The Twelve Tickets of Christmas

What will your true love be sending to you this Christmas? Maybe a ticket for A Carolean Christmas on 20 December?

But you had better be quick! There are just 12 tickets left for our spectacular Candlelit Christmas Concert at St Michael’s Without!

With some wonderful seasonal music from the Renaissance to the present day, this Christmas extravaganza will feature two Bath conductors – Francis Faux and Daniel Robert Cushing – and the Noctis Chamber Choir, one of Bath’s premier vocal ensembles.

The highlight of the programme will be a performance of Vivaldi’s Gloria, one of the undoubted glories of the Baroque age and described by Classic FM as ‘a beauty beyond belief, prompting a frisson of sheer delight’.

Also included will be traditional Christmas Carols old and new with soloists, soprano Maisie Lewis and mezzo-soprano Molly Soo, joined by the rich orchestral sounds of The Carolean Consort.

A Carolean Christmas

Wednesday 20 December, 7.30pm
St Michael’s Without, Broad Street, Bath BA1 5LJ
Noctis Chamber Choir
The Carolean Consort

Francis Faux & Daniel Robert Cushing conductors
Maisie Lewis soprano & Molly Soo mezzo-soprano

Carolean Christmas

Giovanni Battista Pergolesi Magnificat in B flat
Michael Praetorius Lo, how a Rose e’er blooming
Peter Warlock Bethlehem Down
Elizabeth Poston  Jesus Christ the Apple Tree
Traditional Carols Past Three O’clock & The Boar’s Head
Antonio Vivaldi  Gloria in D major

Tickets from £14 to £27 available from the Bath Box Office

Celebrate Christmas with our Spectacular Carolean Concert

Bath Recitals brings A Carolean Christmas to the beautiful surroundings of St Michael’s Without on 20 December... but don’t miss out as tickets are already selling fast for ‘the highlight of Bath’s Christmas Season’…

One of the highlights of the programme will be Vivaldi’s Gloria, one of the undoubted glories of the Baroque age.

This 12 movement work is one of the most popular works of all time, described by Classic FM as: 

‘a beauty beyond belief, prompting a frisson of sheer delight’.

“This intimate and candlelit concert presents a not-to-be missed performance of Vivaldi’s Gloria sung by Bath’s premier chamber choir.

Says Artistic Director of Bath Recitals Daniel Cushing

This Christmas extravaganza will include some wonderful seasonal music from the Renaissance to the present day. Two Bath conductors join forces to bring this unmissable candlelit concert to Bath’s Christmas season this year:

Conductors Francis Faux and Daniel Robert Cushing

Stars of the show will be Bath’s own Noctis Chamber Choir. Noctis has established itself as one of Bath’s premier vocal ensembles, a group of highly skilled choral singers, professional musicians, singing teachers and lay clerks who are known for their versatility and innovation.

Other works in the programme will include the delightful The Boar’s Head Carol. This Christmas gem composed by Elizabeth Poston was commissioned by Cuthbert Bates for the City of Bath Bach Choir and first performed in the Pump Room.

Noctis Choir: ‘A beautiful blend of voices’

A Carolean Christmas

Wednesday 20 December, 7.30pm
St Michael’s Without, Broad Street, Bath BA1 5LJ

Noctis Chamber Choir & The Carolean Consort
Francis Faux & Daniel Robert Cushing conductors
Maisie Lewis soprano & Molly Soo mezzo-soprano

Giovanni Battista Pergolesi Magnificat in B flat
Michael Praetorius Lo, how a Rose e’er blooming
Peter Warlock Bethlehem Down
Elizabeth Poston  Jesus Christ the Apple Tree
Traditional Carols Past Three O’clock & The Boar’s Head
Antonio Vivaldi  Gloria in D major

Tickets from £14 to £27 available from the Bath Box Office

Meet the Brandon Hill Chamber Orchestra

Katie McConochie introduces the Brandon Hill Chamber Orchestra and talks about Haydn’s wonderful Symphony No.6 Le Matin…

Katie, a violinist in the Brandon Hill Chamber Orchestra, is thrilled to be performing a programme of fabulous music from the Classical age.

