News

Violin Masterclass

There will be a violin masterclass given by Dunja Lavrova on Saturday 11th June from 10am – 12 midday at the United Reformed Church, Higher Blandford Road, Broadstone. Dunja is also performing in our 2016 series on Saturday 4th June, 7:30pm at Broadstone URC.

Born in Russia, violinist Dunja Lavrova moved to The U.K. at the age of 13. She began her studies at St Petersburg’s School for Exceptionally Gifted Children, in class of Vera Dobrynina. She won a prize at her first competition (Mravinsky Competition in St Petersburg) at the age of 10, and by the age of 11 had already toured Germany and Peru, appeared on Russian and Peruvian National Television, performed Mendelssohn Violin Concerto with St Petersburg’s leading orchestras and won a special prize at the Shostakovitch Competition in Hannover.
She moved to U.K. when she won a full scholarship to study at The Yehudi Menuhin School in class of Natasha Boyarsky and, later, Maciej Rakowski. Upon graduation from the Yehudi Menuhin School, Dunja continued her studies with Maciej Rakowski under full scholarship at the Royal College of Music and subsequently graduated with Tagore Gold Medal, presented to her by HRH Prince Charles.
Whilst a U.K. student, she has won numerous prizes and awards, including the prestigious Young Artist of the Year at the Arts Club (presented by David Attenborough) in 2004. The event took place at The Arts Club and was broadcast on Russian National Television.
During her studies, Dunja was selected to participate in masterclasses with world-leading musicians, including Mstislav Rostropovich, Igor Oistrakh, Pierre Amoyal, Zahar Bron, Zvi Zeitlin, Dora Schwarzberg and others.
Dunja has performed as a soloist at the St Petersburg Philharmonia Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, National Gallery, Kings Place, St John’s Smith Square and Wigmore Hall, Cadogan Hall, Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club and Soho Jazz club as well as at numerous other concerts and festivals around the U.K., Europe, Russia and South America.
She has also performed violin concertos with various orchestras, including Russian National Television and Radio Orchestra, The Concert Orchestra of St Petersburg, English Symphony Orchestra, Russian Virtuosi of Europe, Kent Sinfonia, King’s Chamber Orchestra (London), Eastbourne Symphony Orchestra, London Concertante and others
.
As a chamber musician, she has given recitals at various prestigious venues such as Wigmore Hall, Cadogan Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Purcell Room and Soho Jazz Club and appeared on French National Television with Ensemble Metamusika, of which she is the Leader and Director.
In the summer of 2014 Dunja participated in highly exclusive masterclasses with Pierre Amoyal and Robert Levin at Academie de Musique in Lausanne. That same year she signed a record deal with Solo Musica/ Naxos to record her debut solo album, “My Dusty Gramophone”. The album is now available worldwide and has already received many positive reviews and media attention, including airplays on BBC Radio 3 and 6, review inside BBC Music Magazine and a full feature in Classical Music Magazine’s May 2015 issue.
In December 2015 Dunja made her Moscow debut in Bol’shoy Theatre, performing piano trios with distinguished cellist Alexandr Kniazev and international solo pianist Andrei Korobeinikov, which was a great success.

Vinyl Gems of Violin – 4th June 2016

We are delighted to have the opportunity to have the award-winning violinist, Dunja Lavrova, playing here in Broadstone.  Do read her website – the tour that she is planning is going to be amazing and we are incredibly lucky to have Dunja at our series and very proud to be supporting this wonderfully talented musician to help get this project off the ground.

Tickets are £10 and £3 for students – includes interval refreshments

Venue: Broadstone United Reformed Church, Broadstone, BH18 9AB

Programme:

E.Hallfter arr. J.Heifetz: Danza de la Gitana

N.Paganini: Adagio Flebile from Concerto N4

N.Rimsky-Korsakov arr. F.Kreisler: Hymn to the Sun

N.Rimsky-Korsakov arr. F.Kreisler: Scheherazade

J.S. Bach : Chaconne (from D-minor Partita for solo violin)
interval
G.Catoire: Elegy

