The Magazine for the Royal College of MusicI Spring 2010

Interviewing the Interviewer Sir Michael Parkinson tells Upbeat why he’s supporting the RCM

What’s inside... Welcome to upbeat… Higher education funding – or rather, the lack of it – has been hitting the headlines repeatedly in recent months. So how will this damage the hopes of Contents current and future RCM students? Well, hopefully it won’t at all, as the RCM has dramatically stepped up its own fundraising efforts to try to plug the gap. 4 In the news This issue of Upbeat focuses on just a few of the ways we’re trying to ensure Updating you on recent that current and future generations of RCM students can enjoy the same high College activities, including award successes and recent level of teaching and support as their illustrious predecessors. collaborations

On page 9 you can meet the RCM’s new fundraising team. Then on pages 9 New developments 10-11 you can hear from Sir Michael Parkinson, who we’re delighted to say has An introduction to the RCM’s new offered his wholehearted support to the RCM. He explains why he was moved Development team to become the face of the new improved RCM Friends scheme, and spills the beans on his own performing career! On pages 12-13 you can take a peek 10 Sir Michael Parkinson backstage at the RCM International Opera School, to find out how we’re raising Upbeat chats to the master of the funds for this particularly intensive (and expensive!) area of study. Finally, on interview about his love of music pages 14-15 you can read about a few of the ways that our supporters provide and his involvement with the RCM vital support for our students. 12 Behind the scenes Of course as usual, the rest of Upbeat is full of news from RCM staff, students A look at the RCM International Opera School and some of its key and alumni, who it seems have been busier than ever keeping our minds off all supporters this financial doom and gloom, and entertaining us in a great variety of ways! 14 How to support us We are always keen to hear from students and staff past and present, so if you More about how you can get have anything you’d like us to feature in the next issue of Upbeat, send your involved and help support the news and pictures in to [email protected] by 10 May 2010. work of the RCM

NB: Please note that we cannot guarantee to include everything we receive and that we 16 Student notes reserve the right to edit submissions. Recent success stories from our talented students

18 Staff notes The latest news from RCM staff

20 Alumni notes Updates from RCM graduates

22 Births, marriages and obituaries

Soirée d’Or 2009

Front cover – Sir Michael Parkinson, Honorary Patron of the new RCM Friends scheme. Inside front cover – Images from a recent visit by Vladimir Jurowski, who directed RCM orchestras as part of the Alfred Schnittke: Between Two Worlds festival. Soirée d’Or 2009 Inside back cover – Marvin Stamm performing with the RCM Big Band in November.

3 In the news...

and was played for the first time in a this dodgasted thing if you laugh?’ I went Elgar’s trombone performance of his piece The Dream of out of the room as quickly as I could and Gerontius at the . sat on the stairs, clinging to the banisters till the pain eased, but it was no good. I The trombone’s link to the composer couldn’t stop there as he went on making and its discovery make a compelling comic noises, so I went downstairs out of story which Sue Addison has uncovered ear-shot for a bit.”

Photograph: Joe Plommer Photograph: - including the fact that Elgar didn’t play it very well. Elgar gave the trombone to the YMCA’s Music Section in 1918 after they She says: “Elgar began to learn the appealed for instruments to send to trombone at the age of 43. In 1900 when British troops to raise morale. Elgar, then he was writing Gerontius, he wrote to his 63, wrote: “This trombone has clinging publisher ‘PS I’m learning the trombone…’ to it happy memories of my youthful and drew a sketch of himself playing music-making. But why should I keep it it. He later said he wasn’t sure whether for sentiment when the ‘boys’ can put it he was worse on the typewriter or the to use?” trombone, exclaiming ‘… don’t ask me to play the latter’.” The trombone was ‘missing in action’ Sue Addison with Elgar’s trombone until it was found at the Ealing Branch Elgar’s friend Dora Penny wrote of a visit of the YMCA in 1934, following adverts November 2009 saw the first outing to the composer: “On one occasion he in national newspapers to locate it and of ’s trombone since the got up and fetched a trombone that was place it in a national collection. The composer’s death in 1934. standing in a corner and began trying to YMCA then donated the trombone to play passages in the score. He didn’t do it the . The instrument, which can usually be very well and often played a note higher found in the Royal College of Music’s or lower than the one he wanted… and The OAE’s performance ofGerontius Museum of Instruments, was loaned as he swore every time that happened was a rare opportunity to hear the piece out in exceptional circumstances to the I got into such a state of hysterics that I performed on original instruments Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment’s didn’t know what to do. Then he turned with the same pitch and the same sized Principal Trombone, Sue Addison, on me: ‘How can you expect me to play orchestra Elgar would have used.

The RCM Museum doubles up The Royal College of Music’sMuseum The Independent on Sunday named the of Instruments has doubled its RCM Museum of Instruments as one opening hours, offering more people of the top 20 heritage sites in ‘Secret the chance to see one of the country’s Britain’, and described it as “The definitive most important collections of musical place in Britain to see the history of music- instruments and portraits. making”. Treasures of the collection include the clavicytherium, the world’s The museum will now be open during oldest strung keyboard instrument, and College term time from 11.30am to Hardy’s famous portrait of Haydn. 4.30pm from Tuesday to Friday.

across the Commonwealth. The highly Victory at the distinguished jury for the inaugural competition included Maria Ewing, VOBOs Grace Bumbry and Julian Joseph. Student Peter Brathwaite has won the £10,000 Samuel Coleridge Taylor Award Peter, who studies at the RCM’s at the Black British Classical Foundation International Opera School, won the VOBO (Voice of Black Opera) awards. award for the best performance of an opera aria written by a black composer. The new competition, set to take The award is named in honour of the place every two years, is open to composer Samuel Coleridge Taylor, the professional or final-year student celebrated RCM alumnus. singers of black and Asian heritage from Peter Brathwaite

4 Recognition for The RCM Success for RCM Director strikes silver Handelfest We are pleased to announce that the Royal College of Music has recently been awarded Silver status under the Healthy Orchestra Charter. The Charter is a joint initiative by the Association of British Orchestras and the Musicians Benevolent Fund, aimed at creating an industry- wide standard of care for the health of orchestral musicians and management. The RCM is only the second recipient of Silver status since the launch of the charter (the first being House), and was granted the award after Professor Colin Lawson rigorous examination. RCM Performance Coordinator Jess Pearce received the Professor Colin Lawson, Director of award on behalf of the RCM at the ABO the Royal College of Music, was recently Conference in Glasgow in February. awarded the honour of Fellow of the Royal Northern College of Music. If you are interested in learning more about the Charter please visit From 15 to 24 October the Royal College He was presented with his award by www.abo.org.uk/Information/ of Music’s Britten Theatre played host Professor Linda Merrick, Vice-Principal of Healthy-Orchestra/ to Handelfest, ’s the RNCM, at a ceremony in the College’s celebration of five of Handel’s most Concert Hall on Thursday 10 December. brilliant operatic works. RNCM President Sir Willard White No fewer than ten RCM alumni were presided over the ceremony. singing in the operas, including the likes of Katherine Manley, Rachel Nicholls, Clint van der Linde and Angelica Voje, was an incredible achievement for such all of whom received high praise from a Zone One Brass a young band, formed just seven years number of critics. ago by RCM students. The RCM’s resident ensemble Zone One Current RCM student Paula Sides Brass recently became the first - RCM Head of Brass Nigel Black performed in two of the operas. She was based brass band to reach the finals of comments: “I am immensely proud of described as one of the “real stars” by National Brass Band Championships of Zone One’s achievements in reaching the the Guardian, while The Times said that Great Britain. National Finals. The RCM’s collaboration “the elusive mood of Flavio… is beautifully with Zone One is unique among London conveyed, especially by Paula Sides, a The finals of the historic and prestigious conservatoires. For many years now pinpoint-accurate high soprano”. competition were held at the Royal Zone One Brass has offered RCM Albert Hall on 17 October, with the students, both current and alumni, the The theatre itself was also described as UK’s best brass bands in attendance. opportunity to enjoy banding at the “the ideal setting” by The Stage, while Reaching this stage of the competition highest level.” Rupert Christiansen wrote in the Daily Telegraph: “One immediate merit of the opening season is its venue. The small horseshoe auditorium of the Royal College of Music’s Britten Theatre provides much the sort of performance space that Handel would have had in mind.” Alongside the performers on public show, eleven RCM singers also had the chance to cover roles, attending all rehearsals and gaining experience of life within an opera company. Following the performances at the RCM, the five operas toured a number of venues in Exeter, Bath, Snape and Cambridge The RCM’s resident ensemble Zone One Brass throughout November.

