BRITISH MUSIC SOCIETY nDECEMBER 2e018 ws STERNDALE BENNETT Chamber music release from BMS ‘PURE DEAD BRILLIANT’ Scottish composer John McLeod in search of wild musical landscapes Agenda British Music Society’s news and events Honorary life membership for ‘much valued’ John Talbot Chairman’s MS member John Talbot has been awarded an Honorary Life John Talbot welcome BMembership in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the Society since t will be January by the time you he first joined its committee in 1988. receive this so I'll begin by wishing An accomplished pianist and Steinway Artist, John first arrived in the UK in 1966. you all a healthy 2019 full of I While still a music student in Queensland, prosperous endeavours. Australia, he appeared as soloist with the Our review panel has been hard at Queensland and Melbourne Symphony work, so much so that this Printed Orchestras, and in later professional years version can only now be described as a was appointed Lecturer in Music at both Portsmouth Polytechnic and the Victorian sample of what is now appearing in the College of the Arts in Melbourne. His interest monthly E- News. Please provide us in British music is all-embracing, although with your e-mail address so we can keep he has specialised in studying the music of you more up-to-date on all the BMS's E.J. Moeran, editing a thirteen-volume activities. Centenary Edition of Moeran’s vocal, One of our News highlights is our keyboard and choral music for Thames Publishing (now in its second edition with latest BMS release through Naxos of the Music Sales). His Moeran discography on the William Sterndale Bennett chamber Chandos and Naxos labels includes the Violin music performed by the Villiers Quartet. Sonata (with violinist Donald Scotts), the Complete Solo Songs (with soprano Geraldine McGreevy, tenor Adrian Thompson and baritone Roderick Williams) and the Complete Solo Folksong Arrangements (with tenor Adrian Thompson and baritone Marcus Farnsworth). Among John’s CD recordings for the British Music Society are English Cello Sonatas– a recital with cellist Jo Cole of works Society’s distinguished Berkeley Medal. by John Foulds, Ernest Walker and York Subsequent to stepping down from the BMS Bowen – and October Roses, a collection of committee, John served as Chairman of The solo songs by Brian Blyth Daubney, with British Music Society Charitable Trust soprano Anna Dennis and baritone William (Michael Hurd Bequest) between 2013 and Berger. 2018, organising the release on the veteran Pursuing a busy freelance career after Lyrita label of Michael Hurd's chamber opera 1983, John served as BMS Chairman for two The Aspern Papers and two volumes of his extended periods (1993–1999 and 2005–2011). Choral Music coupled with the Complete We also bring you the results from He was the Society’s Recordings Manager Solo Songs. The latter project involved the BASC 2018 masterclass/competition between 1991 and 2011, during which time he preparing a printed performing edition of the and Journal editor Dominic Daula tells supervised the release of twenty-six BMS songs – now preserved in the Bodleian us about our new essay writing recordings, twenty-two of which he also Library – from original manuscript sources. competition. produced. In 2012 he was awarded the - WENDY HISCOCKS And remember to save the date for the 40th Anniversary Orchestral British Music Society Committee Concert and AGM at St. John's Smith Wendy Hiscocks (Chairman), John Gibbons (Vice Chairman), Stephen Trowell Square, London on Saturday June 22, (Treasurer), Dominic Daula (Journal Editor), Advisory roles: Karen Fletcher 2019. - Dr. Wendy Hiscocks Printed News designed by Revolution Arts -2- Oliver Knussen 1952-2018 Composer and conductor Oliver Knussen, born June 12th 1952 died on July 9th 2018 at age 66. Son of the double-bass player, Stuart Knussen of the LSO, Knussen was a leading figure in contemporary music, and is best known for his two operas, based on the children's books of Maurice Sendak, "Where the Wild Things Are" and "Higgledy-Piggledy-Pop". First Holst Society CD released he first Holst Society CD is now his Scherzo, dating from 1933/34 and available on EMRCD049 including transcribed for organ duet by Richard Brasier. TPartsongs by Holst and Dyson sung by Arrangements are also being made for the Godwine Choir. this Scherzo to be performed at the Two further CDs are in progress. One is a conclusion of choral evensong at Gloucester’s joint project with the Vaughan Williams 2019 Three Choirs Festival. Society under the Albion label scheduled for The Holst Society is also appealing to all 2019 and devoted to songs by Vaughan BMS members to help promote the Williams and Holst. This will include no less performance of all of Holst’s