The Magazine for the Royal College of MusicI Spring 2013

Now… relax! How the RCM is tackling performance anxiety

What’s inside... Welcome to upbeat...

When you’re under the spotlight, it’s not always easy to ‘relax’ on stage. But developing a stage presence and ability to communicate with an audience is a vital part of Contents training as a musician at the RCM. To help students along, Head of Performance Science Professor Aaron Williamon has led a team of researchers to develop the first 4 In the news performance simulator for musicians. Turn to page 12 to find out how he’s using this Updating you on recent RCM new technology to help students improve their performance skills. activities... This issue we also say a fond farewell to Peter Hewitt who is leaving us after 22 years as 10 Farewell to Peter Director of the RCM’s Junior Department. Turn to page 10 to read his about his time at Peter Hewitt reminisces over his the JD, including taking part in the rain-soaked Thames Pageant for the Queen’s Jubilee time as Director of the RCM’s Celebrations. Junior Department We would also like to take this opportunity to invite you all to witness a thrilling 12 Simulating and stimulating concert. On Tuesday 23 May, the RCM Symphony Orchestra will be performing one of performance the truly great orchestral works of the 20th century – Messiaen’s Turangalîla – at the Professor Aaron William tells Royal Festival Hall. Turn to page 9 for further details. Upbeat about his latest research into performance anxiety 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 news and pictures to 14 Meeting the supporters [email protected] by Monday 29 April 2013. Upbeat meets RCM Friend and Patron, Chelsea Pensioner NB: Please note that we cannot guarantee to include everything we receive and that we David Poultney reserve the right to edit submissions. 16 Student notes… Upbeat online Current student success stories Did you know that Upbeat is available to read online at www.rcm.ac.uk/upbeat If you’d prefer to read it in this way, do contact us at [email protected] and we’ll 18 Staff notes… stop sending you a paper copy. If you’d like us to send you an email notification News from professorial, academic when Upbeat is published, let us know your email address too. and administrative staff

20 Alumni notes… Updates from RCM graduates

22 Obituaries

PERC’M performing at St Mary’s Church in Beverly

Front cover – Peter Kirk in the RCM International Opera School’s production of Bizet’s Le docteur Miracle Inside front cover – Variable Geometry ensemble Inside back cover – A performance of works by Jonathan Dove and featuring artwork by Anita Klein All photography © Chris Christodoulou

3 In the news... Soirée d’Or 2012

The RCM’s annual fundraising event, Soirée d’Or, took place at the V&A Museum on 5 December last year. More than £185,000 was raised, which will be used to provide substantial scholarships to talented RCM students.

The evening began with a Taittinger champagne reception in the Medieval and Renaissance Galleries with music provided by alumna Charlotte Harding’s jazz quartet and a trio of RCM trumpeters, who performed a new work by current student Brandan Musk. A five-course dinner followed in the impressive Raphael Gallery during which guests were entertained by alumnus Sir James Galway and RCM violinist Ksenia Berezina, accompanied by Peter Limnov. With the focus on raising funds for the RCM scholarship appeal Sir Roger Carr delivered an inspiring speech, in which he likened the hard work and dedication of classical musicians to that of Olympic athletes. He also referred to the professionalism and sheer pluck of the RCM Chamber Choir who hit the headlines last year following their stoical performance in torrential rain during the Royal Jubilee River Pageant.

A lively auction followed with bidders competing for items that included a performance by Ksenia Berezina at a private event, a luxury break in Morocco, a private dinner at the Dorchester Hotel, and the use of a private box at the Royal Albert Hall to attend one of Alfie Boe’s 2013 performances. The evening finally closed with a rousing performance of Jerusalem by the RCM Chamber Choir and audience participation in four popular carols.

The RCM is very fortunate to have the 4 December 2013, please contact Mary Partnership, Hatch Mansfield, Ketel One support of a hard-working committee Cosgrave ([email protected]) if Vodka, London Russian Ballet School, led by Lady Carr (chairman), with you would like to attend. Mason Rose, Mihaela Christou Bespoke Lady Middleton, Emma Rose, Fiona Jewellery, Hambleton Hall, Nevill Holt, Flint, Tanya Rose, Lady Walters, Judy The RCM thanks the following Mowschenson and Anastasia Christou, companies and individuals for their O.P.I, Paul Wayne Gregory, Percy & Reed, all of whom work tirelessly throughout generous sponsorship and donations: QMS Medi Cosmetics, Roja Parfums, the year to secure table sales, RLM Finsbury, Boutinot, British Gas, Royal Mansour Marrakech, Royal Opera sponsorship and exceptional prizes Burberry, Richard and Anastasia House, Sally Clarke Ltd, St James’s Hotel to auction on the evening. The next Christou, The Dorchester Collection, and Club, Steinway & Sons, Steven Soirée d’Or will be held on Wednesday Green & Black’s, Inn or Out, Intern Morris and Wilberforce Chambers.

4 Double win at RCM pianist Pavel Kolesnikov has Honens won the highly prestigious First Prize Soundtrack_ Laureate Award of $100,000 (Can) at International the finals of the Honens International Cologne 9.0 Piano Competition Piano Competition in Canada. Although a relatively recent competition, it is known as one of the most prestigious and one of the most searching in terms of the requirements. Pavel was required to produce several recitals and recordings in order to reach the competition final, in which he performed Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto no 1. RCM alumni have scooped two awards at Soundtrack_Cologne 9.0, one of In addition to his lucrative money prize, Europe’s leading festivals of sound and Pavel, who studies with Norma Fisher media. and is supported by the Russell Gander Award, has also been awarded a three- RCM Composition for Screen graduate year artistic and career development and now RCM professor Enrica programme. Valued at half a million Sciandrone won the Peer Raben Award Canadian dollars, this programme for the best music for a short film. Her includes worldwide representation entry, ‘Suckablood’, was chosen from an for three years and a recording on the unprecedented 320 nominations. The Hyperion label. European Talent Award was awarded to RCM Composition for Screen graduate John Chua from Singapore. This is the Vanessa Latarche, who commented on second time a graduate of the RCM Lang Lang’s story Lang Lang’s “real gift” in being able to bring music to the masses, and praised has won this award, following on from The RCM has appeared in a feature- Martin Batchelar’s success in 2010. his ability to engage children with length documentary about star pianist classical music. Organised by the Cologne Congress for Lang Lang. Music and Sound in Film and Media, Several scenes in the documentary – Do or Die: Lang Lang’s Story, part of the SoundTrack_Cologne is a German including the central interview with BBC’s ‘imagine...’ series, aired on BBC One festival of music and sound in film and presenter Alan Yentob – were filmed in November. The programme explored media, which has developed into one of at the RCM, where Lang Lang has the personal story behind the Chinese Europe’s most important screen music been a regular visitor in recent years: classical music superstar, and included events. Eighteen students on the RCM he has given two immensely popular Composition for Screen programme interviews with various influential figures masterclasses, received an Honorary attended the festival as part of a group in the musical world. These included Doctorate, and met participants in the study visit to Germany, sponsored by the RCM Head of Keyboard Professor RCM’s International Piano Course. German Academic Exchange Service.

A big thank you In December the Royal College of Music participated in the 2012 Big Give Christmas Challenge to raise funds for our scholarship programme.