5 In the news... The Twitterati The Training at the RCM and Education The RCM entertained a special guest of Composers – in December when Stephen Fry attended the RCM International an international Opera School’s production of The Magic Flute. survey Stephen Fry is well known as a fan A major survey of composers has been of the opera, having produced the launched by the RCM’s Centre for Music English translation for Kenneth and Multimedia. The survey seeks to Branagh’s 2006 film. He was highly investigate the appropriateness and impressed with the RCM performance effectiveness of training and education opportunities for music composers, both and wrote on Twitter: “RCM’s Magic in prospect and retrospect. It will capture Flute was utterly entrancing. Loved the experiences of a large number every second of it. Pleasingly wacky and wide range of composers and costumes!” songwriters across Europe and beyond, in order to lobby for better opportunities JD Composition students have also been and resources to study the art and craft Song and dance busy creating new folk song settings of composing, including lifelong learning. as part of the Living Song project, in from the Junior The survey has been developed by partnership with the English Folk Dance Professor David Burnand, Head of the Department and Song Society (EFDSS). The results CMM, with support and advice from will be performed by the Chamber Choir colleagues in the British Academy of conducted by Joy Hill later this year. Junior Department student composers Songwriters, Composers and Authors, the Contemporary Music Centre Dublin, recently collaborated with the Royal the National University of Ireland at Ballet School on a music and dance Maynooth, Leiden University Academy extravaganza. TheCollaborations project, of Creative and Performing Arts, and the which is now in its sixth year, gives JD University of Hertfordshire.

composers the opportunity to create Taylor Ashley Photograph: new work under the guidance of JD Professor Burnand says: “Composers and professors and choreographers and songwriters generate significant cultural dancers from the Royal Ballet School. The and economic wealth. So understanding results of the latest project, which had a their lifelong educational and training theme of ‘Thresholds’, were performed at needs is crucial to Higher Education and the creative economy.” the Linden Studio Theatre at the RBS to an audience from the music and ballet To take the survey please visit worlds. Participating students were www.surveymonkey.com/s/composing Joseph Bates, Sasha Milwood, Patrick For further information email Milne, Pietro Miozzo and Nick White. [email protected]

Conservatoire Chamber Choir; RCM to think again Between pianist Christopher Guild joined the after this”, while LPO as an extra; while recent RCM David Nice Two Worlds graduates the Harpham Quartet gave a summed it all up concert in the Royal Festival Hall. by saying that “the The RCM received great acclaim for RCM Symphony its major contribution to the London The RCM musicians and the and Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra’s festival Alfred inspirational Jurowski came in for high Orchestras could Schnittke: Between Two Worlds. praise. Writing in the Guardian, Tim face comparison Ashley wrote that “the RCM Chamber with the very best.” In a packed week of events, LPO Orchestra dazzled and delighted”, conductor Vladimir Jurowski directed Richard Whitehouse was moved to See the inside front cover for photos of RCM orchestras in concerts at the comment that “anyone considering Jurowski’s extraordinary visit, which will College and the Southbank Centre; student orchestras as not capable of linger long in the memory. the RCM played host to the Moscow great performances would have needed

6 The concert was a great success, with A tribute to all proceeds going to the Nicholas Branston Foundation, which was set up Nicholas Branston last year by Paul and Rachel Branston in memory of their son. The foundation RCM graduate John Wilson conducted is establishing a scholarship fund at the a concert at a packed Leicester RCM, which will help to pay the tuition Cathedral on 24 October in honour of fees of future generations of students. horn player Nicholas Branston, who died in a car accident in July 2008, just Paul Branston said: “Within a week of three weeks after graduating from his death, we knew we wanted to do the RCM. something to keep his name going but we weren’t sure what. It’s obviously The programme included a range been a very tough year for us and doing of works by composers associated this has really helped with the grieving with the College, including Vaughan process.” Williams’ The Lark Ascending, Joseph Horovitz’s Captain Noah and his For information on the Nicholas Floating Zoo, and Benjamin Britten’s The Branston Foundation visit Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra. www.NicBranstonFoundation.org John Wilson

RCM across More Listening the globe Galleries… December 2009 saw the grand opening of the Victoria and Albert Museum’s new Medieval and Renaissance galleries, complete with music performed by RCM musicians.

This represents phase two ofThe Listening Gallery, the major RCM Research Associate Giulia Nuti performing collaboration between the RCM and on vimeo.com the V&A, supported by the Arts and Humanities Research Council. Following In many cases, brand new recordings on from a collaboration on the have been made by RCM students and temporary exhibition entitled Baroque, professors at the College’s recording phase two moves back further in time studios, using historical instruments Vasco Hexel presents his Grove Forum lecture from the RCM Museum where possible. to illustrate the relationship between Audiences in the USA had the chance art and music during the Medieval The music is available to listen to at to listen to and participate in the RCM’s and Renaissance periods in a variety audio points situated throughout the Grove Forum lecture series in November, of ways: galleries, and recordings are available to download free of charge from the when Vasco Hexel’s “Crying on cue – • Visitors to the new galleries will be Emotion and Film Music” was relayed live V&A’s website: able to hear the music inscribed on www.vam.ac.uk/medren to the Cleveland Institute of Music. the pages of Medieval choirbooks on The Clevelanders not only heard display If you can’t make it to the galleries themselves, a number of fascinating and saw Vasco himself, but they also • Renaissance paintings and videos about the project can be accessed Powerpoint slides and film sculptures are accompanied by viewed at www.vam.ac.uk/vastatic/ clips direct from his laptop computer, recordings of sacred and secular microsites/1265_frost/ and participated in a lively question and music that would have been heard in answer session at the end of the lecture. sixteenth-century Florence One highlight, which can be viewed at www.vimeo.com/6923962 is a The event formed part of the RCM’s • Recordings of Venetian harpsichord wonderful story about a special set ongoing commitment to finding new music can be heard while visitors of musical dinner knives. Another ways of taking its world-renowned inspect the beautiful instruments example of cutting-edge technology teaching to wider communities. Keep that these pieces were originally at the RCM… an eye on future issues of Upbeat for written for. more plans…

7 In the news...

The RCM celebrated this development Plans are RCM gains new by announcing a new set of Masters level also already programmes, commencing in September underway degree-awarding 2010. Two brand new qualifications will for an be offered: aMaster of Performance additional set powers (MPerf) and a Master of Composition of Doctoral In December 2009, a new chapter in the (MComp). These will give students level research RCM’s history began with the launch of a the chance to gain an internationally programmes new set of Charter and Statutes. recognised Masters degree that focuses commencing on their practical musical skills alongside in September The principal benefit of this updated the development of a professional 2011. The document, approved by the Privy portfolio of promotional material. new DMA Council, is that the RCM now has These programmes, which include (Doctor of complete autonomy to create its own specialist pathways for accompanists, Musical Arts) and PhD programmes set of degree programmes, right up to orchestral musicians, conductors, screen promise to cement the RCM’s position doctoral level. The RCM is the only UK composers and singers, sit alongside the as one of the UK’s leading centres for conservatoire entrusted with this power, RCM’s existing highly acclaimed MMus musical research. See future issues of and is now able to respond quickly to programme, which allows additional Upbeat for details. the ever-changing nature of the music academic study. profession by providing bespoke study programmes.

