BBT News Update October 2012 - Press Releases

Press release date: October 2012

CD SAMPLER: Introducing Sean Shibe

The flourishing career of guitarist Sean Shibe is enriched further this year by his graduation with first class honours from RSAMD, a scholarship to further his music studies in Graz, Austria, and his appointment to the prestigious BBC New Generation Artists scheme. Among various projects supported by BBT is the recent (through the night) recording of a sampler CD, featuring works by J.S Bach and Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco (listen for the dawn chorus at the end!)

Press release date: October 2012

Launch of Walker Watkins Consortium

Another BBT initiative: London Symphony Orchestra, Fidelio Trust and BBT have already bestowed funds for the commissioning of a flute concerto from prolific composer Huw Watkins for 2010 BBT Fellowship winner Adam Walker – but there’s a shortfall. Hence the launch of the Walker Watkins Consortium at an exclusive concert evening on 20 November at 22 Mansfield Street, the London home of arts philanthropist Bob Boas. Daniel Harding will conduct the world premiere with the LSO in February 2014.

Press release date: October 2012

World Premiere Double Act

Take two talented BBT cellists, add a dynamic violinist and what do you get? A three-movement work composed by Raphaël Merlin, a musical polymath best known as cellist of Quatuor Ebène (2008 BBT award winner), commissioned by enterprising cellist Nicolas Altstaedt (2009 BBT Fellowship) and chamber music partner Pekka Kuusisto. World premiere is at the Concertgebouw, Amsterdam on 20 November with several more performances planned for the near future.

Press release date: October 2012

Atos Trio – Heimathafen Series crossing cultural barriers

Neukölln is fast becoming one of the hippest areas of Berlin, at last discarding its reputation for social deprivation and unemployment. It is here that the Atos Trio has chosen to embark on a challenging season-long programme of extensive outreach work in an ethnically diverse neighbourhood school. With the support of the Trio’s 2012 BBT award, the Heimathafen Series launches with two concerts on 22 November and will present further concerts in January, February and April as focal points of the educational programme. “Through these classes, we hope to break down cultural barriers, interest the kids in western classical music and prepare them for live recitals, in order to leave lasting musical and social impressions and a broadened cultural horizon”

Press release date: October 2012

Elias String Quartet, The Beethoven Project – Let the Odyssey Begin

No fewer than ten promoters, the length and breadth of Britain, have engaged the intrepid Elias String Quartet to perform the complete cycle of Beethoven quartets over the coming seasons. After 18 months of study and preparation – generously shared on its dedicated website – the Quartet is poised to begin the next stage of its journey and talks frankly to renowned music journalist and broadcaster Edward Seckerson about their passion for the eternal mystery and genius of Beethoven. The first tour of six concerts starts on 23 November at Oxford’s Sheldonian Theatre. “ You can really lose yourself with Beethoven – forget where you are and who you are. It does take you somewhere really remote …” (Marie Bitlloch, Elias String Quartet)