beat Serenade to Music The stars come out to launch the RCM's 125th anniversary spring 08 magazine Royal College of Music, London

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1 up beat spring 08 magazine Royal College of Music, London Serenade to Music The stars come out to launch the RCM's 125th anniversary

2 Photos: Chris Christodoulou Scenes from the RCM's 125th Anniversary Gala on 28 October For the full story see page 6. Pictured here (clockwise from top left): Elizabeth Watts who sang songs by RCM alumni Britten and Maconchy RCM Symphony Orchestra and soloists in Vaughan Williams' Serenade to Music Andrew Kennedy who sang with the Saconni Quartet Conductor John Wilson RCM Director Colin Lawson with the soloists Soloist Gerald Finley Front cover (from left to right): current student Anna Huntley with graduates Catherine Wyn-Rogers and Anna Leese

3 W HAT S INSIDE Many happy returns! This year the Royal College of Music is 125 years old. Though we have to wait till May for the actual birthday, we're in such celebratory spirits that we began the festivities last term with a glittering Gala, featuring some of our star graduates, pictured opposite. We're not just marking this year with resplendent music-making; we're about to embark on a major project that will transform our beloved Concert Hall into a dynamic performance, teaching and recording venue fit for the 21st century and even beyond after all, we very much hope the RCM is still going strong in another 125 years! In this issue of Upbeat, you can read about our plans for the Concert Hall and how we intend to keep the RCM's hugely popular programme of events shining brightly once the builders and foremen set to work. On page 5, we reveal details of our major new series at Cadogan Hall which kicks off in April. Located close to the College, Cadogan Hall is unquestionably one of the most exciting classical venues to emerge in decades. We also have news of RCM performances elsewhere, from a thriving series in our Museum of Instruments to the National Gallery and the V&A. As ever, Upbeat is full of stories about our students and staff making a great impression across the musical scene, both in the UK and worldwide. For all our latest news and events listings, visit us online at If you'd like to feature in the next issue of Upbeat, keep your news and pictures coming to: news@rcm.ac.uk Please note we cannot guarantee to include everything we receive and submissions may be edited owing to space limitations. The deadline for the next issue is 18 April Material submitted after this date cannot be considered. CONTENTS 4 In the news - six pages of the latest stories from the RCM including an update on our Concert Hall transformation 10 Treasured memories - Former students recall favourite moments from the RCM's first 125 years 12 Student bites - Who's won what and who's performing where? A round-up of current student success stories 14 Alumni bites - A jam-packed digest of graduate news 16 Staff bites - Looking at what College staff have been up to lately 17 Deeply missed - tributes to friends and colleagues no longer with us 18 And finally - more top stories from the RCM CONTACT US Box Office: Upbeat: Alumni: RCM Friends: Supporting the RCM: Hiring RCM facilities: Hiring RCM musicians: Switchboard: weekdays 10am-4pm news@rcm.ac.uk alumni@rcm.ac.uk friends@rcm.ac.uk kancell@rcm.ac.uk nselwyn@rcm.ac.uk dbarlow@rcm.ac.uk info@rcm.ac.uk Health-conscious College! In 2006, the Association of British Orchestras and the Musicians Benevolent Fund launched the Healthy Orchestra Charter to set an industry wide standard of care and confer charter marks upon orchestras displaying good practice towards the physical, mental and emotional health of players. At this January's ABO conference in Brighton, the Royal College of Music was one of four organisations (along with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra and Opera North) awarded a Bronze Charter Mark in recognition of its commitment to occupational health and safety for all its orchestral musicians. RCM Performance Manager Florence Ambrose (right) accepted the award from LPO Chief Executive Timothy Walker and the MBF's Rosanna Preston. ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC, PRINCE CONSORT ROAD, LONDON SW7 2BS T: +44(0) F: +44(0) E: info@rcm.ac.uk Charity number: DESIGN: artsbydesign, up beat 3

4 I N T H E NEWS THE TRANSFORMATION BEGINS As revealed in our summer edition, exciting plans are underway for the transformation of the RCM Concert Hall. Much loved by London audiences for its unparalleled intimacy (where else can an audience of just 400 experience large-scale symphonies so closely?), the Hall is nonetheless ripe for renovation. After more than a century of constant use as a teaching and performance space, the time has come for some enhancements which will rightly reinvigorate the Hall, making it one of the most exciting and versatile classical venues in the UK. A detailed and sensitive plan is shaping up, set to address such key issues as acoustics, soundproofing, lighting, heating and ventilation, disabled access, decor and state-of-the-art audiovisual technology. The transformation will ensure the Hall fulfils its 21st century potential, able to accommodate traditional and innovative performances, recording sessions and broadcasts of the very highest international calibre, and attract more of the world's finest musicians to work and perform with our students. For further information on the Concert Hal transformation, please contact Kathryn Ancell, Development Manager on or kancell@rcm.ac.uk. Work will commence in mid-may, at which point the Concert Hall will close until early Needless to say, this will in no way compromise the College's extensive programme of events - all other corners of the building will continue to resound with musicmaking, and we're also seizing this opportunity to take our musicians out to some of London's professional venues, celebrating their talents as part of our ongoing 125th birthday festivities. See opposite for breaking news of our upcoming series at Cadogan Hall. The RCM needs to raise 2,900,000 for the Concert Hall transformation and is working hard to meet this target with approaches to charitable trusts, companies and individuals. We hope this exciting project will engage interest amongst our supporters and that with your help the RCM may continue to play a vital role at the very forefront of music education and serve the needs of RCM students and the wider musical community for generations to come. Then and now (pictured from top): The Concert Hall in 2008 Bernard Haitink rehearsing the RCM Symphony Orchestra in the Concert Hall The Concert Hall one hundred years ago 4 upbeat

5 FROM ONE HALL TO ANOTHER Rest assured, while the RCM Concert Hall is out of action, the band will definitely play on, as we prepare to hit the road with some very special concerts in London's top venues. Very soon we'll reveal plans for performances this autumn at the Southbank Centre and St John's Smith Square, but first things first: the RCM is set make a major splash this Spring just a few minutes away from home at Cadogan Hall. Located at the heart of Chelsea, less than a minute from Sloane Square tube station, Cadogan Hall is loved by performers and audiences alike, and drawing media recognition as one of the best places to discover classical music in the country. With its landmark Byzantine tower, the hall was originally a church which fell into disrepair. A major operation was then launched to bring the exquisite premises back to useful life. Inside, a stunning 900-seat auditorium was created which now attracts many of the world's best classical musicians and is home to the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. When looking for somewhere to stage the RCM's biggest concerts during our own renovation, Cadogan Hall was a natural first choice. As RCM Marketing Manager James Murphy explains: "We're thrilled to be getting out of the building and stretching our legs. One of Cadogan's many appeals is its locality. Only a stone's throw from the RCM, it's ideal for our students and local audience to get to. It's a very comfortable venue, with an acoustic that'll show off our musicians at their very best. They deserve to be heard on the professional stage, and what better time to do that than during our 125th birthday year?" With a series of orchestral concerts set to begin there in July, the RCM makes its Cadogan debut on 15 April with the first of our four 'Rising Stars' concerts, each showcasing a range of instruments, repertoire from the old to the new, and performers of numerous nationalities. "The Cadogan concerts are our chance to show London that RCM students are second to none," says James, "and the Rising Stars who'll take the limelight certainly comprise some of the world's most promising soloists and chamber groups." Among them are Swedish soprano Ida Falk Winland who drew great acclaim in BBC Cardiff Singer of the World last year, the Harpham Quartet who opened this year's prestigious Park Lane Group Series, and the Venezuelan, Russian and Chinese pianists Luis Parés, Anna Peletsis and Meng Yang Pan - all tipped for outstanding international careers. We're also delighted to be joined by some special guest artists including breakthrough young viola player Jonathan Barritt and the much-admired BBC Young Musician of the Year cellist Guy Johnston. We hope that you'll want to join us at Cadogan Hall to catch these talented young players on the professional stage, where they so rightly belong. RCM Rising Stars at Cadogan Hall TUESDAY 15 APRIL 7.30PM Alan Blair trumpet, Andrew Aarons piano Enesco Légende RCM Brass Quintet Paul Patterson Mean Time Sirocco Saxophone Quartet Bozza Andante and Scherzo Thierry Escaich Tango Virtuoso Luis Parés piano Berg Piano Sonata op 1 Luis Parés piano, Steven Hudson oboe, Naomi Bristow clarinet, Andrew Watson bassoon, Antonio Geremia Iezzi horn Beethoven Quintet for piano and wind op 16 MONDAY 19 MAY 7.30PM Laura Lucas flute, Meng Yang Pan piano Poulenc Sonata for flute and piano Meng Yang Pan piano Claes Biehl new work (RCM composer) Liszt-Paganini Etude in E flat major no 2 R Strauss (arr. Grünfeld) Soirée de Vienne Ida Falk Winland soprano, James Southall piano R Strauss Lieder op 27 RCM Wind Ensemble R Strauss Sonatina no 1 in F major 'Aus der Werkstatt eines Invaliden' MONDAY 2 JUNE 7.30PM Vojtech Šafarík bass-baritone Harpham Quartet Barber Dover Beach Jianing Kong piano Charlotte Bray Off the rails (RCM composer) Jianing Kong piano, Harpham Quartet Jonathan Pitkin Part-song for piano quintet (RCM composer) James Meldrum clarinet, Harpham Quartet Howells Rhapsodic Quintet Nicolas Fleury french horn, Harpham Quartet Mozart Horn Quintet Ida Falk Winland Guy Johnston Tickets 10 Cadogan Hall Box Office: Book online at Cadogan Hall, Sloane Terrace, London SW1X 9DQ MONDAY 16 JUNE 7.30PM Jiafeng Chen violin, Anna Peletsis piano Prokofiev Sonata in D major op 94a Gagliano Trio Karl Fiorini Piano Trio (RCM composer) Tickets for each concert are also available direct from the RCM Box Office on Book early to avoid disappointment! Jonathan Barritt viola, Guy Johnston cello RCM players Brahms Sextet no 2 in G major op 36 up beat 5