Piano Quintet in C minor of 1829 – Events round-up an unpublished early masterpiece In March, we once again welcome discovered by Levon Chilingirian in the Laurence Cummings and the London British Library, and which Schumann Handel Festival for our ever-popular himself declared to be his first mature annual collaboration. This year’s work. The ‘Chilis’ will be joined for this production gives a fascinating chance very special performance by British to see the 1734 version of Il pastor fido, superstar pianist and RCM professor the opera which opened Handel’s first Ashley Wass (“a thoroughbred who Covent Garden season. Il pastor fido is possesses the enviable gift to turn almost Handel’s only pastoral opera, based on anything he plays into pure gold” – Guarini’s famous pastoral play of the Gramophone). same name (completed in 1585). On Saturday 24 April the festival Recent RCM opera productions have moves to the intimate surroundings proved so popular that this year an of the Britten Theatre for a series of Levon Chilingirian extra performance has been added in concerts and masterclasses with Junior the shape of a Sunday matinée, and the Department and Senior College students. opera will be double cast. Performances Then in the evening we are thrilled At 6.30pm, the always entertaining are on 21, 22, 24 and 25 March, and to be welcoming Raphael Wallfisch, Financial Times journalist Harry Eyres tickets are available directly from the Philippe Graffin and Claire Desert presents his own view of Schumann. London Handel Festival Box Office on for a programme of duets and trios. Then at 7.30pm a packed weekend 01460 54660. The concert will be preceded by a talk comes to a grand finale when the in which RCM librarian Peter Horton Chilingirian Quartet are joined by The following month we’re delighted lifts the lid on the reception Londoners RCM student Sofya Gulyak, winner to be hosting a second annual festival gave to Schumann’s music in the period of the 2009 Leeds International Piano of chamber music led by resident RCM immediately after his death. Competition, for a performance of ensemble the Chilingirian Quartet. Schumann’s magnificentPiano Quintet in After last year’s hugely acclaimed A series of concerts on Sunday 25 April E flat major, op 44. weekend focusing on Haydn, this year’s sees RCM instrumentalists present festival focuses on another anniversary Schumann’s chamber music for wind Tickets for the Schumann festival are instruments and piano. They are joined composer – Robert Schumann, born in available from the RCM Box Office. at 5.30pm by RCM star singers for a June 1810. Tickets for individual evening concerts lively programme of song, including Die cost £12. Full day tickets (including one The first day of the festival on Friday Capelle, the autograph manuscript of evening concert) cost £20. A three-day 23 April ends with an incredible coup, which is held in the RCM Library, and ticket costs £45. Call 020 7591 4314. when the Chilingirian Quartet will which will be on display to visitors to Details of the entire festival programme present what is believed to be the the festival. can be seen at first UK performance of Schumann’s www.rcm.ac.uk/schumann

8 New developments...

In order to thrive, nearly all musicians and musical organisations need support at one time or another. And that support can be tough to find, particularly in the current financial climate. Luckily for RCM students, help is at hand in the form of a brand-new Development team. They are working hard behind the scenes, focusing on developing all areas of fundraising and income generation to support the work of the RCM, from scholarships and philanthropic gifts to sponsorship and venue hire.

Fishmongers’ Company Livery Concert: (left to right) Mrs A Martin Smith; Mr A Martin Smith, Prime Warden, Fishmongers’ Company; Holly Lowe, Fishmongers’ Company Beckwith Music Scholar; Sophie Hussey, RCM Major Gifts Manager; Lorna Bridge, Fishmongers’ Company Music Scholar.

Engagements Service in the Woodhouse Samir Savant says: “Since arriving at the Professional Development Centre, RCM, I have been struck by the warmth providing RCM musicians for a range of feeling towards the institution amongst of external events. She is building on everyone involved here – Friends, donors, Help! event: Samir Savant, RCM Director of her extensive network of contacts and alumni, professors and staff. There is a real Development gives career advice expertise in event management in her affection for the place, and it is a genuine new role: making use of the RCM’s privilege to be surrounded by so much Led by Director of Development Samir performing spaces (when they’re not talent. With a strong, committed and Savant, who arrived at the RCM a year needed by students) by hiring them out experienced Development team in place, ago, the team comprises Sophie Hussey to commercial and private clients. Sarah our ambition is to build relationships (Major Gifts Manager), Mary Cosgrave is also an established presence at the with existing and new supporters in order (Events Manager), Heather Letley RCM, administering the RCM Scholarship to raise vital funds and guarantee the (Membership and Events Coordinator), scheme, including communication success of the RCM for many generations Sarah Thurlow (Scholarships with scholarship donors and matching to come.” Administrator – part-time) and Kate student scholars to supporters. On pages 14 and 15 you’ll find details of Eberwein (Development Assistant). When they’re not helping out RCM just a few of the ways that you can help The final member of the team isJoana musicians, the team can often be found the next generation of musicians. There , a familiar face at Friends Witkowski pursuing their own musical interests – has never been a better time to give to Events, who is currently on maternity Sarah combines her fundraising work the RCM as the government’s Matched leave. with her life as a professional clarinettist, Funding scheme for higher education Samir and Sophie both come from both Mary and Samir are singers (Samir will add extra money to donations from established backgrounds in fundraising also runs his own chamber choir, individuals to conservatoires. So if you for a number of visual and performing Pegasus), and Heather is a pianist. think you can help the RCM in any way, arts organisations, including the Royal please do not hesitate to get in touch. Opera House, Courtauld Institute, Royal Court Theatre, English National Opera, Royal Academy of Arts and Shakespeare’s Globe. Sophie looks after all major donors, including sponsors, trusts & foundations, and the Opera Circle. Heather has come to the RCM from the National Autistic Society, and looks after Friends and Patrons’ Circle members, and other fundraising schemes, such as Restore a Score. Kate, who is currently completing her Doctoral dissertation on salon culture in Regency London, deals with day-to-day administration and donor support within the team. Mary is well-known at the RCM through From left to right: Sarah Thurlow, Frankie Hutchinson (Professional Engagements Assistant), her previous work with the Professional Kate Eberwein, Heather Letley and Mary Cosgrave

9 Sir Michael Parkinson

We’re delighted to announce My father was a miner at Grimethorpe a single word, pulled out the piece of Sir Michael Parkinson as Honorary Colliery, where there was of course a paper and started again. Before long, Patron of the new RCM Friends great tradition of brass band music. he was surrounded by about 200 single scheme. Upbeat asked him about his Sometimes we’d go with him down sheets of paper on the floor. Suddenly own musical life, and his reasons for to Grimethorpe at the weekend – he started typing furiously and didn’t supporting the Royal College of Music… ostensibly to buy the meat, that was stop for 20 minutes, then ripped out the the excuse, but really so he could go paper, took it straight to the sub-editors, What are your earliest musical to the pub! – and us kids would wait and that was his review, which was a memories? outside and listen to the band rehearsing review of Barbirolli conducting the Hallé. Music has always been one of the most in the room upstairs. I could hear this I picked up all the discarded pieces of important things in my life. extraordinary music and this wonderful paper, and he’d written only one word on musicianship. There was that great each of them: Cardus. My earliest recollection of music in the tradition, within our community, and house is my mother, who used to play that was the platform, if you like, of my Isn’t that extraordinary? All of us have a old records, and I first heard the Great musical taste. way of triggering a piece, and that was American Songbook like that. I think his. The most extraordinary process. Do you play an instrument yourself? when I was about five I could sing songs No, and it’s a bit late now! I was When you started your chat show like You Make me Feel so Young, and that dissuaded from playing the piano as a [in 1971] you regularly invited on was my very first memory of music. child when my friends would come and classical musicians… knock on the window when Miss Green Yes, we had on a lot of violinists for The only exposure I had to classical was trying to teach me Handel’s Largo. example, such as Itzhak Perlman, Isaac music as a young person was that I lived They’d bash on the window and mouth Stern, Anne-Sophie Mutter, and of course in a mining village that had at least five “football”, and I’m afraid that won! Yehudi Menuhin. We put Menuhin Methodist chapels, and throughout together with Stéphane Grappelli – that’s the year we had a complete cycle of You’re best known for your love for how they met and became friends. Handel’s Messiah. I used to go, and I was jazz. How did that start? entranced because I’d never seen people Towards the end of the Second World Stéphane was a regular on the show. He singing while their Adam’s apple warbled, War, when I was about 10, I was fiddling was a wonderful natural musician, totally and I’d never seen men dressed up in with the radio one day and I got AFN, self-taught. One day someone had the tails and a white tie. So I loved that but American Forces Network, and it great idea of bringing Yehudi Menuhin I also loved the music. I thought it was broadcast jazz, which I’d never heard on the show with him. So we rang glorious, and I still love it to this day. before. And I heard what I now know to Menuhin and he said that he’d never be the Louis Armstrong Hot Five playing heard of Grappelli until recently, but he Potato House Blues (though I didn’t know had just heard a record of his, and he said it at the time). That started me off on “I think he’s a truly remarkable player, I’d an adventure with jazz, which was my love to meet him”. So we put the idea to greatest love. Stéphane – and he was aghast! He said “No, I cannot meet him, I am just a fiddle In the late 1950s, you worked at player and he is a genius!” But then we the Guardian at the same time as mentioned money – and he was there! the great Neville Cardus, who wrote Eventually we persuaded Stéphane to about classical music and cricket in go up to Hampstead to rehearse with the paper for nearly 50 years. Menuhin, and he came back four hours Was that a thrill? later with his face wreathed in smiles, Yes, he was a great hero of mine. He was grinning like a child, and he said “Four a fascinating man – an old rogue and a bars into Lady Be Good – now who’s the liar, who used to make quotes up and all genius!?” sorts – but a very gifted writer. Public reaction to their first appearance I remember the first time I was extraordinary, and they made four ever saw him. I was a late or five very successful records together. duty reporter alone in the They became a double act. reporters’ room at midnight, when the door opened at You also interviewed some of the the far end of the room. great opera singers… This white haired figure Yes, for example, we had Pavarotti on the walked in, whipped off show three times. The last time was sad, this black cloak with he was literally wheeled into the studio scarlet lining and sat he was so big. But before that in the down – and it was 1970s, just to sit next to him and hear Neville Cardus. I sat him sing was wonderful. He would sing back in the shadows at every possible opportunity because and watched him. he loved singing. He just sang; it was as And he typed just natural to him as breathing.

