Kings Place Mini Podcasts - Classical

Kings Place’s seasonal feast of art and music features classical concerts, jazz and folk gigs, fun family events, comedy nights, inspiring talks, boat trips on the canal and much more for as little as £6.50 a ticket – with many events completely free. 9-11 Sep kingsplace.co.uk/festival

Violinist Krysia Osostowicz and pianist Daniel Tong discuss their Beethoven cycle with a difference, which continues this October. They invited ten composers to write short companion pieces, one to go with each of Beethoven’s ten sonatas for violin and piano, creating a dialogue with Beethoven, a conversation between past and present. Chaired by Helen Wallace and joined by two of the composers, David Matthews and Elspeth Brooke, Krysia and Dan delve into the fascinating world of Beethoven's sonatas, all the while encouraging us to not be intimidated by his greatness... 15 – 17 Oct | Tickets from £9.50 kingsplace.co.uk/beethovenplus

Violinist Krysia Osostowicz and pianist Daniel Tong discuss their Beethoven cycle with a difference. They invited ten composers to write short companion pieces, one to go with each of Beethoven’s ten sonatas for violin and piano, creating a dialogue with Beethoven, a conversation between past and present. Chaired by Helen Wallace and joined by two of the composers, David Matthews and Elspeth Brooke, Krysia and Dan delve into the fascinating world of Beethoven's sonatas, all the while encouraging us to not be intimidated by his greatness... 14 & 15 May; 15 – 17 Oct | Tickets from £9.50 kingsplace.co.uk/beethovenplus

Forged in the fires of the two World Wars, Sir Andrzej Panufnik’s compositional output is inextricably linked with the major social and political events of the 20th century. Born in Warsaw at the onset of the First World War, he lived through the German occupation of the city in the Second World War and participated in musical resistance activities with the composer Lutosławski. Over the course of the conflict, Panufnik lost many of his closest relatives and saw his compositions consumed by the fires of the Warsaw Uprising. Initially fêted by the socialist government, he was unwilling to compose the suitably ‘patriotic’ music demanded of him by the regime and was forced to make a dramatic escape to Britain in 1954. This Centenary Celebration will present chamber works spanning his life – from his piano trio (1934), reconstructed after the war, to his three string quartets (written between 1976 and 1990) to be performed by the Brodsky Quartet, ‘Artists in Residence’ at Kings Place. The programmes will include complementary pieces by his daughter Roxanna including the London Première of a new quartet especially written for the Brodsky Quartet. The Celebration will culminate with a 1930s Warsaw Cabaret evening, led by Jacqui Dankworth and Charlie Wood. Panufnik 100: A Family Celebration 30 November 2014 | Kings Place Tickets from £6.50 http://www.kingsplace.co.uk/panufnik100

Internationally acclaimed American pianist Jeffrey Siegel returns to Kings Place for the Fifth Anniversary Season of his popular Keyboard Conversations® programmes. His brilliantly polished concert-with-commentary format combines captivating remarks with world-class performances, and concludes with a fast-paced Q & A. These programmes enrich the listening experience for the seasoned music lover, while the aspiring music lover discovers delightful, instant access to masterpieces of the piano repertoire. We caught up with him to find out more... 5 Oct 2014 - Gershwin & Friends 1 Feb 2015 - Russian Rapture: Tchaikovsky & Rachmaninov 31 May 2015 - Franz Schubert in the Age of the Sound Bite http://www.kingsplace.co.uk/coffeeconcerts Tickets £14.50 (incl. tea or coffee) / £9.50 Savers

Dvořák was one of the most natural melodists in musical history and almost every note of his music is imbued with the characteristic folk song and dance rhythms of his native country. For this mini-festival, curator Daniel Tong has assembled a thrilling line-up of musicians to present lesser-known Dvořák masterpieces alongside old favourites. We chatted to Dan backstage at Kings Place about his plans... Dvořák Explored 27 - 29 November 2014 Tickets from £9.50 http://www.kingsplace.co.uk/dvorakexplored

'Renaissance Woman of contemporary British music' (The Observer) and winner of the Ivor Novello Award for Classical Music 2013, singer-songwriter/composer Errollyn Wallen performs 'Guru' live in Kings Place's Hall One with cellist Matthew Sharp, 25 March 2014. Recorded by http://www.oneoakstudios.com Errollyn Wallen performs at Matthew Sharp's RE:naissance festival at Kings Place, 1-3 May: http://www.kingsplace.co.uk/renaissance

