheng ABRSM Paul Booth Costas Kaplanis Leverhulme Trust The Donald Paterson Award Soirée d’Or Scholarships The Bliss Trust Corporate Partners The John and Marjorie Coultate Scholarship Norman Reintamm Royal Garden Hotel Estate of Roselyn Ann Clifton Parker Hatch Mansfield The Richard Carne Charitable Trust Supporters of RCM Sparks Laurie Barry and the John Barry Scholarship J Paul Getty Jr Charitable Trust Other generous donors for Film Composition John Lyon’s Charity Georg and Emily von Opel Foundation+ Estate of Dr John Birch FRCM David Ross Foundation Leopold de Rothschild 1959 Charitable Trust The Wolfson Foundation The Ernest Cook Trust The Henry Wood Trust H R Taylor Trust Universal Music H F Awards The Hedley Foundation The Robert Fleming Hannay Memorial Charity Andrew and Karen Sunnucks John Lewis Partnership Karen Cook John Lewis Partnership Scholarships The Stanley Foundation The Hon Richard Lyttleton The Tsukanov Family Foundation Mayor of London’s Fund for Young Musicians Miss Kathleen Beryl Sleigh Charitable Trust Richard and Rosemary Millar Dr Susan Sinclair and Rodolphe Olard The Seary Charitable Trust The Worshipful Company of Musicians Anonymous St Marylebone Educational Foundation Hester Laverne Award The Oldhurst Trust John Hosier Music Trust Charles Napper Award HPS Trust Roland Rudd Lydia Napper Award Angus Allnatt Charitable Foundation The Sharp Foundation The Michael Bishop Foundation Centrica plc The Big Give Trust Members of the RCM Chairman’s Circle Daniel Chapchal The Reed Foundation Philip Carne HonRCM and Christine Carne* The Rothermere Foundation Croucher Hong Kong Charitable Trust Michael and Ruth West* Knights of the Round Table The Hon Ros Kelly Dr Leonard Polonsky and Dr Georgette Geoffrey Richards HonRCM Opperby Stokowski Collection Trust Bennett* Dasha Shenkman HonRCM The Lee Abbey Award Victoria Sharp* Mark Messenger FRCM, LRAM, ARAM Celia and Andrew Curran Scholarship The Vernon Ellis Foundation Ann Driver Trust Stephen Catto Memorial Scholarship Jane Barker* Fidelio Trust The Worshipful Company of Drapers Sir Roger and Lady Carr HonRCM* Serena Fenwick The Worshipful Company of Fishmongers Guy Dawson and Sam Horscroft Mark Wood The Estate of Mr Charles Knoll Emma Rose and Quentin Williams* Paul Wayne Gregory Lord and Lady Lurgan Trust Linda and Tony Hill Webster and Davidson Mortification Ian Stoutzker CBE FRCM James and Clare Kirkman* for the Blind Ian and Meriel Tegner John and Catherine Armitage* Sir David Cooksey The Ernest Hecht Charitable Foundation Gisela Gledhill* The Derek Hill Foundation The Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation UK Alethea Siow and Jeremy Furniss* Professor Colin Lawson FRCM Gilbert and Eileen Edgar Junior Fellowship Dr Mark Levesley and Christina Hoseason* Janis Susskind HonRCM Phoebe Benham Junior Fellowship Blair Wilson Award The Mills Williams Foundation Members of the RCM Director’s Circle Moira D Witty The Dasha Shenkman Scholarship Vivien McLean David D Sieff The Derek Butler Trust Richard and Sue Price Irisa Frankle Monica and Guy Black Scholarship Judy and Terence Mowschenson Edward Mandel/Jacques Samuel Pianos Bursary The Boltini Trust Scholarship Charles and Kaaren Hale Michael Steen OBE HonRCM The Charles Peel Charitable Trust Terry Hitchcock The Nicholas Branston Foundation The Ackroyd Trust Sir Peter and Lady Middleton FRCM Mrs Terry Collins-Tveter The Richard Toeman/Weinberger Metherell Family Helena Morrissey Opera Scholarship John Nickson and Simon Rew* Nicola Jones The Wyseliot Charitable Trust Peter and Dimity Spiller Sir David Lees The Wall Trust Louisa Treger Kilfinan Trust The Stanley Picker Scholarship Sir Sydney and Lady Lipworth Richard Davey Professor Lord Winston Friends of the National Libraries Lark Insurance Scholarship Members of the RCM Patrons’ Circle Brian and Hana Smouha Steinway & Sons John Ward The Gary & Eleanor Brass Scholarship Russell Race* The Estate of Betty Brenner Ellen Moloney * also support a named award The Robin Ritzema Scholarship (Lady Harrison) Mrs Piffa Schroder + also support RCM Sparks and the Richard and Debbie Ward Rhoddy Voremberg Strings Faculty David Laing Foundation Scholarship Mrs Victoria Moore-Gillon FRCS For more information about supporting The Greenbank Scholarship David and Sue Lewis the RCM, visit www.rcm.ac.uk/supportus Independent Opera Artist Scholarship Mr and Mrs Charles Robinson Alternatively, contact Irisa Frankle on South Square Trust Halina and John Bennett 020 7591 4861 or [email protected]