We’re delighted to report that thanks to the great generosity of our donors we have surpassed last year’s total, raising a staggering £136,930. Thank you to all those who contributed to The Big Give, which will go towards transforming the lives of talented young musicians. Piano masterclass with Lang Lang

5 In the news...

We were delighted to welcome Welcoming Professor Alexander Sokolov, Rector In defence of of Moscow Conservatory, to the RCM in Professor October last year. the recorder! Alexander Sokolov Professor Sokolov gave a talk, visited Head of Historical Performance the RCM Museum and discussed future Ashley Solomon has featured on artistic collaborations with RCM Artistic Simon Mayo’s popular Radio 2 Director Stephen Johns. He then met Drivetime show. with Professor Colin Lawson, Director of the RCM, to sign and re-affirm the Following a phone-in confession from memorandum of agreement between a listener, who disliked the recorder the two institutions, which allows for so much that he hid his sister’s and a number of educational and artistic children’s, Ashley gallantly went on air collaborations. to defend his instrument. He gave a brief account of the recorder’s history, Central to this historic partnership is before performing a delightful set of the longstanding close relationship variations on the well-known tune between the keyboard faculties: each Greensleeves. year, RCM Head of Keyboard Professor Vanessa Latarche visits Moscow for a series of auditions, discussions and masterclasses. The new memorandum of Kevin Porter, Professor Vanessa Latarche, Professor understanding promises even closer links Colin Lawson, Professor Alexander Sokolov in the future.

music for two short films. The session Concert Hall was a great success and enjoyed by the students, providing excellent training becomes Scoring for something they are very likely to encounter in their future careers. Stage for a day The recording was overseen by RCM On 1 November the Amaryllis Fleming Studios’ engineer Steve Harrington, and Concert Hall was transformed into a utilised the RCM Studios’ live room fully functional scoring stage for the beneath the concert hall to house the largest film-scoring session undertaken percussion section. at the RCM to date. Building on the success of this Composition for Screen student Pierre recording, the RCM Studios team hope O’Reilly organised the session, pulling to be able to run more sessions of this scale in the future. Student together 70 RCM musicians to record collaborations TheRCM Students’ Association presented the launch concert of the newly formed RCM Students’ Film Orchestra on 22 January. The concert featured two UK premieres: John Williams’ original score for Steven Spielberg’s War Horse, and Downey Overture by Oscar Navarro, as well as an original score by a Composition for Screen student.

6 Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster. Open Orchestra Children from two primary schools in RCM paintings each borough (one mainstream and one special school) will be offered an exciting available online introduction to the orchestral world, and given the opportunity to create new musical material. Working on the theme of “flight”, the children will use creative music technology to assist the composition process in workshops led by Drake Music associate musicians, BBC Symphony The RCM, BBC Symphony Orchestra and Orchestra musicians and RCM Drake Music (pioneers of assistive music students. The project culminates in a technology) have teamed up with three performance of the new work as well as London boroughs to develop the Open other orchestral repertoire given by the Orchestra project, a new schools music BBC Symphony Orchestra at a schools programme bringing together children concert on 22 May. from special and mainstream schools. The Open Orchestra project is just one This seven-month initiative is in of many initiatives in 2013 being led by collaboration with the Tri-Borough RCM Sparks, the RCM’s ground-breaking music hub of Hammersmith & Fulham, learning and participation programme.

which allows musicians to play Worldwide together over the internet without any Connections appreciable delay. John Wall Callcott Further contributions came from Thanks to a project undertaken in In September the RCM Studios hosted representatives of the LSO and the BBC, partnership with the Public Catalogue a unique one-day event that brought who shared their experience of using Foundation and the BBC, the paintings together experts from Europe and the web technologies to deliver everything from the RCM’s Special Collections can USA to demonstrate some of the latest from school music workshops to the now be viewed online for the first time. technical developments in remote Olympics. learning and participation. The collection features more than 120 The Arts and Humanities Streaming works, mainly portraits of musicians, The highlight of the day was a live Conference was hosted in conjunction dating from the 16th century to the link-up that allowed for an astonishing with JANET, the organisation which present day. Some are on public display performance of Mozart’s Clarinet runs the computer networks for in the RCM Museum, but many are Concerto by duo partners more than universities and colleges. Following the relatively unfamiliar, even to scholars. 300 miles apart: pianist Dominic conference the RCM has updated its They include the portraits of Joseph John at the RCM, and clarinettist existing videoconferencing technology Haydn and Ralph Vaughan Williams; Ryan Penman at Napier University to provide enhanced opportunities for sketches of paintings later destroyed (a in Edinburgh. This amazing feat was students and researchers to collaborate 1905 portrait of Elgar) or never finished only made possible by using a system with specialists around the world, (an 1890 portrait of Paderewski); developed at the Trieste Conservatoire, without ever leaving the building. and striking portraits of less familiar musicians such as that of the composer John Wall Callcott (pictured).

Head of RCM Special Collections Professor Paul Banks commented: “The inclusion of the RCM Special Collections in this wonderful and unique national project is an exciting landmark in our efforts to make the rich collections of the RCM more accessible to scholars, students and the general public.” All these paintings can be viewed on the Your Paintings website at www.bbc.co.uk/arts/yourpaintings

7 In the news...

of fun facts and activities, for future Kids take over the young people to enjoy. One participant Save the date! summed up the day by saying how RCM Museum much she enjoyed: “making posters, Alumni Reunion taking lots of photos and learning about On 23 November, the RCM Museum the instruments!” welcomed a group of children, aged 8–10, to participate in the National You can see the result of their hard Museum Takeover Day. work, Music Quest, at the entrance to the RCM Museum. Visitors are Following a tour of the Museum, the welcome to explore the RCM Museum children were given the creative task Tuesdays to Fridays, 11.30am – 4.30pm. of designing a Visitors’ Trail pack, full Admission is free.

On Saturday 7 September 2013 there will be a special reunion event for those who attended the RCM between 1965 and 1975. The lunchtime event is being organised by RCM Assistant Librarian Angela Escott (née Whelan) and Colin Dowdeswell, and offers an opportunity to reconnect and reminisce with fellow alumni. If you know any former classmates who might be interested, please encourage them to email [email protected] with current contact details.

Lark Insurance Scholarship

A new scholarship for RCM students has been established thanks to the generosity of Lark Insurance, specialists in made-to-measure musical instrument insurance.

The inaugural Lark Insurance Scholar is violinist Joseph Devalle and members of the Lark Group have visited the RCM several times to hear him play, including a performance in the Amaryllis Fleming Concert Hall and a masterclass with Joseph Devalle in a masterclass with Nicola Benedetti Nicola Benedetti. in other ways through exclusive offers and Without scholarships, many of our most David Foster, Director of Lark Insurance, specialist advice.” talented students would not be able to said: “We are delighted to be playing our seize the opportunity of studying at the own role in securing the future of the very Lark Insurance’s generous support is RCM. To find out how your organisation best emerging musicians. We look forward greatly valued and is a leading example can support a scholarship at the RCM very much to supporting Joseph’s progress of the way businesses can become please contact Nicholas Selman at and watching him reach his full potential, integral to the success of tomorrow’s [email protected] as well as helping the wider student body international artists. or 020 7591 4320.

8 UpbeatAn Turangalila invitation advert:Layout 1 21/02/2013 13:51 Page 1 Calling all Alumni - join us FREE OF CHARGE for our biggest concert of the year!

On Thursday 23 May, the RCM Symphony Orchestra is heading to the Royal Festival Hall to perform Messiaen’s epic Turangalîla- Symphonie, one of the great orchestral masterworks of the twentieth century. This very special concert forms part of the Southbank Centre’s year-long festival The Rest is Noise.

We would love the entire RCM family - past and present - to join us on our big day out, and so we’re offering two free tickets to all RCM alumni.

To reserve your tickets, call the RCM Box Office on 020 7591 4314 and quote “ALUMNI”. IMPORTANT: The closing date for this offer is Thursday 16 May. Your tickets will be available to collect from the Southbank Centre Box Office on the evening of the concert.

We look forward to seeing you at what promises to be a magnificent event.

