You can find out more about the amazing music by Elgar and Vaughan Williams which will feature in The English Landscape concert conducted by George Jackson by downloading your free programme.
Tuesday 19 September 7.30pm St George’s Hanover Square, London
Top international cellist Maciej Kułakoswki performs what is now recognised as one of the greatest works of the 20th century: Edward Elgar’s famous Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85.
Composed in 1919, this captivating work was to be Elgar’s final notable work and has become a cornerstone of the solo cello repertoire.
The Symphony No.5 in D Major by Ralph Vaughan Williams was an immediate success at its 1943 premiere. Most notable is the serenity of the work itself as contrasted with the severity of the war then in progress, as well as the allusions to The Pilgrim’s Progress.
Edward Elgar Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85 Ralph Vaughan Williams Symphony no. 5 in D
Music by Elgar and Vaughan Williams – two of the greatest British composers – give a distinctive ‘Englishness’ to the next Firebird concert…
When you imagine the quintessential English landscape park or garden the works of Capability Brown probably spring to mind with places such as Stourhead in Wiltshire.
But this was not just an English phenomenon – it was part of a European-wide movement which was sweeping away the formal symmetry of the gardens of the earlier centuries.
The inspiration for this new wave of landscape was inspired by the idealistic paintings of the likes of Nicolas Poussin and Claude Lorrain (pictured).
It took until the 20th century before the spirit of Englishness was truly captured in a musical sense, and the two works in this concert demonstrate this with real beauty and passion.
Elgar’s iconic Cello Concerto is a cornerstone of the solo cello repertoire. Composed in the aftermath of the First World War its contemplative and elegiac mood captures the sprit of a lost age.
As the perfect foil to this we have a great symphony by Ralph Vaughan Williams. An immediate success since its 1943 premiere, many of the musical themes stem from his then-unfinished opera, The Pilgrim’s Progress.
Yury Revich Olario is well known to Firebird audiences both as a virtuoso violinist and as a composer. His 2022 premiere of Awakening (The Blue Version) went down a storm.
But now his Symphony No.1 Kaleidoscope promises something fresh with a symphonic fusion comprising four movements, each representing a unique facet of the human experience and reflecting the fast rhythm of the modern world.
In this new symphony tradition merges with innovation, and cultures blend to create a unique fusion of past and future where live drums imitate electronics and east meets west. We are taken on a fascinating journey where each kaleidoscope creates a different experience, from an action film to a dance floor, to an epic battle.
ECHO Klassik and International Classical Music Awards Winner Yury Revich Olario is also Austrian’s UNICEF Ambassador who also describes himself as an Eco-Conscious Musician and Artist.
In the first movement, Labyrinthine, we are immersed in a world of constantly changing colours and shapes. We journey through soundscapes and patterns, where juxtaposed melodic fragments create one another.
Secondly in Rooz-e aftabi – Sunny day in Persian – we experience a celebration of life. Here the beat of middle eastern flair and jazz come together evoking warmth and radiance of a sunny day and where the music reflects the vibrancy of life and hope.
The Magic Forest presents a moment of mindfulness with a peaceful walk through a magic forest. The strings mimic the trees with their individual stories harmonising to create a symphony of sounds in a place of tranquility and wonder.
Finally in Peymat ha-zman –The Beat of Time in Hebrew, we discover the unpredictable nature of the modern world. As in a film where the scenario changes with each passing moment, we are driven through a kaleidoscope of memories and experiences.
Ultimately, Symphony No.1 Kaleidoscope is a poetic representation of the human experience, a journey through the ever-changing world of life, where the beat of time and the magic of music merge to create a unique modern symphonic concept.
Conductor Michael Thrift will be conducting this magnificent evening which includes the wonderful first symphony by Brahms. In addition to Yury’s world premiere we also look forward to his virtuoso performance of Mendelssohn’s violin concerto.
European Classics: Virtuoso
Tuesday 13 June 7.30pm St George’s Hanover Square, London
Mendelssohn Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64 Yury RevichOlario Kaleidoscope Symphony No.1 World premiere Brahms Symphony No.1, Op. 68
Conductor Michael Thrift Violin Yury Revich Olario
https://www.londonfirebird.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/unnamed-1.png5491200London Firebird Orchestrahttps://www.londonfirebird.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/firebird11.pngLondon Firebird Orchestra2023-05-10 08:18:032023-05-10 08:56:26A Kaleidoscopic World Premiere
The latest work from virtuoso violinist Yury Revich Olario are framed by two great 19th century masterpieces in Firebird’s next concert of European Classics…
Ever since its Leipzig premiere in 1845 after six years in the making, Mendelssohn’s violin concerto has remained among the most prominent and highly-regarded concertos of all time.
