Stephen Tharp News Item added: 6 January
At age 38, Stephen Tharp has just performed his 1300th solo concert. The program, which also marked the 40th anniversary of Jeanne Demessieux, took place at St. Laurenskerk, Rotterdam as the opening event in his 33rd international tour.
Following was a concert at St. Martin's, Dudelange, Luxembourg, where Mr. Tharp's 3-CD set of the Complete Organ Works of Jeanne Demessieux was officially released to the public. That recording is for the Aeolus label and available in the USA through JAV Recordings at http://www.pipeorgancds.com.
His tour concluded with a recital at Würzburg Cathedral, Germany. More information can be found at . http://www.stephentharp.com.
Crouch End Festival Chorus performs ‘The Brighton Line', Saturday 17 January, 2009 at 7.30pm and 9.15pm at Hall 1, Kings Place, York Way, London N1 9AG. News Item added: 6 January
Renowned London choir, Crouch End Festival Chorus, marks its debut at the new Kings Place concert venue with a varied musical bill based on the year of 1959. (‘The Brighton Line' of the title being the bingo call for the number 59.) The ‘Class of ‘59' includes several important British composers born in that year. Two works by Jonathan Dove feature: his glorious, Britten-inspired song cycle The Passing of the Year and Ecce Beatam Lucem. James MacMillan's haunting Cantos Sagrados, a fusion or sacred and secular in a powerful response to South American political repression receives its third CEFC performance. Two American musical icons died in 1959: two songs have been written especially in tribute to them. Roland Perrin's Heaven on Earth, a jazz-inspired homage to Billie Holiday and a new work by Orlando Gough in memoriam Buddy Holly (who died in 1959). The theme is continued with Britten's Missa Brevis, written in 1959. Three centuries earlier, Purcell was born: his beautiful anthem Hear My Prayer, O Lord, completes an unusual and engaging programme. In the last six months Crouch End Festival Chorus has sung at the BBC Proms, the BBC Electric Proms, in its own Barbican promotion of Bach's B Minor Mass. Further details from: http://www.kingsplace.co.uk.