See her and the orchestra perform in the quintessential classical architecture of St Swithin’s Church on 21 October.

No sooner had the young Joseph Haydn signed his contract with his new employer, Prince Paul II Anton Esterházy on 1 May 1761 than he was given a challenge: To compose a work based on the theme of the three times of day.

Haydn’s first composition was the Symphony No. 6. The nickname ‘Le Matin’ was not Haydn’s own, but was given because of the opening slow introduction of the opening movement, which clearly depicts sunrise.

The Esterházys maintained a full time chamber orchestra of considerable talent. This would be a gift for any up-and-coming composer, and Haydn certainly exploited the talents of the players.

This symphony is characterised by unusual virtuoso writing across the orchestral ensemble with solo passages for flute and violin – as if harking back to the days of the Concerto Grosso.

Classical Greats with Bobby Chen

Brandon Hill Chamber Orchestra - Bobby Chen

Saturday 21 October, 7.30pm
St Swithin’s Church, 37 The Paragon, Bath BA1 5LY

Thomas Arne Overture No.4 in F
Joseph Haydn Symphony No.6 in D major Le Matin
Johann Christian Bach Symphony in D major Op.18 No.4
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Piano Concerto No.9 in E flat K271 Le Jeunnehomme 

Tickets: Adults £28, £22, £16; under 18s & students £16, £12, £8

Bobby Chen introduces one of the ‘Wonders of the World’

That’s how the famous concert pianist Alfred Brendel described one of Mozart’s favourite piano concertos – coming up next from Bath Recitals…

Watch pianist Bobby Chen above introduce this fabulous work with its interplay between the piano and orchestra in the first movement, the graceful elegance of the second and the wit and vitality of the third. 

Completed by Mozart in January 1777, the highly regarded critic and musicologist, Charles Rosen has called it ‘perhaps the first unequivocal masterpiece of the classical style.’

The work has long been known as the JeunehommeConcerto, with a claim that Mozart wrote the piece for an unnamed French pianist – the ‘Jeunehomme’ (French for “young man”) when visiting Salzburg.

However, it is now thought that the dedicatee was actually a proficient pianist named Victoire Jenamy. She was a daughter of one of Mozart’s friends, the dancer Jean-Georges Noverre.

We are thrilled to be welcoming Bobby Chen back to Bath after his last appearance with Bath Recitals in 2015 (see below)

Classical Greats

Saturday 21 October, 7.30pm
St Swithin’s Church, 37 The Paragon, Bath BA1 5LY

Thomas Arne Overture No.4 in F
Joseph Haydn Symphony No.6 in D major Le Matin
Johann Christian Bach Symphony in D major Op.18 No.4
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Piano Concerto No.9 in E flat K271 Le Jeunnehomme 

Tickets: Adults £28, £22, £16; under 18s & students £16, £12, £8

Brandon Hill Chamber Orchestra - Bobby Chen
Georgian Gala

Georgian splendour in Bath!

As we look forward to our next concert featuring the international pianist Bobby Chen and the Brandon Hill Chamber Orchestra, here is a look back at our favourite photographs from our fabulous Georgian Gala concert last month.

That concert featured the talented soprano Eleanore Sian Cockerham from Voces8, baritone Matthew Tilley, mezzo soprano Molly Soo and The Georgian Festival Chorale & Orchestra with conductor Daniel Cushing.

It was a great evening and we have another one planned for next month too! Don’t miss it when our next concert on 21 October is staged in a gem of a venue, Saint Swithin’s Church, on 21 October – tickets on sale now from Bath Box Office.

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Classical Greats

Artistic Director Daniel Cushing introduces Classical Greats which is coming up next from Bath Recitals…

The concert includes a great musical line up featuring music from some of the greatest composers of the classical age: 

From Mozart with international concerto pianist Bobby Chen, to a joyous symphony by Haydn and music by the ‘English’ Bach – JC Bach – the youngest son of the famous JS Bach. 

The concert also features music by Thomas Arne (pictured above left), well known as the composer of Rule Britannia which is featured every year at the Last Night of the Proms. This concert will include a delightful overture by Arne to open the concert.

