On Saturday 17 October, we will be entertained by three musicians from the CHROMA Ensemble.
We are promised a celebration of music from the vast continent of America, interspersed with ancient songs from Renaissance England featuring the luxurious sounds of violin, cello and bass. Chroma musicians Dave Le Page, Clare O’Connell and Elena Hull present a programme of American folk music and bluegrass from Mark O’Connor, Edgar Meyer, Dave Le Page and early Fantazias and songs from Purcell and Dowland.
CHROMA
Founded in 1997, CHROMA is an acclaimed, London-based, flexible chamber ensemble of 20 exceptional musicians, dedicated both to new music and to revisiting classic repertoire in fresh and exciting contexts; mentoring the next generation of composers, and involving audiences in compelling, inspirational experiences. As an artist-led collective CHROMA members curate programmes inspired by their curiosity and passions, and the ensemble is frequently invited to join opera and dance productions at the Royal Opera House, Mahogany Opera Group and Iford Arts. CHROMA is also Associate Ensemble for Tête a Tête.
The programme for this concert is:
- Lonesome Fiddler – Dave Le Page
- Fantazia 1 – Purcell
- Fantazia 2 – Purcell
- Appalacia Waltz – Mark O’Connor
- Line Rock – Mark O’Connor
- Flow my tears – John Dowland
- Star of the County Down – Edgar Meyer and Mark O’Connor
- Druid Fluid – Edgar Meyer
INTERVAL
- Grey Eagle – Dave Le Page
- Chaconne for violin and cello – Jean-Féry Rebel
- Shenandoah – arr Clare O’Connell
- Failing – Tom Johnson
- In Darkness Let Me Dwell – John Dowland
- Fantazia 3 – Purcell
- Butterfly’s Day Out – Mark O’Connor
- Green Groves of Erin / The Flowers of Red Hill – Mark O’Connor / Edgar Meyer
Playing for us will be:
David Le Page – violin David was born in Guernsey and began learning the violin at the age of seven. He gained a place at the Yehudi Menuhin School, aged eleven, and was a prize winner in both the BBC Young Musician of the Year and the Yehudi Menuhin competition. David completed his studies in Bern with Igor Ozim and in London with Sidney Griller. He has worked with a diverse selection of artists and ensembles as a director, soloist and chamber musician and has formed his own groups the Le Page Ensemble, The Harborough Collective and Mysterious Barricades. He has made many recordings and has appeared at most of the major festivals in the UK. In 1999 David was appointed leader of the Orchestra of the Swan, with whom he regularly appears as soloist and director. David was recently appointed as an ambassador for the European String Teachers Association and teaches at Birmingham Conservatoire. David plays on a violin made by Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume in 1874.
A founder member of Chroma.
Clare O’Connell works with, amongst others, Lontano, the Harborough collective, Ensemble Exposé, Marais Ensemble and London Contemporary Orchestra. She set up and curates Chroma’s series of chamber music concerts in Berkhamsted, experimenting with varying instrumental line-ups, and mixing music with poetry and storytelling to add another dimension to the concert going experience. Clare has been involved with the commissioning of new music in Chroma, working closely with such composers as Rolf Hind, Philip Cashian, Michael Zev Gordon, Raymod Yiu, Jo Cutler and Anna Meredith. For her own Berkhamsted series she has commissioned pieces from Leonardo Margutti and Luke Bedford. She has programmed and produced CHROMA’s first own label album ‘Folk Tales’, which she conceived and recorded with Chroma artists David Le Page and Ian Watson.
Elena Hull is a virtuoso double bass player who trained at the Yehudi Menuhin School and as a full scholar at the Royal College of Music. She plays principal bass as a guest with many orchestras both at home and abroad. She is a contemporary music specialist and loves seeing what is possible on the double bass. Current passions are bluegrass and trad music from the British Isles. Elena also moonlights as a folk singer.
For more information, see CHROMA’s website.
Curry Rivel Music 