10 I thought the greatest privilege of the being played, and the extraordinary to entertain us, to inform us, to inspire job was to sit next to people who were amount of what’s happening here – it us, whatever it might be. doing remarkable things – the greatest takes some grasping. I mean you look at of their kind in the world. To sit next to the Events Guide and it’s remarkable. You have yourself appeared on Pavarotti and have him sing to you is stage with a number of orchestras? quite something. And there always seem to be hundreds Yes, many times. For example, I went of musicians doing extraordinary things on tour with the RPO, doing the Young Was it a conscious decision to all over the place! I remember coming to Person’s Guide to the Orchestra and include serious musicians? a meeting in the Parry Rooms. Coming other things. I also presented a concert Yes. The world is wonderfully broad and up in the lift I could hear this music, and at the Sydney Opera House with the wide, and I always wanted the broadest I thought “that’s not muzak, it’s too nice Sydney Symphony Orchestra, and we possible range of guests. To ignore to be muzak”, and I got out of the lift and did a programme about film music. We Arthur Rubinstein and just put on Oscar there was a student right there playing were supposed to do just three nights Peterson would have been wrong; to put the piano! And I thought did they hire but we ended up doing about six. The them both on together was to recognise him for the occasion to serenade me? opera house was packed – they were that they both had an immense talent in But no, he was there practising because queuing down the street. The orchestra their very different areas. the other rooms were full. And it was were saying it was so wonderful to have beautiful, actually, and I thought what a that kind of audience, who loved it. And We had a belief then that it wasn’t about crazy place this is, but how terrific that the catalogue of film music is of course celebrity, it was about talent; it was every square inch of the place is devoted wonderful, from Malcolm Arnold right about people who’d done something to music! through. remarkable. I think what we did was to say to the audience, you might think How are you enjoying your And I gather you even sang a solo? these people are remote because they involvement with the RCM? I did! I wrote the script and presented sing opera, but they’re not. And far from The thing is that I love classical music it, and I thought, I’m not going to go on the image of classical musicians being but know very little about it – I know stage at the Sydney Opera House and remote, I found them really willing and lots about jazz, and could talk about it not sing! So I contrived a situation where able to enjoy themselves. I found that for hours – but the same isn’t true about I could claim to have contributed to they relished the opportunity to unhook classical music. So I love that I’m learning a film. In fact I did: the film was called their corsets, so to speak! all the time. Made in Yorkshire, and it was for the opening night of Yorkshire Television, How did you get involved with And I also love the thought that I can and I sang a song called Beer is Best! So the RCM? call up a quartet, like for our wedding on that slender pretext, I wove this story Well Robert Winston conned me into anniversary. They played beautifully and into my script and sang this song – and it it! He spoke to my wife and said “do you off we went to dinner, and when we was absolutely appalling! think Michael would be interested in came back some considerable time later helping out”, and she said “I think he’d be they were still there! They were doing Perhaps you should do a vocal knocked out! He loves music, any kind of requests and it looked like they were masterclass here at the RCM!? music – you should ask him.” So he did having the time of their lives! That would be something, wouldn’t it!? ask, and I was really delighted. I should think Neville Cardus would be Why do you think people should turning in his grave!! What are your impressions of support the RCM? the RCM? I think anybody who cares about our For more information on the new RCM I’ve been here a few times now, and I society should care about the promotion Friends scheme, see page 15 have to say that what struck me as being of young talent, of proper ambition, of utterly remarkable is the range of music aspiration. Not to be on Big Brother, but

11 Behind the scenes

It’s not surprising that a great many unable to take up the offer of a place, and the RCMIOS productions has provided of the RCM’s fundraising activities could be lost to the art form forever. me with a platform for exposure to a are centred on our International wider audience including agents and Opera School. Scholarships are funded in many different casting directors from all the major UK ways. One hugely important event for companies. My current teacher, Janis Kelly, The RCM International Opera School is the RCM is the annual Soirée d’Or, which is a wonderfully detailed technician whose widely recognised as one of the world’s raises money for the RCM’s scholarship dynamic and illuminating approach to premier operatic training institutions, fund and helps to support many of our teaching challenges me to supersede the whose exceptionally talented students composers, instrumentalists and singers. limitations I put on myself both as a singer regularly scoop the top prizes in Performers from the Opera School and as a performer.” international singing competitions, and provided the entertainment at the 2009 whose alumni populate the world’s event, led by former student Sir Thomas During her time at the RCM International leading stages. Every student receives a Allen, who made both his performing Opera School, Sarah-Jane has won specially tailored (and very challenging!) and directorial debut at the RCM. numerous awards, including the 2009 programme of study that incorporates See below for more information. Kathleen Ferrier Competition, and has been signed up by leading arts intensive vocal studies, specialist Alongside the Scholarship Fund we have language tuition, and expert coaching management agency Askonas Holt. The recently launched the Opera Circle. Independent commented that “She may in movement, dance and stagecraft. This offers donors the opportunity to The Opera School also mounts three still be at the Royal College of Music, but build a rewarding relationship with the Covent Garden surely beckons”. fully staged operatic productions and RCM, to gain valuable insights into the numerous operatic scenes throughout nurturing process for individual singers, Sarah-Jane promises to be the latest in a the year. All of this comes at a cost, and and to support the long-term success of long line of singers to make the journey means high tuition fees for our students. the Opera School and its prize-winning from the RCM to the ROH. With the help students. For further details of the Opera Fortunately, thanks to the generosity of of our donors, she certainly won’t be Circle see page 14. the last. our donors, many of the singers enrolled in the Opera School receive scholarships Are all of these efforts worth it? Well, to assist with these costs - see page 13 for you only need to ask one of the students a profile of one. Without this assistance, themselves. Soprano Sarah-Jane many young opera singers would be Brandon, says: “The high standard of

performances by award-winning Soirée d’Or Chinese pianist Meng Yang Pan and seven singers from the RCM On 9 December 2009, the Royal International Opera School, led College of Music welcomed 400 guests by distinguished RCM alumnus Sir to the Soirée d’Or, its prestigious Thomas Allen. annual gala concert and dinner described by the Evening Standard as The RCM thanks BP for “One of the starriest gatherings of the generously supporting City year”. the Soirée d’Or 2009. We would also The event, which took place at like to thank the the Victoria and Albert Museum, following companies forms a vital part of the RCM’s and individuals for their generous fundraising activities, and in 2009 sponsorship and donations: raised over £200,000 for the RCM Scholarship Fund. Finsbury British Gas The evening began with a champagne Fujitsu reception followed by a sumptuous Barclays Wealth dinner, and guests were treated to Steinway & Sons Jane Packer Sally Clarke Ltd Dreweatts 1759 L’Oreal Aveda Galleries Magazine Pascal Labbé Patriarche Wine Agencies From left to right: Monica Bancos, Sir Thomas Allen and Sarah-Jane Brandon Brunel

