ISM MUSIC JOURNAL MARCH/APRIL 2020
NEWS FROM OUR MEMBERS We welcome your brief news (max. 150 words) and high res images. Please email mj@ism.org. The next deadline for copy is 1 April for the May/June issue.
Right: Artur Cimirro
Robert Ponsonby CBE Robert Ponsonby CBE, who was an Honorary ISM Member for 25 years, has died aged 92. As reported in the Guardian, Robert was a highly influential figure in music administration. He started his tenure in the music sector, joining Glyndebourne as an assistant in 1951. He then directed the Edinburgh Festival from 1955 to 1960 and the Henry Wood Promenade Concerts (now the BBC Proms) from 1974 to 1986, during which period he also served as the controller of BBC Radio 3. He also served as the general administrator of the Scottish National Orchestra (1964-72). After the BBC, he served as artistic director of the Canterbury Festival (1987-88) and in later years he served a number of musical institutions including the Musicians Benevolent Fund, the Young Concert Artists Trust, the Michael Tippett Musical Foundation and the Purcell school. A full tribute to Robert can be found at theguardian.com/culture/2019/ nov/20/robert-ponsonby-obituary.
Master Music Festival The Master Music Festival, developed last year by ISM member Benjamin Williams, returns to Watford’s Clarendon Muse in March. Headlining the festival is legendary Brazilian concert pianist Artur Cimirro, who will be making his long-awaited UK debut with a recital on March 28th at 7pm. Alongside much-loved classics, Artur will showcase his own compositions and arrangements. The festival is bringing back the hugely successful educational Children’s Concert, this year featuring flautist Daniela Mars, who will introduce young audiences to the world of
classical music with a range of flutes. Chart-topping Steinway Artist Ji Liu will return to adjudicate the festival’s piano competitions. The competitions cater for all ages and levels of ability, providing local talent with a superb platform to showcase their achievements. The winner of each age group in the advanced category wins the additional prize of an invitation to London’s Steinway Halls for a master class with a Steinway Artist.
A musical life journey with John Bunyan The Evanghelic Choir and Orchestra together with Emanuel University Chamber Choir from Romania, conducted by Elisei Stefanescu, will perform A Romanian Pilgrim’s Progress Cantata by Emanuel Balaceanu at Bunyan Meeting in Bedford on 14 March and at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire (RBC) on 16 March, as part of a UK tour.
The cantata brings to life one of the most significant works of English literature. Composed in 2003 for narrator, soloists, choir and orchestra and first performed at the Lutheran Church in Bucharest, it consists of a musical version of John Bunyan’s famous allegory The Pilgrim’s Progress, drawing on hymns and themes from the Romanian Evangelical Church repertory. In 2018 the cantata was orchestrally revised and some of the narrative sections were given an orchestral accompaniment. The Pilgrim’s Progress Cantata will be performed in Romanian, while the narrative part will be in English. There will be subtitles and programmes in both languages. Tickets: £10 Full Price; £8 Over 60s/ under 16s; £5 Students and RBC Staff via Eventbrite For more information see the Facebook page @PilgrimsProgressCantata
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