by Ben Hogwood photo (c) Peter Hundert Photography/Deutsche Grammophon
Last week we learned of the sad news that the great Russian composer Sofia Gubaidulina had died at the age of 93, in her home city of Hamburg.
Gubaidulina was a true original, a composer of intensely dramatic and often spiritual music that was both distinctive and innovative. A more detailed obituary has been penned by Gavin Dixon for Gramophone magazine. Rather than do a playlist in appreciation, I have chosen a couple of albums that help illustrate some of her musical achievements.
One of Gubaidulina’s biggest early successes was Offertorium, a concerto for violin and orchestra recorded by Gidon Kremer for Deutsche Grammophon back in 1988:
On a smaller scale, Gubaidulina wrote chamber music of striking originality, using unusual instrumental combinations to achieve rarefied colours. A good range of her writing can be found on a collection from the Lockenhaus festival, released on Philips Classics in 1992:
Her early works are equally intriguing, including a number of pieces for solo guitar:
Few composers have written for low instruments quite like Gubaidulina, as her Concerto for bassoon and low strings illustrates:
At the other end of the scale is her St. John Passion, a vast setting over 90 minutes completed in 2000 to mark the 250th anniversary of the birth of Johann Sebastian Bach:
If you’ve been near any social media platform in this country, you’ll have surely worked out why, as BBC Radio 2 is undergoing an overhaul on its daytime schedule. You will probably have been blasted by the massed choirs heralding the arrival of Scott Mills on breakfast…but I would argue that the real star of the show so far has been Trevor Nelson.
On the evidence of the shows I’ve heard so far, his transition from late evenings to afternoons has been a seamless one – helped by bringing the ’5 Seconds To Name’ feature quiz with him and bolstering it with the superb ‘Old School Run’.
Yet there is another factor to his early success – his new jingle. Trevor has been fortunate with jingles – he had a couple of crackers on the Rhythm Nation show – but this one, co-written and sung by Zoe Birkett, is a proper ‘diva moment’. Listen to the jingle and watch its recording here:
📻ITS OUT !!! Waghhhhh!! 📻 Buzzing to have recorded the vocal jingle for Dj Trevor Nelson @DjSpoonyofficial new radio show on @BBC Radio 2 I had so much fun with the writer in the studio, I was given a brief 2 days before recording but when I got into the booth the writer let me go loose vocally to pop my own spin on it , they were all so supportive and loved what I gave , and I can’t wait to tune in tonight to hear Spoonys jingle as hearing them LIVE on radio is there first time I’ve heard them ! Did anyone hear it ? ☺️ #singer#radio#bbcradio2#fy
From personal experience, writing such a short piece of music is anything but easy. The Darkness singer Justin Hawkins, no less, started out in music writing adverts for IKEA and Yahoo. He and his contemporaries deserve so much more credit than they get, for everyone recognises the old start-up for Microsoft Windows, the double, slightly stuttered chord that brings the start of another Netflix show, or even the cosmic flash with which ITVX is introduced.
Trevor’s jingle has a lot going on. Birkett – who finished fourth in the original Pop Idol competition – has gone for broke with a killer vocal, her convictions backed up by some spicy harmonies and a production suggesting big room funk from the 1980s, with an especially big cadence that brings the likes of Parliament to mind.
Birkett hasn’t stopped there either, delivering a similarly classy jingle for DJ Spoony’s Good Groove show. Proof that the art of the jingle is alive and kicking – those writers and performers deserve a good deal of credit!
The following text comes from a City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra press release:
The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) today announces a two-year contract extension for Music Director, Kazuki Yamada – reflecting his ever-deepening relationship with the orchestra and increasing involvement in creative decision making. The extension means that Yamada will remain as Music Director until the end of the 2028 – 2029 Season.
In this season alone, he will have conducted more than 20 concerts in Birmingham, ranging from performances of landmark classical works, including an exploration of Ninth Symphonies by Mahler, Bruckner, Dvořák, and Beethoven. He appears twice with the CBSO Youth Orchestra and takes to the podium for the CBSO’s annual Schools’ concerts.
Last summer, Yamada played a pivotal role in bringing free live music to thousands across Birmingham during the CBSO In the City event – including performances on a tram, at New Street Station, and within the bustling Bullring shopping centre. Yamada’s role with the Orchestra extends far beyond Birmingham and this spring, he will take the Orchestra on tour to both Europe and Japan.
CBSO: Beethoven’s 9th Symphony.
Kazuki Yamada, Music Director, CBSO, says: “I am extremely happy to be renewing my contract with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Over the past few years, I have developed such a strong connection with the orchestra, and it has been a true privilege to build on the special relationship I have with these talented musicians. The CBSO is a super happy, positive, and motivated orchestra, and I have always been inspired by their passion and dedication. There’s so much potential for us to explore together, and I’m excited about the possibilities which lie ahead.
I love the audiences and people of Birmingham as I fully immerse myself in the culture of Birmingham as a Brummie conductor! To continue my time with the orchestra feels like a wonderful affirmation of the trust and mutual respect we’ve built, and I can’t wait to see what we will achieve together moving forward.”
The news of Kazuki’s extension follows the announcement of Catherine Arlidge MBE being appointed into the role of Director of Artistic Planning at the CBSO last month, further strengthening the Orchestra’s artistic team.