The venue for this concert will be one of Bath’s secret gems, St Swithin’s Church on the Paragon. It will be the first time this venue has been used by Bath Recitals.

Classical Greats
Saturday 21 October, 7.30pm
St Swithin’s Church, 37 The Paragon, Bath BA1 5LY

Thomas Arne Overture No.4 in F
Joseph Haydn Symphony No.6 in D major Le Matin
Johann Christian Bach Symphony in D major Op.18 No.4
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Piano Concerto No.9 in E flat K271 Le Jeunnehomme 

Tickets: Adults £28, £22, £16; under 18s & students £16, £12, £8

A ‘Wonder of the World’ in a beautiful venue

One of the ‘Wonders of the World’ is how the famous concert pianist Alfred Brendel described Mozart’s 9th Piano Concerto.

And now, international pianist Bobby Chen returns to Bath to perform this much loved work with the Brandon Hill Chamber Orchestra in Classical Greats on 21 October.

Bobby Chen: ‘…an armour-clad player of complete technique, a thinking musician, a natural Romantic.’ 

International Piano Magazine

Bath Recitals also has a fantastic new venue for this prestigious concert. St Swithin’s Church on the Paragon is one of Bath’s secret gems.

DID YOU KNOW?

The present church was built in 1777 by John Palmer – but (rather surprisingly) is the ONLY 18th century church in the city.

 


Alongside music by Arne (think Rule Britania!) and Bach’s youngest son JC, the Classical Greats programme will also feature Haydn’s Le Matin, composed in 1761 when Prince Paul II Anton Esterházy gave him the challenge of writing music based on different times of the day.

Classical Greats

Saturday 21 October, 7.30pm
St Swithin’s Church, 37 The Paragon, Bath BA1 5LY

Thomas Arne Overture No.4 in F
Joseph Haydn Symphony No.6 in D major Le Matin
Johann Christian Bach Symphony in D major Op.18 No.4
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Piano Concerto No.9 in E flat K271 Le Jeunnehomme 

Tickets: Adults £28, £22, £16; under 18s & students £16, £12, £8

Meet the Summer Gala musicians

In addition to Voces8 star, Eleanore Sian Cockerham, the Georgian Gala Concert on 26 August will also include this fine line up of top class musicians…

Molly Soo Mezzo Soprano

Molly is currently studying for her LRSM Vocal diploma with Julie Woolard having participated in masterclasses with Dame Emma Kirkby. 

Molly has performed at the Royal Albert Hall and Birmingham Symphony Hall as a member of the National Youth Choir of Great Britain.

A member of Somerset Chamber Choir and Noctis Chamber Choir, Molly reached the quarter final of the International Handel Singing Competition. 

Molly has performed for Iford Arts Opera, has played Lilian in Kurt Weill’s Happy End and the title role of Carmen by Bizet. 


Matthew Tilley Baritone

Praised by Opera Magazine for his ‘Dark Baritone’ tone, Matthew trained at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama whilst studying with David Kempster.

Recent operatic roles include Figaro and Conte Almaviva Le nozze di Figaro, Michele il Tabarro, Scarpia Tosca, Donner Das Rheingold, Escamillo Carmen, Alfio Cavalleria Rusticana, Marcello and Schaunard La Boheme, Marchese and Barone La Traviata, Silvio i Pagliacci and Alessio La Sonnambula

Matthew has performed for Welsh National Opera, Longborough Festival Opera, Opera Holland Park, Mid Wales Opera, Heritage Opera, Opera Serse, Random Opera and the BBC recording of Götterdämmerung at Edinburgh Festival.


Nicholas Miller

Nick Miller Chorale Accompanist / Continuo

Beginning his musical career as a chorister, Nick continued his keyboard studies with Jolande van Bergen, David Ponsford, Ann Elise Smoot and Daniel Moult.  Nick has previously been Junior Organ Scholar at Liverpool Cathedral, Organ Scholar at Portsmouth Cathedral and St. Mary Redcliffe. 