orchestral than nine world premières by Holst repertoire - not just The Planets - as other performed by soloists Roddy Williams and great works are becoming neglected. The Kitty Whately, with pianist Will Vann. Holst Society is acquiring the full scores of The other CD also features the Godwine some 14 orchestral works for free loan to Choir in Holst’s Complete music for amateur orchestras to encourage more Christmas to be released in time for performances of Holst’s wonderful orchestral Christmas 2019. Holst’s only organ works will repertoire also be featured performed by John Wright. For more information contact Holst This CD is also planned to include a Society chairman Chris Cope on 01769 581581 Gustav Holst transcription of Holst’s last orchestral work, or [email protected] Argovia’s Bostock steps down after 18 years Long standing BMS member Douglas repertoire from the A1 and A5 programmes Bostock will be stepping down as principal (Sept and May). There will be manifold conductor of the Argovia Phiharmonic other activities, including chamber music Orchestra in Switzerland after 18 years. concerts, talks etc. during the season, with The 2018/19 season is dedicated to British music as their main theme. British music, much of which is seldom Members might like to see the season heard in the UK, let alone on the continent. brochure, which contains all the The subscription concerts A1, A4 and A5 as programmes and a host of information well as the ”Last Night” (of the Proms) are about British music amongst other things dedicated exclusively to British music. The (in German), including a major article remaining subscription concerts and other written for us by Lewis Foreman. View it at concerts have a British slant, to say the https://issuu.com/argoviaphil/docs/magazi least, and are integrated into the British Douglas n_argovia_philharmonic_nr._13. theme. Two cds will be produced with the Bostock -3- AGENDA McCabe/Ellis chamber works re-released cCabe and Ellis both came from the Ellis worked from 1964 at the BBC as a music John McCabe Liverpool area, and both attended producer, having responsibility for Mthe famous Liverpool Institute, at the programme planning and administration of top of Mount Street, in the shadow of the great the BBC Northern, later Philharmonic, Anglican Cathedral. Both composers studied Orchestra. In 1977 he became Head of Music, with Thomas Pitfield at the Royal Manchester BBC North. College of Music. Both won the Royal The chamber works of John McCabe and Philharmonic Prize. While McCabe went on to David Ellis will be issued by ASC Prima Facie have a dual career as composer and pianist, in December 2018 on PFCD096. Cyril Scott Companion just published ust published, The Cyril Scott Companion explores the life and work of this Jremarkably creative man. It provides a comprehensive analysis and appraisal of all the available music and includes a complete catalogue and discography. Altogether the volume gives a broad picture of Scott’s entire output in literary, dramatic and philosophical genres. A review of this substantial work (676 pages) has been commissioned and will appear in a later edition of the BMS E-News. Unity in Diversity. Edited by Desmond Scott, Lewis Foreman and Leslie De’Ath. British Art Song Competition Prize winners Erika Mädi Jones and Panaretos Boydell £45. Kyriatzidis with pianist Roger Vignoles. British Art Song Competition 2018 finalists The 2018 British Song Competition and Bridge – Adoration Frank Bridge – The Last Invocation Master Class for voice and piano duos this Hywel-Davies - Whose list to hunt? Benjamin Britten – The Choirmaster’s year took place on 17 November at the Corinne Cowling, and Lucy Colquhoun Burial Austrian Cultural Forum in London. Given (highly commended) Louise Fuller and Adam McDonagh by Roger Vignoles, one of Britain’s leading Frank Bridge – So early in the morning Frank Bridge – Come to me in my dreams and best-loved Song pianists, and a familiar Elgar - Like to the damask rose Benjamin Britten – The Last Rose of face at the top international recital venues, Erika Mädi Jones and Panaretos Kyriatzidis Summer applicants were chosen by audition and (Prize-winners) Lucilla Graham and Michael Leach required to present two songs in English, at Frank Bridge – E’en as a lovely flower Frank Bridge – Where she lies asleep least one of which was by set composer, Rebecca Clarke – The Seal Man Edward Elgar - Sea Slumber Song Frank Bridge. The British Music Society Hugo Herman-Wilson, and Lucy Colquhoun Rory Carver and Liam Crangle donated the prize of £800 which was (highly commended) Frank Bridge – Fair daffodils awarded to Erika Mädi Jones and Panaretos Frank Bridge - Isobel Ivor Gurney - Sleep Kyriatzidis. The event was held in Gerald Finzi – Rollicum Rorum