Simon Halsey CBE, who has served as Chorus Director with the CBSO since 1982, will also take on the new role of Director, CBSO Chorus later this year. In his new role, Simon will focus his work on CBSO Chorus, working closely with leaders of Children’s & Youth Choruses, and SO Vocal, to programme an incredible season of choral music.
Simon will hold the new position for two seasons, while the organisation recruits a new Director, CBSO Chorus, to begin in the 2027/28 season. Once a new Director is appointed, Simon will take on an honorary title with continued commitment to the organisation. This marks the beginning of a new chapter in his longstanding partnership with the Orchestra, which will continue for many years to come – including his 50th anniversary in 2032.
Simon Halsey CBE, Chorus Director, CBSO, says: “As I enter my 43rd year as Chorus Director of the CBSO, I continue to be thankful for the extraordinary family of singers and players, adult and youth, that strive for the very best in our large and excitingly diverse city.
An informal calculation suggests that I’ve heard over ten thousand choral auditions and taken some three thousand rehearsals on behalf of our inspiring music directors! We have formed children’s, youth and community choirs in addition to the CBSO Chorus. And we’ve helped train 50 postgraduate choral conductors in association with the University of Birmingham.
I am beyond thrilled to extend my relationship with our choirs and orchestra in the long-term and grateful that the organisation – my musical family – will allow me to share more widely the responsibilities as the years pass; allowing me to be an active part of the organisation for 50 years.”
Emma Stenning, Chief Executive, CBSO, says: “I am thrilled that the brilliant Kazuki Yamada will remain Music Director of the CBSO until August 2029.
From working with students at our incredible school, the Shireland CBSO Academy, to leading the Orchestra at the BBC Proms, he is truly at the heart of our music making.
More than that, he is totally committed to Birmingham, as a city of immense cultural breadth and creative opportunity. That he can delight audiences at Symphony Hall with performances of such emotion, depth and joy, jump on a tram to bring free music to commuters, or don a Halloween costume to lead us in a night of spooky adventure at the Hockley Social Club, he entirely embodies everything that CBSO hopes to be, and we are privileged to extend our relationship with him in this way.
Simon Halsey’s work with the CBSO Chorus is already the stuff of legend. Planning through towards celebrating a remarkable half century with him in 2032 has reminded all of us of the brilliance, creativity and absolute class of his creative leadership, and we all greatly look forward to the exciting work that is to come.
Along with Cath’s step out of the orchestra into her new Director of Artistic Planning role, the CBSO’s creative leadership shows exceptional strength, and I look forward to us working together over the coming years to bring great music to Birmingham, the West Midlands and beyond.”
Pictures of Kazuki Yamada (c) Hannah Fathers (top) and Andrew Fox
Published post no.2,425 – Wednesday 29 January 2025
Arcana brings you good news from Wales, where Das Koolies have released a new single, Som Bom Magnifico, and posted plans for a new album in May.
In case you don’t already know, Das Koolies is essentially the Super Furry Animals, minus Gruff Rhys – though it’s important to mention there is no ‘split’ as such, just different musical projects to enjoy. The current incarnation, made up of Huw Bunford, Cian Ciarán, Daf Ieuan and Guto Pryce, hit the ground running in 2023 with the brilliant DK.01 album, and its successor, Pando, looks set to build on that handsomely on 9 May.
For now, you can enjoy the cosmic synth play, vocals and heady chorus of the psychedelic Som Bom Magnifico, a danceable cut that bodes very well for the band’s second chapter!
Published post no.2,420 – Thursday 23 January 2025
words from the press release, adapted for publication by Ben Hogwood
The Piatti Quartet releases a new album of Quartets Nos. 2-4 by British composer Joseph Phibbs, “one of the most successful composers of his generation” (BBC Music Magazine).
The Quartet and Phibbs have maintained a close relationship that stretches back several years. Since its joint second prize and Sydney Griller Award at the 2015 Wigmore Hall International String Quartet Competition, the Piatti Quartet has established a high reputation, particularly in the contemporary repertoire. They have recorded and performed Phibbs’ String Quartet no.1 almost 50 times.
Joseph (above) says:
“Having studied the cello as a child, I have always felt a special affinity with string music. My introduction at the age of 14 to the music of Britten was through his first string quartet, the opening of which still fills me with awe, and his works – especially those for strings – have remained a lifelong inspiration. After the first commission, the Piatti’s enthusiasm encouraged me to continue exploring the genre, and – a decade later – it has been both a privilege and a huge pleasure to have another opportunity to write for them (String Quartet No.4). Much of my music is inspired by light and landscapes (as well as cityscapes). When considering which images would best sum up the overall feel of the album, light – both natural and artificial – as seen within a landscape, seemed the most fitting choice.”
As a composer, Phibbs’ main influences are Lutoslawski, Britten and his former teacher Steven Stucky. Over recent years, he has been primarily exploring melody, forging his way using modal, diatonic and triadic harmonies.
Phibbs’s opera Juliana premiered in 2018 showed “a strong sense of continuity with the past – not least in the markedly post-Britten soundworld” (BBC Music Magazine). The Guardian added, “Juliana is that rare thing nowadays, a genuinely well-made, effective new opera that achieves exactly what it sets out to do.”
You can listen to excerpts from this album at the Presto website
Arcana.fm 