15 Student notes notes

Junior Fellow Jennifer Hughes has Composition won the Pianist Prize of £1,000 at the Patricia Routledge National English Song congratulations Competition. She accompanied RCM Electronic musician, film composer and singer Bradley Travis, who was also DJ Kate Simko has joined forces with awarded Third Prize…Vasco Dantas multi-disciplinary artist Bruno Levy to Rocha has been awarded the Antena 2 release an innovative new audio-visual Prize by the Portuguese National Radio, work. Crystals is available on Vimeo at the Óbidos Piano International Week and combines visual footage of the in Portugal. The prize includes a live microscopic evolution of crystals with recital on the Portuguese National Radio orchestral music… RCMJD composer next year… Pianist Alexander Krichel Luke Fitzgerald’s four-part choral work has been named Newcomer of the Year 2013 at the Echo Klassik music awards. A Wish will be premiered as part of the Benjamin Baker Britten Centenary Weekend celebrations in Aldeburgh and broadcast on BBC Radio 3… Works by RCM students Erick Norwegian Soloist Prize at the Bergen Flores (And The Crowd Wept), Arne International Festival… Violinist Gieshoff (The Viagron) and Na’ama Algirdas Galdikas has performed Zisser (Black Sand) have been performed works by Szymanowski and Saint- at the Tête à Tête Opera Festival at the Saëns at the Vilnius Philharmonic Hall Riverside Studios in Hammersmith… for the Mstislav Rostropovich Charity Sam Delves has re-scored and recorded and Support Foundation concert... the music for the video game Ni No Junior Department violinist Itamar Kuni… Josephine Stephenson’s work Rashkovsky has won Fourth Prize at the Abend has been premiered by Sinfonia Kloster Schontal International Violin d’Amici at LSO St Luke’s… Laurence Competition… Junior Department Osborne has won Second Prize in the double bassists Philip Nelson, Marcus Junior Category of the International Gaved and Ketan Curtis have visited New York for the International Society Antonin Dvořák Composition Lara Melda Competition with his piece pisen for of Bassists Competition and Convention Harte © Benjamin Photo two brass quintets and percussion… with JD teacher Caroline Emery. Philip Andrew Howes’ work Spirits of Earth won Second Prize in the under 18’s and Wind has been performed by the solo competition and First Prize in the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. Bottesini Prize. Marcus and Ketan were finalists in the under 14’s competition… Junior Department cellist Catherine Porter has taken part in a masterclass with Steven Doane at the European String Teachers Association annual conference in Oxford. Keyboard accomplishments Vasco Dantas Rocha Lara Melda has performed Beethoven’s Piano Concerto no 3 with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales in Swansea’s Kate Simko Brangwyn Hall and with the National Youth Orchestra of New Zealand in concert halls in Wellington and String successes Auckland… Dinara Klinton has won First Prize of £2,500 at the Sheepdrove Violinist Benjamin Baker has been Intercollegiate Piano Competition, selected as a YCAT artist… Cellist Ariana while Third Prize of £500 was awarded Kashefi has been awarded the 2013 to Kausikan Rajeshkumar… Anna Royal Philharmonic Society Julius Fedorova has been signed by Stephen Isserlis Scholarship… Violist Ellen Wright of International Classical Artists Alexander Krichel Nisbeth has been awarded the 2013 for worldwide management.