7.30pm | Thursday 23 May | Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre Messiaen - Turangalîla-Symphonie RCM Symphony Orchestra | Thierry Fischer conductor | Stefan Stroissnig piano Cynthia Millar ondes martenot • www.rcm.ac.uk/messiaen

9 Farewell to Peter

How has the Junior Department changed during your time as Director? “Peter Hewitt was extremely kind to me during my time at RCMJD, The number of teaching staff has as he was to a great many of my increased and the quality of teaching contemporaries. From a young is at least as good as it’s ever been. The age he encouraged me to develop number of students is also buoyant and the overall level of applicant at audition as a composer, and the success of is rising inexorably. We’ve introduced Saturday mornings owed much to new instruments such as Jazz piano and his incredible energy and ability to Jazz saxophone and the curriculum has enthuse and organise a myriad of evolved too – there is now chamber teachers and students every week. music for all and a wider range of such Peter is a superlative musician himself, ensembles, and choral singing is offered and would even occasionally step in to everyone, something close to my and take rehearsals when tutors were heart. I’d say Musicianship – classes indisposed.” – Tommy Hewitt Jones such as Improvisation, Composition and (no relation!), composer and RCMJD Practical Musicianship – has also really alumni 1996-2003 developed over recent years.

We give increasingly careful guidance How well is Sparks Juniors, the JD’s towards career pathways for students outreach programme, working? now too. I’m very proud that our I was closely involved, with Hayley students go off in many different Clements and Sue Sturrock, in setting up directions. It’s our job to make sure their Sparks Juniors, since a key feature was decision is as informed as possible and how to integrate the students with the of course we’re delighted if they want to rest of the JD. And I think it’s worked very study at a conservatoire, particularly the well – particularly through the choirs – RCM, but sometimes it’s appropriate for and it’s been great to welcome them and them to follow a different pathway. their families into the community. In my time, about 2,000 students have It’s been going for four years now and come through the Junior Department. they’ve really become part of the fabric. And they’ve gone onto all sorts of careers It’s great to see them all benefitting and branches of music. Some of them from belonging to such a marvellous After 22 years as Director of the RCM’s have even returned to the JD as teachers. institution. In the future, I’d like to see Junior Department, Peter Hewitt is leaving There is an incredible loyalty to the the graduates really coming through for new adventures abroad. He tells department and the College itself. Upbeat his most poignant memories… as skilled and full members of the JD. What is it that makes the Junior This hasn’t happened yet and it is a very How did you come to be Director of Department so special? ambitious wish, but that would be the the RCM Junior Department? ideal. It would be wonderful to be able It’s that coming together of like-minded to provide that quality of experience I’d been teaching music in schools for people, all wanting to make music a number of years, latterly as a head of to much larger numbers, but we are together at a very high level, which on constrained by the size of the building. department in Hertfordshire. Then this the whole they’re not able to do locally. opportunity arose at the College, and for There is a very warm family atmosphere How does the JD collaborate with some reason I got it. here: the team and I know all the other institutions? students very well, as we also know their We’ve set up a number of collaborations I’d always known of the Junior teachers and their families, which makes over the years which have greatly Department. Edmond Fivet was the for a wonderfully personal approach. Director then, before that it was Barbara benefited our students. Two I’m Boissard and Michael Gough Matthews I work very carefully to match new particularly proud of are Sound Moves (later Director of the RCM), also Marjorie students with teachers. You try to and Living Song. address individual student needs and Humby and Angela Bull – an illustrious Sound Moves is a project with young then find somebody who can best set of forbears! I like to think it was dancers from The Place, and is led by JD develop them. And people seem to serendipity that landed me here. teachers David Sutton-Anderson and sense that we focus on the , not person Avril Anderson. Composers from JD I came into the Junior Department on just the music making. I like to think of several Saturdays before I officially took collaborate with young choreographers it as nurturing rounded and grounded to create a piece which is then performed up the position, just so I could see how it people who just happen to be skilled by fellow students both here at the RCM worked, and I remember being absolutely creative musicians. I have to mention my and at The Place. It’s been going for amazed by the quality of the teaching fantastic admin team too – we have such about 14 years and is just terrific. and the focus teachers gave to individual short terms and they do a brilliant job students. I like to think that is still a packing everything in, making Saturdays hallmark of what we do now. as efficient as they can be.

10 Similarly Living Song, a collaboration with the English Folk Dance and Song Society, has been an eye-opener for everyone involved. The students go back to original source material, learning folksongs by ear, and then our composers produce their own versions, very much in the spirit of Vaughan Williams. I think a highlight of my time at RCM was a performance on stage by Sam Lee (nominated for the Mercury Prize last year) singing a folksong, barefooted, and holding the audience in the palm of his hands. The RCMJD chamber choir then performed the (very fine) newly composed versions of the songs. It was very special. I think that this cross fertilisation – whether it’s dance, folksong, jazz, early or world music – is part of what makes this place so exceptional. It’s opening up possibilities and freeing up the creative musical mind. The Mayor’s Jubilee Brass Band What about your favourite JD moments? an impact on our students and it was Do you keep in touch with many Well, recently JD students got to also a great opportunity for them to JD alumni? participate in the Thames Pageant – collaborate with Senior College. Yes, and it’s fabulous to see names of part of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee former Juniors on orchestra lists, on celebrations. I was on the boat with The I can’t help not mention the recent stage, and in chamber groups. But not Mayor’s Jubilee Band which was made BBC Young Musician successes… but only in musical contexts – some are up of players from all four London based the JD has always been prominent in now sitting at board level at major Junior Departments, their associated this competition, from Michael Collins institutions. The training we offer is boroughs and senior colleges. It was onwards. There are too many prominent fantastic and it sets them up for the rest such fun, although we were soaked and participants to mention! of their life, but it doesn’t necessarily freezing, and desperately disappointed have to be in music. Let me mention not to be featured on the TV coverage! two sisters who were at the JD before Also, opportunities like performing every my time: one is now an extremely senior piece from Bartók’s Mikrokosmos at the partner at a financial institution and the Southbank were special. It made such other a member of a leading orchestra. So it goes both ways, even within families. “I remember the first time I met Peter How will you remember the Junior – he was walking down the steps Department? of the Concert Hall and I guessed he was the new Director as he was On one level it’s all a wonderful golden blur. On another level, one mentions the only adult not surrounded by a name and it sets up a chain of children. I said to him he should get memories. But actually every Saturday is to work straight away and pointed memorable. You see these kids bounding him towards some parents to speak up the steps in the morning and dragging to. I remember he hesitated for a themselves out at the end of a very long moment, but then got straight to it. day still with their eyes blazing. Anybody He’s always been a very fair person who works in education can’t fail to be to work with and a good listener. I inspired by that. particularly admire him for keeping up the tradition of singing – it’s such a fundamental skill and important If you are a Junior Department part of developing as a rounded alumnus, or know of any former musician – and many young people students who would be interested in simply don’t get the opportunity staying in touch with the RCM, please these days.”– Joan Hale, former email [email protected] with current RCMJD flute teacher Peter with Lara Melda (BBC Young Musician 2010) contact details.