S.Rachmaninoff arr. J.Heifetz: Daisies

C.Debussy arr J.Heifetz: L’apres-midi d’un Faune

J.Achron arr. L.Auer: Hebrew Lullaby

D.Shostakovich arr. Tsyganov: Prelude in C-sharp minor

G.Gershwin arr. J.Heifetz: Prelude N2

trad./ arr. J.Heifetz: Deep River

M.Ponce arr. J Heifetz: Estrellita

P.Sarasate: Habanera

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Dunja_Concert_website.jpg

Award-Winning violinist Dunja Lavrova presents her project “Vinyl Gems of Violin” in concert with Sophia Rahman, piano.
The programme will consist of 12 violin miniatures, both popular and rare. Dunja will narrate this recital, introducing pieces as the evening progresses. Music will include pieces by Rachmaninoff, Rimsky-Korsakov, Debussy, Shostakovich, Gershwin, Sarasate, J.S.Bach and others, including arrangements by Jascha Heifetz and Fritz Kreisler.
Money raised at the concert will go towards covering the costs of Dunja’s UK tour, a brief description of which you can read here:
“This tour is an idea to recreate the unique experience and magical atmosphere of the musical soirees of the early part of 20th century, where the great violinists like Fritz Kreisler and Jascha Heifetz performed their favourite violin miniatures. During this tour, Dunja will be reintroducing some of the long-forgotten out-of-print scores popular in the Golden Age of violin playing. Concerts will take place at 12 small vintage cinemas around UK, the nostalgic ambiance of which would create a special, intimate environment, with its dry accountings mimicking the sound of old studio records. Dunja will be narrating the recitals with stories and anecdotes from that period and familiarising the audience with the history behind the less familiar scores.”
About donations:
Making something as original as the Vinyl Gems of Violin tour happen requires very substantial funds and partnerships. Putting together just one out of twelve concerts of this tour can cost up to £4,000. However, everyone who is collaborating with Dunja on this tour already strongly believe that it will all be worth it as this project aims to bring something unique to today’s classical music world and they hope that it gets you as excited about it as they are.
Dunja will be extremely grateful for all the donations made towards her “Vinyl Gems of Violin” tour, whatever size they might be! She will give back personal “thank you” gifts for every donation. Highlights of such gifts include signed CDs/ photographs; tickets to tour concerts and behind-the-scenes rehearsals; personal solo recital given by Dunja at an event/ venue of your choice; arrangement of your favourite piece made by Dunja especially for you; full page about you or your business, or your dedicatee inside the tour concert programme; “sponsored by” banners; opportunity to advertise; and much more…

Please visit www.dunjalavrova.com/tour to find out more about relevant gifts based on donation sizes. You can donate today, in person, by cash or personal cheque, or by visiting Dunja’s tour page on her website where you can make secure card payments or contact Dunja directly to find out other ways to donate.

Please remember that ALL donations are extremely important in order to get this project off the ground!

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Performer Biographies:
Born in Russia, violinist Dunja Lavrova moved to The U.K. at the age of 13. She began her studies at St Petersburg’s School for Exceptionally Gifted Children, in class of Vera Dobrynina. She won a prize at her first competition (Mravinsky Competition in St Petersburg) at the age of 10, and by the age of 11 had already toured Germany and Peru, appeared on Russian and Peruvian National Television, performed Mendelssohn Violin Concerto with St Petersburg’s leading orchestras and won a special prize at the Shostakovitch Competition in Hannover.
She moved to U.K. when she won a full scholarship to study at The Yehudi Menuhin School in class of Natasha Boyarsky and, later, Maciej Rakowski. Upon graduation from the Yehudi Menuhin School, Dunja continued her studies with Maciej Rakowski under full scholarship at the Royal College of Music and subsequently graduated with Tagore Gold Medal, presented to her by HRH Prince Charles.
Whilst a U.K. student, she has won numerous prizes and awards, including the prestigious Young Artist of the Year at the Arts Club (presented by David Attenborough) in 2004. The event took place at The Arts Club and was broadcast on Russian National Television.
During her studies, Dunja was selected to participate in masterclasses with world-leading musicians, including Mstislav Rostropovich, Igor Oistrakh, Pierre Amoyal, Zahar Bron, Zvi Zeitlin, Dora Schwarzberg and others.
Dunja has performed as a soloist at the St Petersburg Philharmonia Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, National Gallery, Kings Place, St John’s Smith Square and Wigmore Hall, Cadogan Hall, Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club and Soho Jazz club as well as at numerous other concerts and festivals around the U.K., Europe, Russia and South America.
She has also performed violin concertos with various orchestras, including Russian National Television and Radio Orchestra, The Concert Orchestra of St Petersburg, English Symphony Orchestra, Russian Virtuosi of Europe, Kent Sinfonia, King’s Chamber Orchestra (London), Eastbourne Symphony Orchestra, London Concertante and others
.
As a chamber musician, she has given recitals at various prestigious venues such as Wigmore Hall, Cadogan Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Purcell Room and Soho Jazz Club and appeared on French National Television with Ensemble Metamusika, of which she is the Leader and Director.
In the summer of 2014 Dunja participated in highly exclusive masterclasses with Pierre Amoyal and Robert Levin at Academie de Musique in Lausanne. That same year she signed a record deal with Solo Musica/ Naxos to record her debut solo album, “My Dusty Gramophone”. The album is now available worldwide and has already received many positive reviews and media attention, including airplays on BBC Radio 3 and 6, review inside BBC Music Magazine and a full feature in Classical Music Magazine’s May 2015 issue.
In December 2015 Dunja made her Moscow debut in Bol’shoy Theatre, performing piano trios with distinguished cellist Alexandr Kniazev and international solo pianist Andrei Korobeinikov, which was a great success.
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Sophia Rahman has recorded concertos with the Scottish Ensemble, the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and twenty-five chamber discs for companies including Linn records, CPO , Guild, Naxos, ASV, Dutton/Epoch, Meridian and Resonus.