16 Vocal achievements Castleton Festival

Tai Oney

Baritone Morgan Pearse has been selected as a YCAT artist… Countertenor Tai Oney has reached the final of the Cesti International Singing Competition at the Innsbruck International Early Lorin Maazel with RCM musicians Music Festival… Soprano Sinéad O’Kelly has been crowned NI Opera RCM musicians James Kenny, Andrea performed at the annual Castleton Voice of 2013 by BBC Radio 3’s Sean Amat, Toby Street, Merce Escanellas, Festival in Virginia at the invitation of Rafferty, after a gala final that marked Thomas Barton, Elliott Perks, Lorin Maazel. The trip was supported the climax of this year’s Glenarm Festival Alix Lagasse and Sarah Joyce have by Daniel Chapchal. of Voice… Soprano Galina Verana has won Third Prize at the Les Azuriales competition in Nice… Tenor Peter Other news Five RCM Junior Department students – Aisher, bass baritone Matthew Buswell, pianists Martin James Bartlett, Dominic Doutney and Tomoka Kan, violinist soprano Sinéad O’Kelly and baritone Kensington Brass, a dectet featuring Freya Goldmark and flautistDaniel Huw Montague Rendall have attended Ryan Linham, Toby Street, Adam Shao – have visited Moscow to perform a week of workshops at Cratoule in Stockbridge, Tom Griffiths, Finlay at the Vladimir Spivakov Foundation Provence, run by RCM professors... Tenor Bain, Tom Barton, Adam Taylor, Festival in Moscow. The Foundation was Nick Pritchard and soprano Hannah Gordon Maclachlan, Jim Alexander and set up in 1994 with the aim of assisting Sandison have been awarded First and Stephen Calow, has performed at the young people gifted in music and arts, Second Prizes respectively at the Dean Queen’s Theatre in Hornchurch. Their and organises masterclasses, concerts, and Chadlington Singing Competition. programme included works by Handel, tours and exhibitions. For Nick, the top prize included £1,000 Dvorák, Harry James and John Williams. plus an appearance at next year’s Dean and Chadlington Summer Music Festival. Doctoral student Tamara Thompson- Brock has spent six weeks in Thailand working with HIV positive orphans and single mothers. A major part of her work included music and art therapy with a 12 year-old autistic boy who suffered from a hearing impairment and severe behaviour issues. One of his artworks ‘Love Has Won’ (shown above) was exhibited at the Chiang Rai art gallery and quickly sold to a buyer in Huw Montague Rendall performing in Bangkok. Cratoule, France RCM Junior Department students in Moscow