12 The Georgina Joshi Award at the Royal College of Music

(Left to right) Nick Sears, Head of Vocal Studies; Rosemary Woodburn; Yatish Joshi; Suzanne Shakespeare; Simona Mihai; Michael Rosewell, Director of Opera

continued her education at Indiana recognise the benefits she received from University’s Jacobs School of Music, her training, while enabling another Georgina Joshi receiving a Master of Music in Voice talented singer to study here. We extend degree. Both Eiddwen and Simona, along our grateful thanks to Louise Addicott- It was a very special occasion in with Rosemary Woodburn, have worked Joshi, Georgina’s mother, for creating the December 2009, when Mr Yatish Joshi tirelessly to ensure that Georgina’s links vision of the Georgina Joshi Scholar and came to hear Suzanne Shakespeare, a with the RCM are not forgotten. Georgina Joshi International Fellowship, Georgina Joshi Scholar, give a triumphant and to her husband, Yatish, and sons, performance as the Queen of the Night The RCM is delighted that the Tenzing and Avatar, for carrying out in the RCM production of The Magic Georgina Joshi International Fellowship Louise’s vision. Flute. Mr Joshi chairs the Georgina will continue to honour Georgina’s Joshi Foundation, Inc., which funds the contribution to the College and Georgina Joshi Scholar Award, of which Suzanne is the first recipient. Another scholarship, the Georgina Joshi International Fellowship Award, was also recently established. This award is given to a student from the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, and we look forward to welcoming the first Georgina Joshi Fellow, Abigail Mitchell, to the RCM in September 2010. (Left to right) Michael Rosewell, Director of Opera, Abigail Mitchell, “We truly hope the Georgina Joshi Yatish Joshi and Nick Sears, Head of Vocal Studies International Fellowship will be the first of many collaborations between the RCM Scholarships awarded to Opera Students in 2009/10 and Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music”, said Mr Joshi. Aldama Award Joe Lassetter Award Richard Carne Charitable Trust Awards Janet and Michael Levesley Award Both awards have been created as a Stephen Catto Memorial Scholarship Mason Award tribute to the memory of Georgina Joshi, Clayton Award Sir Gordon Palmer Award a former RCM student, and celebrate Drapers de Turckheim Scholarship Stanley Picker Award her life as a singer and her affiliation Fishmongers Company Music Audrey Sacher Award with the College. While at the RCM Scholarship H R Taylor Trust Award Georgina studied with Eiddwen Harrhy Gisela Gledhill Award Richard Toeman/Weinberger Opera and forged a great friendship with Irene Hanson Award Scholarship fellow student Simona Mihai (pictured), H F Music Award Yvonne Wells Award now on the Jette Parker Young Artists’ Independent Opera Support Winston Award Programme at the Royal Opera House. The Georgina Joshi Award Having graduated with a BMus, Georgina

For details of the various ways in which you can support the work of the RCM see pages 14 and 15

13 How to support us... Make a gift in your will Since its foundation, the RCM has If you would like a particular aspect valued the strength of financial support of our work to benefit from your gift, it receives from endowments and we would be happy to talk to you legacies which have helped establish about this in more detail. All legacy it as an internationally acclaimed gifts, however large or small are very institution. Legacy gifts are extremely welcome, and as the RCM is a registered important to safeguard the future charity, your bequest will not be liable success of the RCM and to enable future for inheritance or capital gains tax. generations of talented young musicians to achieve their dreams. Once you have If you would like to talk in confidence provided for your family and loved ones, about making a legacy gift, please please consider making a gift in your will contact Samir Savant, Director of to the RCM. Development, on 020 7591 4303 or Join the at [email protected] For further Unrestricted legacies enable us to information, please visit our website - Opera Circle support the areas of the College’s work www.rcm.ac.uk/support with the greatest need at any one time. In December the RCM Opera Circle welcomed its tenth Founder Patron since its launch in April 2009. We are keen to encourage other opera lovers to join and Company involvement support the opera stars of tomorrow.

The RCM is proud to announce and discounted tickets, and other tailor- Existing Patrons of the Circle have details of its new Corporate Patron made programmes such as education already had the chance to engage with Scheme, which will give companies workshops and bespoke tours. We the work of the Opera School through the opportunity to access the College’s are delighted that BP, for many years a unique resources and talent for clients, sponsor of the College’s flagshipSoirée an intimate preview and rehearsal of its employees and community partners. d’Or gala fundraising event, has joined critically-acclaimed production of The Membership levels are £5,000 to £20,000 as a Founding Patron of the scheme. For Magic Flute, a masterclass with American and benefits include discounted venue further details of how your company countertenor David Daniels, as well as hire for client entertaining, priority can support the RCM, please contact private receptions with the creative booking for the RCM’s year-round Sophie Hussey, Major Gifts Manager on teams behind the productions and with calendar of popular musical events, free 020 7591 4353 or [email protected] student performers. Patronage of the Opera Circle begins The Worshipful Company of at a minimum donation of £5,000; or With thanks to... Musicians alternatively, for a donation of £10,000, We would like to express our gratitude for Mr Aidan Heavey Patrons can create an opera scholarship recent donations from the following: The Idlewild Trust in the name of their choosing. Miss Kathleen Nix The estate of Mrs Sheila Bennett For further details, please contact South Square Trust The estate of Mr Richard Sophie Hussey, Major Gifts Manager – Mrs Jane Barker Hiram Henton by telephone 020 7591 4353 or email The Bliss Trust The Leverhulme Trust [email protected] Elsa and Leonard Cross BP Charitable Trust RCM Opera Circle Mr William Smith Mr Nicholas Forman Hardy Founder Patrons Vernon and Hazel Ellis Mr John Paynter Anonymous Mrs Linda Hill Richard and Victoria Sharp Gilbert and Eileen Edgar Foundation Philip and Christine Carne The Derek Butler Trust Matthew and Fiona Collins Mrs Anne Clayton Noswad Charity Vernon and Hazel Ellis Fujitsu Services Gisela Gledhill Mr Douglas Downie Tony and Linda Hill Richard Toeman / Weinberger Opera Scholarship Clare and James Kirkman The Worshipful Company Sir Peter and Lady Middleton of Fishmongers Richard and Sue Price Mrs Emma Rose Richard and Victoria Sharp Professor Lord Winston

14 Welcome to new Friends We are delighted to welcome the following people who have joined the RCM Friends recently: Mrs Caroline Allcock Mr Terence Crimmings Mr Max De Trense Ms Kathy Dexter Miss Sue Dixon Mrs Anne Eardley Mrs Alison Ellis Mr Mark Ellis Mr Blaise Hardman Mrs Ailsa Hughes Mrs Julie Le Mesurier Ms Penny Mann Mr Erhard Meier Mrs Judy Mowschenson Mr and Mrs Michael Newlands Dr John Norbury Dr Barry Paterson Ms Sarah Pillai Mr Russell Race Mrs Jill Roeder Mrs Sara Ann Selleck Mrs Carol Seymour-Newton Ms Tessa Singleton Mrs Sarah Whitfield Dr Frances Williams Ms Aileen Wong Mrs Sally Worthington Founding members of the Patrons’ Circle Mr and Mrs David Andrews Mrs Jane Barker Mr and Mrs David Lewis

Friend Become an PATRONS’ CIRCLE Minimum donation £40 Minimum donation £1,200 per annum RCM friend... per annum Friends receive: • Personal booking service, via a BENEFACTOR • Priority booking for RCM direct line to the Development performances Minimum donation £500 Department per annum • Access to an exclusive programme • Priority booking for RCM gala of Friends events Benefactors receive the same events • Regular advance information on benefits as Best Friends, plus: • Annual designated Patrons’ concert RCM events • Invitation to the annual visit of the with exclusive reception hosted • In depth views of College life RCM’s President HRH The Prince by Sir Michael Parkinson, Hon through Upbeat magazine and of Wales Patron of the RCM Friends. Patrons RCM Friends e-newsletter. • Advanced priority booking for all will receive two complimentary RCM opera performances tickets for this concert and will BEST Friend • Invitations to opera dress rehearsals be acknowledged in the concert programme Minimum donation £100 • Signed opera programmes for RCM per annum productions • An exclusive programme of events tailored to Patrons’ personal Best Friends receive the same • Acknowledgement on the interests benefits as Friends, plus: RCM website • Other exclusive opportunities to • Invitation to an annual private For more information visit become closely involved in College drinks reception hosted by the life and to meet our outstanding RCM Director www.rcm.ac.uk/support young musicians, distinguished • Invitations to special Behind the email [email protected] or professors and visiting musicians. Scenes events call 020 7591 4331.