Cellist, baritone and actor Matthew Sharp brings a host of theatric-musical events to his RE:naissance week... Shakespeare-and Marlowe-inspired pieces, a family concert, a ravishing recital with percussion and the Sacconi Quartet, and the London premiere of Errollyn Wallen’s Cello Concerto. We caught up with Matthew and Errollyn in Hall One for a chat and bit of music... RE:naissance | 1-3 May http://www.kingsplace.co.uk/renaissance Tickets from £9.50

The Piano-Yoga® Certificate Foundation Course & Course One Kings Place 29 September - 1 December After the highly-successful launch of the Piano-Yoga® retreats at Kings Place in May 2011 – described as ‘inspiring’ by Music Teacher Magazine and ‘refreshingly unusual’ by International Piano Magazine – visionary Russian virtuoso pianist GéNIA returns with the new Piano-Yoga® Certificate Courses. The Piano-Yoga® Certificate Foundation Course and The Piano-Yoga® Certificate Course One to give pianists from advanced-beginner to advanced level everything they need to transform their playing whilst enhancing their well-being. Take a listen to this podcast as GéNIA explains more... Read more and book your place now __________ ‘The 21st-century answer to playing the piano.’ Yoga & Health ‘Union of the pianist and the pianist’s soul with the piano.’ Piano Journal ‘GéNIA emphasises the joy and satisfaction of playing at any level.’ International Piano Magazine

Elgar Explored: Daniel Tong & Friends 8 - 10 November The name Elgar tends to evoke his large-scale public, patriotic works, and impressive symphonies and concertos, but this programme from pianist Daniel Tong’s Wye Valley Festival focuses on his passionate chamber music, from the melancholy String Quartet to the suave pieces for violin, the stylish Serenade for Strings and the Introduction and Allegro. We spoke to Daniel Tong & Laura Samuel ahead of Elgar Explored: Read more..

"Jeffrey Siegel's 'Keyboard Conversations' programme is unique, informative and very entertaining. A piano virtuoso and first class communicator, Jeffrey Siegel makes you leave the theatre hungry for more music." David Suchet Jeffrey Siegel has a somewhat different approach to most pianists. Not only does he perform works but he offers an insightful commentary so that everyone in the audience can enjoy the music - for all ages from 6 to 106! We caught up with him to talk about his vision as well as the theme for his upcoming concert: A Musical Love Triangle - Brahms and the Schumanns Kings Place Wednesday 30 May Read more..

We interviewed Harry Christophers, Director of The Sixteen, ahead of their performances as part of the Brahms Unwrapped series at Kings Place. 15 March The Sixteen sings Brahms & Schumann 16 March The Sixteen sings Brahms 17 March The Sixteen sings Brahms: A German Requiem Part of Brahms Unwrapped at Kings Place

Kings Place 26 - 29 April 2012 The Brodsky Quartet perform Shostakovich's complete quartets, after first setting the scene and delving into the great mans mind with his Preludes and Fugues for piano and the Piano Quintet, in which pianist Jenny Lin will join the Brodsky Quartet.

The World's most famous piano duo, Katia and Marielle Labèque, bring their latest band to explore masterworks of the minimalists.

Kings Place spoke to acclaimed conductor and flautist Jaime Martin ahead of the Academy of St Martin in the Fields performance at Kings Place on 14 October 2011. Divertimento in F, K138 Flute Concerto No. 1 in G, K313 Oboe Concerto in C, K314 (Flute Concerto No. 2 in D, K314 arr. for oboe and orch. by Mozart) Symphony No. 38 in D, K504 Prague Read more and book http://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on-book-tickets/hall-one/the-academy-of-st-martin-in-the-fields-the-prague-symphony Interview by Ben Eshmade

An interview with Ben Hancox, leader of Sacconi Quartet. www.kingsplace.co.uk

Ivana Gavrić talks about her new disc, Janáček, and playing with Aurora Orchestra. www.kingsplace.co.uk

Ahead of his performances at Kings Place Festival, William Howard talks about his choice of repertoire, the art of performance, and playing to a group of monkeys! www.kingsplace.co.uk

Joan Rodgers is one of Britain's best loved singers. We interview her to discuss her singing and her upcoming performance at Kings Place. Singing a selection of Shostakovich pieces she appears at 7.30pm on Friday 13th May as part of the Goodbye Stalin! week. For more details and to book your tickets click here.

