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Formed
in 1988, the JOYFUL COMPANY
OF SINGERS rapidly established
itself as one of Europe's leading chamber choirs. Under
its founding conductor, Peter Broadbent, the JCS has
won an impressive list of National and International
Competitions.
Concerts throughout the UK have
included most of the major music festivals, including
several “Proms” appearances. The JCS broadcasts regularly
on BBC Radio 3 and Classic FM. Festivals in Denmark,
France, Germany, Italy, Poland, and Russia have become
a regular feature of the JCS calendar.
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Earlier this year the JCS visited the USA for the first
time, giving highly successful concerts at Stanford
University, Los Angeles, San Diego and appeared at the
National Convention of the American Choral Directors
Association.
Last season included performances with the City of
London Sinfonia of the St. John Passion at the Barbican,
and the Faurè Requiem at Boxgrove Priory. The JCS performed
three new works at the Bath, Lower Machen and Spitalfields
Festivals. With the CLS they appeared at the Wratislawia
Cantans Festival in Poland in September, followed by
two a capella concerts in Fano, Italy. This month has
already seen a concert at the “Big Chill” Winter Festival,
and continues on Saturday with the annual Messiah performance
at St. James' Piccadilly and the CLS Christmas concert
in Kings Lynn.
Recordings include several CDs for ASV and regular
collaboration with Richard Hickox and the City of London
Sinfonia for Chandos, for whom they have already released
4 CDs, including several of the complete Percy Grainger
Series. Last year saw the release of a Garland for Linda
for EMI Classics, which consists of works by nine British
composers including Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Richard
Rodney Bennett and Sir John Tavener, and will raise
funds for The Garland Appeal for Cancer Research and
British Music.
The projection and vitality of the choir is equalled
by its astoundingly wide repertoire, ranging from the
16th Century to the present day., including first performances
of works by Howard Blake, John Buller, Alun Hoddinott,
Anthony Powers, Paul Reade, Kaija Saariaho, Giles Swayne,
Dmitri Smirnov and Malcolm Williamson.
“ …Ardent, sensitively blended performances…” Nocholas
Rast, The Daily Telegraph (1999)
“The Joyful Company of Singers delivers lovely sounds,
from a full but unstrained fortissimo to the astonishing
quiet chord before the last lines of “Tous les droits”…Fluid
legato, subtle vibrato, persuasive rubato, the singers
are on top of it…” Robert Maycock BBC Music Magazine
(1999)
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Peter
Broadbent is one of
Britain's most respected conductors and chorus masters,
acknowledged for his awareness of style, breadth of
experience and commitment to contemporary music.
He enjoys a versatile career
with an extensive repertoire ranging from Baroque Music
performed on period instruments, to contemporary music,
including many first performances.
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Broadbent has worked with the London Mozart Players,
Divertimenti Chamber Orchestra, the English Chamber
Orchestra, the City of London Sinfonia, the Debrecen
Philharmonic Orchestra and Kod·ly Chorus in Hungary,
the Southern Sinfonia and the BBC Singers, broadcasting
frequently on BBC Radio 3 and Classic FM.
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Andrey
Petrov
Andrey Petrov was born in Leningrad
in 1930. Has received many awards and honours, including
U.S.S.R. State Prizes (1967, 1976), the Order of the
Red Banner (1967), the Order of Lenin (1983), a title
of People's Artist of the U.S.S.R. (1990). Special awards
for his film music: “Nika” (1992) and “The Golden Ram”
(1995).
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Since 1964 he has been a Chairman
of St. Petersburg Composers Organisation, and since
1992, a president of St. Petersburg Philharmonic Society.
A small planet discovered in 1994 was named after him.
Started his creative activity as a composer of symphony
(the symphonic poem “Radda and Loiko”) and ballet music
(“The Station Master” and “The Shore of Hope”).