15 Student notes

Martha Jones has been named as a Woodwind Susan Chilcott scholar for 2009-2010. The scholarship is awarded to singers in wonders… association with the Royal Philharmonic Society… In January tenor David Postgraduate student Ona Cardona made his French debut at the has had a recording of a clarinet recital Webb Opéra Comique singing the role of released by record company Columna Autumn in Purcell’s The Fairy Queen, Música… Following the success of his with Les Arts Florissants conducted by composition Svalbard, which reached William Christie. He will be taking the no. 3 in the iTunes chart last Christmas, performance to New York in March composer, flautist and broadcaster Ben before returning to the RCM in the recorded and released new MacDougall summer to take part in The Bartered arrangements of Oh Holy Night and Silent Bride. Night in aid of flood relief work following the terrible floods in Cumbria. Ben said of the release: “I released a similar recording a couple of years ago to the world flute community and was humbled when thousands downloaded the tracks, both to listen to and to play over Christmas. I saw a wonderful opportunity David Webb to do something similar to help those suffering after the recent floods in my this time with Sinfonia Cymru and home county of Cumbria and to provide conductor Gareth Jones… Soh-Yon Kim, support for the Cumbria Community violin student of Itzhak Rashkovsky, has Foundation in its amazing work. Basically, won First Prize at the 12th International I felt that this was a way for me to help in Violin Competition “Shabyt-Inspiration”, the best way I know how”. which was held in November 2009 in Astana, Kazakhstan… Violinist Joo Yeon Sir performed Saint-Saëns’ Vocal victories… Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso with Guildford Symphony Orchestra at Current RCM postgraduate Emily Guildford Cathedral in November. She Kenway took Second Prize in the has been invited to perform the Bruch Jackdaws Great Elm Vocal Awards, Violin Concerto with Luton Symphony held at the Wigmore Hall in October… Orchestra in March, and the Delius Baritone Sam Evans, who is studying at Violin Concerto with the Cambridge the RCM International Opera School, Orchestra in April. and soprano Rhian Evans, currently a Masters student, took First and Second Prize at the recent London Welsh Singer of the Year Competition… RCM bass Jimmy Holliday won First Prize in the 10th annual Hampshire Singer of the Year competition. Jimmy String successes… sang the role of Sarastro in the RCM’s autumn production of The Magic Flute… Violinist Alix Lagasse won First Prize Mezzo soprano Ayaka Tanimoto in the Strings section at the Belgian won First Prize at Japan’s annual National Music Competition Dexia MIE Music Competition… Soprano Classics - a competition for musicians Annabel Mountford recently starred under the age of 18. The final round in Puccini’s La Bohème at The Cock took place in Brussels in December… Tavern, Kilburn. The production was Aisha Syed has been awarded a 2009 the first by OperaUpClose, founded by Youth Achievement Latin Pride National Adam Spreadbury-Maher, The Cock’s Award. The ceremony was held in Boston artistic director, and is aimed at giving in September…In early 2010 violinist young singers experience. Annabel will Jiafeng Chen toured Italy with the be passing the role on to fellow RCM Ukrainian National Symphony Orchestra student Rhian Evans for an extended and conductor Nicola Giuliani. In run of the opera… October he will also be touring Wales, Jimmy Holliday

16 One ident advertisement for the new primetime series Paradox. He has also started scoring Arabic themed music for an international documentary called Eye of the Beholder. His composition and sound design work for Korean animation The Passing is currently being screened at the ‘Supervisions: UK Korean Artists & Designers’ exhibition in the Korean Cultural Centre UK. Research Chris Green achievements… The prize includes an international DMus student Nicole Panizza has concert tour comprising of around recently been granted a Fulbright Award, twenty recitals and concerti in Spain, enabling her to complete her research Austria and Germany. He was also as a visiting fellow at both Harvard awarded 2,000 euros as the best University and the Manhattan School interpreter of Spanish music throughout Meng Yang Pan of Music from January to August 2010. the competition… JD Student Zizhou Nicole’s area of research is an inter- Zhang won Second Prize in the Senior disciplinary study of American art song Keyboard category of the Young Pianist of settings of the poetry and letters of the the North 2009 International Piano American poet Emily Dickinson. The triumphs... Competition. Competitors came from position will afford her the opportunity around the globe including Latvia, of studio recording time as well as a Masters student Chris Guild has Germany, Finland and the UK… Tim public recital and lecture, featuring successfully auditioned for the Wakerell, now full-time Sub-Organist at aspects of her research to date. London Philharmonic Orchestra as an St Paul’s Cathedral, played the organ for extra keyboard player. He performed his the live BBC broadcast of the Memorial DMus Researcher Chris Letcher first concert with the LPO at the QEH Service for the victims of the war in has recently published an article in under Vladimir Jurowski… BMus student Iraq… In recent rounds of auditions Ethnomusicology Forum: ‘Mbaqanga, and Foundation Scholar Freddie Bager for the Concordia Foundation both Bollywood and Beethoven on the Beachfront: a Composer’s Perspective won First Prize of £1,000 and the Gold Konstantin Lapshin and Gamal Khamis on Representation and Identity in the Medal in the finals of the Moray Piano won the opportunity to be promoted as Film My Black Little Heart’. Chris has Competition for students under 20 years part of their concert series.Theywill be of age… Meng Yang Pan took Second also signed an international publishing giving recitals at major London concert contract with Warner Chappell Music, Prize and the Audience Prize at the venues, including St Martin-in-the-Fields, Dudley International Piano Competition and wrote the film score forMy Black St James’s Piccadilly and Wigmore Hall… , the Independent’s ‘Film of with her performance of Liszt’s Piano Little Heart Caterina Grewe claimed Second Prize the Year’. Concerto no 1… Postgraduate organist at the Intercollegiate Piano Competition Martin Ford has been awarded the held at Bluthers… Finally, Valentin F E Smith Medal by the Worshipful Barray won First Prize in the Raynaud- Company of Musicians… Michael Zurfluh, organised by the Association du Ierace was awarded Second Prize along Royaume de la Musique. with five other awards, including Best Performance of a Work Written Since 1959, at the Haverhill Sinfonia Soloist Composer Competition. The awards give him numerous opportunities to play recitals congratulations… in music clubs across the UK. Three of the top six prizes were awarded to Dimitri Scarlato has been selected RCM students, with Fourth and Sixth as a finalist for the prestigious Prize being awarded to string players international Opera Academy Verona Aleksei Kiseliev and Dunja Lavrova… award… Sally Greenaway won a 2009 Alexey Chernov was awarded First Canberra International Music Festival Grand Prize of 12,000 euros at the Composer Award with a piece written 10th Concurso Internacional de Piano for Rajaton, the world-class vocal competition, held at the Joaquin sextet from Finland… Chris Green Rodrigo Concert Hall in Madrid. recently composed the music for a BBC Nicole Panizza

17 Staff notes

Professor Tim Watts (piano) has recently Richard Lyne has recently relaunched formed ReedPlay, a new trio, with RCM Howells Singers, a small choir of 15 alumni, Victoria Soames Samek (clarinet) voices that was founded in the 1980s as a and Jeffery Wilson (saxophone). The living memorial to - the trio officially launched at the Purcell much loved composer and professor Room on 8 February with a programme of composition at the RCM for over 50 showcasing the group’s breadth of years. The choir’s repertoire centres on style and instrumental colour. Jeffery the music of Howells, his contemporaries and Tim both composed new works and teachers, together with the music for the occasion (Iconic Sonata and of the Tudor period that influenced him ReedPlay respectively, the latter calling so much. Howells Singers give a concert for three varieties of clarinet and four in Barnes in mid-October each year to of saxophone) and the group also gave celebrate Howells’s birthday the world première of Scherzo by Paul (17 October). Foster, the winner of the first ReedPlay Dr Edward Jessen Composition Prize. RCM Ensemble in Association Dr Edward Jessen, Senior Research Florilegium have a busy Spring Professor David Burnand, Head of Fellow in Music and Multimedia, is schedule. It started with a Bolivian Music Technology, and Carla Rees, completing a commission for the London Baroque concert in Singapore in DMus Researcher, have both recently Symphony Orchestra. The work will January, with Florilegium Director and written for Sound and Music’s Into receive its June première as part of the Head of Historical Performance magazine: David published an article Ashley LSO Pioneers Commissioning scheme on Tristram Cary, founder of the RCM Solomon giving a number of lectures under the direction of James MacMillan. Studios, in November, while Carla’s piece, and masterclasses at the Conservatoire Edward is also working on an AHRC ‘How to compose for the flute in the during their stay. They will also be giving Research Networking application to 21st Century’ featured in the December a number of concerts of JS Bach in fund an RCM-hosted conference on issue. Both David and Carla also served Amsterdam (Concertgebouw), Antwerp collaboration, focusing on the work of on the ‘Sonic Art’ panel for the British (De Singel) and Arnhem, as well as at the CMM and other cross-métier artists Composer Awards. the University of Hull, where Ashley and their practices. Solomon will again give a masterclass. Deputy Librarian Peter Horton’s Samuel Horton ���� ���� Sebastian‘Horton’s advocacy Wesley: establishes Wesley A as Life a composer (OUP, of striking originality 2004) and has OXFORD STUDIES IN BRITISH CHURCH MUSIC ability in a sea of mediocrity and insularity. He played a major role in rescuing English cathedral music from years of neglect and abuse.’ been re-issuedTh e Times as Higher a Educationpaperback Supplement to mark ‘Judiciously argued, perceptive in understanding, and lucid in expression, it is a the bicentenaryfi tting tribute to oneof of England’sthe greatestcomposer’s musicians.’ birth, Samuel Sebastian Wesley: Samuel while the third (andMusic and Lettersfinal) volume of his Born into one of England’s best-known families, Samuel Sebastian Wesley (1810-1876) was not only the foremost organist and church musician of his Sebastian Wesley editiongeneration, of but aWesley’s vigorous campaigner complete for higher standards in cathedralanthems music. He was also a troubled, diffi cult character, and accounts of his abrasive personality has recentlyor anecdotes about beenhis fi shing exploits published have tended to obscure in his thevery real achievements as a composer. A Life Peter Horton has drawn on a wide range of source material to produce Musicaa detailed Britannica account of Wesley’s life andseries. career as he moved from cathedral to cathedral in search of an unattainable ideal, his youthful idealism gradually giving way to the cynicism and disillusion familiar to those who encountered him late in life. He also examines his development as a composer and presents a study Roderickof his complete Earle output (including, Vocal the many non-churchStudies works) againstProfessor, the background of his restless career and in a wider European context. Th e book is illustrated by a generous selection of musical examples and plates, and recently includesperformed the most detailed list the of works partto appear in of print. Nekrozar

