About This Concert

In this unique concert, Charlie Draper presents not only rare music, but also rare electronic instruments. The Ondes Martenot has achieved a certain recognition, largely due to Messiaen, and the music of science fiction movies. The Theremin, invented in 1920, and named after its colourful inventor Leon Theremin, is much less known to the general public. The only instrument played without being physically touched, it creates a fascinating sound, capable of imitating the violin as well as the human voice. The repertoire presented by Charlie Draper, one of Britain’s leading exponents, is partly made of transcriptions, partly original works, all of high musical interest.

Programme

• Pierre Vellones - Fantasie

• George Gershwin – Summertime

• Sergei Rachmaninoff - Vocalise

• Nikolai Medtner - Suite-Vocalise in F Minor

• Darius Milhaud - Suite for Ondes Martenot and Piano

• Richard Rodney Bennett - Serenade No. 2

• Miklos Rozsa (arr. Paul Jackson) - Spellbound Concerto for Theremin and Piano

Tickets

• £20 General Admission

• £15 Clare Hall members

• £10 students and children

Tickets are available on Eventbrite..

Charlie Draper and Paul Jackson present a concert of music for theremin. The concert includes well-known music by Saint-Saëns, Rachmaninoff and Gershwin, together with original music written for the instrument. The performance will be interspersed with explanations and demonstrations of these fascinating instruments.

Schedule

1pm–2pm: concert

2.30pm–4.30pm: performance masterclass (by invitation)

5pm–7pm: composers’ workshop (by invitation)

Tickets

https://www.uwl.ac.uk/whats-on/lunchtime-concert-music-ether

[Performance of Jim Parker’s Midsomer Murders, arr. Alex Palmer]

This celebratory concert brings together works from many of the composers who have lived and worked in Barnes. A festival with the theme of legends which celebrates Holst’s 150th anniversary would not be complete without The Planets. Stephen Dodgson’s 100th anniversary is celebrated with his Trumpet Concerto. Both Jim Parker and Carl Davis sadly died last year and their lives are marked by the popular pieces they wrote respectively for Midsomer Murders and Pride & Prejudice. Current star composers Howard Goodall and Roxanna Panufnik bring some of their latest pieces to the concert platform.

PROGRAMME
Gustav Holst arr. George Morton The Planets
Performance by Barnes Young Musician of the Year winner
Carl Davis “Pride and Prejudice” or “Champions”
Jim Parker Midsomer Murders Theme
Stephen Dodgson Trumpet Concerto
Roxanna Panufnik Lament for a Bulgarian Dancing Bear
Howard Goodall “Bright manner” from Unconditional Love

Barnes Festival Orchestra and guest artists
James Day, Conductor

SCHEHERAZADE

Fri 1 – Sat 2 December

REPERTOIRE INCLUDES

Penny Stone, arr. Seonaid Aitken - We Make A Big Noise (Glasgow only)
Lera Auerbach - Icarus
Shostakovich - Cello Concerto No1
Rimsky-Korsakov - Scheherazade

CONDUCTOR

Thomas Søndergård

SOLOISTS

Pei-Jee Ng - Cello
Big Noise Govanhill (Glasgow only)

A concert full of stories – from Shostakovich’s Cold War thriller concerto, performed by our new Principal Cello Pei-Jee Ng, to Lera Auerbach’s Greek myth of Icarus and Rimsky-Korsakov’s 1001 nights tale of Scheherazade. Music Director Thomas Søndergård will bring every note to life.

In Glasgow, we also give a warm welcome to the young musicians of Big Noise Govanhill as they perform a special opener to the evening.

Pre-concert talk: RSNO Concerts Administrator Matthias van der Swaagh chats to RSNO Principal Cor Anglais Henry Clay at 6.45pm in the Upper Circle Bar in Edinburgh and the Clyde Foyer in Glasgow. Free to ticket holders.

Dedicated to Dr Robert Lillie in recognition of his generous support of the RSNO Foundation.

SCHEHERAZADE

Fri 1 – Sat 2 December

REPERTOIRE INCLUDES

Penny Stone, arr. Seonaid Aitken - We Make A Big Noise (Glasgow only)
Lera Auerbach - Icarus
Shostakovich - Cello Concerto No1
Rimsky-Korsakov - Scheherazade

CONDUCTOR

Thomas Søndergård

SOLOISTS

Pei-Jee Ng - Cello
Big Noise Govanhill (Glasgow only)

A concert full of stories – from Shostakovich’s Cold War thriller concerto, performed by our new Principal Cello Pei-Jee Ng, to Lera Auerbach’s Greek myth of Icarus and Rimsky-Korsakov’s 1001 nights tale of Scheherazade. Music Director Thomas Søndergård will bring every note to life.

In Glasgow, we also give a warm welcome to the young musicians of Big Noise Govanhill as they perform a special opener to the evening.

