Welcome to the first newsletter of our new season of concerts at the Courtenay Centre. In April we gave an outline of dates and artists, but o remind you , here they are again. The Friday concerts will all be at 7.30pm while the Sunday afternoon concerts will be at the later start time of 3.30pm.
September 19th: Carducci Quartet – string quartet
October 19th: Cret – string trio
November 16th: Clare Hammond – piano
January 18th: Heath Quartet – strings
February 15th: Trish Clowes & Ross Stanley – saxophone & piano
March 20th: Kosmos ensemble – strings & accordion
April 17th: John Paul Ekins – piano
The eagle-eyed will have noticed that our opening concert has changed: due to circumstances beyond our control we’re now going to welcome the Carducci Quartet to the Courtenay Centre on Friday 19th September at 7.30pm.
Founded in 1997 the award-winning Carducci Quartet is internationally acclaimed as one of the most accomplished and versatile ensembles of today. Appearing regularly at the world’s most prestigious convert halls, they comprise Matthew Denton (violin), Michelle Fleming (violin), Eoin Schmidt-Martin (viola), and Emma Denton (Cello). The music of Shostakovich has always been a particular point of focus for the ensemble, having performed and recorded all fifteen of his quartets in recent years. Their programme for us includes Schubert’s String Quartet no.10; Fanny Mendelssohn’s String quartet in Eb major, and Shostakovich’s 2nd String Quartet.
This is a great opportunity to hear string playing at it’s best, by world-renowned artists. Read more about them at www.carducciquartet.com , where you can also hear some of their music. Then head across to Carducci Quartet: An Evening of Profound Musical Contrasts – nadsa concerts and book your tickets. Don’t leave it too late; you won’t want to miss this one!
Actually, the beginning of the season is the ideal time to become a member and take advantage of the annual subscription ticket when a single member can save £10 and a couple, £84 over the whole season. If you can’t manage the whole season, as a member you can still save on every ticket. Details are at Membership – nadsa concerts where you can join now and save.
It always helps to bring some cash to a concert; not only might you fancy tea or coffee in the interval, but you may also want to buy a CD from the artists afterwards…
Locally there’s not much other music to report; most amateur ensembles are only just awakening after their summer break. However…
For the singers amongst us (even if you’ve never sung a note outside of the bath!) there’s a ‘Come and Sing Day’ in Teignmouth on Saturday 27th September when you can try out some Opera Choruses, all in English. Go to Come and Sing… Opera Chorus Day! – Alice Cross Centre for full details and to sign up.
Sunday 28th September at Dartington Hall, Devon Baroque present ‘The English Genius’ with Russell Gilmour (trumpet). Devon Baroque | for more information.
Tuesday 9th September Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra are at The Great Hall, Exeter with Smetena, Dvorak and Beethoven, and again on Thursday 9th October with Schubert and Zemlinsky. bsolive.com for information on all their concerts.
Finally, in the non-performing arts, the annual Devon Open Studios event runs from 6th to 21st September, with studios and venues opening their doors all across the county. Painters & potters, sculptors and silversmiths – pretty well all artistic disciplines are represented. Use the map at https://devonartistnetwork.co.uk/studio-map/ to find a studio near you. Once again I’m with Moorland Makers at Ullacombe Farm, Bovey Tracey (TQ13 9LL) and look forward to seeing you.
That’s all for now; see you on 19th. Happy listening,
John R