In 1960s Andrei Petrov has
got a wide recognition as an established song and film
composer. Between 1970s and first half of the 1980s
the composer was writing mostly works for the theatre
(including ballets: The Creation of the World, 1971
and Pushkin, 1978; opera Peter the First, 1975).
In 1980s - 90s the composer
is turning towards such genres of instrumental music
as: concerto, in which a soloist part is interpreted
as a main character of the drama (for example concerti
for violin, piano with the orchestra, Concerto – Buffo
to mention but a few); symphonic works, which are reflecting
an outstanding ability of orchestral imagination (“Romantic
Variations”, “Russia in Bells” – variations on a theme
by Mussorgsky, “The Master and Margarita”, 1985); symphonies
(the First, the Second, and “The Time of Christ”).
Andrey Petrov's close collaborations
with some world famous directors, choreographers and
performers have grown into creative unions lasting for
many years. Ballets to his music have been staged by
Igor Belsky, Natalja Kasatkina and Vladimir Vasiljev,
Boris Eifman. His music has been performed by such outstanding
musicians as: violinists Boris Gutnikov and Sergei Stadler,
conductors Pavel Kogan, Evgeny Svetlanov, Yuri Temirkanov,
Evgeny Kolobov.
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VISITING COMPOSERS
Vladislav Uspensky
Vladislav Uspensky was born in 1937.
He is a St. Petersburg composer, the People's Artist
of Russia. A prominent student of Dmitry Shostakovitch.
Now V. Uspensky is a professor of St. Petersburg Conservatoire
and a Vice - chairman of St. Petersburg's Composers
Organisation.
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As an artist of a really extraordinary
talent, he masters the widest palette of musical genres
– from song to opera, from instrumental miniatures to
large symphonic works, from children's incidental music,
film music to Divine Liturgy… High ethical passion is
a characteristic of the many deeds – human and creative
– of Vladislav Uspensky: devoted service to his art,
his pupils and colleagues.
It is not mere chance that
the key word in the title of many of his works is “Dedication”
in the meaning of “Consecration” (“Con-secration” as
touching the sacraments of love, faith, friendship).
As a composer of a truly democratic orientation V. Uspensky
completely lacks a false academic manner and aesthetic
snobbery: impenetrable borders between “high” and “low”
spheres in art, between esoteric and “light” entertaining
genres (E & U-Musik) do not exist for him.
Vocal-variety and symphonic
genres are united in the poetic style of the ballet
“Cranes flaying”. The immediate response to world's
conflicts and problems is impressed in his opera “The
War Against Salamanders”; Technique and principles of
film production (montage, rapid change of tempos) have
reflected in the opera “Intervention” and later in music
of his flashing musicals “Sherlock Holmes”, “Scandal
in Bohemia” and in the latest outstanding musical -
drama “Anna Karenina” based on the same name novel by
Leo Tolstoy.
The music of Vladislav Uspensky
has gained the deserved recognition all over the world.
His works have been performed by outstanding musicians,
such as: violinists Boris Gutnikov, Maxim Vengerov,
pianist Pavel Serebryakov, vocalists Irina Bogachova,
Sergey Lejferkus, conductors Genadiy Rozhdestvensky,
Vladislav Chernushenko and many other artists.
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VISITING
COMPOSERS
George Firtich
George Firtich was born in 1938.
Honorary Artist of Russian Federation, professor of
music at St. Petersburg Pedagogical University. In 1962
Firtich became a member of Composers' Organisation.
Through his works mostly as the serious music composer
(works for symphony orchestra, chamber genres) he also
writes for the theatre (“Adventures of Captain Vrungel”
based on the fairy-tale by V. Nekrasov), cinema (more
than 35 films, including music for cartoon films) and
TV.
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From 1994 Firtich is the head of Association of Contemporary
Music at St. Petersburg Composers' Union.
Many outstanding works have had premieres at the concerts
of ACM. To date ACM is the only powerful body, promoting
the latest avant-garde music in all fields and supporting
young talented composers, artists, and painters through
series of workshops, discussions, master classes and
lectures-recitals.