Pre-concert talk: RSNO Concerts Administrator Matthias van der Swaagh chats to RSNO Principal Cor Anglais Henry Clay at 6.45pm in the Upper Circle Bar in Edinburgh and the Clyde Foyer in Glasgow. Free to ticket holders.

Dedicated to Dr Robert Lillie in recognition of his generous support of the RSNO Foundation.

The Radio Science Orchestra Presents: "The Extraterrestrial Adventure"

An Unforgettable Immersive Performance at the National Space Centre

Don't miss The Radio Science Orchestra's captivating and immersive performance, "The Extraterrestrial Adventure," at the renowned National Space Centre. With an exotic blend of theremin, concert harp, keys, synthesizers and more, prepare to be transported to the farthest reaches of the cosmos as the orchestra takes you on a celestial journey like no other.
Date: Saturday, November 25, 2023
Time: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Location: National Space Centre, Leicester, UK

Join us for a free Friday lunchtime concerts at Bishopsgate Institute, as we take you into the world of harp and that most mysterious instrument of them all, the theremin.

Conjuring sounds from thin air, Charlie Draper and Holly Lowe perform as Stranger Strings, an electro-acoustic classical duo combining theremin and concert harp. Modern circuits and antique strings combine in dramatic counterpoints: as hands flutter in mid-air, the instruments' complementary tonal streams cascade and blur into one. The results are otherworldly yet serene.

Formed in 2019, the duo has performed with the Radio Science Orchestra at TEDSummit, at Bluedot Festival, and London's Thames Tunnel. Now, in their début solo programme, they present a spectrum of music for these striking instruments, producing music to delight, mystify and astound in equal measure.

https://charliedraper.com/stranger-strings

https://www.hollyloweharpist.com

Tune in online to catch my performance of Brahm’s beautiful Geistliches Wiegenlied from op 91, Zwei Gesänge für eine Altstimme mit Bratsche und Klavier, together with Jenny Maclay (Clarinet) and Paul Jackson (Piano). The full performance will be streamed live, and also available to watch after the event on YouTube.

London Phoenix Orchestra breaks the shackles of lockdown with a gala concert of film music. Celebrate your rediscovered freedom with an evening of escapism featuring all the magic of the silver screen, from a galaxy far, far away to Casablanca.

This concert is in aid of the Snow-Camp charity.

PROGRAMME

Williams Star Wars
Herrmann Vertigo Suite
Barry Born Free
Rózsa Spellbound Concerto
Korngold Captain Blood Overture
Williams Schindler’s List
Rózsa El Cid Overture
Rózsa The Lost Weekend Suite
Steiner Casablanca Suite

PERFORMERS

London Phoenix Orchestra

Performance of Miklós Rózsa’s Spellbound Concerto for Piano and Orchestra (1945) with Stephen Armstrong, Sean Cohen and the High Wycombe Choral Society. Programme includes Elgar, Schubert, and Parry.

Tickets are now on sale for RETROPHONICA's next concert: April 17th 2020, at St John's Waterloo.

In this followup to its sell-out DÉBUT CONCERT, London musical collective RETROPHONICA presents "SECRETS OF THE ANCIENTS", a multimedia odyssey featuring choir, chamber orchestra, twin pianos, organ, theremin and ondes Martenot, which explores how composers past and present have responded to mysteries of the distant past.

Prepare for an unforgettable audio-visual experience in the iconic setting of St John's Waterloo—the Festival of Britain Church—complemented by cocktails, lightshow, and narration, with original and adapted music by Holst, Mozart, Debussy, Yma Sumac, Goldsmith, Grieg and more.

Doors & Bar: from 7:00 PM
Performance: 8:00 PM sharp
Tickets: https://www.designmynight.com/london/whats-on/live-music/retrophonica-secrets-of-the-ancients

A celebratory concert for 30-channel surround and 7 theremins, led by Lydia Kavina, and featuring Charlie Draper, Alina Islamova, Susi O’Neill, Terry Bowler, Greta Pistaceci, Sam Enthoven, Dr. Andrew Knight-Hill and students of University of Greenwich. The programme includes newly-composed works, multi-channel orchestral renditions, and Grainger’s Free Music No 1 and 2.

Date: Wednesday 19 February 2020

Time: 7pm - 10pm

Location: St. Alfege Church, Greenwich, London

Tickets: £5

Conjuring sounds from thin air, Holly Lowe and Charlie Draper perform as STRANGER STRINGS, an electro-acoustic classical duo combining concert harp and theremin. Antique strings and modern circuits combine in dramatic counterpoints: as hands flutter in midair, the instruments' complementary tonal streams cascade and blur into one. The results are otherworldly yet serene.

Formed in 2019, the duo has performed at TED Summit, Bluedot Festival, and London's Thames Tunnel. Now, in their début solo programme, STRANGER STRINGS present a spectrum of music for harp and theremin drawn from classical, popular and contemporary repertoire. This is music to delight, mystify and astound in equal measure.

