Concerts & events archive 2002

Tuesday 19 November 2002
Fiori Musicali
Penelope Rapson director, James Bowman countertenor
Kerstin Linder-Dewan violin, Catherine Rimer cello

"In an age that seems to see a new countertenor every week,
Bowman remains a sover eign exponent of the art" The Times

James Bowman, countertenor supreme, adds his magic to the opening night. Vibrant music by Venetian opera composer Galuppi plus well known concertos by Haydn and Mozart begin this year's festivities.

Haydn - 'Cello Concerto in D
Galuppi - Arripe alpestri
Mozart - Sinfonia Concertante in E flat K 364

Wednesday 20 November 2002
Scott Joplin Piano Rags
Joshua Rifkin piano

Joshua Rifkin's classic recordings of Scott Joplin's foot-tapping Ragtime top the US bestseller lists.

A rare chance to hear the man who brought about the worldwide revival of the King of Ragtime playing Joplin's music live.

A chance to let your hair down!

Scott Joplin Piano Rags, Tangos and Waltzes
Maple Leaf Rag, The Entertainer, Wall Street Rag, etc.

Thursday 21 November 2002
James Bowman - Baroque singing master class
James Bowman countertenor

One of the world's most distinguished countertenors, the inimitable James Bowman, communicates his knowledge and enthusiasm with singers at the outset of their careers.

Four outstanding young professional singers perform arias from the world of baroque opera and oratorio in the informal atmosphere of a master class.

Thursday 21 November 2002
The Bekova Piano Trio
Eleanora Bekova piano, Elvira Bekova violin, Alfia Bekova 'cello

"The Bekova Sisters Trio is without question one of the best piano trios of our day. . . . These talented musicians demonstrate faultless command of style and outstanding virtuosity" Gennady Rozhdestvensky

The Bekova sisters are acclaimed wherever they play. "Intensely musical . . . a first class ensemble", wrote Sir Georg Solti.

They play majestic chamber works by Brahms, spiced with powerful music from their native Russia. A must for the chamber music connoisseur.

Brahms - Piano Trio op.101 in C minor
Brahms - 'Cello Sonata op.38 in E minor
Shostakovich - Piano Trio op.67 in E minor
Brahms - Two Hungarian Dances (arranged by the Bekova Trio)

Friday 22 November 2002
Choral Mattins for St Cecilia's Day
The Choir of St Bride's - Robert Jones director

In the 1680s and 1690s St Cecilia's Day was celebrated at St Bride’s, Fleet Street with a special choral service, after which the congregation strolled up Ludgate Hill for further music and then banqueting at Stationers’ Hall.

This year’s Festival continues these historic ties, as the choir of St Bride’s marks the virgin saint’s day through music by one of England’s great cathedral composers Charles Villiers Stanford, a man whose unbounded energy fuelled the late 19th-century renaissance of English music.

Stanford - Service in C
Stanford - Beati Quorum Via

To celebrate St Cecilia's Day we welcome to the Festival one of the world’s most esteemed baroque violinists, the great Dutch guru Jaap Schröder.

In his only UK appearance this year, Schröder brings to life the elegant courtly world of the late baroque.

Passionate, subtle, intimate and sophisticated, here is dazzling chamber music for violin, flute, gamba and harpsichord from three 18th-century masters of musical culture - the great JS Bach, his son CPE Bach and their illustrious contemporary GP Telemann.

Telemann - Paris Quartet in E minor
CPE Bach - Trio Sonata in B minor
JS Bach - Trio Sonata in G major
JS Bach - Sonata no.6 in G major for violin & obbligato cembalo

Saturday 23 November 2002
Jaap Schröder - string master class
Jaap Schröder baroque violin

The eminent Dutch violinist and renowned pedagogue Jaap Schröder explores the art of baroque string playing with today’s young professional musicians.

Eavesdrop as the master listens to performances by four up-and-coming players and inspires them with his unique perspective on baroque music.

Saturday 23 November 2002
Tutored Wine Tasting - Wines of Italy

To tie in with the final night's concert of sumptuous Italian music by Monteverdi, an opportunity to sample the rather more earthly delights found in the vineyards of Tuscany and Piedmont.

Andrew Calsin has been Italian wine buyer for City vinters Lay & Wheeler for over 15 years. Experience the wealth of vintages produced by Italy over the last decade.

A tutored wine tasting for both connoisseur and dilettante.

Saturday 23 November 2002
Fiori Musicali
His Majestys Sagbutts & Cornetts
Fiori Musicali Choir - Penelope Rapson director
His Majestys Sagbutts & Cornetts - Jeremy West director

A feast of sacred music by Monteverdi - towering figure of the Italian musical baroque. Relish the glorious sounds that once filled the basilica of St Mark's in Venice.

His Majestys Sagbutts & Cornetts combine with the Fiori Musicali Choir for some of Monteverdi's most sumptuous choral music, bringing the 2002 Festival to a glorious conclusion.

Monteverdi - Messa da cappella (1650)
Monteverdi - Adoramus te
Gabrieli- Canzon 'La spiritata'
Monteverdi - Messa da cappella (1640)
Monteverdi - Magnificat in 6 voices (1610)

Sunday 24 November 2002
Choral Eucharist in honour of St Cecilia
The Choir of St Bride's - Robert Jones director

This festal Eucharist in honour of St Cecilia is adorned with the full panoply of choral richesse, including a celebrational mass by Mozart to complete the St Ceciliatide festivities.

And following the practice of his 17th-century predecessors, the Reverend Canon David Meara, Rector of St Bride’s preaches a sermon ‘in defence of church music'!

Mozart - Coronation Mass
Mozart - Ave Verum Corpus