Archive for category: News

It’s time for Music & Mayhem this month as we launch 2023 with a bang at our next Firebird concert in our series of European classics…

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

With free digital programme

London Firebird Orchestra starts 2023 with a sensational concert of European Classics on 7 February…

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

The star of the show in the next concert of European Classics will be Emmanuel Bach. We find out more about this prize-winning British violinist…

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

Conductor Michael Thrift
Violin Emmanuel Bach

It’s ten years since the London Firebird Orchestra was formed on 20 March 2012. So join us as we celebrate our 10th Anniversary Season…

We have a terrific line up of no less than seven concerts to look forward to this season with some of your favourite concertos, symphonies, overtures and much more.

All the orchestral concerts in this season will be conducted by our much-loved conductors, Michael Thrift and George Jackson:

We are also very excited to welcome back wonderful soloists to perform with the Orchestra. These include  George Harliono, Emmanuel Bach, Jamal Aliyev and Yury Revich (pictured below), as well as featuring some of the finest upcoming stars for the first time.

We are also launching the first in a series of concerts entitled Firebird Chamber Platform Concerts. This will give a much needed opportunity for smaller scale ensembles to perform under the Firebird banner.

27 September 2022: Egmont

Music by Beethoven and Mozart and featuring the wonderful soloist George Harliono.

25 October 2022: Pastoral

Emmanuel Bach performs the beautiful Violin Concerto by Brahms along with one of Beethoven’s most memorable symphonies evoking the spirit of a pastoral scene.

7 February 2023: Magic & Mayhem

This concert features Masonic music by Mozart, one of the best-known compositions in classical music by Beethoven, and the great Turkish cellist Jamal Aliyev performing what is considered by many to be the greatest of all cello concertos.

21 March 2023: Trio de Beauvoir

Firebird welcomes this dazzling piano trio in the first of our new Firebird Chamber Platform Concerts, featuring trios by Mendelssohn, Dvorak and Beethoven.

7 May 2023: Garden of Fire

The lyrical orchestral writing of British composer Ruth Gipps opens a concert featuring Haydn’s so-called ‘Fire Symphony’. In between, two glorious works by Mozart.

16 May 2023: Firebird for Schools

Join London Firebird for this new tailor-made concert for schoolchildren introducing young people to the magical world of the orchestra.

13 June 2023: Virtuoso

Two great masterpieces of the 19th century stand sentinel either side of the latest work from virtuoso violinist Yury Revich in this Midsummer Firebird concert.