Firtich's music language is full of extraordinary,
nearly magic sound and rhythmic effects. He invents
new sound spheres just feeling so, sincerely considering
it necessary for his individuality requirements. His
creativity, embodies the whole epoch, existing in it,
vividly changing together with it and influenced by
internal irrational psychological forces, which are
meanwhile controlled by the highest Universal ones.
Demanding active perceptive process, Firtich's music
arouses the listener's mind, making it burst into its
strongest emotions. The same aesthetic principles are
reflected in his piano sonatas. Has variety of music
is based on public tastes and makes the listeners understand
modern music and instantly recognize it.
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Angela Lee
Angela Lee began her cello studies at the age of four
at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. At the age
of nine was invited by the Young Musicians Foundation
to appear in the television production, Debut! with
Michael Tilson Thomas.
Shortly after, she performed
for Rosalynn Carter during the First Lady's visit to
San Francisco. A graduate of Julliard School and Yale
University School of Music, she was awarded the Jury
Prize in the Naumburg International Cello competition,
the Fulbright scholarship to study in London with William
Pleeth, the Ruth T. Brooks Achievement Award for Continued
Exellence in the Arts and a 14 grant from the Foundation
for American Musicians in Europe.
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Her recital appearances include:
London, Hong Kong, San Francisco, Chicago, Washington
D.C., Los Angeles, Manila as well as performances at
Lincoln Centre's Alice Tully Hall and Carnegie Hall.
Her solo engagements have included performances with
the Central Philharmonic Orchestra, Pan Asia Symphony,
the San Francisco Concert Orchestra, and the Paraiba
Symphony.
Angela has given solo and
chamber performances in Germany, Poland, Bosnia-Herzegovina,
Italy, the Czech Republic, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland
along side with Bruno Canino, Bruno Giuranna, Frans
Helmerson, Nobuko Imai and Andras Schiff.
She is a member of The Lee
Trio with her sisters Lisa, violinist and Melinda, pianist.
“Angela Lee performed with tremendous expression
and soulful sentiment. She is a creative and exceptionally
accomplished artist.” Saalezeitung (Germany)
“To say that Angela Lee possesses a formidable talent
might even be an understatement… The finesse, control
and coloration with which she played was amazing…” San
Francisco Chronicle
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Yuri Zhislin (violin)
A major prize-winning violinist,
born in Moscow in 1974. He studied at the Royal College
of Music with his father Grigory Zhislin and later with
Dr. Felix Andrievsky.
Regularly appearances include: on
BBC Radios Two and Three, live performances with the
BBC Concert Orchestra, the Oldenburg Chamber Orchestra,
the London Mozart Players, the Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra,
the London Soloists, the London Schubert Players and
the
Arpeggione Chamber Orchestra, performing at all London
major concert halls.
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A dedicated chamber musician, Yuri has played with
Barry Douglas, Dmitry Sitkovetsky, Roger Vignoles, Alexander
Chaushian. He is a leader of the Russian Chamber Orchestra
of London. In October 1997 was appointed Principal First
Violin of the London Mozart Players and in August 2000,
Yuri co-founded and became the Artistic Director of
the Evaristo Valle Museum International Chamber Music
Festival in Gijon (Spain).
“Zhislin is a virtuoso with lyrical talent and a truly
Romantic temperament”. The Strad, 2001
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Susan Cullen (mezzo-soprano)
Made her debut with English National
Opera Company (ENO). TV and video credits included Countess
Cerpano in “Rigoletto” for ENO & Thames TV, broadcasts
on Radio 3 and the sound track for the film “Birds of
Prey”.
She has appeared with several regional
symphony orchestras and is well known to Midland audiences
as the soloist for “promenade” style concerts at Weston
park in Shropshire.
