Review for 2013
January
Beethoven’s Early Works was the title of Roy Stratford’s lecture recital that included a performance of Beethoven’s Sonata No 7in D major. Opus 10, No 3. This was a fascinating over-view of how Beethoven developed from Mozart into one of the world’s greatest composers. Roy Stratford ended the concert with a talented performance of Beethoven’s Sonata No 7 in D Major, Opus 10, No3 .
February
A most dramatic evening! A fire alert caused the Chapel to be evacuated and closed just before the start of the concert by the Chichester University Sinfonia. All music and instruments had to be left in the chapel and the audience asked to wait in the Showroom Lobby until another performance space was found. While the orchestra hunted for replacement instruments and the music re-printed, Head of Music Ben Hall gave us a talk in a lecture theatre on the recent organ refurbishment and his ambitious plans for the future of his department. The orchestra then assembled to perform a stimulating programme on borrowed instruments which included a magnificent performance of the Bach Double Violin Concerto by soloists Oxana Dodon and Elena Davydova. The enterprise and skill of the students inspired members to make very generous donation towards the bursary fund.
March
“The Art of the Madrigal” was the title chosen by the St Richard Singers, Chichester’s longest established choir, when they performed at the University in March. Under the direction of Michael Walsh, the choir sang examples of the music of the madrigal ranging, through songs of tragedy, to those that could almost be described as raunchy. With John Palmer as compere explaining to the audience the musical nuances, and the final performances that included a perfect rendition of Robert Garland’s Lay a Garland, the evening was a marvellous success.
April
The annual Student Showcase Concert for the first time included modern music with the first prize of £500 going to Mid Jazz Sandwich, a group including Vocals, Guitar, Saxophone, Lead Guitar, Bass and Drums. They performed a variety of standards, one of which was arranged by the group. Second prize of £250 went to Jacob Humphries with a haunting set of contemporary soprano saxophone items. The classical tradition was upheld by the third prize winner, Jon Booth, who made his recorder sing melodiously throughout his expert performance of Sammartini's Concerto in F major. As usual the enthusiastic full house of members, parents and friends produced different lists of winners which never completely agreed with the views of the external adjudicator.
May
The University of Chichester Sinfonia, the 30 strong university orchestra, played Beethoven’s Third Symphony. Crispin Ward, Head of Orchestral Studies at the University first explained how this piece broke new ground, reflecting the unsettled revolutionary times, and also its name Eroica. After the interval the orchestra, conducted by Adam Hoskins, played with verve and enthusiasm, and complemented the earlier lecture admirably.
June
The Summer Concert was dedicated to the memory of John Speir, the Group’s former Treasurer, and most generous donor to the Robert Headley Fund. The Holywell String Quartet, who had played previously to the Funtington Music Group, played the Haydn String Quartet Opus 74, No 2, and went on to play the String Quartet No 2 by Kodaly, a complete contrast of musical moods. They ended the concert with Brahms’ String Quartet Opus 51, No2. The audience thoroughly appreciated the Holywell’s verve and enthusiasm and skill.
September
The first concert of the autumn brought the Santiago String Quartet to the University, and the audience were introduced to the lyrical and beguiling rhythms of the tango, with some unusual sounds and tonalities. Included in the programme was the only string quartet written by Elgar, but the majority of the music played was by South American composers, and this concert was a splendid introduction to Latin music.
October
Long-standing Funtington Music Group member Sir Bryan Thwaites, celebrating his ninetieth year, gave a fascinating analysis of Bach’s Passacaglia and Fugue [bwv582] and then played some sections of the work, where he demonstrated that he was a very accomplished musician. After the interval Adam Swayne, who had collaborated with Sir Bryan over a period of two years, introduced the Chichester University String Orchestra and, with Anthony Hallstead, who conducted, they played the piece to perfection.
November
This concert was the 100th concert that the Funtington Music Group had arranged at the University of Chichester. To commemorate the event, world famous cellist, Natalie Clein, with Katya Apekisheva on piano, came to the University. The varied programme allowed Natalie Clein to show her incredible musical skill from Kodaly’s Sonatina, to Janacek, Grieg and Weburn. The concert ended with a talented and well-appreciated performance of Debussy’s Sonata.
December
The annual Christmas event was the return of the Bibby Sisters, who were joined by Carole Boyd, to give a Christmas Extravaganza Concert. The programme was a mixture of words [by Carole Boyd, and actress of exceptional ability] and music [by the two musically talented sisters on piano] revolving around the theme of Christmas. The programme ranged from Joyce Grenfell to Willie Rushton, and Faure to Percy Grainger. It was a wonderful introduction to Christmas and a suitable end to the Funtington Music Group’s 2013 programme.