6 Starry, starry night! As featured on the cover, our 125th Anniversary Gala on 28 October drew an extraordinary constellation of RCM talent onto our Britten Theatre stage. Andrew Kennedy and Elizabeth Watts - winners of the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World Song Prize in 2005 and 2007 respectively - performed popular vocal works by alumni Benjamin Britten, Elizabeth Maconchy and Ralph Vaughan Williams. Accompanying Elizabeth was former Junior Fellow Gary Matthewman, and performing with Andrew were current New Generation Artists the Sacconi Quartet and Junior Fellow pianist Luis Parés. The stage was then swiftly re-set for the RCM Symphony Orchestra performing more British works with another dazzlingly successful former student, conductor John Wilson. As if all this wasn't enough, the concert concluded with a historic performance of Vaughan Williams' Serenade to Music, sung by some of the most acomplished RCM graduates alongside several current students aspiring to emulate equally amazing careers. Kindly supported by The Daily Telegraph, it was truly a night to remember. Pictured above are the Serenaders together at their afternoon rehearsal - some internationally renowned and others surely destined to be! Left to right: Lukas Jakobczyk, John McMunn, Alfie Boe, Catherine Wyn-Rogers, Gerald Finley, Sarah Connolly, Paula Sides, Andrew Staples, Anna Huntley, Anna Leese, John Wilson, Philip Tebb, Anna Grevelius, James Rutherford, Elizabeth Watts and Andrew Kennedy. A swift headcount reveals that one singer is missing from this picture. Turn to page 16 to read the intriguing story of why Janis Kelly (former student and current RCM professor) sang in the concert but couldn't be at the phootshoot Partners with Princeton DRUM ROLE The RCM is delighted to welcome David Hockings as our new Head of Percussion, following in the footsteps of Kevin Hathway. After studying at the RCM, David pursued a busy freelance career playing timpani and percussion with all the major UK orchestras and ensembles. He joined the BBC Symphony Orchestra in 1991 and has been Principal since He has also been Principal of the London Sinfonietta since 1995 and has worked extensively with the Sinfonietta's education department, including a residency in Japan. He has also organised training for members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. He has run many percussion-based workshops for music organisations and festivals and has coached the percussion sections of many of the UK's youth orchestras. The RCM is pleased to announce a landmark new collaboration with Princeton University, enabling talented young musicians from the United States to study in London. The initiative is part of the RCM's ongoing commitment to nurturing outstanding musical talent worldwide, as reflected by the over 50 nationalities that comprise its student population. Princeton students will audition to undertake a complete term at the RCM, studying with its worldrenowned professors and participating in every aspect of its vibrant performance life. Candidates Sealing the deal: Princeton President Shirley M. who excel will be offered the opportunity to Tilghman with Professor Colin Lawson continue their studies in the RCM Graduate School's Masters programme after their graduation from Princeton. Michael Pratt, Director of Princeton's Program in Musical Performance told Upbeat: "The Royal College of Music is one of the world's top music conservatories, and the experience gained for a young musician to spend time studying in London is priceless." Professor Colin Lawson, RCM Director, also said "We're delighted to be working with Princeton University on this exciting new programme that effectively explores the interrelationship of theory and practice, one of the College's strategic priorities". The partnership follows the RCM's highly successful collaboration with the Moscow Conservatory launched in 2005 to enable outstanding young Russian musicians to study in London. The collaboration is part of Princeton University's initiative to expand its programs in the creative and performing arts, as well as to offer new international opportunities to its students and faculty. PRIMETIME VIEWING The RCM Chamber Choir appeared on BBC1's Songs of Praise on 24 February, singing Parry's motet My soul, there is a country in the College's Donaldson Room as part of a programme dedicated to the composer. 6 upbeat

7 Good programming Everyone loves to browse concert programmes. We'd all know a lot less about classical music without them. Programmes are a vital source of information in musical research, but they have never been documented at national or regional level in the UK. For many years researchers and librarians have been aware of the problems associated with locating concert programmes and have not been able to embrace their full value, both in terms of scholarly research and collection development. This is set to change as the RCM launches a unique online record of concert programmes from the 18th century to the present day. Since 2004, the RCM has been working with Cardiff University on a project funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council to create one central online record of numerous repositories of programmes, including the RCM, the British Library, the national libraries of Scotland and Ireland, the Bodleian Library in Oxford, and the Royal Academy of Music. Located at the new database contains information relating to concert venues in 80 countries, and over 25,000 performers, ensembles, concert series, and music societies. It is hoped that the database, which anyone can access, will be of enormous interest to performers, musicologists, local, economic, social, cultural and theatre historians, and to music lovers generally. Project Manager Rupert Ridgewell told Upbeat: "The survival of concert programmes is often just a quirk of fate, since they weren't produced with an eye to posterity. For that very reason they can provide fascinating details about the musical tastes of previous generations. By listing major collections in the UK and Ireland, the concert programmes database will significantly enhance our knowledge of the history of musical performance." EASTERN PROMISE Oxford Organs The RCM continues to cultivate links with some of South East Asia's leading music colleges, sharing our top teaching expertise with some of their most promising students. On a recent trip, Professor Colin Lawson gave a lecture on the classical clarinet at Seoul National University, Korea. He is pictured here after the lecture with students and the Associate Dean of SNU, Young-Yul Kim and RCM Head of Keyboard, Vanessa Latarche. Meanwhile, Vanessa herself gave a masterclass (also pictured) on Rachmaninov's Piano Sonata no 2 at Tokyo College of Music, Japan in November. The RCM also held a party in January for its graduates living and working in Hong Kong. Hosted by Vanessa and Director of Academic and Administrative Affairs Kevin Porter, the gathering drew several players from the Hong Kong Sinfonietta including clarinettist Massimo di Trolio who told Upbeat, "It's nice to feel like we are still remembered by College and it was interesting to meet others in Hong Kong who also studied at the RCM." Nicholas Prozzillo reports: In October, the golden stone buildings of Brasenose College, Oxford resounded with the colourful playing and teaching of the renowned Swiss organist, Guy Bovet (pictured). As part of a collaboration between the RCM, the Royal College of Organists, the Oxford Music Faculty (Betts Foundation) and Brasenose, Bovet gave a recital followed by an inspiring masterclass for RCM students Timothy Wakerell, Geoffrey Tuson, and Chad Kelly, as well as Oxford organ scholars. Professor Colin Lawson, who attended the concert, said "It's always a privilege for students to work with composer/performers of this stature and we hope that this will be the start of a lasting partnership between our two great institutions." AN ENCHANTED EVENING Julia Strong writes: On 12 December, the RCM welcomed 350 special guests for the 2007 Soirée d'or. This annual gala is the highlight of the RCM's programme of fundraising events, and we were delighted to welcome cellist and RCM graduate Natalie Clein (pictured) as our soloist for the evening. As guests arrived, they were welcomed with a champagne reception and accompanying music from harpist Paula Popa and an RCM jazz trio. Following the reception, guests were seated in the Britten Theatre, where as well as a spotlight performance from Natalie, they also enjoyed performances from two current RCM stars, pianists Meng Yang Pan and Ina Charuashvili, first and second year Masters students respectively. Following works by Bach, Rachmaninov and Milhaud, the concert ended with Ina accompanying Natalie in a sparkling account of Piazzolla's Le Grand Tango. As guests subsequently enjoyed dinner in the RCM Concert Hall, our new Chairman Lord Winston gave a speech explaining the importance music in all of our lives, and the importance of the RCM's fundraising work, highlighting how all the proceeds raised during the evening would go directly towards student scholarships. Guests showed further generosity during the evening's auction, led by top auctioneer Mr James James-Crook of Lyon & Turnbull, and the lively atmosphere continued into the late evening when all participated in some seasonal singing, with carols led and accompanied by RCM students! In total, the evening raised 148,000 towards the RCM Scholarships Fund, and we would like to thank all who were involved in helping to achieve this remarkable figure. We are especially grateful for the support and hard work of the Soirée d'or Committee throughout the year, led by Chairperson Mrs Stephanie Carr. Soirée d'or 2008 will take place at the Victoria & Albert Museum (due to the forthcoming Concert Hall renovation) on Wednesday 10 December. If you would like information about attending, please contact Development Events Co-ordinator Julia Strong on or jstrong@rcm.ac.uk. up beat 7

