First a quick look at our next concert on Sunday 16th January at 3pm in the Courtenay Centre, when the Tim Kliphuis Trio will take the stage. Firm favourites here in Newton Abbot, the trio have entertained us on several previous occasions with their unique views of classic favourites and there are fewer than a handful of tickets left!!
For a look into Tim’s fascinating background and training, visit https://timkliphuis.com/about-gallery but if that’s all too much, this is the opening paragraph: “Award-winning Dutch violinist Tim Kliphuis has created a brand new style that embraces classical, gypsy jazz and folk. Hailed as a ‘current-day improvising Paganini’, his inclusive approach to music has united audiences and is influencing a new generation of string players.”
Sunday’s programme will include ‘Brandenburg’, a suite based on Bach (so expect some familiar tunes here in different guises); ‘Reflecting the Seasons’, a Vivaldi-based suite, and a performance of Gypsy jazz songs. Main item though will be his new suite, ‘The Five Elements’. Added to the traditional Earth, Air, Water, Fire and Quintessence is Threnody, which starts at Bach’s Chaconne, while the piece as a whole focuses on environmental sustainability. Written during lockdown, it raises questions too about the way we treat the planet, while nonetheless looking to the future with hope.
This concert has been widely advertised, and at the moment there are only a few tickets remaining: don’t be one of the disappointed – book online now at https://nadsa.co.uk/event/tim-kliphuis-trio/. Remember there are no walk-in tickets at the door, all must be pre-booked. And bring some folding stuff - you're going to want to take home at least one CD!
Our sponsors for this afternoon are Rathbones Investment Management, https://www.rathbones.com/ and we thank them for their generous support.
Looking farther ahead into February, the ever-popular Hatstand Opera makes a welcome return to Newton Abbot on 20th. Without giving away too much at this point, bear in mind that this promises to be another very popular afternoon and so tickets will probably go quickly as the time approaches. Have a look at their web page at https://www.hatstandopera.co.uk/ and see what they do. You’ll notice that their venue credits don’t lean towards the NewYork Met. or the Vienna State Opera, but closer to home at the Northcott Theatre; or the Royal Britannia Naval College; or scaling up just a little, Bury St Edmunds Festival: these are performances to be enjoyed up close, not through an opera glass!
No time to dwell on what’s happening elsewhere in Devon, so I’ll leave you with best wishes for 2022.
Cheers
John R