Nick has held organist and other positions at Hyde Park, Putney, Portsmouth Cathedral and Portsmouth Grammar School. He currently teaches piano at Queen’s College, London whilst pursing his career as a freelance musician.


Georgian Gala

Saturday 26 August, 7.30pm
St Michael’s Without, Broad Street, Bath BA1 5LJ

Tickets Adults £22-£27; under 18s & students £14-£20
Doors open at 6:45pm. Pre-concert and interval drinks available.

William Boyce Overture in A
Johann Sebastian Bach Cantata: Widerstehe doch der Sunde BMV 54
William Boyce Symphony No. 1 in Bb
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Exultate Jubilate K165
George Frederick Handel Coronation Anthem: Zadok the Priest HWV 258
George Frederick Handel Birthday Ode to Queen Anne (1713): Eternal Source
Henry Purcell Birthday Ode to Queen Mary (1694): Come ye Sons of Art Away

Sponsored by the Friends of Bath Recital

Georgian Gala

 

The Spirit of the Georgian Age

Following the success of Handel’s Solomon in April we bring you an 18th Century Gala Concert on 26 August…

The Georgian Festival Chorale & Orchestra return to capture the spirit of the Georgian age with a programme by some of the greatest composers of the period:

Music by GF Handel, William Boyce, Henry Purcell, JS Bach and Wolfgang Mozart will feature in the fabulous concert in the gracious surroundings of St Michael’s Without in Broad Street. 

And as usual we are delighted to welcome some top soloists to perform in this concert with soprano Eleonore Sian Cockerham (formerly with Voces 8), mezzo-soprano Molly Soo and Welsh baritone Matthew Tilley:

Georgian Gala

Saturday 26 August, 7.30pm
St Michael’s Without, Broad Street, Bath BA1 5LJ

Tickets Adults £22-£27; under 18s & students £14-20
Doors open at 6:45pm. Pre-concert and interval drinks available.

William Boyce Overture in A
Johann Sebastian Bach Cantata: Widerstehe doch der Sunde BMV 54
William Boyce Symphony No. 1 in Bb
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Exultate Jubilate K165
George Frederick Handel Coronation Anthem: Zadok the Priest HWV 258
George Frederick Handel Birthday Ode to Queen Anne (1713): Eternal Source
Henry Purcell Birthday Ode to Queen Mary (1694): Come ye Sons of Art Away

Sponsored by the Friends of Bath Recitals

Bath Recitals now on YouTube

We are thrilled to announce the launch of our new YouTube channel where you can watch the recent performance of Handel’s Solomon…

This amazing performance in Bath Abbey on Saturday 22nd April was the first professional performance of ‘Solomon’ in Bath since Handel’s day. This Coronation Concert for the City of Bath also marked the anointing of King Charles III on the site where the first King of all England, King Edgar was crowned in 973. 

The Georgian Festival Chorale and St Woolos Sinfonia performed one of Handel’s greatest oratorios under the baton of Daniel Robert Cushing (pictured above).

Coming up…

The Georgian Festival Chorale & Orchestra are back this summer to capture the spirit of the Georgian age with an 18th century gala concert of music by some of the great composers of the period. Music by William Boyce, Henry Purcell, JS Bach and Wolfgang Mozart will feature with soprano Eleonore Sian Cockerham, mezzo-soprano Molly Soo and baritone Matthew Tilley.

Georgian Gala

Saturday 26 August, 7.30pm
St Michael’s Without, Broad Street, Bath BA1 5LJ

Tickets Adults £22-£27; under 18s & students £14-20
Doors open at 6:45pm. Pre-concert and interval drinks available.

Georgian Gala

Join us for this fantastic programme which captures the essence of the ‘Georgian Baroque’…

William Boyce Overture in A
Johann Sebastian Bach Cantata Widerstehe doch der Sunde BMV 54
William Boyce Symphony No. 1 in Bb
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Exultate Jubilate K165
George Frederick Handel Birthday Ode to Queen Anne (1713) and Eternal Source of Light Divine
Henry Purcell Birthday Ode to Queen Mary (1694) Come ye Sons of Art Away

Sponsored by the Friends of Bath Recitals