September 7th, 2005 Another time, Another place
ROWLAND EDWARDS opens our new season at our new venue with a preview of
what is happening in the months to come.
September 14th The A-Z of Alexander Zemlinsky
Encouraged by Brahms, teacher of Schoenberg, and regarded by many as a genius.
So how did Zemlinsky end up writing songs under the pseudonym Al Roberts,
asks Guardian critic RIAN EVANS.
September 21st Celebrating American Music
MARJORIE COLLINS presents a programme of American music featuring artists
from Jazz, Broadway, Carnegie Hall, The Metropolitan Opera, Symphony Hall
and the Boston Pops. A sequel to her 2004 presentation of music heard in and
around Cardiff.
September 28th An Exotic & Irrational Entertainment
Retired recital accompanist BRYAN DAVIES demonstrates how opera as an art
form has developed through the ages.
October 5th "That's a Big Guitar!"
BBC National Orchestra of Wales bass player, DOMINIC SELDIS has travelled
widely with his double bass, in various musical guises carrying his double
bass. Expect some interesting revelations from his colourful career.
October 12th Music Magazine, Vol. 57, No. 1
A miscellany of recorded music and comment on items of topical or special
interest, with our new editor, BRIAN GARDINER.
October 19th Opera in Paris 1850-1900
CHRIS BALL surveys operatic premières in the French capital, including
works by Gounod, Massenet and Meyerbeer, highlighting the differences in performance
style between French and non-French singers.
October 26th The Artistry of Dennis Brain
Regarded as one of the finest virtuosi of his time, Dennis Brain was tragically
killed in a car crash in 1957 when he was just 36. BBC NOW principal horn
IAN FISHER examines his brief but illustrious career.
November 2nd Collaborators in Opera and Song
INGRID SURGENOR, well-known as an accompanist for Cardiff Singer of the
World, gives us personal recollections and introduces recordings of conductors
and singers with whom she has worked.
November 9th Great Recording Sessions
Our President, reviewer and broadcaster EDWARD GREENFIELD, recalls sessions
when he has been privileged to meet some of the great performers of our time.
November 16th Ralph Vaughan Williams 1872-1958
RVW was once consigned by many to the 'cow-pat' school because of his folksong
sympathies. TERENCE GILMORE-JAMES, on his second visit to the Society, shows
him to be a progressive composer who often surprised and confounded his critics.
November 23rd A Life in Music
Former WNO chorus member JAMIE MILLER-COBURN goes back over his career and
illustrates the many influences which shaped his musical development during
his fifty-two years in the theatre.
November 30th The Music of Peter Maxwell Davies
NICHOLAS JONES of the University School of Music is currently researching
twentieth-century British music and gives us an introduction to the work of
this important composer.
December 7th Great Musical Cities - Munich
The Bavarian capital has a great musical tradition which goes back a long
way. DEREK KNEE, who attended his first ever symphony concert in that city,
presents aspects of its musical character, past and present.
December 14th Noel - the Society's Festive Gathering
Music, mince-pies and who knows what else!
2006
January 4th The Art of Transcription
Professor ROBIN STOWELL of the University School of Music discusses the
art of transcription in the history of music and plays recordings of examples
from this extensive and often curious repertory. Professor Stowell will himself
appear by special arrangement!
January 11th Pic'n'Mix
E. ANN DAVIES invites a few of our newer members to say a little about themselves
and present examples of their favourite pieces of music.
January 18th More of the Birds and the Bees
TIM TAYLOR of the University School of Music returns to explore further
how composers have depicted birds and insects in their music with another
range of fascinating examples.
January 25th Dvorak's Disciples
Dvorak, Smetana and Janacek are the most prominent Czech composers of the
19th and early 20th century. But there were several others whose contributions
are mostly overlooked and do not deserve to be, as GEOFF TRINICK hopes to
demonstrate.
February 1st Fritz Kreisler 1875-1962
Fritz Kreisler was one of the best loved violinists of his time. ANTHONY
TARLTON, violinist with the Orchestra of Welsh National Opera, will explore
how one of the last great violinist/composers influenced generations of fiddle
players with both his playing and his compositions.
February 8th Mozart's Last Year
Mozart's death in December 1791 was described by H C Robbins Landon as the
greatest tragedy in the history of music. RAINER LENK reviews that final year
which produced such masterpieces as the Requiem, the operas The Magic Flute
and La Clemenza di Tito, and the clarinet concerto.
February 15th A Gilbert & Sullivan Evening
The collaboration of Gilbert with Sullivan produced a wealth of wonderful
music of its kind which HEATHER JAMES explores, recalling her own performances
of their operettas. She will also illustrate the serious side of Sullivan's
output.
February 22nd A Celebration of the Vocal Art
New member KEN WIDDISON demonstrates the extent to which the human voice
has enriched our musical heritage both in solo performance and in combination
with other voices, with examples from oratorio, opera, operetta and song.
March 1st Music Magazine, Vol. 57, No. 2
A miscellany of recorded music and comment on items of topical or special
interest, edited by BRIAN GARDINER.
March 8th The Edwardian Era
DAVID PERKINS presents a programme of music from the years before World
War 1. British composers will have pride of place but different kinds of music
will help to paint a picture of the period.
March 15th More of My Music
RON REDWOOD'S presentation of "his" music last year was so well
received that he was asked to give us another one. Fortunately for us, he
agreed to do so and we are guaranteed another enjoyable evening.
March 22nd John Metcalf at 60
We are privileged to welcome JOHN METCALF, composer and Artistic Director
of the Vale of Glamorgan Music Festival. John will talk about and illustrate
a few of his compositions which are certain to be of interest.
March 29th Heitor Villa-Lobos 1887-1959
This Brazilian-born composer is probably best known for his guitar music
and his Bachianas Brasileiras in which he successfully applied local colour
to baroque forms. E ANN DAVIES surveys the output of this prolific composer.
April 5th Josef Haydn 1732-1809
Regular presenter RONALD CLEAK revives memories of his first ever talk fifty
years ago when his subject was the music of that most original and influential
of eighteenth-century composers.
April 12th Chairman's Evening
Our Chairman, COLIN HEATH, invites us to listen to extracts from performances
inspired by particular circumstances or by musicians, conductors and, not
least, composers themselves.
April 19th The Annual General Meeting
This is the opportunity for members to air their views about the conduct
of the Society. Please come along to support this important end-of-season
occasion.
The Committee reserves the right to cancel or modify any advertised programme
without notice.
© 2005 Cardiff Recorded Music Society. All rights reserved.