17 Staff notes

Guitar professor Gary Ryan has Area Leader for Masters Programmes Junior Department piano teacher Clara performed at London’s Bolivar Hall in Composition for Screen Vasco Hexel Rodriguez has organised a three-day with tenor Thomas Hobbs. The new has spoken at the Transatlantyk Festival piano festival at the Teresa Carrena programme featured his acclaimed in Poland, exploring the opportunities Centre in Venezuela. She also arranged composition Benga Beat alongside works and challenges for media composers for the transportation of a Steinway by J S Bach, Britten, Henze and Walton. using production music libraries. His talk piano from London’s Southbank Centre examined the benefits and drawbacks for for the festival, with the help of an filmmakers in using production music. ingenious piano engineer Peter Salisbury. and what this means for composers of ‘bespoke’ music. Junior Department clarinet teacher Alex Allen has been elected to The Royal Head of Historical Performance Ashley Society of Musicians. His company, Solomon directed a performance Clarinets Direct, is also now the main UK of Beethoven’s Symphony no 9 in and European dealer for clarinets by the Gloucester Cathedral for the Three Argentinian maker Luis Rossi. Choirs Festival. The 69-piece orchestra included a number of RCM students and Composition professor Kenneth professors, as well as members of RCM Hesketh’s Horae (pro Clara) – 12 Ensemble in Association Florilegium. short pieces for piano, written for the Ashley and harpsichord professor British pianist Clare Hammond – has Terence Charlston have also given been premiered at the Cheltenham concerts, lectures and masterclasses at Music Festival. A recording of his large Juilliard, Yale and MOMA in America. ensemble and orchestral works has also been released on NMC Recordings. Research Fellow in Performance Practice Ingrid Pearson has performed with her ensemble The Shackleton Trio at the International Basset Horn Festival in Germany and on the modern clarinet with the Edinburgh Quartet. Ingrid’s book chapter, ‘Research degrees in the Gary Ryan Conservatoire context: Reconciling practice and theory’ has also been published by Springer. Development Assistant Irisa Frankle has completed the Edinburgh Marathon Yuri Zhislin has performed concertos in 4 hours and 12 minutes, raising more by Beethoven and Tchaikovsky in Spain, than £1,000 for the RCM Hardship Fund and Sitkovetsky’s string trio arrangement Campaign. of J S Bach’s Goldberg Variations in the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. Brass Band in Residence Zone One Brass His ensemble ‘The Russian Virtuosi has won Third Prize at the All England of Europe’ has also toured Russia, International Masters Brass Band Contest following their success in Moscow and St in Kettering. The prize included a cheque Petersburg last year. for £750 and the Biggs Franklin Cup. Kenneth Hesketh Founding member Eoghan Kelly also won the Maxwell Thornton Award for the Outstanding Trombonist. Professors Andrew Robinson, Richard Jackson, James Bonas and Russell Professor Colin Lawson has appeared Smythe have held six days of workshops at the Edinburgh Festival, discussing for students (including four from the the value of using period instruments RCM) at Cratoule in Provence. The end alongside Alexander Hayward from of course concert was held in the ruins of National Museum Scotland. the château at Montclus where students performed to nearly 200 hundred Flute professor Gareth Davies, Principal tourists, locals and friends. Flautist with the LSO, has hosted his own show on Classic FM. In the hour- Violin professor Natalia Lomeiko’s long programme, based on his recently latest CD of Prokofiev’s music has been published book The Show Must Go On, released on Atoll Records. The recording he told the story of the LSO’s tour to features three sonatas – one with her America in 1912 and compared it to violinist husband Yuri Zhislin and two orchestra tours a century later. Yuri Zhislin with pianist Olga Sitkovetsky.