Leon McCawley embarks on a sonata marathon between the 15 - 17 April 2011 as part of week 4 of Mozart Unwrapped a year long series featuring 45 concerts of musical genius throughout 2011 at Kings Place. See what he had to say about it! More on week 4: http://bit.ly/fio3aQ and Mozart Unwrapped: http://bit.ly/gH1d5e

A mesmerising interview with French cellist, Sonia Wieder-Atherton, who takes her instrument on a journey through time and space at Kings Place 17 - 19 March: http://bit.ly/eodo6S

Where she talks, amongst other things, about a mad dance brought upon by a poisonous spider and a devilish dream that inspired the perfect violin solo….. Tasmin Little: Violin Journeys runs from 3 - 5 February at Kings Place: http://bit.ly/dAqYwS www.tasminlittle.net http://www.partnersintime.eu/

Ben Eshmade talks to One of Hungary's renowned pianists, Dénes Várjon, who showcases a spectacular selection of Liszt's music which was influenced by the countries he travelled through. He appears as part of the Liszt Bicentenary at Kings Place which runs from 26th - 29th January 2011: http://bit.ly/hgCKd8

Mozart Unwrapped launches - 40 concerts of musical genius begin on New Year's Eve 2010. Peter Millican, CEO of Kings Place and the man behind the season, tells us all about this year long celebration of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

his week at Kings Place Joglaresa present an effervescent Anglo-Irish collaboration of ancient and spellbinding Christmas songs ringing with echoes of winter pagan festivities from across the centuries. Here is medieval carol 'Nowell' ‘Thrilling and haunting' The Times http://www.kingsplace.co.uk/music/weekly-themes/joglaresa www.joglaresa.com

his week at Kings Place Joglaresa present an effervescent Anglo-Irish collaboration of ancient and spellbinding Christmas songs ringing with echoes of winter pagan festivities from across the centuries. Here is 'down in Yon' ‘Thrilling and haunting' The Times http://www.kingsplace.co.uk/music/weekly-themes/joglaresa www.joglaresa.com

This week at Kings Place Joglaresa present an effervescent Anglo-Irish collaboration of ancient and spellbinding Christmas songs ringing with echoes of winter pagan festivities from across the centuries. Here is 'Blow Northern' ‘Thrilling and haunting' The Times http://www.kingsplace.co.uk/music/weekly-themes/joglaresa www.joglaresa.com

Pianists Charles Owen and Katya Apekisheva discuss Mozart’s piano duets with Helen Wallace ahead of their performances of ‘Piano Music for Four Hands’ during Mozart Unwrapped on 2011. http://www.kingsplace.co.uk/music/mozart-unwrapped

Schumann Bicentenary: A Celebration September 27 -- October 2 2010 Pianist Lucy Parham performs Schumann's Des Abends Op.12 and Intermezzo in E flat minor Op.26; she discusses her love of Schumann's music and the inspiration behind some unusual and entertaining musical events during this celebratory week of concerts. With Helen Wallace. http://www.kingsplace.co.uk/music/weekly-themes?theme=144

The London Sinfonietta perform music from Debussy and Takemitsu at the Kings Place Festival 2009 London Sinfonietta at the Kings Place Festival 2010 London Sinfonietta, one of the world's elite contemporary music ensembles, will surprise and stimulate in a showcase of modern chamber music from across Europe. Following from this summer's spirited Experiment! week at Kings Place, the Sinfonietta bring three programmes which encapsulate its reputation for virtuosity, ambitious programming and pushing boundaries. ‘As the world panics and looks for safe havens for its money, it's good to see the London Sinfonietta aren't losing their nerve.' Daily Telegraph http://www.kingsplace.co.uk/music/kings-place-festival/london-sinfonietta-chamber-music-by-igor-stravins http://www.kingsplace.co.uk/music/kings-place-festival/london-sinfonietta-chamber-music-by-thomas-ades http://www.kingsplace.co.uk/music/kings-place-festival/london-sinfonietta-sinfonietta-shorts Tickets are just £4.50 online!