In Ligeti’sPeter Horton Le is Reference Grand Librarian Macabreat the Royal College of Music,at the London Adelaide Festival, Australia. A Life

Cover illustration: Portrait of Samuel Sebastian Wesley by William Keighley Briggs, 1849. Courtesy of the Royal College of Music, London. 2

Professor David Burnand 1 Peter Horton Deputy Librarian Peter Horton’s Last November Carla and Michael Samuel Sebastian Wesley: A Life (OUP, 2004) Oliva, Area Leader in Electroacoustic Music, spoke on ‘The Laptop in Chamber Florilegium will also be celebrating the Improvisation’ at the Outside the Box 300th anniversary of Pergolesi’s birth with Conference, City University. Michael’s a series of concerts starting in Spain composition Apparition and Release has in March and in Budapest on Easter been accepted for performance at the Sunday. Both of these performances will SEAMUS (Society for Electro-Acoustic be with Dame Emma Kirkby. The group’s Music in the United States) 25th recording of Pergolesi will be released in Anniversary National Conference at St March and features two RCM alumni, Cloud State University. Roderick Earle in Ligeti’s Le Grande Macabre and Elin Manahan Thomas.

18 Madeleine Mitchell, Professor Simon Davies, Vocal Faculty Assistant, of Violin and Graduate Pathway wrote and performed the music for the Leader, performed as soloist with the current Ford Focus advert “Light Graffiti”. St Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra To watch the ad visit www.youtube.com/ in November and also gave a recital of watch?v=ha4oYH-9WDI British music in St Petersburg. Musical Opinion said of these two performances: Emily Phillips, Opera Assistant, recently performed in a double bill of “...the wonderful playing of Madeleine Blow’s Venus & Adonis and Purcell’s Mitchell, our guest virtuoso, in The Lark Dido & Aeneas with the Hampstead Ascending. Indeed her rehearsal was Garden Opera. A review from Buzz greeted by bravos from the orchestra… commented: “The productions generated She displayed her total connection with consistent audience involvement with this repertoire, having played it often in immediately believable characters, far the past. It was a wide ranging concert from the idealized classical figures so with the astringency of Rawsthorne often portrayed… Musical and dramatic alongside the quiet religious flavour of standards were impressive.” Emily will also the MacMillan. Elgar, of course, spoke for be performing the role of Servilia in La himself in this deeply felt interpretation. clemenza di Tito in April with Hampstead The audience seemed to love it all.” Garden Opera. Madeleine returns to the USA in February for a tour of recitals and Madeleine Mitchell, Professor of Violin masterclasses including universities in and Graduate Pathway Leader Upbeat Spring 2010:Layout 1 12/02/2010California, 14:25 Florida Page and 1 Oregon. Making it easy to stay in touch!

The RCM’s free monthly e-newsletter KEY NOTE includes listings of all RCM concerts and events. To sign up for your copy, visit www.rcm.ac.uk/subscribe

19 Alumni notes

The Queen also bestowed the honour Emmanuel Despax was awarded And the award of the Queen’s Medal for Music on RCM First Prize of £4,000 at the Dudley alumnus Sir in November International Piano Competition for his goes to… last year. The medal, which is awarded performance of Brahms’s Piano Concerto Several RCM alumni have been the annually to a musician who has made no 1. The Semi-final Prize and John recipients of honours, awards and prizes a significant contribution to musical Ireland Prize in the same competition recently. life, was presented to Sir Colin during a went to current Junior Fellow and recent classical performance at Mansion House graduate Ina Charuashvili. with the London Symphony Orchestra - an institution he has worked with for 50 years.

Composer David Fanshawe was awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Music from the University of the West of England in November. The award was in recognition of his efforts to bring music to the lives of people who neither read nor write music, and to his pursuit of musical excellence.

Madeleine Pierard Sarah Connolly Soprano Madeleine Pierard has been RCM graduates Sarah Connolly and awarded a place on the Royal Opera Kenneth Montgomery have both been House’s Jette Parker Young Artists recognised in the New Years Honours Programme. Each year the Programme List 2010. selects a limited number of talented ‘Young Artists’ to become salaried Mezzo soprano Sarah Connolly has company members and work full- been made a CBE for services to classical time at the Opera House for a two- music. She studied at the Royal College year period. During this time singers of Music from 1982 to 1987, during receive daily coaching in all opera which time she made the difficult David Fanshawe disciplines, including musical style and transition from pianist to singer, with the interpretation, languages and stage encouragement of the RCM’s Director Sir Mezzo-soprano Sarah-Jane Lewis, who technique, as well as guidance in related David Willcocks. Having made her name graduated from the RCM in July, took the issues and career development. with stunning performances of Handel, First Prize of £2,000 at the Jackdaws Great she has also scored successes with a Elm Vocal Awards at the Wigmore Hall in great variety of baroque, romantic and October. RCM keyboard graduate Craig New releases… contemporary repertoire. White was awarded the Accompanist Prize. Conductor Timothy Henty and director/ Conductor Kenneth Montgomery has designer Anthony Baker have recently been awarded an OBE for services to Pianist Alexander Panizza has recently published a new performing version music in Northern Ireland. He studied at received the Konex Prize, awarded by the of Gilbert and Sullivan’s lost opera the RCM with Adrian Boult, and began Argentina’s Konex Foundation, as one of Thespis; or, The Gods Grown Old. Thespis his career conducting at Glyndebourne the five most outstanding pianists on the was the very first and often forgotten and Sadler’s Wells. He has held positions Argentinean scene in the last decade. collaboration between WS Gilbert and with distinguished orchestras and opera Sir Arthur Sullivan, but while Gilbert’s companies across Europe, including Alumna Rebecca Miller has been witty libretto to Thespis survived after Glyndebourne Touring Opera, the awarded First Prize at the Eduardo Mata the original production, nearly all of Dutch Radio Symphony Orchestra, International Conducting Competition in Sullivan’s score was lost. Throughout Opera Northern Ireland and the Ulster Mexico City. The prize includes a long list 2007-8, Timothy and Anthony Orchestra, where he is now Principal of engagements with major orchestras constructed a new performing version Conductor. throughout Latin America. of the piece using existing music by