11 Simulating and stimulating performance

Performing at one’s best in public can be difficult for any musician. Head of Performance Science Professor Aaron Williamon tells Upbeat about the RCM’s new performance simulator, which aims to help students hone their performance skills…

How did the idea of the performance simulator come about? Compared with other conservatoires and universities, RCM students have perhaps the highest number of opportunities to perform in front of a live audience – but you can never have enough! So, we wanted to develop a facility that could give students the chance to develop and refine their public performance skills, allowing them to review and reflect on their performances and to make The RCM performance simulator successful transitions from the practice room to the stage. In parallel with this, our research indicates that performance Our audience is made up of individual performing, and what we can do in this anxiety is a persistent problem for many footage of real people, compiled into context is expose them systematically musicians worldwide. With this in mind, one large image and projected into the to situations with varying degrees of we were aiming to provide a learning space. The musician sees them through risk and challenge. The video footage environment in which the risks of real- the glare of the spotlights and can hear is essential too, as it allows them to life performance could be recreated, their applause, their coughs and sneezes, judge for themselves whether they are although controlled, and thereby help and even their mobile phones loudly and communicating and projecting the musicians address and manage anxiety clearly. We control the audience from image they would wish to. problems. backstage, such as how often they cough and how enthusiastically they applaud How do you measure musicians’ How does the performance (or boo). The purpose of the simulation responses to performance situations? simulator work? session – be it to enhance presentational We measure physiological responses in Students are booked to perform at a skills, work on anxiety problems or performance with a new wireless device specified time. When they arrive, they address specific research questions – called a BioHarness. It captures heart are shown into a warm-up room where determines how the audience interacts rate, breathing rate, skin temperature they can unpack and start their pre- with the performer. Video cameras and movement data. We also have performance routine, whatever that capture the performance as it happens standardised questionnaires for may be. Our backstage manager gives from several angles, and these videos can measuring factors such as performance them warnings before they’re due to go be taken away by the student for study anxiety, self-confidence and performance on stage: “You’re on in 15 minutes… 5 and review. quality. minutes… Please come with me.” We also have the option of simulating We’ve observed that musicians’ Then, they walk to the ‘backstage area’, an audition situation, in which case physiological and psychological which looks much like the backstage of we project a panel of three ‘expert’ responses to performance situations any concert venue: it’s small and a little judges. They too can be controlled from don’t always correlate. Some people shabby. There, we have CCTV footage backstage to respond to the performance experience elevated heart rate yet showing the audience finding their seats, with, for instance, enthusiasm, interpret this a positive sign that they and they can hear the usual low murmur indifference or hostility. We’ve posted are ready to perform (as distinct from of the audience talking. The backstage a short video of how the performance being ready to practise). Other people manager confirms that the front of house simulator works at may have the same heart rate response is ready to start the performance: the www.rcm.ac.uk/simulator and experience debilitating anxiety audience is seated and the spotlights are symptoms. This is why it’s important to on. The stage door opens, the applause How do these sorts of experiences help understand both general and individual- starts and the student walks out onto students improve their performance? specific responses to performance the stage. Under the spotlights and with Exposure to performance situations situations and then apply learning and the audience clapping, the performer and reviewing one’s skills is one way performance enhancement interventions takes a bow, gets ready to begin and then we can help musicians enhance their that are best suited to the individual starts the performance. performance and feel more confident musician. We see the performance on stage. Some musicians have anxiety simulator as central to our ongoing work problems even after many years of in this area.

12 In January Professor Aaron Williamon was featured on the popular BBC Radio 3 series Between the Ears to talk about his research. Three RCM students also took part, relaying their experiences of using the performance simulator. Here are a few extracts from what they had to say. To listen to their interviews visit www.rcm.ac.uk/scalpelandbow “The simulation is such a good tool – to go in there and put yourself in the position of running through the piece, really perform it and see what all the hours of rehearsal and practice have come to” – Postgraduate cellist Jane Lindsay

Surigical simulator at Imperial College “During the simulation it felt much like a real performance. I felt I got into the zone quickly and that I was really Has simulation been used in same prosthetic on the arm of an actor, performing on stage, not just playing other fields? dress it well with fake blood and tell in a practice room” – Undergraduate Yes, the most widely known example is the actor to squirm (or to complain or cellist George Ross flight simulation, but in fact, simulators swear) while the trainee is sewing up the are currently used to train surgeons and wound, you’ll see performance levels “I felt nervous and uncomfortable athletes. We developed our simulator drop dramatically. They have to learn to going into the simulation… as I went in collaboration with London-based deal with real world situations and to in I was worried I’d mess up the design consultancy Studiohead, who develop good interpersonal skills. performance. It was good to practice worked with Imperial College to create in the simulation environment as a Similarly, as I mentioned before, it can several surgical simulators, and with the preparation for a performance in be difficult for student musicians to Conservatorio della Svizzera Italiana in front of real people. In general I tried have regular access to famous venues Lugano. To our knowledge, this is the to ignore the audience, but there and real audiences. Musicians too need only facility of its kind worldwide. was a lot of coughing which was a to respond to performance problems as bit distracting”– Junior Department they arise and to hone their interpersonal How does your research link with the cellist Linden Ralph current surgical simulation work at skills. By simulating performance Imperial College? conditions, we can give surgeons and musicians valuable, real-world training. Well surprisingly, there are a number Any other projects in the pipeline? of similarities between musical and How do you hope the simulator will Much of our research at present focuses surgical performance. One example is develop in the future? on musicians’ health and wellbeing, to look at how teams of people come We’re currently considering several examining ways of improving and together: with a surgical team, it’s often additional environments and types of promoting health and preventing only the smallest of gestures or glances audiences to simulate. Educationally, performance-related injuries. This an that indicate to a colleague to pass a we’re now developing curriculum-based area in which we’ve worked for several scalpel or to help execute a procedure. opportunities for students to improve years, and it is now producing some very Likewise in ensemble performance, audition techniques, and soon we hope tangible outcomes. More generally, we musicians too make subtle movements to make the simulator available for one- have a large (and growing) cohort of PhD to communicate visually with each other to-one lessons and chamber coaching. and MSc students who are working on and with their audience. The simulator is already being used on fascinating projects that span the field of Also, both groups can learn a lot from our MSc in Performance Science, and performance science. simulation, and unfortunately, neither we have plans to offer it more widely as Find out more about the Performance gets to be ‘in the spotlight’ as often as part of the RCM’s undergraduate and Simulator and the work of the RCM they and their instructors might like. A postgraduate curricula. If any students Centre for Performance Science at trainee surgeon won’t be let loose on are interested in using the simulator now, www.rcm.ac.uk/cps real patients often until very advanced it’s best for them to contact me directly, stages of training. Sewing up a wound on and I’ll see how we can help. a prosthetic sitting on a table is relatively straightforward, but if you place that