The Endymion Ensemble perform during the Kings Place Festival 2009. Kings Place Festival 2010 performances - Saturday 11th September 11.15am and 12.30pm http://www.kingsplace.co.uk/music/kings-place-festival/endymion-for-anton-stadler The world-class chamber ensemble Endymion always strives to bring the greatest chamber music past and present to a wide audience. Known for the vitality, virtuosity and innovation of its players, Endymion has already made an impact at Kings Place by giving the first public performance in Hall One at the opening Festival in 2008, with a new piece by Simon Holt. Last summer Endymion celebrated 30 years with a major new music project, Sound Census, showcasing 27 premieres during a week of concerts here. This year their festival programmes epitomise the character of Endymion's music-making, contrasting two of the most emotional and engaging classics of the repertoire by Mozart and Brahms with an intriguing recent work by composer and artistic director Philip Venables. ‘The brilliant Endymion' The Sunday Times Endymion Mark van de Wiel clarinet Krysia Osostowicz & Clara Biss violin Asdis Valdimarsdottir viola Jane Salmon cello Phillip Venables K, a prelude to Mozart's Clarinet Quintet W A Mozart Clarinet Quintet in A major, K581 Philip Venables's K is a tribute and prelude to Mozart's Clarinet Quintet, which follows in this programme. It takes the first two bars of the Quintet and, in the composer's words, ‘pulls them apart, exposing, reworking, fragmenting, reflecting and elaborating their harmony and gesture'. The fragment on which the piece is based is heard towards the end. Mozart fell in love with the voice-like sound of the clarinet relatively late in life. Clarinet virtuoso Anton Stadler was the catalyst for this passion and inspired both the Clarinet Concerto and this Clarinet Quintet. The first of the Quintet's four movements sets the mood with its charming, conversational exchange between the clarinet and string quartet. The second movement is strikingly similar to the slow movement of the concerto, with the clarinet's lyrical qualities to the fore. A delightful minuet with two trios follows before the theme and variations of the final movement in which Mozart experiments further with all the possible combinations of instruments in a finale of striking inventiveness. http://www.kingsplace.co.uk/music/kings-place-festival/endymion-for-richard-muhlfeld Brahms Clarinet Quintet in B minor, Op. 115 Brahms's Clarinet Quintet has much in common with the Clarinet Quintet by Mozart (heard earlier this morning). Like Mozart, Brahms's late conversion to the clarinet was inspired by a virtuoso, Richard Muhlfeld, for whom he also wrote his two masterful clarinet sonatas. Muhlfield premiered the work with a quartet led by violinist Joseph Joachim, Brahms's long-time friend and collaborator. As a tribute to Mozart's Quintet, Brahms's follows a similar four-movement structure. The first movement, like many of Brahms's late works, has a brooding, autumnal quality. The second movement shows Brahms at his most expansive and lyrical, with the strings subtly playing on the colours and harmonic flavour of the clarinet melody. The short third movement, with its gently meandering melodies, is one of the few lighter moments in the work. Following Mozart's example, Brahms finishes with a theme and variations but where Mozart's is playful and charming, Brahms's is searching and darkly romantic.

Celebrating Argentina 200 curator Alberto Portugheis talks to Ben Eshmade about the legend that is Piazzolla and Argentinian music at Kings Place!

Listen to a performance from Aurora Orchestra at Kings Place that was recorded during their From Vienna to Weimar series of concerts in January 2010. They will be returning in 2011 to be part of our Mozart Unwrapped series! Franz Schreker (1878–1934) might be regarded as exemplifying the very late-Romanticism that composers such as Hindemith and Weill were determined to leave behind. Yet Weill actually held Schreker in high esteem and was at one point hoping to study with him. The Chamber Symphony of 1916 was commissioned for the centenary of the Vienna Academy where Schreker had been teaching since 1912. Some of the musical material originates in an unfinished operatic project from these years, Die tönenden Sphären (The Sounding Spheres): it seems likely that the magical, shimmering opening of the Chamber Symphony was destined to play a musico-symbolic role similar to that found in Schreker’s other operas (Fritz’s elusive ‘distant sound’ in Der ferne Klang, for example). Like Schoenberg’s Kammersymphonie Op. 9, the work compresses the separate movements of a traditional symphony into a single larger one – but the similarities end there. Compared to Schoenberg’s densely written, contrapuntally saturated score, the Schreker inhabits an impressionistic, almost dream-like world in which a continuous process of thematic transformation and restatement is realized in orchestral textures of beguiling beauty and iridescence. Notes by Lloyd Moore

Extracts from Matthew Barley's new CD of John Metcalfe compositions, 'Constant Filter' featuring pianist Ashley Wass. 'Constant Filter' will be launched during the Matthew Barley plays John Metcalfe series of concerts taking place May 13 - 16 at Kings Place http://www.kingsplace.co.uk

Extracts from Matthew Barley's new CD of John Metcalfe compositions, 'Constant Filter'. 'Constant Filter' will be launched during the Matthew Barley plays John Metcalfe series of concerts taking place May 13 - 16 at Kings Place. www.kingsplace.co.uk

Cellist Matthew Barley discusses his new release of John Metcalfe compositions 'Constant Filter'. Constant Filter will be launched at Kings Place during his series of concerts 'Matthew Barley plays John Metcalfe' from May 13 - 15 2010.

Chilingirian Quartet's performance from Kings Place Festival 2009 on Sunday at 19:00 in Hall One. Britten String Quartet No. 3 Mozart String Quartet in D K. 499, Hoffmeister