8 Magnifying Mahler Professor Paul Banks (Chair of Historical Musicology) has unveiled the first phase of an ambitious new online catalogue which records details of all surviving manuscripts and early printed sources of music by Gustav Mahler. Included in the survey are all printed versions which appeared during the composer's lifetime and the first important editions published after his death. The catalogue also supplies information about the initial performances and illuminating insights into how each work changed during conception. An ongoing project, the site already offers a wealth of facts about the first two symphonies. Applauding Australia This Spring, the RCM hosts the first rounds of the prestigious Performing Australian Music Competition. Launched in 2000, the competition aims to draw major attention to Australian classical music today. It was founded by Penelope Thwaites, who works internationally as a soloist, and is particularly renowned for her recordings of Percy Grainger. First time round, it attracted seventy entrants from twenty different countries and almost fifty Australian composers were represented. This year, it's expected to be even bigger. The RCM's involvement is particularly fitting as the College has recently taken over a significant collection of Australian music from Australia House, enabling more musicians to access this fascinating repertoire. Meanwhile, the Australian Music Centre based in Sydney is putting its entire collection online, so more people than ever can explore the country's classical music heritage. The competition's preliminary rounds, from 31 March to 3 April, take place at the RCM and will be open to the public. Further details are available online. The original winner Magdalena de Vries (pictured) found the competition a real springboard for her talent. With her 5000 prize, she was able to buy her own marimba and has formed a successful duo with second prizewinner saxophonist Sarah James; together they continue to perform the Australian repertoire they first discovered when entering the competition. For more information about the contest, contact Zelda Marshall on or pamc.info@googl .com. PICTURE PORTRAITS The RCM s Centre for Performance History has contributed to a new national inventory of European paintings, created by the Visual Arts Data Service. Only a small selection of the RCM's vast collection is featured, but these can be viewed at vads.ahds.ac.uk/collections/nirp/index.php. Alongside portraits of Rossini, Johann Strauss, and Leopold and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart depicted together, look out for Nazzari's characterful depiction of the famous castrato, Farinelli (pictured). Meanwhile, the RCM's unattributed portrait of Gaetano Pugnani (1754) was transported in October to La Venaria Reale, near Turin, for the inaugural exhibition of the newly-restored palace of the House of Savoy. The show has been an enormous success, visited by over 150,000 people in the first two months. The Centre for Performance History has also recently acquired three hugely characterful sketches of John Ireland who both studied and taught at the RCM. The sketches (pictured) were in fact studies for a drawing by local artist Pat Moody who was also intriguingly a taxi driver, nurse and MI5 agent during World War II! The sketches, accompanied by supporting material which includes a small bundle of Ireland's letters, was donated to the College by Moody's friend Mrs Nicole Loftus-Parker. All the world's a stage Our upcoming Cadogan Hall series (see page 5) isn't the only opportunity to catch RCM talent in venues beyond the College. Our musicians perform weekly during the lateopening hours of two top London attractions: the National Gallery and the V&A. Lasting just an hour, these concerts are free for the public to call into as their schedule allows. Concerts are at 6.00pm in the Central Hall of the National Gallery, Trafalgar Square every Wednesday, and at 6.30pm every Friday (except the last Friday in the month) in the Norfolk House Music Room at the Victoria & Albert Museum, just moments from the RCM on Exhibition Road. Forthcoming performances include: NATIONAL GALLERY, CENTRAL HALL 6.00PM 12 Mar Rie Saito piano and Lukas Kmit viola perform Bach, Messiaen, Jongen and Enesco 19 Mar Dunja Lavrova violin and Alison Rhind piano perform Ravel, Debussy, Brahms and Paganini 26 Mar Meridian marimba duo perform arrangements of Bach, Schmitt and Piazzolla 9 April Aisa Ijiri piano and Kristin Malmborg cello perform Liszt and Shostakovich 16 April Lee String Quartet performs Mendelssohn and Ginastera 23 April Yoko Nakamura piano and Vlad Maistorovici perform Chopin and Stravinsky 30 April Elenluccia Pappalardo harpsichord performs Bach and Purcell 7 May Andrew Pickett countertenor and Manuel Gullion lute perform Spanish and English songs 14 May Trio Cinema Paradiso perform arrangements of music from Italian film scores 21 May Piatti String Quartet perform Haydn, Dvorak and Shostakovich V&A, NORFOLK HOUSE MUSIC ROOM 6.30PM 7 Mar Hasmik Avdalyan violin and Tadashi Imai piano perform Ysäye, Schnittke and Joseph Achron 14 Mar Yoko Nakamura piano performs Chopin and Ravel 4 Apr Composer Charlotte Bray introduces recently composed works 11 April Lee String Quartet perform Mozart and Mendelssohn 18 April Composer Solfa Carlile introduces recently composed works 9 May Emily Kenway mezzo soprano and Anne Marshall piano perform Brahms, Duparc and Finzi 23 May Cristina Gestido Alvarez viola and Luis Parés piano perform Brahms, Britten and Max Reger Programmes were correct at the time of going to print but may be subject to change 8 upbeat