13 Meeting the supporters...

some great people – Dame Vera Lynn, and that wonderful feeling as they come Katherine Jenkins – they were both out on stage. I remember one concert super. I’ve got some lovely photos of us where they had six harps, my favourite all with them too. instrument. I also like brass instruments and seeing how much the students It was Warner Music who were behind enjoy playing. I like looking at them and the CD – they’d previously produced The thinking: “they’re going to be famous Soldiers and most recently did Military one day!”. And I also like that they come Wives. Our CD got to number 14 in the from all over the world – from Japan to charts and we even got a Gold Disc – my America. daughters were so excited about that. In fact my daughter Rosemary took it back And you have an unusual connection with her to America where she lives. with the RCM’s Britten Theatre? Yes, I left the army when I was 30 and Do you have a favourite song on went to work on ‘Civvy Street’. One of my the disc? jobs was working as the Office Manager No, I’d sing anything! But I did get to for a firm of architects, one of whom was sing “Danny Boy” as a solo. We were just Sir Hugh Casson, who later designed the waiting around in the studio and I saw a Britten Theatre. book open with the music. I just started singing and the producers said they’d like What’s life like as a pensioner at the to put it on the record. Royal Hospital? I used to live in a very small room, 9ft by You do a lot of work raising money for 9ft, with no windows. But now I’m in a charities, why is that? newly built room with an en suite, there’s I enjoy collecting for charities – last year so much more space. I raised more than £5,000 for the Royal David Poultney British Legion selling poppies at Charing Not that I’m always in my room – I stay Cross railway station. I also collect for the busy! There are always lots of activities An RCM Friend and Patron, Chelsea Royal National Lifeboat Institution, the going on here and I’m also often out in Pensioner David Poultney has a great love Army Benevolent Fund and the Institute my scarlet coat representing the hospital for music, a bullish energy for life and a of Cancer Research. I like keeping busy, – particularly collecting for charities and strong belief in supporting causes close and I enjoy going out and talking to meeting people – I’ve met Prince Charles, to his heart. In 2010, he and six other people. Margaret Thatcher, David Cameron… Chelsea Pensioners at the Royal Hospital released an album in order to raise money And because I’m Welsh, I also enjoy I think it’s so important to be busy. My for the Chelsea Pensioners’ Appeal: “Men supporting musical causes: I support the advice is: start something you’re never in Scarlet” sold more than 100,000 copies RCM’s Restore a Score – it has to be done going to finish – then you’ll always have and helped fund the building of new – and I support the Welsh Singer of the something to do! accommodation for the retired soldiers. Year competition. The members of the all-male choir were RCM Friends and Patrons provide vital What do you enjoy about visiting brought together by their love of singing, support to the RCM and its talented young the RCM? and David agrees that singing is in his musicians. Restore a Score is a fund set up It’s part of my ritual. My friend John is blood, as he tells Upbeat… to conserve the manuscripts, printed music 92, a real old boy, but he’s fit and has and recordings held in the RCM Library. To When did your love of music begin? medals in all directions. We enjoy coming find out about any of these schemes and I’ve always been interested in music and to the College together when we can. I other ways to support the RCM please visit first started singing when I was just four enjoy hearing the Symphony Orchestra, www.rcm.ac.uk/supportus years old. I’m Welsh, you see, singing is what we do! If you say to a Welshman: “Sing!”, he’ll sing. An Englishman would Welcome to new Friends and Supporters be too timid! You know, music is the We are delighted to welcome the following people who have recently made most important thing in a Welshman’s their first donation to RCM life. There’s a saying: “To be born Welsh is to be born privileged. Not with a silver Ian Adam Elizabeth Hale Mr and Mrs HWB Page spoon in your mouth, but music in your Brendon Bernard Martin Holloway Alan Sainer Charles E Bradley Johanna Holmes Irene Sarsby heart and poetry in your soul.” Peter Cargin Michael and Rita Laven Robert Sarsby Can you tell me about recording the Lord Clanmorris Patricia Litke Michael Shipley Daphne Clarke Peter Lobban Jenny Tindale album Men in Scarlet? Geoff Cox Zarina Membery David White It was a very hectic time. We’re old men Emma Davis Alison Midwinter Pauline Williams and had to be out of here at half past Mark Deli Sir Jeremy Morse KCMG seven in the morning, tearing off to some Michael Earrey Heather Murphy recording studio. But we got to sing with

14 Supporting the future of music...

Music has the power to transform Independent Opera Artist Scholarship Halina and John Bennett lives. Thanks to the generosity of our South Square Trust David Poultney supporters, generations of gifted Sir Peter and Lady Walters David and Sue Lewis students from around the world have Edward Brooks FRCM Monica Moezinia been guided and inspired at the Royal Sir Gordon Palmer Scholarship Mr and Mrs Charles Robinson College of Music. We would like to thank Douglas Downie Ruth Rothbarth in particular those who have made Mark Loveday Scholarship Other generous donors donations of £1,000 or more in the Noswad Charity Jane Kessler last twelve months – gifts are listed in Else and Leonard Cross Charitable Trust The Farthings Trust descending order. Midori Nishiura Kirby Laing Foundation The Henry Wood Trust Supporters of named scholarships, The Sylvia Paterson Award Sir Siegmund Warburg’s Voluntary prizes and Junior Fellowships The Bliss Trust Settlement Estate of Dr Neville Wathen The Robert Fleming Hannay Memorial ABRSM Supporters of RCM Sparks Charity Leverhulme Trust J Paul Getty Jr Charitable Trust John Topham Soirée d’Or Scholarships John Lyon’s Charity Karen Cook Estate of Ian Evans Lombe David Ross Foundation Miss Kathleen Beryl Sleigh Charitable Trust Estate of Roselyn Ann Clifton Parker The Ernest Cook Trust RLM Finsbury The Richard Carne Charitable Trust EMI Music Sound Foundation The Seary Charitable Trust Laurie Barry and the John Barrry Scholarship John Lewis Partnership St Marylebone Educational Foundation for Film Composition The Stanley Foundation Roland Rudd Estate of Dr John Birch FRCM Dr Susan Sinclair and Rodolphe Olard Interros H R Taylor Trust Anonymous The Sharp Foundation HF Awards The Oldhurst Trust Centrica plc John Lewis Partnership Scholarships HPS Trust The Rothermere Foundation The Tsukanov Family Members of the RCM Chairman’s Circle Geoffrey Richards HonRCM Richard and Rosemary Millar Philip Carne HonRCM and Christine Carne * Ann Driver Trust The Worshipful Company of Musicians Michael and Ruth West * Serena Fenwick Hester Laverne Award Dr Leonard Polonsky and Dr Georgette Mark Wood Charles Napper Award Bennett * Paul Wayne Gregory Lydia Napper Award Sir Vernon Ellis FRCM and Lady Ellis Dorchester Collection The Michael Bishop Foundation Jane Barker * Bill Bolsover The Reed Foundation Sir Roger and Lady Carr HonRCM * Fiona Wilson Croucher Hong Kong Charitable Trust Guy Dawson and Sam Horscroft Webster and Davidson Mortification The Hon Ros Kelly Emma Rose and Quentin Williams * for the Blind Opperby Stokowski Collection Trust Linda and Tony Hill Nevill Holt Opera The Lee Abbey Award James and Clare Kirkman * Sir David Cooksey Celia and Andrew Curran Scholarship John and Catherine Armitage * The Derek Hill Foundation Stephen Catto Memorial Scholarship Gisela Gledhill * Professor Colin Lawson FRCM The Worshipful Company of Drapers Dr Mark Levesley and Christina Hoeseason * Philip Jackson The Worshipful Company of Fishmongers Alethea Siow and Jeremy Furniss * Janis Susskind HonRCM The Estate of Mr Charles Knoll Peter Granger Lord and Lady Lurgan Trust Members of the RCM Director’s Circle Blair Wilson Award Ian Stoutzker OBE CBE FRCM Richard and Sue Price Clifford and Maggie Abrahams Ian and Meriel Tegner * Victoria Sharp Bell Percussion The Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation UK Charles and Kaaren Hale Kathleen Trust Gilbert and Eileen Edgar Junior Fellowship Peter and Dimity Spiller Michael Steen OBE HonRCM Phoebe Benham Junior Fellowship Sir Peter and Lady Middleton FRCM Mrs Terry Collins-Tveter The Mills Williams Foundation Judy and Terence Mowschenson Miel de Botton The Derek Butler Trust Terry Hitchcock Helena Morrissey Andrew and Karen Sunnucks Sir Sydney and Lady Lipworth Nicola Jones Monica and Guy Black Scholarship Vivien McLean Knights of the Round Table The Charles Peel Charitable Trust Metherell family Nonna Materkova The Ackroyd Trust John Nickson and Simon Rew* Sir David Lees The Richard Toeman/Weinberger Opera Louisa Treger Kilfinan Trust Scholarship Patrons’ Circle Inn or Out The Wyseliot Charitable Trust Russell Race* Richard Davey The Wall Trust Rhoddy Voremberg Friends of the National Libraries The Stanley Picker Scholarship John Cheng Roja Dove Limited Professor Lord Winston Costas Kaplanis Lark Insurance Scholarship John Ward * also support a named award Steinway & Sons Ellen Moloney For more information about supporting The Rayne Trust Betty Sutherland the RCM, please visit The Boltini Trust Scholarships Mrs Victoria Moore-Gillon FRCS www.rcm.ac.uk/supportus Jonathon Bond Sir Anthony Cleaver FRCM and Lady Cleaver Alternatively, contact Irisa Frankle, Richard and Debbie Ward Dimity and Kerry Rubie Development Assistant on 020 7591 4861 David Laing Foundation Scholarship Tania Chislett or [email protected]

