Firebird’s George Jackson leads conducting masterclass

George Jackson

George Jackson

The latest project as part of the London Firebird Orchestra’s residency at Middlesex University took place on 25 February.

This conducting masterclass was led by George Jackson, one of the Firebird’s Conductor’s Circle. George conducted the opening Firebird season concert at St Paul’s Covent Garden in October 2015.

The participants, who are all students on the BA Music course at the University worked on Debussy‘s Prélude à l’après-midi d’un Faune.

Students Kar Mun Tan, Michal Brzezinski and Rishiraj Kulharni greatly benefitted from the workshop which covered conducting technique as well exploring the style and interpretation of the music. Sofia Paulusma (who, along with Michal also wrote pieces for the recent woodwind workshop) and Anna Gonciarz were also involved in the workshop.

George Jackson's conducting workshop

George Jackson’s conducting workshop

George Jackson said of the event: ‘My aim was to try and uncover the style of performance in French music, whilst at the same time developing conducting techniques which helped to communicate those ideas non-verbally’

Credit should also be given to the two pianists who played for the workshop, Kerem Hasan and Laura Ayoub.

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Brian Inglis, lecturer at the university’s music department and coordinator of the programme described how the students were keen to engage with this valuable activity which would not be possible with without the support of the Radcliffe Trust.

Read more about London Firebird’s outreach programme.

Firebird firmly on London stage after thrilling Fantasia concert

Young conductor Michael Thrift made his spectacular debut London Firebird Orchestra performance with Fantasia, a concert of orchestral music in the glorious setting of St James, Sussex Gardens on 24 February.

Fantasia concert underway

Fantasia concert underway

Audiences were thrilled by the richness of the strings in classics by Elgar and Vaughan Williams in the first half, and by the passion and power of the full orchestra in Beethoven’s 7th symphony after the interval.

Marc Corbett-Weaver introduces the concert

Marc Corbett-Weaver introduces the concert

The Orchestra’s Chief Executive & Artistic Director, Marc Corbett-Weaver was delighted with the success of the concert and said: “This was a great leap forward for Firebird and places us firmly on the London stage.”

As a platform for emerging instrumentalists the London Firebird Orchestra is the perfect opportunity for newly trained instrumentalists to carve out a role as orchestral players as they launch their careers as performers.

Violinist and orchestral leader Jacqueline Martens said: “I had a wonderful time leading firebird last night and am always so grateful for the opportunity to lead this orchestra.”

Watch our new video about Fantasia

London Firebird Orchestra is delighted to release this promotional video for our next concert, Fantasia, featuring conductor Michael Thrift, who will make his Firebird debut at the event on Wednesday 24 February.

To buy tickets or to find out more click here.

Firebird plays compositions from around the world

As part of its residency at Middlesex University, a wind quintet workshop took place at Middlesex University with five of the Firebird’s finest players.

This residency is a valuable aspect of the collaboration, which is funded by the Radcliffe Trust, between the orchestra and the university. The programme of events enables top quality opportunities for the music degree students in performance composition and conducting.

Compositions by four of the students were selected for the workshop on 4th February. First was Bharath Balasani from Chennai in India who completed his first two years of study in that city. His Seni görmek istiyorum, meaning ‘I want to see you’ was an angular, complex and challenging work inspired by Arabic and Turkish modes within 12 tone melodic cells.

Bharath Balasani

Bharath Balasani

Secondly, we heard A Camel Dance by Norwegian singer and composer Sophia M. Paulusma which playfully explored the image of a camel walking across Australia.

Sophia M. Paulusma

Sophia M. Paulusma

The third work was a very competent Bizzarius Simstim by Polish composer Michal Brzezinski. This characterful piece explored some interesting sonorities and chordal colours.

Michal Brzezinski

Michal Brzezinski

And finally Suin Kim from Korea presented us with Breath of Gaudi inspired by her impressions of the great architect following a recent visit to Barcelona.

Suin Kim

Suin Kim

As well as the obvious benefits to the students, the workshop also displayed the skills and professionalism of the Firebird players. None of the music had been seen before so this was a great test of their sight-reading skills as well as their sense of ensemble.

Emily Andrews (flute), Thomas Blomfield (oboe) and Kimon Parry (clarinet) are regular players with the orchestra whilst newcomers Laurie Truluck (Horn) and Ana Docolin (bassoon) dovetailed into the ensemble effortlessly. They described the experience as both exciting and challenging and they were delighted to be able to ‘add colour though live performance’ to these new scores.

Brian Inglis, lecturer at the university’s music department and coordinator of the programme described how this workshop is part of a series of events and activities within the London Firebird Orchestra’s Outreach programme. One of the highlights will be an orchestral concert with the Middlesex University Choir at St Pancras Church on Wednesday 23 March at 7.30pm. This will include student compositions selected as part of the programme.

Read more about London Firebird’s outreach programme.

Tickets go on sale for Fantasia

Tickets are now on sale for London Firebird Orchestra’s next orchestral extravaganza with Fantasia at the magnificent St James’s Church in Sussex Gardens, Paddington on Wednesday 24 February.

Sweeping strings and celestial harps capture the essence of England with Vaughan Williams’s hauntingly beautiful Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis. In contrast, Elgar’s energetic and lively Introduction & Allegro completes a string-focused first half before Beethoven’s mighty Symphony no. 7, with its dramatic first movement, soul-searching Allegretto and dazzling finale.

“Following on from the success of our autumn launch concert in Covent Garden we are thrilled to be staging this fantastic event in this glorious setting” said Marc Corbett-Weaver,  London Firebird’s Artistic Director.

This concert marks the Firebird début of conductor Michael Thrift. Originally from Sydney, winner of the Australian Young Composer of the Year and Associate Conductor of Sydney Youth Orchestra, Michael’s relocation to Europe has led to performances in Graz and Vienna, the Cheltenham Festival, The Queen’s Opera, Fulham Opera, Fringe Opera and Operissima.

“…conductor Michael Thrift leaves audiences shocked with Puccini’s dark and dramatic climax.” Fringe Opera

Doors open at 7.15pm for the 7.35pm performance and tickets can be purchased here.

From Darkness To Light picture gallery

Our 2015-16 season got off to a flying start with a packed audience at St Paul’s Covent Garden for the From Darkness To Light concert featuring violinist Jennifer Pike and conductor George Jackson.

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Party launches 2015-16 season in style

Firebird launch party

The new Firebird season has been launched an style at a special reception held at an impressive Kensington Gallery. Friends and Benefactors of the London Firebird Orchestra had the opportunity to meet the conductors, soloists and some of the orchestral players involved the forthcoming season at the prestigious event held at Gladwell & Patterson in Beauchamp Place.

Artistic director, Marc Corbett-Weaver outlined his plans for the season which will include spectacular concerts at some of London’s top venues including St Paul’s Covent Garden and Kings Place. Marc gave a tantalising glimpse of what is on the cards with performances from soloists Lisa Rijmer (soprano), violinist Jennifer Pike and Marc Corbett-Weaver himself as pianist to conclude the season with Rachmaninoff’s second piano concerto in June 2016.

Conductors George Jackson, Michael Thrift and Jonathan Bloxham – fresh from his successful Firebird concert in Bath a few days previously – were also in attendance at this hugely enjoyable and informative event.