Image courtesy of Alexandra Dariescu website

Join Vasily Petrenko and pianist Alexandra Dariescu for this evening of stirring Russian classics as the summer days lengthen! Shostakovich’s exuberant Second Piano Concerto shows the composer’s more cheerful side. And one of Rachmaninov’s earliest symphonic works, Prince Rostislav, based upon a ballad written by A.K. Tolstoy, complements Tchaikovsky’s tuneful Capriccio Italien, written after a trip the composer took to Rome, and reflective of the Italian folk songs and dances he studied while there.

Programme:

Rachmaninov Prince Rostislav

Tchaikovsky Capriccio Italien

Shostakovich Piano Concerto No.2

Shostakovich Suite, Cheryomushki

Vasily Petrenko conductor

Alexandra Dariescu piano

For more information please click HERE.

Image courtesy of Paprika website

This electrifying sextet—hailing from Romania, Serbia and the UK—fuse together Eastern European, Balkan, Gypsy and Classical music in a whirlwind performance of frenzied virtuosity. Foot-tapping rhythms and fiery melodies infuse two fast-paced, high-energy sets from this exciting young group. Specialising in bringing rare or lost traditional Balkan music back to life, both the curious listener and the well-versed aficionado are sure to enjoy a host of surprises and fast-paced entertainment.

Recently, the band has developed both its line-up and repertoire, focusing on bringing rare and lost traditional Balkan music back to life. In 2012 the band appeared on BBC World on 3 and Radio 5 Live and was also featured in Channel 4′s ‘Come Dine With Me’.

Bogdan Vacarescu – Violin
Milos Milivojevic – Accordion
Zivorad Nikolic – Accordion
Vladimir Strkalj – Guitar
James Opstad – Bass
Rastko Rasic – Percussion

For more information please click HERE.

Image courtesy of Mercury Quartet website

After a very successful first year of the RADAR series, the Mercury Quartet return, presenting new commissions alongside the great masterworks of the 20th and 21st century. The award-winning Mercury Quartet comprises four rising stars: Vlad Maistorovici (violin/viola), Corentin Chassard (cello), Antoine Francoise (piano/saxes), Harry Cameron-Penny (clarinets). Performing either as a quartet or alongside internationally renowned guest artists, they perform classic works of the 20th century alongside improvisations, live compositions, new commissions and unknown masterpieces

The Mercury Quartet was formed at the Royal College of Music (RCM) to realise a shared passion for Messiaen’s Quartet for the End of Time. Performing either as a quartet or alongside internationally renowned guest artists, they perform classic works of the 20th century alongside improvisations, live compositions, new commissions and unknown masterpieces.

Recent projects have included the recording of their Debut CD on the Non-Classical label, and performances of Schoenberg’s Pierrot Lunaire with Julian Jacobson (London/O ford) and Linda Hirst (Dartington) and Elliot Carter’s Triple Duo in London, Dartington, Oxford and France. Recently they worked with Israeli composer Nimrod Katzir; premiering his recent composition ‘AZZA’ in Switzerland. They have also recorded for and broadcast on the Swiss station ‘Radio de la Suisse Romande’ and were invited to appear and perform on BBC Radio 3′s ‘In Tune’ show.

Programme:
Niculescu – Echos II (UK premiere)
Diana Rotaru – new commission
Oliver Weeks – new commission
Julian Anderson – Bearded Lady
Dan Dediu – Concert Gotic (UK premiere)

For more details please click HERE.

Image courtesy of Alexandra Dariescu website, Tall Wall Media

A spectacular performance of two of Beethoven’s most celebrated works in the magnificent surroundings of the Royal Albert Hall. The majestic and powerful ‘Emperor’ Concerto sets the scene for Beethoven’s last completed symphony, a work characterised by an intensity of emotional expression and overpowering energy. The unfolding drama of the first three movements culminates in the celebrated finale – the Ode to Joy.

Performers
Andrew Greenwood conductor
Alexandra Dariescu piano
Rachel Nicholls soprano
Louise Winter mezzo-soprano
Christopher Turner tenor
Stephen Gadd baritone
Royal Choral Society
Guildford Choral Society
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

Beethoven: Piano Concerto No.5, ‘Emperor’
Beethoven: Symphony No.9, ‘Choral’

For more information please click HERE

Gert and Uwe Tobias, ‘Untitled’, courtesy of Whitechapel Gallery website

A late night event at the Whitechapel Gallery in collaboration with The Museum of British Folklore. The event coincides with the Whitechapel Gallery exhibition of Romanian artists Gert and Uwe Tobias, twin brothers whose woodcuts and sculptures draw from eastern European folk art, and the display Black Eyes and Lemonade, an archive show revisiting the 1951 Festival of Britain exhibition of ‘popular’ art.