18 Spotlight on…

Janis Kelly Photo © ENO Alistair Muir ENO © Alistair Photo

Janis Kelly returns to the role of Mrs Harpsichord professor Jane Chapman Naidoo in Philip Glass’ Satyagraha at the has been appointed Turner Sims Fellow ENO in November. This is the third ENO at the University of Southampton and appearance for Phelim McDermott’s an Affiliate Artist of the AHRC Research celebrated production, which was first Centre for Musical Performance as produced in 2007. Creative Practice. Vocal Faculty Assistant Simon Davis has produced and performed the music for Dmitri Alexeev has been appointed five Cartier jewellery commercials. Each to the position of Professor of of the commercials for their ‘Nouvelle Advanced Piano at the RCM. Vague’ range of rings features a different This personal chair was created contemporary arrangement of the Cole especially for Professor Alexeev, in Porter classic I Love Paris. recognition of his extraordinary contribution to the RCM’s world- Research Fellow in Music and Visual renowned Keyboard Faculty. Since Impairment and intrepid guide dog his triumphs at the 1974 Tchaikovsky owner has taken part in Jackie Clifton Competition and 1975 Leeds the Blind Drive Challenge at the Llandow International Piano Competition, Race Circuit in Wales. The event was in Dmitri Alexeev’s skills as a performer aid of Guide Dogs Cymru. have become well known throughout Jonathan Pitkin has written the preface Jane Chapman the world. But this new position for a new reprint of Glazunov’s Violin also recognises the extraordinary Concerto, published by Musikproduktion dedication, integrity and great Höflich, Munich. It can be found online Baroque violin professor Adrian musical intelligence that he has by browsing the Repertoire Explorer Butterfield has released two CDs of brought to his teaching of some Leclair’s second book of Violin Sonatas catalogue at www.musikmph.de of the world’s most brilliant young with Jonathan Manson and Laurence pianists. He currently teaches some HR advisor Vicki Brock has played the Cummings on Naxos. 16 students at the RCM, including part of a froglet in the Wimbledon Light international prize winners and Opera Society’s performance of Honk! at Director of Development, Samir outstanding up-and-coming soloists. the Lost Theatre in Lambeth. Savant has taken part in the Florilège International Choral Competition in Professor Colin Lawson, Director RCM Professor of Performance France with Pegasus, the London-based of the RCM, commented: “I am Science Aaron Williamon has written chamber choir which he co-founded. The delighted that Professor Dmitri an article for the Journal of the Royal group returned victorious, winning both Alexeev has been appointed to a Society Interface. Based on his work with the Chamber Choir category and the Chair of Advanced Piano at the pianist Melvyn Tan, the study examines special Francis Poulenc prize. Royal College of Music. He is one of the physiological response of the concert the world’s most highly regarded pianist during low- and high-stress Vocal professor Sally Burgess has pianists and has played a major role performance conditions at the 2013 directed a performance of Così fan tutte in securing the reputation of the RCM Cheltenham Music Festival. at the Dubrovnik Summer Festival. The Keyboard Faculty as a natural first production featured alumnus Nicolas choice for students from around the Darmanin and RCM soprano Galina globe.” Averina.

19 Alumni notes

Alexandra Abel is part of the organising Pianist Ivana Gavric has released Countertenor Rupert Enticknap has committee for TedMedLive, a day of her third album on Champs Hill won the Opera and Lieder Prizes at the inspiring talks on health and medicine at Records, featuring works by Grieg. She 2013 Stella Maris Competition, as well the Royal Albert Hall. Held on 21 April launched the disc in the USA with debut as coming second in the competition’s 2014, the event will include talks from performances at the Phillips Collection Oratorio Prize. His prize includes a test RCM Chairman Robert Winston and in Washington DC and at the Gilmore recording with Deutsche Grammophon other world-class speakers. Festival Rising Stars Series, and in the UK and a recital at the Canadian Opera with a recital at Wigmore Hall. Company. Choral conductor Gregory Batsleer has been appointed Artistic Director of the Paul Farmer has been made an MBE first choir in residence at the National in The Queen’s Birthday Honours List. Portrait Gallery. The choir will perform After graduating from the RCM Paul a range of pieces in the gallery and aims moved into teaching, initially as Head to provide visitors with new ways of of Music and then as Head Teacher. He appreciating portraiture and music. also worked as a choirmaster and music examiner, and has been credited with Silver Song Clubs, a singing programme creating the first public examination directed by Adrian Bawtree reached the in pop music. His influential music finals of the National Lottery Awards for education books have sold more than the best health project. The Clubs aim 300,000 copies. to improve the health and well-being of older people living with long-term Pianist Christina Lawrie has performed health conditions, and provide singing music by Rachmaninov and Ronald sessions in care homes, hospitals and the Stevenson on BBC Radio Scotland’s community. Classics Unwrapped series. The BBC has orchestrated an also broadcast a live recording of her Guitarist Julian Bream has won Ewan Clark 80-minute film score by New Zealand- performance of Schubert’s Wanderer the Lifetime Achievement award at Fantasy from the Perth Concert Hall in the 2013 Gramophone Classical Music based composer David Long. The 3D feature film, Beyond the Edge, documents Scotland. Awards. The 80-year-old guitarist collected his well-deserved award Sir Edmund Hillary’s monumental and from guitarist Miloš Karadagli at the historical ascent of Mount Everest in 1953. Gramophone Awards Ceremony on Tuesday 17 September.