9 Spotlight on STERNDALE BENNETT Although our Spring season is swiftly drawing to a close, one of its last events is also one of the most intriguing. On Wednesday 12 March, we present an action-packed day of talks and performances shedding light on a fascinating musical figure. William Sterndale Bennett was a pianist and composer who found himself spirited away from his humble Sheffield beginnings to the bright lights of the European music scene. It's remarkable that his music isn't more renowned today considering that he was invited to perform one of his own piano concertos at the famous Leipzig Gewandhaus, a privilege beyond compare at the time. Some of Europe's most famous composers attended this concert and swiftly began championing his art. Coordinated by RCM Librarian Peter Horton and Junior Fellow pianist Hiroaki Takenouchi (pictured), our Sterndale Bennett Day draws a host of specialists to illuminate various aspects of the composer, including an opening talk by his great-great grandson Barry Sterndale Bennett, not to mention lectures by musicologist Bettina Mühlenbeck and Dr Basil Keen. "It's a rare opportunity to discover a true gem," Peter Horton told Upbeat. "William Sterndale Bennett played a major role in the musical life of 19th-century Britain - as composer, pianist, conductor and teacher - and, through his friendship with Mendelssohn and Schumann, forged a unique link between London and Germany. Listening to some of his early works it's easy to understand why they so excited the great composers." Indeed, Schumann professed that Bennett was an 'angel of a musician' and made him the dedicatee of the famous symphonic Etudes which you can hear alongside Bennett's music during the day. A whole host of RCM musicians will take to the stage to perform his finest songs and chamber music, and it's all free, so do join us to explore an English composer often forgotten whose music made an incomparable impact in its day Wednesday 12 March 10.30am A Family Perspective Our day of discovery begins with an introduction by great-great grandson Barry Sterndale Bennett am Ein englischer Componist: the early music of Sterndale Bennett A talk by Peter Horton, Deputy Librarian 1.05pm Sterndale Bennett and Schumann Michael Ierace piano Simon Callaghan piano Schumann Symphonic Etudes op 13 Sterndale Bennett Sonata in F minor op pm Composed Remembrance - Singing English and German words A talk by German musicologist Bettina Mühlenbeck 2.45pm Sterndale Bennett and the piano Pianist David Owen Norris explores the composer's keyboard works. 4.00pm Sterndale Bennett and the Bach Society A talk by Dr Basil Keen, expert on the Bach Society which was founded by William Sterndale Bennett. 5.00pm Songs by Sterndale Bennett and his contemporaries Stephen Varcoe and current RCM students present a selection of songs by the composer and his peers. 6.30pm Sterndale Bennett Showcase Stephen Varcoe baritone David Owen Norris piano Aoife Nic Athlaoich cello James Southall piano Hiroaki Takenouchi piano Oliver Benson double bass Three Romances op 14 Sonata-duo in A op 32 Solo Songs Facing the music Fifteen RCM composers were invited by the National Portrait Gallery to write music inspired by entrants in this year's highprofile Photographic Portrait Prize. Each fascinating interpretation was then brought to life by RCM players in a live performance at the Gallery. Among them was Catch, a work for solo clarinet by Ursula Kwong-Brown, performed by Harry Cameron-Penny, and inspired by the photograph Janine by Michelle Sank (pictured). Asked how she re-imagined the image through music, Ursula explained, "Although the girl's bearing is aggressive, her dark eyes speak of suppressed loneliness and sadness; I depict this emotional tension with small snippets of quiet melody which attempt, but ultimately fail, to be heard over the louder, angrier material." You can listen to Catch and all the other composers' works at up beat 9

10 T REASURED MEMORIES As part of our 125th birthday celebrations, Upbeat invited former students - including some current staff - to share their fondest memories of their days studying here. Some remember the music, others remember the mischief. We present some of their recollections here, along with a few revealing snippets from the archives of the RCM magazine. A typical coaching session in the 1930s Vaughan Williams' Riders to the Sea received its world premiere at the RCM in 1937 In 1965, Her Majesty The Queen Mother opened the new premises at the south side of the RCM campus - still called "the new building" by some longstanding staff! I spent three very enjoyable years at the RCM from College social life for me was simple but rewarding. I remember with fondness the many hours spent chatting and drinking coffee in the canteen; I also remember the canteen lady with the squeaky voice who used to offer the choice of numerous identical meals whilst asking 'cabbidgiz or sweeede - which one would you laaike?". On one occasion, in total desperation of having no accommodation, with a couple of fellow students I hid under a flight of stairs until all lights were out in order to spend the night sleeping in the very cold common-room, only to be discovered at around 5.00 am by the cleaners and, later, given a stiff ticking off by the porter! Chris Allen (clarinet) 10 upbeat The RCM magazine reports that in February 1913, the College celebrated a rare sporting success: a 5-2 win in a Royal Academy versus Royal College football match, played on the Harrodian Athletic Ground at Barnes. Proof, if ever we needed it, of who the champions really are! Of my many fond memories, three stand out: firstly, being in the cricket net in the courtyard with Sir Keith Faulkner playing. My first delivery flattened the stumps (though it was the first and last occasion on which it did so!) Secondly, playing the narrator in a performance of Stravinsky's The Soldiers Tale conducted by Kenneth Montgomery - my first experience of 'Third Programme' music. Last but not least, being in The Beggar's Opera which we transported lock, stock and barrel to Vienna where it was not only performed but recorded for television. Andrew Page (Opera School Administrator) I came to the RCM in I sang in a performance of The Beggar's Opera by John Gay in about 1975/6 in which Polly Peachum was sung by the soprano Lynda Russell who went on to win the Ferrier competition in 1977 and sing in opera houses all over the world. When at College we would occasionally go into Hyde Park for a walk and feed the ducks. We went our separate ways after College but met up again in 1982 during a performance of Gluck's Armide at the Spitalfields Festival. We've since been together for 25 years, have two sons Timothy and Jonathan, and perform together in concerts worldwide with The Sixteen. Chris Royall (countertenor) I remember the Director, Sir Keith Falkner, personally greeting each new student as they entered the building on their first day and asking singers, in particular, if they would mind if he dropped in on their lessons sometime. Imagine my surprise when, some months later, he did just that! Possibly even more memorable was singing beside him in his farewell concert - the B Minor Mass in Westminster Abbey. David Harpham (Registry Officer) In 1948, there were heaps of rubble from the bombing all over the streets but there were smiles on the faces of the Londoners. My violin professor Isolde Menges never finished lessons on time so we trooped to her home in Hammersmith to continue our instruction. It was there she once told me to stop playing a piece and dust her mantelpiece! Confused, I went to the mantelpiece, at which she exclaimed "Ah, I thought you could do it without having to move! You see, you play on the E string and switch to the G string and don't move your arm at all. Do you think it would be more efficient if you actually took your arm to where the string is placed? Would it sound better?" What a wonderful character! Malinee Paris (piano/violin)

11 I studied singing at the RCM from , and married fellow student Ranken Bushby the following year. I remember when Leopold Stokowski came to the College to rehearse the first orchestra and made all the brass stand up and point their instruments to the ceiling like an American swing band. It was hilarious. My recollection is of my formidable teacher, the Beethoven scholar Kendall Taylor, who was often in tears in lessons when teaching the late Beethoven sonatas. He was always moved by the music which was so profoundly meaningful for him, whether it was a student performance or a notable exponent of the works. He also possessed a cloth metronome which he kept in his pocket. It looked like a tape measure and was a puzzle to me how it worked! I am sure other students of his will remember too... Vanessa Latarche (Head of Keyboard) Elizabeth Davies In 1967, the RCM was the first music school to open an electronic studio; thirty years on, our Studios are still ahead of the game Gerald Finley (also pictured on page 2) played Bottom in scenes from Britten's A Midsummer Night's Dream at the opening of the Britten Theatre in 1986 A visit to RCM in the 1980s by Olivier Messiaen whose centenary we have celebrated this season During my lengthy period at the College there have been many visits by some of the world's greatest musicians - Stokowski, Maazel, Solti, Segovia, Perlman, to name but a few. However, for me the unique occasion was the recital given in the Britten Theatre in 1993 by the distinguished Russian pianist Sviatoslav Richter. One of the finest pianists of the last century - he was always enigmatic, temperamental and unpredictable, even in attending his own recitals. I was personally invited to play the Rhapsody in Blue with the Students' Association Orchestra at the College some 25 years ago. I shall never forget what happened at the first rehearsal: As I entered the Concert Hall I was astounded to see the Model D Steinway slowly moving towards the front of the apron stage and eventually falling into the front stalls, landing upside-down with its three legs proudly pointing skywards. I shall never know whether it was a tribute or a fear of the attack I was about to inflict on it! In truth, it was just an unfortunate accident in arranging the platform... I remember the extraordinarily exciting and energetic performance of Rachmaninov's third piano concerto by David Helfgott with the First Orchestra, as was represented in the film Shine. The pianist appeared to jump up and down on the piano pedals, and accompany the piece with additional vocal sounds. The concert also included the Goldoni Overture, by none other than current professor Joseph Horovitz. Angela Escott (Librarian) Isolde Menges was a most distinguished violin teacher, having up to the 1940s led the famous Menges String Quartet. I never had a lesson from her but did accompany some of her pupils at the piano. She demonstrated tone and phrasing continuously, the violin and bow never leaving her hands. She was also a chain smoker, with the ash from the cigarette getting longer and longer, until at last the ash fell off sliding slowly into the f holes of her violin. It wouldn't happen today, but I expect it kept the moths away! Sidney Pavey In the spring 1948 issue of the RCM magazine, Dr William McKie gives a lavish account of his experiences preparing the music for the Royal Wedding of Princess Elizabeth to Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten RN. McKie tells of a spot of bother concerning the organist Dr Peasgood whom he appointed to play the organ before and after the service: "He was taken ill on the morning of the wedding and arrived at the Abbey about looking literally green. He had to be doped with most kinds of drug, and fortified with lashings of the Precentor's brandy, before he could even get up to the organ loft. He then played quite superbly (great stuff this brandy)". Rest assured that the RCM no longer prescribes any such medicine to get its musicians to perform! John Barstow (piano professor) up beat 11

