| Nadsa news – March 2022 One of the signs that spring is on its way is when nadsa concerts revert back to their usual timing of 7.30pm on a Friday evening; this year that will be on 18th March, when Onyx Brass will be with us for an entertaining evening of wind music. If you're thinking in terms of a traditional brass band, or military marches, then lighten up - a brass quintet is surprisingly agile, delightfully tuneful, and has an enormous repertoire. Forget too about 'ill winds that nobody blows any good'; these talented players most certainly will blow you away. A well-established ensemble, Onyx Brass has been described by BBC Music Magazine as ‘easily the classiest brass ensemble in Britain’, and Gramophone hailed their music as ‘some of the most thrilling chamber brass-playing of its kind’. There’s lots more information about the quintet at https://onyxbrass.co.uk/ where you can also hear some of their work. For us, they've prepared a varied programme ranging from Rameau, Tallis and Bach for fans of early music, right up to Holst, Arnold (a brass player himself) and Shostakovich – and those are just the big names. The page at https://nadsa.co.uk/event/onyx-brass/ lists their likely programme including romantic arrangements and some lighter music, and while you’re there don't forget to book your tickets. We're very lucky to be able to attract such musicians of international repute, and this wouldn't be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. This concert will be supported by the TDC Councillors’ Community fund and the DCC Locality Budget fund, for which we are very grateful. If you're not already a member, here's an extra incentive: join nadsa now for next season, and you can enjoy (lower) member's prices for these last two concerts this season as well. Membership costs £20, or £30 for a couple; you'll then save £3 on each seat (£12 instead of £15) for every concert until April 2023. That will be at least nine concerts: a bargain or what? Looking ahead - because many of you like to make sure of your tickets by booking early - our last concert of the season will be on April 22nd when once again we welcome Raphael Wallfisch and John York back to the Courtenay Centre. This distinguished cello and piano duo are a well-established partnership; together they have recorded much of the available repertoire, and they have each enjoyed succesful careers as soloists in their own right. More about this concert later, but if you head to http://www.raphaelwallfisch.com/ you can listen to extracts from some of Raphael Wallfisch's solo and orchestral work, while https://www.allmusic.com/artist/john-york-mn0001197292 will tell you more about JohnYork and his work. Then, of course, visit https://nadsa.co.uk/event/raphael-wallfisch-john-york/ to book your tickets! Some general points to remember: there are no walk-in tickets at the door, all must be pre-booked the interval will be brief, for essential comfort, and there will be no refreshments if CDs are available, it’s unlikely that there will be any card facility, so don’t forget the folding stuff! Elsewhere, on Saturday 12th March Exeter Philharmonic Choir celebrate their 175th anniversary at Exeter Cathedral with a performance of Brahms Ein Deutsches Requiem, supported by Finzi’s Lo, The Full, Final Sacrifice. Details and tickets here: https://www.exeterphilharmonic.org.uk/dbpage.php?pg=view&dbase=events&id=118440 Also at the Cathedral on Sunday 10th April at 4pm the choristers will be joined by a baroque orchestra with soloists to sing Bach's St JohnPassion: https://www.exeter-cathedral.org.uk/whats-on/events/j-s-bach-st-john-passion-20220410-160000/ gives full details. Then on Saturday April 30th Devon Philharmonic Orchestra are at the Cathedral with a programme of Copland, Gershwin and Tchaikovsky - see https://www.devonphilharmonicorchestra.co.uk/whatson for more information. The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra are at the Great Hall, Exeter on Thursday 7th April with their 'Voices from the East' concert: details at https://bsolive.com/events/soviet-heritage-exeter/ That's it for now; see you on the 18th. Cheers John R |