Singers Eleanor Denis, Anthony Gregory, Ben Johnson, Rhian Lois and Catherine Young have been accepted on the 2013/14 ENO Harewood Artist Programme. Eleanor also stood in last minute to sing the role of Ginevra in Handel’s Ariodante at the Salzburger Landestheater in Austria. Christina Lawrie

Violinist Michael Foyle has won the Croydon Concerto Competition with a performance of Elgar’s Violin Concerto. His prize includes concerto performances with the Croydon Symphony Orchestra, Guildford Symphony Orchestra and Epsom Symphony Orchestra. Joanne Marie D’Mello Jennie Joy Porton is currently completing a PhD at Royal Holloway Soprano Joanne Marie D’Mello has University of London. Her thesis is been invited to sing at this year’s a study of the music conservatoire, Europalia Festival in Belgium. For its experienced as a social, political and 24th anniversary, the festival focuses on learning environment from the student India and Joanne presents a selection of perspective. If you are interested in Bollywood melodies and Goan folk and taking part in her research, please Anthony Gregory popular songs. contact her on [email protected]

20 Mezzo soprano Emilie Renard has won First Prize and the Audience Prize in the Cesti International Singing Competition at the Innsbruck International Early Music Festival. Also in the final was soprano Katherine Crompton. In addition, Emilie has been awarded a special prize of an engagement at the Theater an der Wien.

Composer Chris Roe has won Second Prize at the International Lutosƚawski Composition Competition for his work Lavoisier’s Mirrors. He has also won the St John’s Waterloo Film Score Competition with the prize of hearing his work for clarinet quintet premiered at St John’s Church by members of the Southbank Brenden Guy Sinfonia. Photo © Kristen Loken © Kristen Photo Pianist Katherine Tinker has been Clarinettist Brenden Guy has launched accepted onto the 2014 Park Lane Young a new concert series in San Francisco. Artist scheme with her duo partner Max Emilie Renard Curious Flights is dedicated to presenting Welford. They will be performing as part new and rarely heard pieces by of the New Year Series in the Purcell English composers, and has included Room at the Southbank Centre’s Queen performances of works by alumni Elizabeth Hall. Alumni reunion Benjamin Britten and Edwin Roxburgh. Countertenor Benjamin Williamson Pianist Nicholas McCarthy has spoken has won the Nei Stëmmen International and performed at the Royal Albert Hall’s Singing Competition in Luxembourg. TEDxAlbertopolis. The afternoon event For the final, held at the ARCA Centre featured a host of inspiring, thought- Concert Hall, Ben performed Es ist provoking and entertaining talks vollbracht from Bach’s St John Passion and exploring how art and science coexist Venti turbini from Handel’s opera Rinaldo. together in the modern world.

Vanessa Howells and Hannah Grayson from Music Off Canvas have performed as part of the centenary celebrations of the Rookery Garden on London’s Streatham Common. Following workshops with 150 children in three On Saturday 7 September, the RCM local schools, the group worked with was delighted to welcome more than a dancer, actor and artist to create a 100 alumni to a special reunion at 40-minute work which led the audience the RCM. around three areas of the garden. The event was held for all those who attended the RCM between 1965 and 1975 and offered an opportunity to reconnect and reminisce with fellow Benjamin Williamson alumni. See the inside back cover for a Mezzo soprano Kitty Whately has selection of photos from the been made a Radio 3 New Generation occasion, or visit our Flickr pages at Artist. Now in its 15th year, the scheme http://bit.ly/14zcBxa supports emerging young artists by We are continuing to reach out to all providing a wide range of performance our alumni – please do get in touch opportunities including live broadcasts with your up to date contact details with BBC orchestras, lunchtime concerts at [email protected] Music off Canvas and regular studio recordings.