12 S OUND BITES S TUDENTbites Areyouamoverandshaker on today s music scene? Read on for more about student, alumni and staff news. S POTLIGHT ON HAIK KAZAZYAN Haik Kazazyan has won First Prize at the prestigious Gyeongnam International Violin Competition in Korea. In the Final Round, he performed Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto with the Korean Symphony Orchestra. He also won the Audience Prize and the prize for the best interpretation throughout the competition of the set-work by Isang Yun. Haik can next be seen at the Wigmore Hall, as part of its Monday Platform series, on 31 March. To book tickets, call or visit Charles Andrews (organ) and RCM alumnus Roger Sayer featured on BBC Radio 3 s In Tune on 21 December. The Midas Touch Organ Duo were interviewed about a Bridgewater Hall concert in which they played works as diverse as the Mozart Fantasia K608 and James Bond theme songs. John Paul Ekins (piano) has performances in 2008 with Woking Symphony Orchestra (Gershwin Concerto) and Hillingdon Philharmonic Orchestra (Rachmaninov Piano Concerto no 2). He will also give recitals in the Polish towns of Zakopne and Katowice and at the Bath Pump Rooms. Soundbites Composer Shiva Feshareki is touring concert venues, art galleries and even derelict buildings with cellist Natalie Clein. The inspiration for the tour came from Shiva s work critical distortions for cello and turntables, in which she plays the turntables herself. À Memória de Anarda for mixed choir, by Pedro Faria Gomes, was recently released on CD (Numérica) with the Lisboa Cantat Chamber Choir. Como Se Faz Cor-de- Laranja for speaker and seventeen players, also by Pedro, will be performed eight times in May at Casa da Música, Portugal. The Harpham Quartet opened the prestigious 2008 Park Lane Group Series. Their performance of Lachenmann s Grido drew strong reviews from the national 12 upbeat papers and online praise. Classicalsource applauded a well-engineered account a bravura and committed performance. Creative Leadership student Jordan Hunt performed at Tate Britain on 4 January in two performance art pieces with the!wowow! Collective. He composed music for the performances as well as playing live. This was part of the Late at Tate Series which happens on the first Friday of every month. Guillermo Laporta (flute) has won two awards in Spain with his initiative Creart Project: the Contemporary Creation Award Montehermoso and the Talented Development Scholarship Promete. Keep an eye out for Konstantin Lapshin (piano) who will be appearing soon in a Land Rover commercial on your television! Guitarist Patrick Milne duetted with renowned violinist David Garrett in the Jools Holland show at the Royal Albert Hall in November. Patrick said that, although he was nervous initially, David put him at his ease and described the opportunity as great fun... an amazing experience. Yoko Nakamura (piano) gave a solo recital in Kamakura, Japan in December, featured in the Shonan Asahi and Kanagawa newspapers. Yoko has numerous concert engagements in 2008 including recitals at the V&A, National Gallery, St Martin-in-the-Fields, and St James Piccadilly as part of Concordia Foundation Concert Series. Three Moons by Nadja Gabriela Plein was broadcast recently on BBC Radio 3 s Hear and Now. Alexander Romanovsky (piano) took the audience prize at the recent Jaques Samuel Intercollegiate Competition. In November, the Choir of Clare College, Cambridge gave the first performance of Graham Ross s Secret Music, in a live broadcast on BBC Radio 3. The work, a setting of Siegfried Sassoon s 1916 poem, was commissioned for Remembrance Sunday. Kevin Satizabal (piano) took part in the first Jaques Samuel Pianos Junior Department Festival concert in October. Victoria Sayles (violin) has accepted the sub-principal second job at the Scottish Chamber Orchestra after just 3 months on trial. She also visited Indonesia, Thailand and the Burmese border with alumna Ruth Rogers in February to give recitals and workshops in the refugee camps of Burma.

13 BIRTHS AND MARRIAGES: Daniel Broniatowski (violin) announces his engagement to Holly Kilim. A June wedding is planned. Ken McGregor (piano) and Deborah McGregor née Parsons (cello) announce the birth of their first child, Benjamin James Elliott McGregor, born on 10 December Damon Burrows (double bass) and Vienna Guy (flute) were married on 25 August 2007 at St Mary's Church in Amersham. Keziah Thomas (harp) will marry Alexander Gayle in May DOCTORAL AWARDHOLDERS : The following awards have been granted to DMus students for this academic year: The Band Played On RCM Ensemble in Residence, The Oboe Band continues to keep busy. The lessons they offer students on baroque oboe and bassoon are proving popular. If you're a student interested in having a go, you can sign up on your faculty noticeboard for either just one session or several, and the lessons are as informal as you wish. The Band also offers reedmaking classes and chamber coaching. Future performances include a tour of the West of England with a programme entitled 'War and Peace' then a performance in the London Handel Festival on 31 March. Christopher Letcher Claes Biehl Jessica Chan Jonathan Pitkin Katherine Hamilton Laura Ritchie Nicole Panizza Miaomiao Yu Terry Clark Director's Award Director's Award Director's Award AHRC Doctoral Award AHRC Doctoral Award Director's Award Director's Award Director's Award Director's Award Don t forget the deadline of 18 April 2008 to be featured in the summer issue of Upbeat - keep your news and pictures coming to: news@rcm.ac.uk Junior News In January, the Junior Department hosted Keyboard Shorts, bringing together the main College's composers with JD composers and performers (pictured). Co-ordinated by RCM Head of Composition William Mival with JD professors Thalia Myers, David Sutton-Anderson, Jane Chapman and Geoffrey Govier, each composer produced a concert miniature, performed to a packed Recital Hall. This wasn't JD's only recent collaboration with the main College. In last season's Les Six Festival, the JD Chamber Orchestra performed works by Stravinsky and Honegger. The JD Chamber Choir also joined the RCM Symphony Chorus for a sell-out performance of Brahms' Ein Deutsches Requiem. JD's Double Reed Day was also a spectacular success with 120 oboists and bassoonists travelling from all over the UK to join in a packed timetable of events. Celebrating ten years of the Department of Children, Families and Schools' Music & Dance scheme (which funds 32 JD students each year), there will be a major festival at Sadler's Wells on 15/16 July entitled Excellent! The RCM will be strongly represented by 14 JD students performing new works commissioned from JD teachers David Sutton-Anderson, Avril Anderson and Mark Bowden. Our performances will feature dancers from the CAT programme at The Place, with whom JD has now enjoyed an eight year collaboration. Another fruitful foray into the world of dance is the Sound Moves partnership which JD began with the Royal Ballet School five years ago. Last term, six JD composers made visits to the RBS premises in Covent Garden to work with its choreography students creating work based on the theme of 'private and shared'. Last term's Peter Morrison Concerto Competition was won by Leo Melvin whose prize is to perform Saint-Saëns' Cello Concerto no 1 with the JD Symphony Orchestra on Saturday 8 March, just days after Upbeat is published. If you're reading this in time the concert also features Bernstein's Symphonic Dances from West Side Story and Rachmaninov's Isle of the Dead, so promises to be very popular! Tickets are free and available from the RCM Box Office on Finally, the JD Jazz Ensemble led by sax teacher Mornington Lockett performed at the renowned 606 Club as part of the London Jazz Festival in November. They opened the show in style with what the group's pianist Dave Mackay describes as Joshua Redman's "sensational groove" Headin' Home. up beat 13

