Sunday morning classical concerts return to the Royal Albert Hall. In association with the Royal College of Music
10 January, 2011
SUNDAY MORNING CLASSICAL CONCERTS RETURN TO THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL
IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC
The Royal Albert Hall and their neighbours at the Royal College of Music have reunited once again for another season of Classical Coffee Mornings. The Spring 2011 series of Sunday morning concerts give audiences the chance to listen to outstanding talent from the College as their students give classical recitals in the Hall’s Elgar Room. With a continued inclusive offer that includes a hot drink and a pastry, this is the perfect opportunity to relax on a Sunday morning whilst listening to some truly exceptional musicians.
From classical to contemporary, these concerts give students a unique chance to demonstrate their talent and interact with a live audience whilst highlighting the long-standing connection between both venues. This history goes as far back as Wednesday 2 July 1884 when students held their first fortnightly recital in this space, then known as the West Theatre. Since then the College has seen a rich and diverse range of alumni pass through their doors including Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber, Julian Lloyd Webber, Benjamin Britten, Sir Andrew Davis, Sir Colin Davies, Gustav Holst, John Lill, Sir Malcolm Sargent and Dame Joan Sutherland, many of whom have performed or have seen their work performed on the main stage at the Royal Albert Hall. It seems only fitting that the Royal College of Music have returned to this redeveloped space some 126 years later to continue the work of their predecessors.
Audiences will again be treated to the tones of the Big Red Yamaha S6 Grand Piano which has been kindly loaned from Markson Pianos. The only one of its kind in the UK, this piano was originally made for and played by Sir Elton John but has also been used on ITV’s The X Factor. This is a fantastic feature for the Elgar Room and has already been used for post show parties including the Kristina after show party where it was played by ABBA’s Benny Andersson.
Full Listings:
Young singer Rosie Aldridge starts the new series on Sunday 6 February. The mezzo-soprano has already enjoyed extensive oratorio and concert experience and is a winner of the RCM Concerto Competition.
Two young award-winning musicians Jun Sasaki and Mihkel Poll join together for an exciting collaboration on Sunday 13 February. Their repertoire includes cello sonatas by Beethoven and Franck.
We welcome Portuguese pianist Joana Vieira to the Classical Coffee Morning series on Sunday 20 February. She will perform sonnets by Liszt and Rachmaninov’s Sonata No.2 in B flat minor.
Poom Prommachart joins the line up on Sunday 6 March. The 20-year-old pianist is rapidly building a reputation as an outstanding performer and an artist of rare expressive depth. His flamboyant programme will include Beethoven, Prokofiev and Liszt.
Saxophonist Amy Green will perform her creative programme of works for alto and soprano saxophone on Sunday 27 March. Amy has already gained performance experience from a number of Europe’s leading venues and was a finalist in the 2010 Clarinet and Saxophone Society of Great Britain Soloist Competition.
The Goodman Quartet performs on Sunday 17 April. The unique woodwind quartet will perform French favourites and new commissions, contrasted with Elliot Carter’s Eight Etudes and a Fantasy.
Talented string quartet The Hera Quartet is the penultimate act, performing on Sunday 17 April. They will treat the Elgar Room audience to Haydn’s String Quartet No. 4 ’Sunrise’ and Shostakovich’s String Quartet No. 3.
Concluding this season of Classical Coffee Mornings, we are delighted to welcome Lucinda Dalton on Sunday 24 April. The young award-winning oboist will perform pieces by Mozart, Britten and Nielsen.
Tickets are on sale now and are £12 (£15 for 24 February). To book, please call 020 7589 8212 or visit www.royalalberthall.com
FULL DATES & LINE UP
Sunday 6 February, 11am - Rosie Aldridge
Sunday 13 February, 11am - Jun Sasaki and Mihkel Poll
Sunday 20 February, 11am - Joana Vieira
Sunday 6 March, 10.30am - Poom Prommachart
Sunday 27 March, 11am - Amy Green
Sunday 3 April, 11am - Goodman Quartet
Sunday 17 April, 11am - The Hera Quartet
Sunday 24 April, 11am - Lucinda Dalton
www.royalalberthall.com
Listings Information:
Venue: Elgar Room, Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AP
Dates: 13 and 20 February; 6 and 27 March; 3, 17 and 24 April.
Times: 11am, (10.30am on 6 March)
Tickets: £11 including tea/coffee and a pastry
To book: www.royalalberthall.com or 0845 401 5005
For more information please contact:
Ellen Morgan:
ellenm@royalalberthall.com or 020 7959 0500 Ex 3004
Notes to Editors:
Royal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall is one of the UK’s most treasured and magical buildings, recognisable the world over. It is a registered charity and operates without any public subsidy. Since opening in 1871, the Royal Albert Hall has had an unparalleled history of exceptional performances by the world’s leading artists. Today over 350 events are held in the Hall’s auditorium each year which include performances of jazz, world music, rock and pop, dance, comedy, film premières and award ceremonies. Audiences of well over a million are entertained at the Hall each year and many millions more around the world enjoy the Hall experience through broadcasts, recordings and new media channels.
The Royal Albert Hall co-promotes productions and showcases talented world music and jazz artists through its lively lunchtime music series, ignite in the Café Consort. It has a strong heritage in rock and has hosted a diverse range of legendary artists and bands over the years. It hosted the only gig in history where The Beatles and The Rolling Stones played on the same bill, and has also played host to such luminaries as Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie, Oasis, Cream and Dame Shirley Bassey. It also offers tours of this iconic building, a free exhibition series entitled reflect and an extensive education programme for young people.
The Elgar Room
Built to support one of the Hall’s main purposes to promote the advancement of the Arts & Sciences, the West Theatre as this room was originally known, provided space for small theatricals and meetings of a scientific or literary nature. From1906 until 1957 it was the home of the Central School of Speech and Drama where luminaries such as Laurence Olivier, Vanessa Redgrave, Judi Dench, Virginia McKenna and Harold Pinter received their training. In 2009 the room was renovated to provide a state of the art performance space and restaurant. The photographs by David Redfern that adorn the walls are images of some of the iconic performers who have graced the stage at the Royal Albert Hall.