Welcome to the first February edition of Purcell’s Weekly Highlights!
PRIDE AND MUSIC
Audience members were welcomed by Tristan Boldy who introduced our host for the night, Mr Paul Elliott. Composers were interviewed by the event’s organiser Josh Mock (pictured is Josh Mock chatting to Jasmine Morris regarding her piece) Audience members and performers alike had a fun-filled evening while raising awareness of the incredible impact LGBT+ composers and influencers have had on our music, history, and current journey.
Pianist Lang Lang releases new album ‘Piano Book’
It’s been three years since his last release – and now the global sensation Lang Lang is back with a show-stopping collection of pieces to inspire the next generation. Piano Book is Lang Lang’s first studio album to hit the charts since New York Rhapsody in 2016 – and he sets it apart from his other records with a poignant message. Thoughtfully selected, this remarkable collection of pieces originally inspired him to play the piano as a young boy. Speaking about the album, he said: “With Piano Book I’m going back to my first love, to the pieces that made me want to become a musician in the first place. We are proud to announce that Purcell student Rhys Concessao was invited to feature as one of the few selected pianists in the official album video.
Krzysztof Penderecki Cello Competition
Cellist and Purcell alumna Hayoung Choi, has been announced as the winner of the 3rd International Krzysztof Penderecki Cello Competition following a final round in which competitors perfomed Krzysztof Penderecki’s Concerto per viola (cello version) and a second concerto chosen from the list. The competition took place in Kraków in December. Currently studying with Professor Wolfgang Emanuel Schmidt at the University of Franz Liszt Weimar, she has already given a host of concerts in Germany, the United Kingdom, Korea and Switzerland, and has played with ensembles such as the Camerata Salzburg. Her list of awards includes first prizes at the Antonio Janigro International Cello Competition in Croatia (2008), the Internationaler Dotzauer-Wettbewerb für junge Cellisten in Germany (2009), and the Internationaler Johannes Brahms Wettbewerb in Austria (2011). Held over seven days in the Academy of Music in Kraków, the International Krzysztof Penderecki Cello Competition is open to young cellists from all over the world aged 16-28. All finalists are accompanied by the Chamber Orchestra of the Krakow Academy of Music conducted by Adam Klocek and this year’s jury consisted of Zdzisław Łapiński, Julius Berger, Li Jiwu, Csaba Onczay, Ivan Monighetti, Wolfgang Emanuel Schmidt and Arto Noras.
The Sharon Welcomes A Tribute to Benny Goodman
On February 27, British jazz group the Julian Bliss Septet will perform an evening of knockout arrangements of music jazz clarinet legend Benny Goodman and his contemporaries at The Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center. Formed by virtuoso British clarinetist and Purcell alumnus Julian Bliss in 2010 to build on the admiration he held for Goodman, the Septet swing through their fourth US tour with an evolved program of original arrangements guiding us on a journey through some of the great tunes of the swing era.
JACOB COLLIER EMBARKS ON WORLD TOUR
Purcell alumnus Jacob Collier is out performing to audiences all over the globe with his ‘DJESSE World Tour. Jacob will be playing in UK as well as across Europe and the USA with the London, New York and Nashville dates already sold out. The follow-up to his 2016 debut album, ‘Djesse’ is a 40-song, 4-volume exploration of the mind of one of music’s finest young talents as Jacob traverses different musical worlds in astonishing ways. Djesse was written, produced and engineered by Collier, composed entirely during 2018 and also features contributions from a global cast of his musical inspirations. It will be released via Hajanga Records in exclusive license to Decca/Geffen.
THIS WEEK’s GALLERY
We would like to say a special thank you to the Trinity Laban Trombone Choir for their incredible performance and Jack Liebeck for his insightful Violin Masterclass this week.