14 A LUMNIbites SPOTLIGHT ON FRANCES HARDCASTLE The RCM is pleased to introduce your new Graduate Services Officer Frances Hardcastle. As a graduate herself, Frances has first-hand insight into the requirements of RCM alumni. Moving with the times, she has already introduced the RCM Alumni Society Facebook Group, which brings graduates together, advertises their concerts, and provides a direct contact with our Woodhouse Centre's services. Next she plans to strengthen the presence of RCM alumni in June's Exhibition Road Music Day. If you would like to get involved, contact Frances on or fhardcastle@rcm.ac.uk. Lucy Baker (violin) has been appointed subprincipal second violin in Northern Sinfonia. Lizzie Ball (violin) has recently teamed up with another RCM graduate, Cuban guitarist Ahmed Dickinson to form the Mestizo Duo. Both are supported by the Concordia Foundation and forthcoming concerts including two Wigmore Hall performances. Alexis Bennett (composer) was shortlisted for the Turner Classic Shorts Award for his score to the short film Cocoon which was subsequently broadcast on TCM. His composition Balloons was also performed on BBC Radio 3. Soundbites Jakob Fichert Paolo Boggio s orchestral work The stained glass island I has been awarded First Prize at the Fourth Ivan Spassov Prize for Symphonic Compositions in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Simon Callaghan (piano) has followed his debut recital at De Rode Pomp Concertzaal in Ghent with a disc of English piano music. It features works by the RCM s Sterndale Bennett and Parry and the world première of short pieces by William Best. Jane Cornish (composer) has been nominated for a Danish Oscar for her epic score to Lars von Trier s fantasy/thriller Island of Lost Souls. In January, Jane s Symphony no 1 was awarded a Special Distinction from ASCAP s Rudolph Nissim Prize. SPNM-shortlisted composer Max Charles Davies' Cells and Sanctuaries has been performed by the BBC Symphony Orchestra. 14 upbeat Ilona Domnich (soprano) will be playing Zerlina in Don Giovanni with English Touring Opera on tour and at London s Hackney Empire this Spring. James Dutton (flute) has just passed ten years as Principal in the Band of the Scots Guards in London, and Principal with the Corps of Army Music Sinfonietta. From March, he will be Principal Flute of the Showbiz Pops Orchestra. Michael Edwards (conductor) will mark his fortieth concert as Musical Director of the Truro Choral Society by conducting The Dream of Gerontius on 7 June in Truro Cathedral. (piano) has given debut performances in prestigious London venues (Wigmore Hall, Cadogan Hall and Queen Elizabeth Hall) and abroad (Chamber Music Hall of the Amsterdam Concertgebouw and the Gasteig in Munich). Andrew Gourlay (conductor/trombone) presented an edition of BBC Radio 3 s The Early Music Show in January. Dawn Hardwick (piano) entered into the spirit of romanticism this Valentine s Day by performing Rachmaninov s Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini with the Cardiff Philharmonic Orchestra. Bob Hayden-Gilbert (baritone) is still performing at just over 60 years old. He recently undertook the role of Dr. Bartolo at Bangkok Metropolitan Opera. He also arranges music for and conducts a wind band festival in Suchou. Edmund Jolliffe (composer) has written the music for several Channel 4 documentaries including World s Biggest Boy, My Boyfriend the Sex Tourist and Girlfriend for Sale. His first opera The Handless Maiden will be performed by Covent Garden Street Theatre in September. Jennifer Johnston and Nicola Wydenbach have set up the Young Singers' Welfare Foundation to support vocalists experiencing financial hardship as a consequence of an illness or medical condition. A rousing launch concert in January with Sir Thomas Allen, Lillian Watson and graduate vocal group The Prince Consort has got the foundation off to a great start. Find out more at Katzenjammer (above), the piano duo comprising Steven Worbey and Kevin Farrell, gave a New Year s Day performance Sou on the maiden voyage of the Cunard ship, Queen Victoria. Nicki Kennedy (soprano) featured on BBC Radio 3 s In Tune in December with the Brook Street Band, performing Handel s O qualis de coelo sonus.

15 Björn Kleiman (violin) has recorded a CD of music by Swedish composers Hjorth, Klaverdal, Larsson-Gothe, Schelzer and Staern. Natalia Luis-Bassa (conductor) has been appointed Principal Conductor of the Huddersfield Philharmonic Orchestra, Musical Director of the Haffner Orchestra in Lancaster and of the Hallam Sinfonia in Sheffield. Christine Marøy (alto) has recently been appointed as a district musician in Førde Kulturskole, Norway. The position comprises performing and teaching, including thirty-nine Mozart concerts in the region and a solo part in Handel s Messiah. Al Mobbs (double bass) has recently set up Soundbites his own recording label, Ambiguous Records, to develop and nurture new acts of all genres. Johannes Möller (guitar) became the first guitarist to win the Ljunggrenska Competition in Gothenburg last October. The MorrisLenson Guitar Duo, comprising Jake Lenson and Mark Morris, has been accepted to perform in the Concordia Trust 2008 concert series. Nicola New (horn) has not only been working as a freelance musician and teacher, but also within the community and NHS both as a musician and care worker, with children who have life-limiting conditions. Composer Anne Nikitin has written music for episodes of Natural World on BBC2 and Outdoor Britain on BBC1, after winning the BBC New Talent TV Composers Scheme. Joseph Nolan (organ) has just released the first commercial recording made at Buckingham Palace, on the Signum label. This follows his Herald disc of contemporary music recorded at Coventry Cathedral. He s also ndbites recently travelled to Paris to record on Widor s organ at St Sulpice. Malinee Peris (piano) is currently Head of Keyboard Studies at George Washington University in Washington DC. She received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Sri Lanka Foundation in the US in November. Edwin Roxburgh (composition) has won the British Academy of Composers and Songwriters Award for his oboe concerto, An Elegy for Ur. He has also received an Elgar Trust Award for a BBC Symphony Orchestra commission. Oliver Rudland s opera The Nightingale and the Rose is being staged by Leeds Youth Opera. It will run from 9-12 July at the Carriageworks Theatre, Leeds. Helen Scarbrough (oboe/cor anglais) performed James MacMillan s The World s Ransoming, for cor anglais and orchestra at St John s, Smith Square in January. Michael Steen has published a new book, following his hugely successful The Lives and Times of the Great Composers. Enchantress of Nations tells the story of Pauline Viardot who was revered by figures as diverse as Liszt and Dickens as a great performer and composer. Hiroaki Takenouchi (piano) enjoyed a residency in November at Canada s Banff Arts Centre and a recital at Tokyo Wonder Site, which included Japanese premières of works by Jonathan Harvey and Dai Fujikura. Hiroaki s latest recordings including James Dillon s black/nebulae for two pianos with Noriko Kawai, and a disc of Japanese solo piano music, will be released this year. Elizabeth Wells gave a presentation at the International Committee of Musical Instrument Museums and Collections in Vienna. An article by Elizabeth (who is former curator of the RCM Museum of Instruments) on the foundation and early history of the RCM collection was published in Musique, Images, Instruments 9 (CNRS Editions, Paris, March 2007). Claire Williams (harpsichord) is currently completing her MMus degree at Trinity College of Music and in September 2007 was a finalist for its Gold Medal, the highest award that TCM offers for performance. The Zephyr Ensemble (above), the award winning former Leverhulme Group Junior Fellows celebrated their 10 year anniversary at the end of To mark the occasion they have launched a brand new website: RCM alumni are making a considerable impact in China. Chris Moyse is Assistant Principal Trumpet and Adam Treverton Jones plays Contrabassoon in the Hong Kong Philharmonic, alongside violinist Katrina Ma née Rafferty. After a year in the Hong Kong Sinfonietta, Michael O Donnell became Principal Flute in the Orchestra of Macau, a position he has now held for three years. The Hong Kong Sinfonietta subsequently employed another RCM graduate, Eilidh Gillespie as its Principal Flute and now also features Louise Hayter as Principal Oboe and Massimo di Trolio as Principal Clarinet. A feast of RCM graduates will be touring Mexico this summer, as part of the Machacha ensemble, brainchild of guitarist Morgan Szymanski. The line-up will include violinist Lizzie Ball, New Generation Artists the Sacconi Quartet, double bassist Al Mobbs, percussionists Owen Gunnell and Oliver Cox, pianist Jose Menor and soprano Laura Mitchell. up beat 15

