This programme has a particular focus on early works by Frank Bridge, together with a powerful, significant and much-loved Clarinet Sonata by Howells, and a much more unusual work for the Bass Clarinet.
Birmingham Conservatoire's concert forms part of a three-day British Piano Festival, over 14th-16th June 2015, and provides an opportunity to enjoy some rare and familiar works from the twentieth century. The Festival is hosted by John Thwaites, Director of Keyboard, and leading British pianist, Mark Bebbington.
During the Festival, students and guest artists will perform rarely-performed and contrasting works by Bridge, Howells, Holbrooke, Bowen, Ireland and Ferguson as well as by contemporary composers including Anthony Payne, Ian Venables and Robert Matthew-Walker.
The opening concert on 14th June showcases a unique triple-bill of sparkling 20th century piano concertos rarities performed by pianist Mark Bebbington and the Innovation Chamber Ensemble (strings of the CBSO).
“The Birmingham Conservatoire has regularly hosted festivals of British Music, the most recent being our Delius and Ireland Festival”, explained John Thwaites. “Our students, from all over the world, are embracing this repertoire, which is exciting for those of us who love it so much. It will be a particular pleasure to re-visit John Ireland’s Guernsey-inspired ‘Sarnia’, to explore repertoire for the Bass Clarinet, to enjoy Mark Bebbington’s extraordinary triple-bill of concertos, and to offer an opportunity to hear in Birmingham for the first time Anthony Payne's Piano Quartet, fresh from its London Premiere in February.”
Full details of Festival concerts are listed on Concert-Diary.