15 Student notes Composition String successes congratulations Winner of BBC Young Musician 2012, Laura van der Heijden has performed Arne Gieshoff’s work Stanza was Walton’s Cello Concerto with the Royal performed by the BBC Scottish Philharmonic Orchestra at Cadogan Symphony Orchestra and Martyn Hall… Violinists Suijin Park and Brabbins in Glasgow. The concert was Mari Poll reached the semi-final of recorded by BBC Radio 3 for their the Michael Hill International Violin contemporary music programme Hear Competition in New Zealand, while and Now… Adam Kornas has won the Benjamin Baker won the Development Lord Mayor’s Composition Award. His Prize. Benjamin also won Second Prize prize includes £2,000 and a performance in the inaugural Orpheus Musician of of his work Paradise Regained at Mansion the Year with First Prize going to alumna House… Catherine Cheung has won the and bassoonist Tamsin Thorn. Both Herne Hill Music Festival Composition musicians performed at a celebratory Competition with her saxophone quartet concert at St George’s Church, Hanover Suspend/Coruscate… Square with the Orpheus Sinfonia… Violinist Laure Chan has performed a programme of Fauré, Chausson, Ysaÿe Keyboard and Ravel at the Sevenoaks Music Laura van der Heijden accomplishments Festival prize winners’ concert… Pianist Yoshio Hamano has won First Prize at the Nordic International Piano Competition in Malmö, Sweden, with the splendid prize of a Blüthner Grand Piano and concerts in Sweden and Japan… Pianist Laura Dickson has given an evening recital at Park Place in Wickham in aid of Dorothy’s Dream, The Rowans Hospice at Home Appeal… Pianist So Yeong Kim has been selected for this year’s Foyle Future Firsts Programme with the London Philharmonic Orchestra… Pianist Samson Tsoy has won Second Prize at the 23rd Haverhill Sinfonia Soloist Competition… Pianist Konstantin Lapshin Laure Chan Anna Fedorova performed at a special concert in memory of Arthur Rubinstein at Carnegie Hall, New York. She also spent two weeks at the Verbier Festival in Switzerland where she was awarded the prestigious ‘Prix - Foundation Neva’… Pianist Konstantin Lapshin has performed in the Rachmaninov Hall in Moscow, the Pump Room in Bath, Pushkin House in London, and the Assembly Room in Lincoln as part of his Doctoral Project ‘Rachmaninov Rediscovered’… Valentin Barray has won Third Prize and a Special Prize for the best accompaniment of a French mélodie at the Claude Bonneton International Piano Competition in Sète, France.

Anna Fedorova

16 Woodwind Spotlight on… triumphs Flautist Diego Aceña Moreno, oboist Alasdair Hill and clarinettist Adrian Somogyi, members of the Cataleya Quintet, have performed at The Leverhulme Trust annual reception in Unilever House in London. All three students are supported by the trust, one of the most generous supporters of young musicians in the UK.

Joanna Songi

RCM cellist Yuki Ito has been named National Anthem singer. She will sing as a Second Prize winner at the highly ahead of the international matches prestigious Young Concert Artists Cataleya Ensemble against South Africa and New Zealand, as International Auditions in New York. well as all of the home games in the Six Nations tournament in 2013… Soprano Yuki was given the opportunity to Vocal achievements Louise Alder has featured on BBC Radio take part in the semi-final auditions 4’s Today programme with Royal Opera in New York after he was awarded Sopranos Joanna Songi and Anna House Director of Opera Kasper Holten, First Prize at the European Young Anandarajah have won Second Prize talking about the state of opera and Concert Artists Auditions in Leipzig. and the Audience Prize respectively life as a young singer today… Two RCM As a result of his success Yuki will in the Maureen Lehane Singing Junior Department students won prizes be awarded future engagements Competition at the Wigmore Hall… in the final of the Association of English worldwide, the first taking place in Baritone Morgan Pearse was one Singers and Speakers Catherine Lambert Tokyo. Junior Recital Prize: Julius Haswell won of three soloists in a performance of More than 300 musicians from 41 First Prize with his themed programme Haydn’s Creation with the Hastings countries took part in this year’s of English song, poetry and prose entitled Philharmonic Choir, conducted by Young Concert Artists Auditions, for ‘Love lost through war’, while Rhys Marcio da Silva… Soprano Laura which the criteria are exceptional Jupiter Brown took Third Prize and the Wright has been chosen by the Rugby musicianship, virtuosity, individuality, Speech Prize. Football Union as England’s first official projection as a performer, and promise. The organisation has discovered and launched the careers of many internationally celebrated musicians including pianists Jean- Yves Thibaudet, Emanuel Ax, Murray Perahia, Jeremy Denk and Richard Goode; soprano Dawn Upshaw, and violinist Pinchas Zukerman.

Yuki has also recently released his debut album. Accompanied by RCM alumna Sofya Gulyak, the recording features popular cello works by Rachmaninov and was chosen as ‘disc of the month’ by The Strad magazine. Rachmaninov: Cello Works (Champs Hill Records) is available to buy through iTunes, Amazon, Laura Wright with English Rugby players NaxosDirect, and Europadsic.

17 Staff notes

the special qualities of moonlight that have inspired great composers such as Beethoven and Debussy. She has also recently released Cuba España – her fifth CD on Nimbus Records.

Guitar professor Carlos Bonell Viol consort coach Claire Bracher has recorded a CD of solo works by Telemann. Guitar professor Carlos Bonell has Released on the Early Music label SFZ, re-released his classic album The Private it is the first recording of the complete Collection with new artwork and liner surviving works for viola da gamba. notes. The album features a number of Spanish works by Granados, Albéniz and Piano professor Leon McCawley has Villa-Lobos and is available to purchase given a solo recital at Wigmore Hall. His from www.carlosbonell.com. programme spanned two centuries of keyboard music from J S Bach’s Italian Assistant to the Deputy Director, Concerto in F to Liszt’s Les cloches de Director of Programmes & Research Genève from Années de pèlerinage. and Artistic Director Rebecca Mair has performed with the Rolling Stones as Flute professor Gareth Davies has written part of their 50th anniversary tour at the a memoir of the London Symphony O2. Singing with the choir Voce!, they Orchestra on tour, focusing on their accompanied the band in the classic hit historical first visit to America in 1912 You Can’t Always Get What You Want. and their most recent 2012 US tour. Principal Flautist in the LSO, Gareth tells the remarkable story through recently discovered diaries and archive material from London and New York newspaper Professor Colin Lawson has released reports. The Show Must Go On will be his latest CD on Clarinet Classics. The published by Elliott & Thompson Limited recording features Mozart’s Clarinet in May. Quintet, performed on a specially recreated basset clarinet in A, as well as the world premiere recording of the A major Rondo, originally intended for the Quintet but Tom Fox instead recycled as an aria for Così fan tutte. He is joined by the Revolutionary Drawing Room ensemble featuring violinist Adrian RCM Maintenance OfficerTom Fox Butterfield. created a moustache-shaped guitar in aid of Movember, a charity that raises Composition professor Kenneth Hesketh money and awareness for prostate cancer has completed a new work for dance research. Made from 100% reclaimed – Forms entangled, shapes collided – materials, it included a piano stool leg for commissioned by ensemble Psappha and the neck, a picture frame for the body Phoenix Dance Theatre in Leeds, and and a resonating body made from a shoe supported by The Royal Philharmonic polish tin. The guitar was auctioned for Society Drummond Fund. The work tours charity on eBay at the end of November. nationally from February 2013 passing through Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester Junior Department piano teacher Clara and London’s ROH2 Lindbury Theatre Rodriguez has given a candlelit recital at amongst others. The work is one of 16 St Martin-in-the-Fields. The programme new commissions to mark the Royal centred on the theme of spirituality and Philharmonic Society’s bicentenary in 2013.