16 STAFFbites SPOTLIGHT ON JANIS KELLY The Vocal Faculty has recently made several major new appointments, not least Janis Kelly, who also studied here as a postgraduate. Janis is a hugely versatile singer: in the last year her portfolio has included playing Liu in Turandot, Alice Ford in Falstaff, presenting online lessons for ENO's acclaimed new interactive website, and singing Casta Diva for the soundtrack of the Colin Firth hit film And when did you last see your father?. In October, she agreed to appear in a concert of music by Patrick Doyle at the Royal Albert Hall which led to an interesting proposition when the RCM invited her to sing in its 125th Anniversary Gala on the same night. Considering the proximity of the venues, Janis was keen to undertake both performances and rose to the challenge of racing between rehearsals. She told Upbeat, "luckily the performances tied in miraculously. My tightest moment was after my Albert Hall aria; I literally tucked up my evening dress, tottered down all the steps, past the audience, and walked out onto the Britten Theatre stage." Such is Janis' professionalism that nobody in the theatre remotely suspected where she'd just been! Along with teaching at the RCM, Janis' upcoming challenges include Face, an operetta by RCM tutor David Sawer on the subject of cosmetic surgery! Last summer John Barstow was chairman of the Jury at the Brant International Piano Competition at Symphony Hall in 16 upbeat Ipanema (after the name of Wiz s band) has been released with 9 previously unreleased recordings. Michael Rosewell s vigorous periodinstrument band. oundbites the Hindhead Music Centre. Birmingham and gave a recital and masterclasses at the Hereford Summer School for Pianists. Lowri Blake will be giving cello masterclasses at Dartington International Summer School this year on unaccompanied works for violin and cello by Bach. Peter Buckoke s chamber group, The Schubert Ensemble of London, celebrates its 25th birthday this year. They will tour the USA and various UK venues including a 25th anniversary concert at the Wigmore Hall on 14 March. David Burnand (Professor of Music and Multimedia) has been appointed external examiner for postgraduate Audio Production at the University of Westminster. Adrian Butterfield s latest CD of Handel s violin sonatas has just been released on the label SOMM with the London Handel Players. The CD includes the first recording of a short Allegro for solo violin. Adrian has just recorded Leclair s first set of violin sonatas for Naxos, produced by Annette Isserlis and engineered by Ben Connellan (both RCM). Miguel Mera featured on BBC Radio 3 s Music Matters on 5 January in an episode dedicated to film and music. Madeleine Mitchell s new FiddleSticks CD has received excellent reviews, among them a five-star rave from BBC Music Magazine. Jenny Nex (Museum Curator) and Bridget Cunningham (Worshipful Company of Musicians Junior Fellow in Performance History) appeared this December in ITV s major serial How London Was Built. Along with the Museum itself, they featured in the episode City of Music exploring London s musical history. Michael Oliva (Area Leader in Electroacoustic Music) gave the European première of his Rain Drive for quartertone bass flute, guitar and electronics at the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival last November. Michael has been invited to perform and give a paper at the Spark Festival of Electronic Music and Arts in Minneapolis. Michael Rosewell continues his association with English Touring Opera as Musical Director. Two of his most recent productions have received significant praise from The Guardian. Writing about Eugene Onegin, Tim Ashley said, The opera is beautifully, urgently conducted by Michael Neil Roxburgh (Junior Department) recently adjudicated the piano section of the Basingstoke Festival and gave a workshop at Patricia Rozario is busy with appearances in London, Liverpool, Manchester, Cambridge, New York, Chichester, Copenhagen, and Austria. She will take part in the Salisbury, Charleston Manor, Bromsgrove, West Cork and City of London Festivals. Timothy Salter s Mondrian Pictures was part of a Park Lane Group recital by Andrew Harper (clarinet) and Joseph Middleton (piano) at the Purcell Room on 9 January. Soundbites Sebastian Scotney (new Professional Skills Karina Fraser (Student Services Assistant) has set up a charity following the death of her partner Darren Wiz Brown in The Forward 4 Wiz Trust intends to help talented bands and musicians with advice and financial assistance. A CD entitled Rosewell the whole thing sheds more light on Tchaikovsky s masterpiece than any other recent UK production. Meanwhile, writing about Teseo, Erica Jeal said, The best of the drama comes from the pit, with tutor in the Graduate School) has recently brought some big names from across the profession to talk to students about the realities ahead, including Sarah Gee (CBSO), Cathy Nelson (formerly of Van Walsum Management) and Chris Green (British Academy of Composers and Songwriters).

17 D E EPLY M I SSED The RCM was sorry to learn in November of the death of Julia Campion. Registry Assistant for many years, Julia was a familiar face to students and staff. Such was her energy and passion that her retirement a few years ago scarcely reduced her commitment, and she began a new life undertaking administrative and promotional work for many of our professors. Her devotion and signature humour will be greatly missed by us all. A memorial service takes place at St Matthews Bayswater, St Petersburg Place, London at 11am on 9 May, which would have been her 69th birthday. Richard Greenwood (piano) passed away on 27 December. An RCM graduate and JD teacher from 1971 to 2007, Richard s parents Norma and Antonia were also both RCM professors. A commemorative service will take place at St Mary s Church, Barnes at 2.00pm on 26 March. Christopher James (composer) died on 14 January. University of Aberdeen. He had recently taken up as lecturer in Music & Composition at the Staff, students and graduates were saddened to hear of the death of Jean Mallandaine on 14 November. A tireless and much loved coach in the Opera School, Jean was born in Sussex and returned there to join the staff of Glyndebourne Festival Opera in She was also head of Houston Grand Opera s musical staff for many years. Her dedication to young singers was legendary, illustrated not only through her work at the RCM and the National Opera Studio, but also on the young artists programmes of both the Royal Opera and Metropolitan Opera. After a courageous battle against illness, Dr Janet Mills died on 24 December. As a Research Fellow and Head of the Music Education Research Team, Janet ran projects which actively prepare our students for classroom teaching. She also led the RCM s pioneering Working in Music survey which produced illuminating insight into the paths our graduates take. Over several years, she staged a signature series of seminars drawing many of the top figures of the music world to participate in vital debate at the RCM. She fulfilled numerous roles in music education and her writings have become valued aids for colleagues across the sector. The continuing progress of the Music Education Research Team can be followed online at Eileen Raven (piano) passed away on 9 September. Topliss Green. She graduated in 1949 having studied with Hilda Klein and Singing with Dr Ingrid Pearson (Deputy Head, Graduate School) writes: The RCM was saddened by the death of alumnus William (Bill) Waterhouse on 5 November. Only a couple of weeks before his death, Bill rang me to say how delighted he was at being awarded Fellowship of the RCM. Born in 1931, Bill s association with the RCM began in 1948 when he won a scholarship to study here. His teachers included Archie Camden (bassoon), Cecil Aronowitz (viola) and Gordon Jacob (harmony). Bill recalled turning up for his harmony lesson one week to find that Jacob had sent along none other than Ralph Vaughan Williams to deputise for him. Bill s studies were interrupted for two years National Service during which he played in the RAF Central Band at Uxbridge. Upon returning to the RCM, Bill was soon in demand as an orchestral player, working with the Philharmonia. Throughout his performing career Bill held positions in many orchestras including Covent Garden, the LSO and the BBC Symphony Orchestra. With his LSO colleague and fellow alumnus Gervase de Peyer, Bill was a founding member of the Melos Ensemble. He began collecting instruments, books, manuscripts and music in his late teens. Bill was as generous in sharing his collection and expertise as he was knowledgeable, and in these ways touched the lives of many people. He was a true Renaissance man, who could also converse and write in Italian, German and French. Bill s legacy comprises recordings, many with Melos, as well as publications for Universal Edition and Musica Rara. His monograph The Bassoon published in 2006 is a wonderful insight into his approach to the instrument. As an adjudicator and pedagogue Bill worked throughout the world. I was honoured to represent the RCM at the memorial service for Bill, held on 23 November at St Michael s Church, Highgate. In the words of Anna Wright, Librarian at the RNCM: Bill s knowledge, experience, enthusiasm and zest for life will be missed by many friends, colleagues and his family. As Upbeat went to press, the death of oboist Lady Evelyn Barbirolli was announced. A full tribute will feature in our next edition. up beat 17