Doors: 7.00

Support: 7.30

Main Act: 8.15

Details TBC.

A recital of music for theremin, ondes Martenot and piano at St Martha’s Church, accompanied by Margaret Roberts. Free admission, with collection for musicians and the church. Hot chocolate available. Brisk walk from car park to the church. Bring gloves, coats, and binoculars!

Details TBC.

The Gardeners Arms annual Steampunk bash! The theme this year is Vampire Ball- steampunks, vampires, vampire hunters and anything else you can think of get together for a night of fun, dancing and live music with a fully licensed bar.

Entertaining the hordes: Captain KuppaT and the Zeppelin Crew, the wonderful Charlie Draper and his theremin, and the fantastic Three Idle Women acapella.

Innovation In Music (InMusic) is an international music industry conference which brings together researchers and professionals interested in the future of the music industry, from the artist through to the consumer. The 2017 conference included keynote lectures and panel sessions with award winning music industry professionals including Imogen Heap, Talvin Singh, Mandy Parnell, Peter Oxendale and Ken Scott.

InMusic19 will provide an outstanding opportunity for all those interested in the fast-moving changes taking place in the music industry to mix with experts in the field, exchange experiences and learn about the latest trends and innovative developments. Participants can also achieve a peer reviewed publication in the conference proceedings.

Innovation In Music welcomes academics, artists, producers, engineers, music industry professionals and manufacturers to come together and hear papers on a wide range of topics.

The Radio Science Orchestra headlines CDI 2019 in Puebla, Mexico

When you think about something epic, lots of things might come to mind: humankind on the moon, the extinction of dinosaurs, cellular regeneration, metabolism, Artificial Intelligence, eradication of intolerance, inclusion as a society defining agent, the immediacy in which we live in, ocean waves, the millimetric movements of the Solar System, the dreams that become a reality, and every single thing we simply question.

But what makes something epic? Is there something intangible and irrevocable that makes things epic? The answer is yes, and it is time itself.

It was Heidegger who analyzed: “when time is only rapidity, instantaneity and simultaneity; while the temporal, understood as historical happening, has disappeared from the existence of all people; then, just then, these questions will come as ghosts: Why? Where? And then what?”

We want you to come with us and reinvent the moon landing, celebrate once again the undefinable, watch the award-winning short-film Skin, feel the hours in space, question the validity of abortion, discover the ingenuity in children. We want you to join us and recover your ability to be amazed, to continue smiling with comedy brought all the way from Africa, and above all, to discover new definitions of what it means to be epic.

These are only a few of the things we want to share during this edition of La Ciudad de las Ideas. We invite you to live an epic experience, to feel the science, the arts, and humanities in their highest forms, to suffer others’ pain and empathize with the forefront questions. Overall, we invite you to be a part of this movement and to epically empower your minds.

Welcome to CDI 2019: This is Epic!

On Sunday 13 October, the evocative subterranean setting of Brunel's Thames Tunnel will host an immersive evening of music for theremin and full orchestra. This début concert from RETROPHONICA celebrates the centennary of the world's earliest successful electronic instrument and the remarkable story of its eponymous inventor, Léon Theremin.

Expect an immersive audio-visual experience, complemented by cocktails, lightshow, and narration from acclaimed author Ken Hollings, featuring original and adapted music for theremin by Dmitri Shostakovich, Bohuslav Martinů, Miklós Rózsa, Les Baxter, Claude Debussy, John Williams and Alex Palmer, performed by RETROPHONICA with theremin by Charlie Draper and new arrangements by Alex Palmer.

DATE: Sunday 13 October 2019

TIME: doors and bar from 6PM, Performance 1 at 7PM sharp.

LOCATION: Brunel Museum, Southwark, London SE16 4LF

TICKETS: https://www.designmynight.com/london/event-space/south-london/brunel-museum/retrophonica-dbut-concert

On Sunday 13 October, the evocative subterranean setting of Brunel's Thames Tunnel will host an immersive evening of music for theremin and full orchestra. This début concert from RETROPHONICA celebrates the centennary of the world's earliest successful electronic instrument and the remarkable story of its eponymous inventor, Léon Theremin.

Expect an immersive audio-visual experience, complemented by cocktails, lightshow, and narration from acclaimed author Ken Hollings, featuring original and adapted music for theremin by Dmitri Shostakovich, Bohuslav Martinů, Miklós Rózsa, Les Baxter, Claude Debussy, John Williams and Alex Palmer, performed by RETROPHONICA with theremin by Charlie Draper and new arrangements by Alex Palmer.

DATE: Sunday 13 October 2019

TIME: doors and bar from 6PM, music from 7PM sharp

LOCATION: Brunel Museum, Southwark, London SE16 4LF

TICKETS: https://www.designmynight.com/london/event-space/south-london/brunel-museum/retrophonica-dbut-concert