18 On 21 April Head of Strings Mark Area Leader in Composition for Screen and Performance Culture in Nineteenth- Messenger is running the London Vasco Hexel has composed music for the Century Britain). The latter volume Marathon once again to raise money to Discovery Channel’s feature documentary is a Festschrift in honour of the 80th support extraordinary young musicians. Terror in the Sky – the 9/11 Tapes. His birthday of the distinguished musicologist This year it coincides with the RCM’s music was also featured on BBC One’s Nicholas Temperley. Super String Sunday: throughout the Panorama and in the Christmas campaign day you will be able to track his progress of Channel 4 subsidiary S4/C, Wales. round the course while enjoying a feast of music making. Hopefully he’ll Language coach Norbert Meyn has been Spotlight on… make it back to the RCM in time for appointed Fellow of the Higher Education the final performance! You can support Academy (FHEA) after completing Mark at uk.virginmoneygiving. a course on teaching and learning in com/madviolinist or find out more higher and professional education at the about the event at www.rcm.ac.uk/ Institute of Education. superstringsunday Junior Jersey International Masterclasses Head of Historical Performance Ashley - Piano and Strings - Department 26th July 2013 to 5th August 2013 Solomon performed with the RCM Patron: Vladimir Spivakov violin teacher

Our goal is to provide world class Dmitri Bashkirov Ensemble in Association Florilegium education to students who want to Piano (Russia/Spain) Viktoria learn from internationally acclaimed Vanessa Latarche musicians and pedagogues. Our Piano (UK) at the launch of Kings Place’s 2013 Bach distinguished professors are experts Grigoreva in developing to the full the talent of Yekaterina Lebedeva modern-day, award-winning Piano (UK) Unwrapped series. The programme performers. has founded Leonid Margarius The Masterclasses take Piano (Italy) featured two seasonal cantatas, in which place in Jersey, away from the Zakhar Bron a new pressures of the outside world, Violin (Russia/Germany)

students are able to learn and Viktoria Grigoreva the group was joined by four solo singers work in a relaxed, stimulating summer Violin (UK)

and contemplative environment. Mark Messenger including alumni Elin Manahan Thomas, Violin (UK) course in Leonid Gorokhov Sally Bruce-Payne and Jimmy Holliday. Cello (Germany/UK) Jersey. The course aims Jersey International Masterclasses work closely and in cooperation with:

Jersey Academy of Music, Royal College of Music, The Tsukanov Family Foundation and Vladimir Spivakov International Charity Foundation. to provide Prince Consort Professor Sarah www.jerseymasterclasses.com

Email: [email protected] Tel: +44 (0) 1534 720030 world class Walker CBE celebrates her 70th © 2012 Jersey International Master Classes. All Rights Reserved. education to birthday at Wigmore Hall on 13 students from internationally acclaimed March. Following similar events for musicians. This year it will be held from her 50th and 60th birthdays, she is 26 July to 5 August, and invited professors yet to decide whether to wait ten include Zakhar Bron, Leonid Gorokhov, years for the next, or to go for a Leonid Margarius, Dmitry Bashkirov, 75th…? Mark Messenger, Vanessa Latarche and Katya Lebedeva. Sarah, who retired from performing www.jerseymasterclasses.com a few years ago, now spends most of her energy imparting wisdom Assistant librarian Monika Pietras has Florilegium to RCM students, but she will be graduated from City University with taking an active part in this concert an MSc in Information Management in Head of Opera Michael Rosewell has the Cultural Sector, accredited by CILIP. supported by what she calls ‘a cast conducted performances of Britten’s She also had an abridged version of her of thousands’! The distinguished Albert Herring at the Royal Opera House dissertation published jointly with Dr actress Eleanor Bron leads a line-up together with the award-winning Aurora Lyn Robinson in the Library Review vol. that includes two former members of Orchestra. The cast featured alumniMark 61 (8) – Three views of the musical work the RCM International Opera School Wilde (in the title role), Martha Jones – bibliographical control in the music Laura Mitchell and 2012 Kathleen and Rosie Aldridge. Rupert Christiansen domain. Ferrier winner Kitty Whately, from the Telegraph said “Michael alongside baritone Stephan Loges, Rosewell’s conducting of an excellent band Junior Department recorder teacher pianist Graham Johnson, a girls’ choir sustains the dramatic impetus admirably Rebecca Austen-Brown has performed and two violinists. as well as honouring its crystalline on the soundtrack of two current box instrumental detail”. office hits: Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit and The music and texts for this Tom Hooper’s recent interpretation of programme have been adapted The Tippett Quartet, featuring Junior Victor Hugo’s epic tale Les Misérables. by Graham from one of his most Department violin teacher Jeremy popular Songmakers Almanac Isaac and alumnus John Mills, has been Deputy librarian Peter Horton has had concerts: Let us Garlands Bring – a appointed Artists in Residence at Sidney two book chapters published: a study Shakespearian extravaganza which Sussex College, Cambridge. Working of the way anthem texts changed in the includes repertoire ranging from John closely with students and musical director 19th century (in Martin Clarke (ed.), Dankworth’s The Complete Works to David Skinner, they will give a series of Music and Theology in Nineteenth-Century Joseph Horowitz’s dramatic scena concerts, workshops and masterclasses, Britain) and a study of English song in Lady Macbeth. and expand their impressive discography. the 1840s (in Bennett Zon (ed.), Music

19 Alumni notes

Double bassist Damian Rubido Gonzalez has taken up the position of Associate Principal Double Bass with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, the oldest surviving professional orchestra in the UK.

Composer Chris Green recently worked on the audio for the computer game Need For Speed Most Wanted with Electronic Arts. He also featured on the November cover of worldwide magazine Computer Music.

Violinist Wonhee Bae has won the Ocean Classical Awards 2012 in Germany. Following her winning performance of Anna Rice Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto with the Philharmonie der Nationen, Wonhee was awarded €15,000 and the chance to Composer Anna Rice has scored a 52- perform with various orchestras in major part animated series called Wild Grinders halls in Frankfurt am Main and Munich. for Nickelodeon USA. Prior to this she was commissioned to write the score Pianist Christopher Guild has for Sean O’Casey’s play Juno And The performed at the Kelly College Concert Paycock, the inaugural co-production Series in Devon. The evening recital between the Royal National Theatre and included music by CPE Bach, Janáček Abbey Theatre of Ireland, directed by Sir and Schubert, ending with Mussorgsky’s Howard Davies and starring Ciaran Hinds Pictures at an Exhibition. and Sinead Cusack.

Alto flute specialist Carla Rees has given two concerts with her ensemble rarescale at Shoreditch Church in London. The concerts featured new music for chamber ensemble, including works by RCM professor Michael Oliva, and provided the opportunity to hear Carla’s newly replaced quarter-tone bass flute. Ben Lee Violinist Ben Lee has broken his own Guinness world record after playing The Pianist Peter Bradley-Fulgoni has Flight of the Bumblebee in 58.05 seconds. released PianOLYPHONY, a new CD Performing on Superhuman Showdown, featuring music by Liszt, Busoni, broadcast on the Discovery Channel, Ben Schoenberg, Berg and Gerhard. It also was also named the fastest ‘superhuman’ features the Hindemith Sonata, which on the planet as he beat off tough Peter has long wanted to record, having competition from a speed shooter and a first heard it in the 1970s when acting base jumper. as page-turner for his teacher and Conductor Sir Colin Davis has been RCM professor for many years Kendall awarded a medal from the Berlioz Taylor. The CD was launched at a recital Christopher Guild Society in recognition of his work in at the Circolo Filologico in Milan last promoting the music of the 19th-century November. French composer. Colin was particularly Composer Oliver Rudland’s new work recognised for his work as the first Soprano Abigail Mitchell has been for trombone and piano has been conductor of the Chelsea Opera Group awarded a place on the prestigious Santa premiered at the Royal Academy of and its leading role in the post-war Fe Opera Festival Apprentice Programme Music. The Conquests was performed Berlioz revival. for 2013. She will be covering the role of by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra’s the Countess in Le nozze di Figaro, a role Principal Trombone Matthew Gee as she previously performed at the RCM part of the 2012 London Trombone International Opera School. Festival.