Including:

Mask-making workshop with illustrator Jonny Hannah heartagency.com/artist/JonnyHannah/gallery/1

Discussion with Director of The Museum of British Folklore Simon Costin and writer Marina Warner

Music performances by London one-man-band Bird Radio birdradio.co.uk/Home.html

Screening of Valerie and Her Week of Wonders, a 1970’s Czechoslovakian surrealist film directed by Jaromil Jireš

For more information please click HERE.

Image courtesy of Paprika website

A rare chance to see three outstanding groups in one very special concert. All the musicians are specialists in Balkan styles, giving this evening a fiery, seductive flavour.
Sophisticated, exuberant and original, She’Koyokh are quite simply Britain’s best Balkan and klezmer band with a formidable reputation for party-making.
Paprika‘s name suggests a spicy mix, and that’s just what they offer – ‘a wild ride, fast, furious, exhausting and exhilarating’ (Adelaide Festival review).Hailing from Romania, Serbia and the UK, Paprika unite traditional Eastern European, Balkan, Gypsy and Classical Music
Led by saxophonist Nick Roth, award-winning Yurodny (‘Triumphant…vibrant and irresistible’ The Irish Times) features Oleg Ponomarev, master of the Russian gypsy violin.

Yurodny’s performance is supported by Culture Ireland and the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2013 Award for Culture.
Curated by Songlines and Ikon Arts Management.

Each band will play their own set, and the evening culminates in an extraordinary collaboration of over 20 virtuoso musicians.

For more information please click HERE.

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra rehearsal, Image courtesy of Royal Albert Hall website

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra performs its first concert as part of the Bexhill Festival of Music. This impressive programme celebrates the genius of Tchaikovsky with his ever-popular Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture and powerful Marche Slave, alongside excerpts from his most popular ballet, The Nutcracker. The centrepiece comes in the form of one of the greatest works in the piano repertoire,  Ending the concert with a bang, the Orchestra will perform the explosive 1812 Overture.

Conductor – Brian Wright
Piano – ALexandra Dariescu

Programme:
Tchaikovsky Marche Slave
Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No.1
Tchaikovsky Capriccio Italien
Tchaikovsky The Nutcracker Suite (excerpts)
Tchaikovsky 1812 Overture

For more information please click HERE

Image courtesy of Leicester Square Theatre website

For one night only, from sold-out theatres in Romania: “Caramitru-Malaele, câte-n luna si în stele” – “Caramitru-Malaele, a Tapestry of Tales” brings to London two much loved legends of the Romanian stage, Ion Caramitru and Horatiu Malaele, in a delectable duel of anecdotes, stories, fables, poetry and memories, beautifully complemented by the mesmerizing cello and voice of Adrian Naidin.
This event opens a series of cultural events dedicated to romanian community in London.

For more information please click HERE.

Image courtesy of The European Nature Trust website

‘Wild Carpathia’ by Charlie Ottley is a very successful documentary which presents the author as he ventures deep into the breath-taking but little known mountains and forests of Carpathia. Home to bears, wolves and the elusive Lynx and little known to the rest of the world, this is perhaps the last great wilderness in Europe. Wild Carpathia provides a unique insight into the beauty and rich culture of the region exploring its chequered history from the mystical ruins of the ancient Dacian civilisations to its medieval Saxon communities.

Home to bears, wolves and the elusive Lynx and little known to the rest of the world, the Carpathian mountains are perhaps the last great wilderness in Europe. Wild Carpathia provides a unique insight into the beauty and rich culture of the region exploring its chequered history from the mystical ruins of the ancient Dacian civilisations to its medieval Saxon communities.

The documentary will be followed by a performance of brighton-based, Romanian artist, Nico de Transilvania. From 9.00pm she will perform “Music without frontiers”. A recital in which the public will explore through music and the arts the interconnections between humanity and the planet on which we live. Expect an eclectic mix of performers, immersed in 360 degrees visuals, a healthy dose of inspiration, and music that will have you dancing the night away.

For more information please click HERE.