It was an innovative work for its day, moving away from the typical classical approach to a concerto in many ways, including having a fully notated cadenzas rather than the soloist improvising or composing their own.
Brahms’s first Symphony of 1876 clearly pays homage to the monumental symphonies of Beethoven – to which Brahms himself said ‘any ass can see that’. Yet this aspect has occasionally earned the symphony the label ‘Beethoven’s Tenth’.
Conductor Michael Thrift will be setting the scene for this magnificent evening of great music. We are particularly excited to be welcoming back Yury RevichOlario(pictured below) to the stage – not just for his virtuoso performance of Mendelssohn’s violin concerto, but also for the world premiere of his new work Kaleidoscope Symphony no. 1 which we are thrilled to be hosting.
European Classics: Virtuoso
Tuesday 13 June 7.30pm St George’s Hanover Square, London
Mendelssohn Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64 Yury RevichOlario Kaleidoscope Symphony no. 1 Brahms Symphony No.1, Op. 68
Conductor Michael Thrift Violin Yury Revich Olario
The aim of this new chamber music initiative is to give a much needed opportunity for smaller scale ensembles to perform under the Firebird banner. This opening concert will contain some of the best loved repertoire for the Piano Trio with a programme representing a range of composers from Beethoven to Dvořák.
Élisabeth Pion, piano; EnYuan Khong, violinist and Charlotte Kaslin, cello
Cellist Charlotte Kaelin is no stranger to Firebird as she has played principal cello with us for several years. We are delighted to be able to develop that link through this prize-winning ensemble in which she is joined by violinist Enyuan Khong and pianist Élisabeth Pion.
The Trio recently won 2nd prize in the Virtuoso & Bel Canto Chamber Music Competition in Italy. Finalists of the St-Martin-in-the-Fields Chamber Competition, they participated in scholarships in festivals across Europe, including Jeunesses Musicales in Germany and Musique à Flaine. The Trio regularly performs in the UK including engagements as part of the Leeds International Concert Season and in St-Martin-in-the-Fields.
They have most recently entered a mentorship with Christoph Richter at Chamber Studio in King’s Place and had a chamber music residency at the Britten Pears Young Artists’ Programme for 2021/22.
“…a deep inner dialogue connects all three players… one that is frequently sought after but rarely obtained.“
Ruth Hallows, The Graduate Interviews
Firebird Chamber Platform: Trio de Beauvoir
St George’s, Hanover Square, London Tuesday 21 March 2023, 7:30 pm
Violin Enyuan Khong Cello Charlotte Kaslin Piano Élisabeth Pion
Beethoven Piano trio in B flat, Op. 11 Fanny Mendelssohn Piano Trio in D minor, Op. 11 Gabriela Lena-Frank Four Folk Songs Beethoven Piano Trio no. 4 in E minor, Op. 90 Dumky
A much-loved overture by Mozart, one of the world’s most famous symphonies by Beethoven and probably the greatest cello concerto of all time by Saint-Saëns make up this sensational programme on Tuesday 7 February at St George’s Hanover Square.
Although from different generations, both Mozart and Beethoven were associated with the Masonic lodges of Vienna. Both composers were influenced by the fraternal ideal of the Order of the Illuminati, which believed in fighting the abuses of State power, the abuses of religion, and superstition, and in awakening and enlivening the human soul with their music.
Mozart’s opera The Magic Flute is noted for its prominent Masonic elements while the opening of Beethoven’s great 5th Symphony must be one of the best-known compositions in classical music.
The star of the show will be brilliant cellist, Maciej Kułakowski who, at very short notice, has replaced Jamal Aliyev who is unfortunately indisposed, who will perform Saint-Saëns’ dramatic and beautiful Cello Concerto – hugely demanding and bursting all the conventions of its time. No wonder this concerto is considered by many to be the greatest of all cello concertos.
“…of the intelligence and artistry on display there is no doubt.“
BBC Music Magazine (5 star review of the playing of Maciej Lułakowski)
Music & Mayhem
London Firebird Orchestra Conductor George Jackson Cello Maciej Kułakowski
Tuesday 7 February 2023, 7.30 pm
Mozart Overture to Die Zauberflöte, K.620 Saint-Saëns Cello Concerto No.1 in A minor, Op.33 Beethoven Symphony No.5 in C minor, Op.67
We are thrilled to be welcoming back the acclaimed Turkish cellist Jamal Aliyev at the next Firebird concert on Tuesday 7 February…
‘… one of the 30 most brilliant young classical musicians playing today’.