18 A ND FINALLY... Museum concerts The autumn season saw a good number of concerts and events in the Museum of Instruments. October marked the end of the current phase of the Concert Programmes Project (see page 7) with a concert based on a programme from 1805; in November, we not only celebrated modern music written for instruments of previous generations including works by RCM professor William Mival, doctoral student Claes Biehl and the winner of last year's Museum Composers Competition, Louis Mander, but also hosted an evening of theatre music presented by Ensemble in Residence, The Oboe Band. At the start of this year, Worshipful Company Junior Fellow Bridget Cunningham organised a concert (and participated in a podcast) for the National Gallery's new exhibition, Renaissance Siena: Art For A City. She and fellow musicians performed music from the era as Matteo di Giovanni's painting The Assumption of the Virgin which features in the exhibit. For more news from our Museum, visit A NEW TREASURE As reported in recent editions of Upbeat, historical performance at the RCM is in full bloom. Adding to this is the welcome delivery of a magnificent new double manual harpsichord by renowned Dutch maker, Titus Crijnen. This instrument is based on the enlarged or ravalled 1624 harpsichord by Iohannes Ruckers housed in the Musée d'underlinden in Colmar, France, which formerly belonged to the de Sade family. This harpsichord is often copied by modern builders because of the very precise drawing made by the restorer, Christopher Clarke. In 18th century France, much of the work of a harpsichord builder was to enlarge antique Flemish harpsichords: these ravalled Flemish harpsichords dominated the music at the French court, no fewer than eight being listed in the inventory of the instruments of Louis XVI at Versailles. Harpsichord professor Robert Woolley and harpsichord tuner Claire Hammett told Upbeat: "For the modern player this is a blessing: history created an instrument that still has characteristics of the 17th century but at the same time is the most important harpsichord of 18th century France." The materials Titus used include poplar, oak, spruce, cherry and beech, while the keyboards are of European linden covered with ebony. The harpsichord is now located in the RCM's Durrington Room, where it will be widely used for concerts, masterclasses, exams and teaching. Fresh fingers for Beethoven The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music has recently published a new edition of the Beethoven Piano Sonatas, replacing the old Tovey-Craxton edition of the 1930s. Edited by Professor Barry Cooper of Manchester University, the edition features suggested fingering supplied by our very own David Ward, professor of piano and fortepiano at the RCM. The edition was launched in style at the Wigmore Hall in December. Compered by TV presenter John Suchet, the occasion featured David talking about his approach to fingering and one of the RCM's most distinguished pianists Andrew Aarons performed on Christopher Barlow's exquisite copy of a Graaf fortepiano from c WINTER WARMER Following the success of its annual Summer Music course, the RCM launched a season spin-off in December. Taking place on Sunday 9 December, Winter Music saw 30 young people come to the College for a day of festive fun. Accompanied by 10 RCM students, the participants enjoyed some festive music making, creative sessions and, of course, some hearty carol singing. Every child got the opportunity to play their instrument as part of the 40-piece ensemble, and impressed their audience with a journey through 'A year in a life of Father Christmas.' The day rounded off with mince pies and mulled wine (for the adults) and, very excitingly, a guest appearance from the man himself Kindly supported by British Gas, Winter Music is the latest initiative of RCM Sparks, our vibrant education and outreach programme. For more information about forthcoming Sunday sessions and upcoming Summer activities, visit 18 upbeat

19 SHARED FOCUS Jacqueline Clifton reports: Over 100 people attended the Inclusion Through Music conference at the RCM in October, organised by Musicians in Focus. The A conference delegate! conference focused on access to music education and the profession for those with a visual impairment, dyslexia and other special needs. Among the speakers were Marc Jaffrey (Music Manifesto Champion) who affirmed the importance of providing access to music for all, Sue Williams (Arts Council Disability Equality Scheme), Pauline Dalby (Musicians Union) and Paul Checkley (Musicians Hearing Service). E A Draffan spoke about alternative formats of printed materials and Paula Bishop talked about dyslexia and music. The conference comprised demonstrations and advice surgeries covering access to music technology, instrumental teaching and examinations, Braille music, an evaluation of music software, and enhancements to the screen reading facility 'JAWS'. A documentary film was also premiered about the creating of The Princess' Tale, a new work devised by visually impaired musicians and members of the London Symphony Orchestra, drawing inspiration from Stravinsky's L'histoire du soldat. Encapsulating the essence of the entire Inclusion Through Media project, the film follows the musicians through all the challenges, tension and humour that we recognise as a part of the creative process. The conference would have been incomplete without music itself and there were vivid performances by visually impaired musicians in the RCM Museum of Instruments and by Matthew Wadsworth (theorbo) with Gary Cooper (virginals) and Hassan Erraji (oud, violin and percussion) with Chris Morphitis (guitar and percussion). Conference delegates relished the opportunity to network, discuss ideas and solve problems. There was a constant buzz of enthusiasm and hope that the future holds more opportunities for many who have been excluded from participating fully in a music education leading to a career in the profession. We'd like to thank everyone who made the conference such a success, particularly Colin Lawson and the staff of the RCM for hosting the event, and our principle partners Yamaha Music UK Ltd for all their support. For more information, visit STUDIOS NEWS The RCM Studios team is pleased to welcome Stephen Harrington into the fold as resident full time engineer alongside Ben Wiffen. Stephen is a graduate of the University of Surrey's respected Tonmeister course, and has extensive experience in live and studio recording. As a replacement for the Studios' portable Mini Disc recorders, seven new Tascam HD-P2 digital recorders have been acquired, the added benefit being that media no longer need be bought, as these recorders utilise 'flash' recording technology which enables recordings to be stored on a small card which can be used to create copies. Meanwhile, the Christmas break saw the finishing touches to the Studios' recent refurbishment plan. Control rooms 1 and 2 are now fitted with custom-built furniture courtesy of AKA Design, and all Macs have been brought right up to date with the installation of Logic 8, Toast 8 and, Leopard as well as Leopard Server. To help current students and staff arrange session times, the team is now posting regular updates on the Studios' availability online. All current students and staff from within the Public folders section of the RCM webmail service. Acknowledgements We would like to express our gratitude for donations from the following: The Thomas Sivewright Catto Charitable Settlement Mr Andrew Clarke The John S Cohen Foundation The Robert Fleming Hannay Memorial Charity Mr & Mrs Ian Johnson Mr & Mrs Ian Laing The Kirby Laing Foundation The Leverhulme Trust The Jenny Marsh Chapman Trust The Marsh Christian Charitable Trust The NOSWAD Charity Phyllis Sellick deceased The South Square Trust The Wall Trust There are numerous ways in which you can support the RCM. If you are interested in finding out about current projects or fundraising activities please contact Kathryn Ancell, Development Manager on or kancell@rcm.ac.uk. The RCM is delighted to welcome the following people who have joined our popular Friends scheme. Mr E Jackson Mr M Price Cedric M Warner Miss D Willcocks Ms M Wilson Mr P Willan HonRCM Lady Roberts Mrs H Bennett Mr E Kless Mrs M Deissler Mr G Evanson Lady Stewart Mr R Adeney Mrs M Burnham Mrs D Poole Mr M Pix Mr R Coles Mr D Zec Dr S Nyburg Mr D Worsdall Mrs R Stoycheva-Sexton Mrs R Mitchell To find out how you can become a Friend, see overleaf. 19

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