21 Obituaries, births and marriages

cataloguer, ever interested not only in appearances at the BBC Proms and a Obituaries the finer details of a description, but in series of international concerts. Ranken the whole history and provenance of also taught widely – three of his private volumes. She embraced new challenges students entered the RCM and went on with enthusiasm, not least when the to good careers – and adjudicated at RCM’s new library opened in 1985 and festivals in Europe and North America. far more contact with students, their He is survived by his wife Elizabeth loans and their needs became part of Bushby (née Davies), who also studied at her work. Her long admiration for the the RCM. RCM’s first Director Sir George Grove led to extensive research on him, including Former RCM student William Lewarne transcribing and annotating many of Harris died on 17 August, aged 84. his letters in the RCM Collections. In William was a composer whose works retirement, her Grove research include opera and chamber music. His continued, as did her affection for and Rescoria Variations, written about the generosity to the RCM. She contributed Cornishman Rick Rescoria (who helped significantly to the renovation of the to save lives when the Twin Towers were Amaryllis Fleming Concert Hall and was hit in 2001) was premiered in 2006. Felicity Smith a regular donor to the Library’s Restore- Other operas include The Shining Ones, a-Score programme. She will be greatly set in the East End in the 1930s. New Zealand mezzo soprano and RCM missed by her many friends, who will not forget the kindness, selflessness and keen alumna Felicity Smith tragically died Marriages sense of humour that made her such on 9 September. Felicity studied with good company. Alumna Sophie Stanley and current Tim Evans-Jones as a Vocal Masters student Pedro Faria Gomes married on student at the RCM, graduating in July Lawrence “Larry” Ashmore, who 27 July in Northamptonshire. 2012 with Distinction. She was a hugely studied composition, double bass and talented and intelligent young artist who tuba at the RCM between 1952 and Births contributed significantly to life at the 1954, died on 5 March. Lawrence’s first RCM during her years of study. While at professional engagements came via Eleanor Jane Warwick was born to the RCM she performed roles in two new the then RCM Secretary Percy Showan alumna Anna (nee Harpham) and Ben operas for the RCM’s Great Expectations and included opportunities to play Warwick on 9 July. project. She sang in masterclasses with under Gerald Finzi, a relationship that Sarah Walker, Dame Felicity Palmer resulted in his orchestration of Finzi’s Josie May Redpath was born to Head and Roger Vignoles, and was the alto Five Bagatelles for Clarinet. On leaving of Learning and Participation Hayley soloist for a series of Bach Cantata the RCM he played double bass with Clements and alumnus Alex Redpath concerts directed by Helmut Rilling for both the LSO and RPO under the likes on 19 September. Musikfest Stuttgart. A keen exponent of Klemperer, Walter, Barbirolli and Bryn Patrick Fosbrook-Rance was born of new and modern repertoires, Felicity Beecham. Later in life he became a highly to RCM Press and Marketing Manager premiered three major works by respected arranger and orchestrator. He emerging composers at the RCM, and John Fosbrook and his wife Madeleine worked in all fields, arranging works for Bradbury-Rance on 21 September. performed works by Cage and Reich with TV, ballets and concerts. His most well- the RCM New Perspectives Ensemble. known work was within the film industry Her funeral and cremation took place where, for more than 40 years, he on 18 September at the Hither Green orchestrated many film scores including Crematorium, and a memorial service Lawrence of Arabia, Carlito’s Way, Bridget was held in Wellington on 10 October. Jones’s Diary, Gosford Park and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. His most Celia Clarke, a former member of famous working relationship was with the RCM library staff, has died. Celia’s Patrick Doyle, for whom he orchestrated relationship with the RCM started in more than 20 films alone. The RCM 1964 when she worked with Oliver would like to acknowledge his widow’s Josie May Redpath Davies in the Parry Room Library, generous gift of Mr Ashmore’s library of then the RCM’s research and reference published scores. library. In June 1969 she was employed as a part-time assistant librarian and Former RCM professor and student soon took on further roles in both Ranken Bushby died on 6 April, aged the Museum of Instruments and the 86, following a long illness. Ranken Department of Portraits. Celia had a studied at the RCM with Gordon Clinton distinguished archival background, and Hubert Dawkes. After graduating, having worked at the Bodleian his successful performance career Library and as Cecil Hopkinson’s took in competition wins, numerous research assistant on his 1978 Verdi radio broadcasts and recordings. His bibliography. She was a meticulous book concert performances included two Bryn Patrick Fosbrook-Rance

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