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Operatic appearances include: performances of “Carmen”
with the English Symphony Orchestra, extensive tours
in America, Spain, France, The Middle East and Far East.
Roles include Carmen, Orfeo, Julius Caesar, Sextus,
Sorceress (Dido & Aeneas), Amneris and Romeo in
the first UK concert performance of Vaccaj's “Giulietta
and Romeo” (c. Richard Burgess-Ellis).
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Irina Taimanova (piano)
Honorary Artist of Russian
Federation, film and TV music commentator. Graduated
from St. Petersburg Conservatoire as a pianist (with
professor Savshinsky) and theatre director (with E.
Sokovnikov, R. Tikhomirov). Creator of numerous music
programmes on St. Petersburg
TV channel featuring many famous musicians and artists,
such as: “Hello Olga” with Olga Borodina, “Music of
Hermitage Halls” with M. Piotrovsky, S. Stadler, programmes
about Dmitry Shostakovitch, Maxim Vengerov, Vadim Repin,
Evgeny Kissin to mention but a few.
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At present Irina Taimanova
is a professor at St. Petersburg Conservatoire, gives
lectures and master classes at Boston University, works
on TRK-St. Petersburg channel.
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The Russian Chamber Orchestra of London
was established by pianist Olga Balakleets and gave
its dèbut at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in January
1998.
The orchestra has often since appeared at the South
Bank Centre, St John's, Smith Square and at festivals
across the country including Grassington, Dumfries and
Galloway, Southwark and Canterbury.
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The Russian Chamber Orchestra of London regularly performs
for charities and for special events such as the opening
of the Russian International Trade Exhibition (June
1998). These have been attended by such distinguished
guests as HRH the Princess Royal, Prince Michael of
Kent, the Duke of Kent and members of the Government.
The Russian Chamber Orchestra of London has worked with
conductors Alexander Politschuk,
Martyn Brabbins, Sian Edwards and Thomas Sanderling.
The orchestra has worked with such distinguished soloists
as pianist Boris Berezovsky, clarinettist Emma Johnson,
bass Thomas Thomasson and leading British jazz trumpeter
Guy Barker. Repertoire includes works from the eighteenth,
nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
The orchestra gave the UK première of the Concerto
for Piano, Timpani and Strings by Galina
Ustvolskaya and recently performed Malcolm Williamson's
Concerto for Two Pianos. On 30 September
2001 The Russian Chamber Orchestra accompanied Irek
Mukhmedov's ballet spectacular at the London Colisseum.
They were joined by pianist Mikhail Rudy at the Queen
Elizabeth Hall on 18 October 2001 and by violinist Janine
Jansen at Nieuwe Kerk in the Hague on 29 October 2001.
The Russian Chamber Orchestra of London has recently
taken part in London Art Fest 2001 and will next be
performing at the Queen Elizabeth Hall on 4 February
2002; this concert will feature soloist John Lill and
conductor Thomas Sanderling. Future plans include a
tour of Switzerland, France and Austria and the orchestra's
first CD recording.
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Alexander Walker
Artistic Director of the Festival.
Was born in 1973. After graduating from Bristol University,
Guildhall School of Music and Drama, he studied conducting
for two years with Ilya Musin at the St. Petersburg
State Conservatoire. In 1998, he was one of six conductors
chosen to take part in a master class with Yan Pascal
Tortelier, Martyn Brabbins and the BBC Philharmonic
Orchestra, shown on BBC Television.
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He is the Music Director of Ensemble
2000 and Principle Guest Conductor of Voronezh State
Symphony Orchestra of Russia. Walker has performed extensively
in Russia, Poland, Finland and Denmark.
Future plans include concerts in
Finland, Ukraine, Russia, Bulgaria, Poland, Denmark
as well as recording of a CD of British music for Alba
records with Mikelli City Orchestra in Finland.
“…a subtle musician, possessing a feeling for style,
concise conducting gestures and unusually expressive
movements” The Voronezh Courie, 1999
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