January
Beethoven’s Early Works was the title of Roy Stratford’s lecture recital that included a performance of Beethoven’s Sonata No 7in D major. Opus 10, No 3. This was a fascinating over-view of how Beethoven developed from Mozart into one of the world’s greatest composers. Roy Stratford ended the concert with a talented performance of Beethoven’s Sonata No 7 in D Major, Opus 10, No3 .
February
A most dramatic evening! A fire alert caused the Chapel to be evacuated and closed just before the start of the concert by the Chichester University Sinfonia. All music and instruments had to be left in the chapel and the audience asked to wait in the Showroom Lobby until another performance space was found. While the orchestra hunted for replacement instruments and the music re-printed, Head of Music Ben Hall gave us a talk in a lecture theatre on the recent organ refurbishment and his ambitious plans for the future of his department. The orchestra then assembled to perform a stimulating programme on borrowed instruments which included a magnificent performance of the Bach Double Violin Concerto by soloists Oxana Dodon and Elena Davydova. The enterprise and skill of the students inspired members to make very generous donation towards the bursary fund.
March
“The Art of the Madrigal” was the title chosen by the St Richard Singers, Chichester’s longest established choir, when they performed at the University in March. Under the direction of Michael Walsh, the choir sang examples of the music of the madrigal ranging, through songs of tragedy, to those that could almost be described as raunchy. With John Palmer as compere explaining to the audience the musical nuances, and the final performances that included a perfect rendition of Robert Garland’s Lay a Garland, the evening was a marvellous success.
April
The annual Student Showcase Concert for the first time included modern music with the first prize of £500 going to Mid Jazz Sandwich, a group including Vocals, Guitar, Saxophone, Lead Guitar, Bass and Drums. They performed a variety of standards, one of which was arranged by the group. Second prize of £250 went to Jacob Humphries with a haunting set of contemporary soprano saxophone items. The classical tradition was upheld by the third prize winner, Jon Booth, who made his recorder sing melodiously throughout his expert performance of Sammartini's Concerto in F major. As usual the enthusiastic full house of members, parents and friends produced different lists of winners which never completely agreed with the views of the external adjudicator.
May
The University of Chichester Sinfonia, the 30 strong university orchestra, played Beethoven’s Third Symphony. Crispin Ward, Head of Orchestral Studies at the University first explained how this piece broke new ground, reflecting the unsettled revolutionary times, and also its name Eroica. After the interval the orchestra, conducted by Adam Hoskins, played with verve and enthusiasm, and complemented the earlier lecture admirably.
June
The Summer Concert was dedicated to the memory of John Speir, the Group’s former Treasurer, and most generous donor to the Robert Headley Fund. The Holywell String Quartet, who had played previously to the Funtington Music Group, played the Haydn String Quartet Opus 74, No 2, and went on to play the String Quartet No 2 by Kodaly, a complete contrast of musical moods. They ended the concert with Brahms’ String Quartet Opus 51, No2. The audience thoroughly appreciated the Holywell’s verve and enthusiasm and skill.
September
The first concert of the autumn brought the Santiago String Quartet to the University, and the audience were introduced to the lyrical and beguiling rhythms of the tango, with some unusual sounds and tonalities. Included in the programme was the only string quartet written by Elgar, but the majority of the music played was by South American composers, and this concert was a splendid introduction to Latin music.
October
Long-standing Funtington Music Group member Sir Bryan Thwaites, celebrating his ninetieth year, gave a fascinating analysis of Bach’s Passacaglia and Fugue [bwv582] and then played some sections of the work, where he demonstrated that he was a very accomplished musician. After the interval Adam Swayne, who had collaborated with Sir Bryan over a period of two years, introduced the Chichester University String Orchestra and, with Anthony Hallstead, who conducted, they played the piece to perfection.
November
This concert was the 100th concert that the Funtington Music Group had arranged at the University of Chichester. To commemorate the event, world famous cellist, Natalie Clein, with Katya Apekisheva on piano, came to the University. The varied programme allowed Natalie Clein to show her incredible musical skill from Kodaly’s Sonatina, to Janacek, Grieg and Weburn. The concert ended with a talented and well-appreciated performance of Debussy’s Sonata.
December
The annual Christmas event was the return of the Bibby Sisters, who were joined by Carole Boyd, to give a Christmas Extravaganza Concert. The programme was a mixture of words [by Carole Boyd, and actress of exceptional ability] and music [by the two musically talented sisters on piano] revolving around the theme of Christmas. The programme ranged from Joyce Grenfell to Willie Rushton, and Faure to Percy Grainger. It was a wonderful introduction to Christmas and a suitable end to the Funtington Music Group’s 2013 programme.