Classic FM
He will perform the extraordinary Cello Concerto by Saint-Saëns: dramatic and beautiful, demanding and bursting conventions of its time. This concerto is considered by many to be the greatest of all cello concertos.
Jamal has performed at festivals across Europe including Switzerland, Germany, Romania, Turkey and the UK. He made his solo debut live on radio and TV in 2017 at the BBC Proms with the BBC Concert Orchestra.
Jamal plays on a remarkable instrument made in 1756 by the leading 18th-century Florentine maker of his day, Giovanni Battista Gabrielli.
It was on this instrument in 2019 that he premiered ‘Appassionata’ for cello and orchestra by Sir Karl Jenkins.
Jamal’s biography lists over 25 prestigious international awards and prizes.
These include:
2014-2017 Royal College of Music Competitions
2016 Musicians Company Award
2017 Sir Karl Jenkins Music Award
2017 Kronberg Academy Award.
Music & Mayhem
Music & Mayhem
London Firebird Orchestra Conductor George Jackson Cello Jamal Aliyev
Tuesday 7 February 2023, 7:30 pm
Mozart Overture to Die Zauberflöte, K.620 Saint-Saëns Cello Concerto No.1 in A minor, Op.33 Beethoven Symphony No.5 in C minor, Op.67
https://www.londonfirebird.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/unnamed-8-2.jpg12001200London Firebird Orchestrahttps://www.londonfirebird.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/firebird11.pngLondon Firebird Orchestra2023-01-20 19:11:232023-01-21 11:36:05Meet the soloist in Music & Mayhem
Masonic music by Mozart, one of Beethoven’s best-known compositions, and by Saint-Saëns, perhaps the greatest of all cello concertos.
Both Mozart and Beethoven were associated with the Masonic lodges of Vienna, with Mozart’s opera The Magic Flute being noted for its prominent Masonic elements. Beethoven’s 5th Symphony must be one of the best-known compositions in classical music.
By contrast, the Cello Concerto by Saint-Saëns comes from a different world: dramatic and beautiful, demanding and bursting the conventions of its time.
We are delighted to welcome back the great Turkish cellist Jamal Aliyev for what is considered by many to be the greatest of all cello concertos.
‘The tender cello solo … is in my ear still’
Ivan Hewett, The Daily Telegraph (BBC Proms)
European Classics: Magic & Mayhem
Tuesday 7 February 2023 7.30pm St George’s Hanover Square, London
Mozart Overture to Die Zauberflöte, K.620 Saint-Saëns Cello Concerto No.1 in A minor, Op.33 Beethoven Symphony No.5 in C minor, Op.67
Conductor George Jackson (pictured above) Cello Jamal Aliyev
Remember – you can support the orchestra from as little as £100 as a Silver Firebird member to help us continue with our important work for young musicians.
So how did it all begin and and who were your most influential teachers?
Music was around from an early age. I loved the sound of the violin heard on recordings, so I wanted to learn!
After reading Music at Oxford I studied at the Royal College in London. My main teacher, Natasha Boyarsky, is my greatest influence. She was a rigorous teacher, who taught me the value of hard work, belief and communication.
Do you prefer performing as a solo violinist, chamber musician or as the soloist in a concerto and why?
I enjoy playing solo violin, concertos and chamber music equally, as they help me appreciate each for what it is.
We know that education is an important part of your career. What sort of advice do you find yourself regularly offering to young violinists?
I enjoy teaching and try to encourage a love of music and desire to improve.
I always try to help students ask what the meaning of the music might be, why the composer wrote what they did and how to use their imagination to communicate.
Finally we look forward to your performance of the Brahms concerto on 25 October. What do you bring to it that’s different?
I believe Brahms has a powerful message in his concerto. I aim to speak through my sound to communicate the feelings of struggle, love and exuberance which are at the heart of this work.
Brahms’s Violin Concerto in D is on an epic scale, full of unrelenting passion and spectacular virtuosity. We are delighted to bring back violinist Emmanuel Bach following his memorable 2021 interpretation of Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto.
European Classics: Pastoral
Tuesday 25 October 7.30pm St George’s Hanover Square, London
Mozart Overture to Don Giovanni, K. 527 Brahms Violin Concerto in D, Op. 77 Beethoven Symphony No. 6 in F major, Op. 68 Pastoral
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