20 Sullivan and his contemporary Jacques Offenbach, culminating in the first fully Other news… professional performances of Thespis Viola player has founded to be seen since 1872. The production Aliye Cornish received wide critical praise and national the International Baroque Players, a coverage both in newspapers and on new period instrument orchestra. She television. The score is currently available has secured a Deutsche Bank Award exclusively from www.lulu.com in Performance and Composition, and the players were recently invited to play British tenor Alfie Boe’s latest release, at London Limelight alongside Daniel Franz Lehár: Love was a Dream, Hope. Radio 3 described them as “the performed with the Orchestra of Scottish hottest young band around”. Opera conducted by Michael Rosewell, has been attracting great reviews from Margaret Fingerhut The ensemble Rarescale, founded by the critics. Classical Source pronounced RCM alumna Carla Rees, is running it as “an album of real lollipops that RCM alumna Marjorie Wright has composers’ retreats and masterclasses will appeal to anyone who has even the published a book entitled The Rise and for alto/bass flute, oboe/cor anglais smallest affection for operetta” while The Fall of a La Scala Diva, charting the and composition on the Isle of Skye in Scotsman said “Lovers of Lehár’s music highs and lows of her education at the 2010. Bursaries are available for all of the will not be disappointed… by Boe’s silvery RCM in the 1950s and her subsequent courses, thanks to support from the PRS performances and by the orchestra’s singing career as a celebrated opera Foundation and Just Flutes. sympathetic support under conductor diva performing at La Scala in Milan. For further information visit Michael Rosewell”. The publication was launched on 7 www.rarescaleonskye.co.uk December at the Mario del Monaco centre in Venice, where Marjorie was also The orchestral workStained fragment presented with the Silver Lion Award for by Paolo Boggio was premièred at the Lifetime Achievement. She is the first Adrian Boult Hall of the Birmingham musician to receive this accolade, which Conservatoire in November. The work is normally awarded to film directors. was performed by the BCU Orchestra, conducted by Edwin Roxburgh. Stars of TV Where are and radio… they now? Composition for Screen alumnus Luke Whitlock has been working on a Pauline Shaw, RCM alumna who studied number of projects involving RCM staff at the College from 1954-1957, is hoping and alumni in his role as a BBC Radio 3 to make contact with two friends from producer. Vocal ensemble The Prince her student days. Ann Kirwan originated Consort joined Aled Jones for a recent from Ballycastle in Northern Ireland broadcast of The Choir on Radio 3. The and studied piano and violin at the College before taking a teaching post at Alfie Boe series also featured a two-part special with Sir David Willcocks, former RCM Benenden School. Jennifer Lamb studied th piano and cello and lived in Borough Warren Mailley-Smith launched his new Director, celebrating his 90 birthday and his life so far. These episodes Green, Kent. If you are Ann or Jennifer CD, Chopin Souvenirs, and Live in Concert and would like us to put you in touch DVD at the lastminute.com Champagne were produced by RCM alumnus with Pauline, please contact us on Christmas Concert, following the Dominic Jewel and co-produced 020 7591 4368 or [email protected] switching-on ceremony of the Trafalgar by Luke. Meanwhile Peter Horton, Square Christmas Tree lights. Deputy Librarian at the RCM, has been collaborating with Luke on a programme Pianist Margaret Fingerhut’s latest CD about Samuel Sebastian Wesley as part Past Memories of ’s piano music has of the Composer of the Week series. Luke garnered rave reviews and was awarded has also recently been accepted as a We’re always pleased to receive past a “Diapason d’Or” in France. Pianist tutor for the RWCMD junior school. students’ memories of the RCM, and magazine said that “Tansman could hardly have found a better interpreter Simon Coleman, composer, has recently to hear that so many remember their than Margaret Fingerhut… a triumph composed music for ITV1’s new 12 part College days fondly. To read an extract of piano playing”, while International series The Lakes: a documentary looking from the autobiographical notes of Record Review praised the “Beautifully at life in the Lake District. Other recent Cecil James, who studied the bassoon sensitive performances… she is the perfect work includes the series Live the Dream: here in the 1930s, please visit pianist for these idiosyncratically intimate As Seen on Screen, shown throughout www.rcm.ac.uk/pastmemories works. Magnificent”. Autumn 2009 on ITV3.

21 Births, marriages & obituaries

hosted by the Irish Countrywomen’s music and writing piano transcriptions, Obituaries Association at An Grianán, Co Louth, including for Tippett’s first operaThe Midsummer Marriage. Michael was Lady Tess Swann, born Tess Gleadowe, where she last performed at the Golden died on 25 September aged 87. Jubilee celebrations in 2008. also a founder member, choir rehearsal A talented organist and viola player, Tess pianist and accompanist for Dartington The College was sad to hear of the death International Summer School. On joined the Royal College of Music in of Peggy Taylor, who was secretary and retirement he continued to be very 1941 and studied under Kendall Taylor administrator of the Opera School for active in the music world, performing and Wilson Harris. She won the Kenneth much of the 60s and 70s. Peggy originally with various choral societies, coaching Bruce Stuart Prize for organ before came to the Royal College of Music as students and assisting with Associated joining the war effort in 1942, and later an undergraduate student in 1934 and Board exams. became Associate of both the Royal returned as an opera scholar in 1946. College of Music and the Royal College In 1938 she played the part of The of Organists. Aged 20 she married Manager in a production of Smetana’s Marriages leading biologist Michael Swann, and The Bartered Bride, and in 1939 was in accompanied him throughout his career Upbeat would like to congratulate RCM the chorus of Vaughan Williams’ Sir John at many of the UK’s leading universities Professional Engagements Manager in Love. As a staff member in the 1960s including Cambridge University, where Diana Barlow on her marriage to she often took the role of Stage Manager she played in concerts organised by Michael L Roberts. The ceremony took and Stage Director for RCM productions the likes of choirmaster Boris Ord and place in East Molesey, Surrey on 12 before taking over as Production conductor Sir David Willcocks. Following December. Manager in 1973. Peggy was a very her husband’s death in 1990, Tess led a quiet life in Gloucestershire, where popular member of staff, universally she played the organ at the medieval loved by the many generations of singers churches of Bibury and Coln St Dennis. who knew her during her time at the College. Dr Nigel Davison, RCM alumnus, died on 26 October, following a distinguished Music teacher and composer Christine career as a musical scholar. He began Brown died on 27 September, aged his education at Wellington College, 78. At the age of 16 Christine won a Berkshire, before moving on the Royal foundation scholarship to the Royal College of Music and finally Peterhouse College of Music, where she studied College, Cambridge. His passion for piano and viola for four years. She church music and organ playing initially returned to her native Leeds, won the led him into public school teaching, Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra concert before he took up a lectureship at Bristol soloists’ competition, and began to University, where he remained until his develop a combined career as performer, early retirement in 1991. Alongside his teacher, composer and adjudicator. teaching responsibilities he became a Having taught in a number of schools, Diana Barlow and Michael L Roberts leading authority on the music of Pierre she became a lecturer at Bretton Hall de La Rue and his contemporaries, and was among the first to join the Births and was appointed Joint Editor of the European Piano Teachers’ Association, American Institute of Musicology’s running the Yorkshire branch for 15 Congratulations to Florence Ambrose, complete edition of La Rue’s works, years. Well known through her teaching RCM Performance Manager, and which was received with critical acclaim. publications, she lectured widely to Mark Ellison on the birth of their son, piano teachers around the world. Her Theo Louis Ellison. Theo was born on Alumna Betty Barrett passed away study of Bartók’s educational music was Wednesday 13 January weighing 8lbs on 3 August at the age of 89. A cellist recognised by Boosey and Hawkes in 6ozs. and pianist, Betty joined the RCM in 1988, who commissioned her to write a the late 1930s and graduated with an Guide for Piano Teachers to coincide with ARCM with distinction. The outbreak the publication of the definitive edition of war and family life disrupted her of Bartók’s Mikrokosmos. musical career for several years until she took up a teaching post at the Royal Michael Tillett sadly passed away on Irish Academy of Music in 1960. She 21 December, aged 87. Born in 1922, remained at the academy for 26 years Michael attended the College from 1939 and was much loved by her pupils who as a student of piano accompaniment described her as a “wonderful, warm and and viola. He conducted the Rugby giving person”, and recalled the pre-exam Philharmonic Choir on many occasions, rehearsals she held at her home which and was the Coventry Festival Chorus Theo Louis Ellison always included a “fine spread”. Following rehearsal pianist for the world première of Britten’s War Requiem in Coventry Erratum her retirement she continued to teach In the obituary of Douglas Craig in the Autumn privately, performed with the Dublin Cathedral. For many years he was the issue of Upbeat, we misspelled the opera Chamber Music Group, and co-founded amanuensis to fellow RCM alumnus Sir Morvoren by RCM alumnus and composer the bi-annual chamber music weekends Michael Tippett, proofreading all his Philip Cannon. Many apologies to him.

22

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