Author Topic: Brighton Early Music Festival.  (Read 5750 times)

piedpiper

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Brighton Early Music Festival.
« on: August 14, 2012, 11:16:46 AM »

The following may be of interest.

http://www.bremf.org.uk/

It also has an online copy of their programme which ofcourse includes the DM one on November 10th of this year.

admin

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Re: Brighton Early Music Festival.
« Reply #1 on: November 13, 2012, 06:05:18 AM »
I attended this event and am pleased to report it was very stimulating and enjoyable.

The event was very well attended and kicked off with a roundtable discussion chaired by Nick Kenyon, and featuring Deborah Roberts, who studied with Munrow at Leicester University, Andrew Van Der Beek, who was a member of Munrow's EMCL, and Sally Dunkley of The Sixteen. There were plenty of reminiscences and much insight into what made Munrow so revered. A brief clip was shown of Munrow performing some 14th Century Italian music on his Chinese sona shawm. The sheer energy and effort displayed by Munrow alone was literally breathtaking!

During the interval the reed instruments episode of Early Musical Instruments was shown.

The main event, as it were, was a concert by a 12-piece ensemble led by talented multi instrumentalist David Hatcher, featuring many pieces from Munrow's landmark recordings, including Susato and Praetorious dances. There were a few faces from the old guard such as Philip Thorby, Belinda Sykes and Theresa Caudle, but most were from the current generation of versatile professionals. It was a great chance to hear something close to the 'big band' sound that Munrow made so memorable, and there was some very tidy playing, and nifty segues between pieces.

Of course, one couldn't help feel that what the concert lacked was a virtuosic showman to really knock it into shape and make it an occasion to remember...
« Last Edit: November 13, 2012, 06:07:17 AM by admin »

sarahk

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Re: Brighton Early Music Festival.
« Reply #2 on: November 13, 2012, 06:50:19 PM »

I attended this event and am pleased to report it was very stimulating and enjoyable.

The event was very well attended and kicked off with a roundtable discussion ...


Wish I'd been there (I'm overseas).  Lucky you!

How long did Celebrating inspiration: in memory of David Munrow (event 15) last?  What did you learn about Munrow (both personally and as a musician) as a result of the roundtable discussion of him?

piedpiper

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Re: Brighton Early Music Festival.
« Reply #3 on: November 14, 2012, 10:37:26 AM »


Unfortunately, I was unable to attend. I am glad DG enjoyed it!

RS.

admin

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Re: Brighton Early Music Festival.
« Reply #4 on: November 14, 2012, 04:22:02 PM »

I attended this event and am pleased to report it was very stimulating and enjoyable.

The event was very well attended and kicked off with a roundtable discussion ...


Wish I'd been there (I'm overseas).  Lucky you!

How long did Celebrating inspiration: in memory of David Munrow (event 15) last?  What did you learn about Munrow (both personally and as a musician) as a result of the roundtable discussion of him?

The discussion lasted for around 30 minutes. Andrew van der Beek's comments were perhaps the most interesting, talking of how little rehearsal time some colleagues had before performing or recording some pieces. They mentioned how consort members were expected to muck in and learn new instruments - poor old Chris Hogwood really didn't look happy playing the tambourine or harp! He also told a funny anecdote about Munrow's fallout with Musica Reservata.

Deborah Roberts gave a fascinating glimpse into how Munrow taught and inspired students - his energy and drive really was legendary.

Sally Dunkley remarked how he had such a gift for vocal music, and how he juggled demands for scholarly accuracy in his performances with all his other commitments - apparently much of his administration and script writing was done whilst in transit, with his wife at the wheel.

It was a great idea, although it could have stood another 30mins easily - perhaps an idea for future Festival events?

piedpiper

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Re: Brighton Early Music Festival.
« Reply #5 on: November 15, 2012, 01:40:59 PM »
DG,

     I am wondering whether you can say what the "funny" anecdotal reasons were for the fallout between Munrow, and Michael Morrow/Musica Reservata were? It would be great to know. I have heard, or read somewhere that there was indeed somekind of "parting of the waves".

Also, it appears that this show was not recorded? I cannot understand why not? Perhaps, some kind of legal dimension?


Regards,

RS/Piedpiper