News Archive: December 2007
This is an archive of news articles from December 2007. Current news articles can be found here and an archive index can be found here. Information in this archive may no longer be valid.
A new service book for Passiontide has just been published by the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM). THE WAY OF THE CROSS takes the form of a sequence of words and music, and follows in the steps of Jesus from the Garden of Gethsemane to Pilate's house, and on through the city to Calvary. The service book is the result of collaboration between the composer and conductor David Ogden, and Peter Moger, the Church of England's National Worship Development Officer. 'For many years churches have been well-served by the RSCM service book The Cross of Christ - a Passiontide devotion for choir and congregation. The Way of the Cross is, in a sense, its natural successor, designed to help churches enter more fully into the mystery of the Cross by reflecting in word, music and silence,' said Peter Moger.
The impetus behind The Way of the Cross came from the publication in 2006 of Common Worship: Times and Seasons from which several 'stations' for prayer and reflection are taken, with the Passion narrative mostly based on that found in St Mark's Gospel.
There is a wide variety of music including well-loved hymns such as 'O sacred head' and 'My song is love unknown'. 'The Way of the Cross is suitable for choirs of all shapes and sizes and there are plenty of opportunities for soloists and instrumentalists to be involved too if desired,' said David Ogden who chose the music which ranges from the 17th century to the present day. 'Many choirs will enjoy the simple serenity of Phillip Wilby's 'Wondrous Cross' and Ronald Corp's 'Take up your cross' as well as relishing the challenge of singing Lotti's six-part 'Crucifixus', Phillip Moore's 'It is a thing most wonderful' and the mystical 'Song of Christ's glory' by Grayston Ives. Already, The Way of the Cross has been well received. 'When we 'road tested' the service last year in my parish, many of the congregation found the experience deeply moving and much preferred it to previous performances of assorted choral works,' said David Ogden.
HOW TO ORDER The Way of the Cross:
RSCM Order Code: S0124
RSCM Catalogue Number: RS36
ISBN: 978-0-85402-162-8
Price: Ł5.00 (affiliate price Ł3.75)
Copies can be ordered from RSCM Music Direct:
Tel: +44 (0) 845 021 7726
Fax: +44 (0) 845 021 8826
Email: musicdirect@rscm.com
Online: www.rscm.com
12 January, Saturday, at 6pm - Organ Concert with the Italian organist based in Amsterdam, Matteo Imbruno, at the Martin Luther Church. Free Admitance.
On 14, 15 and 16 January - MasterClass with Matteo Imbruno.
19 January, Saturday, at 4pm - Organ Concert with the Uruguayan organist Cristina Banegas, at the N. S. Carmo Lapa Church. Free Admittance.
For more details about this event, please visit www.arteorganistica.org.br/news-e.html
Keith Hearnshaw was born in West Bromwich and began learning the Organ at the age of thirteen. He spent four years at the Birmingham Conservatoire where he studied Organ with David Saint and also with Mark Shepherd at Lichfield Cathedral. While studying in Birmingham, Keith held the position of Organ Scholar at St Chad's R.C. Cathedral. He was later Assistant Organist at St Columba's Parish Church, Sutton Coldfield and toured Germany with both of these choirs. In 1991 he was a prize winner at the Oundle International Organ Festival and in 1993 was awarded the Leonard Gibbons Memorial Prize by the Birmingham Organists Association. From September 1994-95 he was Organ Scholar at Lincoln Cathedral studying under Colin Walsh. In July 1997 he became a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists, whilst studying with Andrew Fletcher and Kevin Bowyer. From September 1997-98 Keith was Organ Scholar at Liverpool Cathedral under Professor Ian Tracey, which houses the mighty 146 stop Willis Organ which is the largest Church Organ in Europe!
As a recitalist Keith has performed throughout the Country including:- Liverpool Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Rochdale Town Hall, Victoria Hall - Hanley, Hereford and Westminster Cathedrals and Symphony Hall Birmingham. Keith was in Guernsey in March 2003 and 2006 as both Recitalist and 'Ambassador' in a very successful RSCM Children's day. Keith has also been involved in two 'Family Organ Days' at the Victoria Hall, Stoke on Trent. He has made a number of Radio and TV appearances , including BBC Radio 2 "The Organist Entertains". Keith has a number of recordings available on CD. Twice a year Keith is also responsible for producing the recordings for the aural tests, for the Royal College of Organists diploma examinations. In August 2007 for the RCO Keith recorded the sound track for a forthcoming animation DVD to inspire youngsters to take up the Organ, release date early 2008.
Keith has now established himself as a Concert Organist playing an increasing number of solo concerts a year. In August 1999 he undertook a concert tour of Holland and Germany. Keith has twice been a guest Organist playing duets with the Pavarotti of the Organ the Great American Virtuoso Carlo Curley in his Christmas Concerts. In the summer of 2004, Keith Played three friendly 'Battle of the Organs' concerts with Carlo in the Exmouth Festival, Pershore Abbey and at the Lavenham Festival and again in the fall of 2005. In July 2004 he played one of the IAO National Congress Recitals on the Isle of Wight at All Saint's PC in Ryde.
For more information please visit his website is at: www.keithhearnshaw.co.uk
Admission Ł5 (under 18 free)
Refreshments will be served during the interval.
Venues include: Southbank Centre, Royal Academy of Music, Westminster Abbey, Westminster Cathedral, London Oratory, St Paul's Cathedral, St Marylebone Parish Church
To mark the centenary of Messiaen's birth, From the Canyons to the Stars is a major Southbank Centre celebration (2 February - 10 December) of this truly inspirational composer (1908 – 1992). The festival is unequalled in its scope and ambition anywhere in the world. Lovingly and scrupulously curated by virtuoso pianist and close Messiaen associate Pierre-Laurent Aimard, From the Canyons to the Stars is an 11-month festival with a line-up of world-class artists, many of whom had a close association with Messiaen, either as pupils or as trusted collaborators. The festival's finale sees Messiaen pupil Pierre Boulez return to the Royal Festival Hall to conduct Ensemble Intercontemporain and Aimard on 10 December, the anniversary of the composer's birth. The festival explores themes closely associated with the composer's music and life: religion, nature and birdsong, colour, sounds from around the world, and impossible love. These themes are explored through concerts, discussions, study days, workshops and masterclasses. From the Canyons to the Stars is presented in partnership with Southbank Centre Residents the Philharmonia Orchestra and the London Sinfonietta, and with the Royal Academy of Music (RAM).
Highlights of the festival include:
Pierre-Laurent Aimard, Festival Artistic Director, said:
'London has always been at the forefront in celebrating the music of Olivier Messiaen. Messiaen, measurer of time and craftsman in sound and colour, has influenced generations of composers. His spirituality, his love of nature, and the sheer boldness of his music communicate directly with audiences. This gentle dreamer with a collector's soul worked independently of contemporary trends – unclassifiable because, piece by piece, he constructed a truly unique language. It is my great wish that this festival, in homage to Messiaen, will illuminate the many aspects of this great original.'
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