20 Conductor Andrew Mogrelia has been A CD dedicated to the late Hubert appointed Music Director and Principal Dawkes has been released by Bryan Conductor of the Queensland Ballet and Diana Beggs. Featuring local singers in Brisbane, Australia. He took up the and recorded at St Michael’s Church in appointment on 1 January 2013 and Andover, the disc features Dawkes’ final will conduct Cinderella in April and The work They That Wait Upon The Lord. The Nutcracker in December. CD is available from the producers on 01264 365 190, and all proceeds will be shared between St Michael’s Church and Naomi House Children’s Hospice.

Margaret Fingerhut

Irmina Trynkos Pianist Margaret Fingerhut has joined Andrew Mogrelia the roster of professors at Trinity Laban Conservatoire in London. She has also Violinist Irmina Trynkos has released her recently undertaken a series of lecture- debut CD with the Royal Philharmonic Organist and composer Robert Coates recitals and masterclasses in California Orchestra. It features works by the has edited and published the first edition and Canada. forgotten Romantic composer Ignatz of John Ireland’s Magnificat and Nunc Waghalter including his 1911 Violin Dimittis in A. Written in 1905, it was Composer David Braid’s new work, a Concerto and earlier Violin Sonata, never published and is now available setting of the 11th-century Latin text which won the coveted Mendelssohn from Cantando Musikkforlag in Norway Alma Redemptoris Mater, has been Prize in 1902. The disc forms part of the at bit.ly/UmFjee performed by the Chapelle du Roi at St project by Irmina to publicise the works John’s Smith Square. The evening concert of this little known composer and is The Jacquin Trio, featuring clarinettist also featured settings by Renaissance available on Naxos. Jessie Grimes, violist Zoë Matthews and composers Tallis, Palestrina and Victoria. www.waghalterproject.com pianist Charis Cheung has been awarded a Tunnell Trust Award which will see Composer Mark Bowden has composed them performing at Scottish music a new percussion concerto heartland for clubs in 2014. They are also ‘Ensemble Evelyn Glennie. The work will be in Residence’ at The Forge in Camden premiered at the Vale of Glamorgan for 2013 where their three-part series Festival in May 2013 and is a includes premieres and contemporary collaboration with the choreographer works by Huw Watkins, Simon Rowland- Eleesha Drennan and the National Dance Jones and Paul Patterson. Company of Wales.

Alexandra Wood

Violinist Alexandra Wood has been appointed Leader of the City of London Sinfonia. Alexandra took up the position in January 2013 and is particularly looking forward to the CLoSer concert series – intimate and informal music experiences – at the Village Underground The Jacquin Trio in Shoreditch.

21 Obituaries

Sir Philip Ledger FRCM, professor at so many years, I can honestly say he was the RCM for many years, died on 18 the epitome of the perfect second oboe; November 2012 at the age of 74. He not only was there never a note out of was one of the most notable church place, but he was a fantastic support to musicians of recent years. He read music the principals, usually Peter Graeme (also at King’s College, Cambridge, where he an RCM professor) and Neil Black.” later succeeded Sir David Willcocks as Director of Music from 1974 to 1982. His recordings with the Choir of King’s George Hurst are much loved, in particular the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols. He will be remembered for many of his choral Former conducting professor George arrangements and other compositions, Hurst has died. Born in 1926 in Scotland, in particular his Easter cantata The Risen George was closely associated with Christ and new settings of popular texts several British orchestras during his long such as Adam lay y bounden and A career. He was also a profound influence Spotless Rose. At 23 he was appointed on many performers and conductors. Master of Music at Chelmsford He studied piano and cello in London, Cathedral, making him the youngest but was evacuated to Canada during cathedral organist in Britain. He joined the Second World War. He later became the professorial staff of the RCM in 1962. Professor of Composition at the Peabody He later went on to become joint Artistic Institute in Baltimore, Maryland. Director of the Aldeburgh Festival, and Encouraged by the pianist Dame Myra enjoyed working closely with Benjamin Hess, George moved back to Britain, Britten and Peter Pears. In 1965 he and in 1953 conducted the London became Music Director and Dean of Fine Philharmonic Orchestra with Eileen Joyce Arts at the University of East Anglia and as soloist. In 1958 he was appointed in 1982 became Principal of the Royal Principal Conductor of the BBC Raenelda MacKie Scottish Academy of Music and Drama Northern Symphony Orchestra. He also often worked with the Scottish National (now Royal Conservatoire of Scotland) RCM Doctoral student Raenelda until his retirement in 2001. Orchestra, and in 1968 helped to launch the Bournemouth Sinfonietta as an MacKie died on 23 December 2012. She The distinguished pianist and RCM offshoot of the Symphony Orchestra. was diagnosed with cancer less than two alumna Julia Cload has died at the George first conducted the BBC Scottish years ago and had bravely undergone age of 65. She was born into a family Symphony Orchestra in 1982, later both chemo- and radio-therapy. of musicians: her father John Cload becoming its Chief Guest Conductor. Raenelda was working on a thesis on the was a founding member of the London As a conducting professor at the RCM, Catalan composer Federico Mompou – Philharmonic Orchestra while her George was a significant influence on the supervised by Richard Langham Smith, mother was a highly regarded violin development of many British conductors. Ingrid Pearson and Julian Jacobson – and teacher who also studied at the RCM. Perhaps his greatest influence was on Sir had made some crucial discoveries. Julia studied at the RCM with Cyril Simon Rattle who recollected that, aged She will be sorely missed not only by Smith before continuing her studies at 11, he had attended a performance of those who worked closely with her, but the Franz Liszt Academy in Budapest. Mahler’s Second Symphony conducted also by many of the RCM postgraduate Following her debut, playing Beethoven’s by Hurst, and found it a “Damascene community, who encountered her as Third Piano Concerto with the LPO experience”. Rattle later said: “It’s because a lively contributor to the Doctoral under Sir Adrian Boult, she was much in of that evening that I’m a conductor.” seminars during 2010 and 2011. RCM demand as a concerto soloist, appearing Research Professor Richard Langham again with the LPO, the RPO, the Hallé, James Brown, oboe professor at the Smith commented: “As her principal the RLP, various BBC orchestras and the RCM from 1964 to 1995, has died at the supervisor, I can testify without a shadow London Mozart Players. As a recitalist age of 83. Jimmy, as he was universally of doubt that Raenelda was one of my she frequently recorded for the BBC known, was an extremely busy orchestral best ever supervisees and also one of the and appeared at major venues in the player. Described by a colleague as most rewarding and fun to be with. She UK, Austria, France, Germany, Hungary “everyone’s favourite second oboe” – a had all the right skills for her subject: first and Switzerland. Her recordings of huge compliment – Jimmy rejoiced in his and foremost unlimited enthusiasm for Bach’s Goldberg Variations and Das role at the very heart of the woodwind researching the composer for whom she Wohltemperierte Clavier as well as section. Alongside his very active had unbridled passion. There is no doubt Haydn’s 20 Sonatas were singled out for performing career Jimmy unearthed, that her enthusiastic work on her thesis special praise. edited and published numerous works — well on the way to completion — kept for oboe which added substantially to her going through what turned out to be the solo repertoire. Bassoonist and RCM her terminal illness.” To read Richard’s full professor Martin Gatt commented: tribute, please visit “Having sat behind Jimmy in the ECO for www.rcm.ac.uk/news

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