After a Summer spent in the Malaysian heat examining on behalf of ABRSM, this week we get back down to the business we love most, performing. The next twelve months contain a whole host of new experiences for us – our first recording, new venues, new repertoire and a new series of concerts in our own studio – and after a Summer away we both can’t wait to get going!
The Intimate Salon performance space at the 1901 Arts Club
1901 Arts Club Series
The 1901 Arts Club really feels like home now as this year marks our fourth recital series in this unique and intimate venue. Performing so close to people in such a small space is always a challenge, but over the last few years we have had such a positive response from the audiences there that it has become the focal point of our programming and our favourite place to play. Once again we have devised each programme around a theme and later in the year we will be exploring some of the more unusual repertoire for violin and piano:
On Thurs 4 Oct we start our series by revisiting the background to Strauss’s astonishing violin sonata, written when he was just 24 and heavily influenced by the masters of the classical period. We are pairing it with Beethoven’s equally powerful Sonata in C minor and drawing some interesting parallels between the two. Both have related keys, stunning slow movements in A-flat major and Strauss even goes as far as paying homage to Beethoven in the final bars of the slow movement. Come and join us on Thursday to hear what I am talking about!
At the beginning of December we will be presenting a programme based around the famous story of Brahms, Schumann and Dietrich (Schumann’s pupil), and the trick they tried to play on their great violinist friend Joachim by writing the so-called FAE Sonata. Clara Schumann also undoubtably played a huge part in the lives of these men and we will also be playing her gorgeous Romances for violin and piano.
In March 2013 we turn our attention to Central Europe in a programme entitled Bohemian Quartet. Bookended by two sets of Four pieces by Dvorak and his son-in-law Josef Suk, this programme will explore some lesser known, but wonderfully expressive, music from this amazing hotbed of musical creativity. Smetana’s From the Homeland and the wonderful work of contemporary composer Pavel Novak will also feature.
For our final concert in the 1901 Arts Club in June we turn further east with an all Russian programme featuring some rarely performed pieces by Rubinstein and Rachmaninov, alongside firm favourites by Glazunov and Prokofiev.[hr]
Steinberg Studio Concerts
As longtime Greenwich residents, this year we wanted to open the door to our wonderful rehearsal space on Vanbrugh Hill and offer some of our neighbours a chance to enjoy an hour’s recital with a glass of wine on a Sunday evening. We will be staging a concert once a month and after the success of our first soiree on Sunday night we are really excited to get to know more of our music loving neighbours. Tickets for this series can be reserved on this website, click here for more information[hr]
In January we will be returning to The Banff Centre for another three-week residency. This year we will be using the time to prepare for, and make, our first commercial recording of works by Philip Sawyers and Elgar. We have a busy few months ahead finding the funds to make this project happen but our aim is to have our all-English CD available early next year. As before we very much hope to be performing several times a week during our stay there, and we will confirm details as soon as we have them.[hr]
Orchestral Appearances
In May 2013 we will be recording Philip Sawyers’ concertante for Violin, Piano and Strings, with the Orchestra of the Swan, which will be included on a disc of orchestral works by this wonderfully talented composer. This disc will be released on the Nimbus label in late 2013. As part of our preparation we are performing the piece in November with the Lancashire Chamber Orchestra under conductor Ken Woods.[hr]
Music Clubs and Societies
We are absolutely delighted to be selected artists for the Making Music Concert Promoters’ Network 2013/14 but ahead of that season we will be appearing for Chipping Sodbury Music Society, Norwich and Norfolk Music Society and the Orpheus Foundation Concert Series in St. James, Picadilly.
All in all we have so much to look forward to and before we know it we will yet again be on a plane to the Far East for another Summer away before the next chapter begins in Autumn 2013.