Two world premieres and a stunning line-up of some of Britain’s finest musicians will headline the new season of music for the winter term at the University of Aberdeen.
North-east audiences will be treated to performances by some of the world’s greatest composers and celebrated soloists over the coming months as the winter series of recitals gets underway this weekend. The season opens in style on Sunday (October 8) with an evening concert with singing sensation, Juice. This all-female trio will present an atmospheric evening of experimental and ethereal music, which explores the expressive range of the voice. Juice cover everything from Scandinavian folk music to Bjork. This concert begins at 7.45pm in King’s College Chapel.
Some of the key highlights of the new programme include two world premieres featuring the outstanding Scottish pianist, Sam Haywood, who will present the first ever performance of John McLeod’s new Piano Sonata No 4. This piano recital takes place on Thursday, November 16, at 7.45pm in the Picture Gallery at the Mitchell Hall, Marischal College.
A group of local ensembles and musicians have teamed up for the second world premiere which will bring a Cornish feel to the North-east of Scotland. This unusual event features Graham Fitkin who will bring the musicians together to prepare the world premiere of his Ring Cycle. As well as this, the University String Orchestra will perform a new version of Fitkin’s SLOW for strings and keyboards as well as Chris James’ Furv and the University Symphony Orchestra will feature music by Arnold Bax and Maclolm Arnold who sadly died last month. This event will be held on Sunday, November 19, at 7.30pm in The Music Hall, and forms part of the sound festival in November. sound is North East Scotland’s contemporary music festival. Launched in November 2005, it aims to make contemporary music more accessible to audiences of all ages and backgrounds by presenting an eclectic but very broad range of modern music, through a range of events including concerts, talks, and workshops.
Dr Pete Stollery, Head of Music at the University, said: “We are delighted to present this varied programme of music that has something for everyone. We are particularly proud to be able to host these two world premieres in Aberdeen and we look forward with great anticipation to these landmark events.
“What we are aiming to do with our concert series is to bring the very best music and musicians to Aberdeen, but adding to the familiar repertoire by presenting new and less familiar music, which will enrich audiences in the North-East.”
Other highlights include the internationally acclaimed organist Pieter Dirkson who will treat audiences to an organ recital and workshop in the beautiful King’s College Chapel on Thursday, October 17, at 7.45pm. Admission to this event is free.
Another exciting ventures in the programme is a concert with the Edinburgh Quartet, who will deliver a special performance featuring several new Scottish compositions, as well as one of Beethoven’s mighty Rasumovsky Quartets. The Edinburgh Quartet concert will be held on Thursday, November 9, at 7.45pm, in the Cowdray Hall, Aberdeen.
A major attraction in the winter line-up will be a performance by the distinguished cellist Rohan de Saram, who will introduce a work composed especially for him by the Italian composer Luciano Berio. This evening concert takes place on Friday, November 24, at 7.45pm, in Woodend Barn, Banchory, in conjunction with the sound festival.
The Aberdeen Musical Society will perform music taken from the University’s treasured Special Collections on Thursday, November 23, at 7.45pm, in King’s College Chapel, while the University of Aberdeen Choral Society, which includes the best University’s most talented singers, will perform on Sunday, November 26, at 7.45pm, at St Machar Cathedral.
The winter season of music continues in December with a Carols for All Concert on Sunday 10. This event has established itself as a great favourite in the University’s musical calendar and will take place at 4.30pm and 7.45pm in Mitchell Hall, Marischal College.
Dr Stollery added: “We hope that everyone - will join us as we continue to bring the thrill of live music to wider audiences.”
Concert tickets for all of the above performances are available now by calling Aberdeen Box Office on (01224) 641122 or log on to: www.abdnboxoffice.com
A copy of Music for the Winter Season is available by contacting University Music on (01224) 272570 or by emailing: music@abdn.ac.uk. Full details of all concerts are available in the brochure or by visiting: www.abdn.ac.uk/music
Further information on the sound festival is available by logging on to: www.sound-scotland.co.uk