She has acted as a class pianist for IMS/Prussia Cove for Kim Kashkashian, Atar Arad, Hartmut Rohde and, for the last six years, Steven Isserlis. Since 1994 she has acted as official accompanist for the Lionel Tertis International Viola Competition, and has also appeared for the Barbirolli International Oboe Competition and the Samling Foundation, as well as the 2013/14 inaugural Australian Cello Awards. She was a class pianist for the last few years of masterclasses given by William Pleeth at the Britten Pears School.

Together with colleagues Robert Plane (clarinet) and Philip Dukes (viola), she was Artist-in-Residence at Queen’s University, Belfast for eight years, where she developed her  love of teaching. She is currently a guest-coach on the string Masters programme at the University of Limerick.
Alongside her touring schedule she has given masterclasses at conservatoires throughout the UK and in Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Sweden, Finland (coaching chamber music at Sibelius Junior Academy), Estonia, Sri Lanka and New Zealand. She is also a member of Trittico with John Anderson (oboe) and Nancy Ruffer (flute). She has appeared in recital with Steven Isserlis, Thomas Riebl, distinguished wind players such as Karl Leister and Alex Klein, and also works regularly with her partner, the violinist, violist and conductor Andres Kaljuste.

Sophia Rahman studied at the Yehudi Menuhin School with Peter Norris, with additional guidance from Vlado Perlemuter and Louis Kentner.
She took a first-class honours degree in English from King’s College, London and completed her piano studies at the Royal Academy of Music with Alexander Kelly and Malcolm Martineau.
She was the winner of the Royal Overseas League’s Accompanist Award and the Liza Fuchsova Memorial Prize for a chamber music pianist in consecutive years.

Hurn Court Opera

Following on from last year’s Magic Flute Opera we have just confirmed our new Gala opera at Hurn court will be taking place on the 2nd of July this year.

We are hoping for beautiful sunshine for the open air event, but just in case of bad weather, don’t worry there will be a canvas under which the opera will take place.

The opera will again be directed by Lynton Atkinson.

For more details or to apply for a ticket click here

What people said about Our Spring Young Soloists concert 2016

We’ve received a he amount of wonderful responses from our most recent concert, the Spring Young Soloists Concert, held on 16th April at Broadstone United Reformed Church.

Here are some of our highlights!

Thank you for another wonderful concert at the United Reform church on Saturday. As always i very much enjoyed all the music and the friendly atmosphere. How extra exciting to have witnessed Polly’s accomplished playing at such close range having enjoyed her music the previous evening on the tv. i wish her well in her career.

What an enjoyable concert last night! Such talented young girls and boys

[a most] … moving item was Olivia’s singing and her most charming and engaging manner of delivery made it even more stunning.

If you’ve been to one of our concerts and would like to let us know what you enjoyed please do get in touch via the contact us page

Spring Young Soloists Concert

Our next concert is on 16th April at Broadstone United Reformed Church BH18 9AB, at 7.30pm. It will be given by young advanced soloists in aid of the Richard Ely Trust for Young Musicians and Gully’s Place. One of the soloists will be Polly Bartlett, who will have been on TV the previous evening in the BBC Young Musician of the Year.

There are interval refreshments of wine and soft drinks, entry  by donation on the door. Interval drinks available.
Please come and support these worthy causes and hear some lovely music too.

Gullys Place

PROGRAMME:

Debussy: “Petite Suite” Wind Quintet. Emily Preston  Flute, Polly Bartlett oboe, clarinet, Clarinet Seth Jordan , Horn Rob Hardyman, bassoon Lydia Bennett
Bach Arioso: cello Lauren Hardyman, piano John Watkins

Mozart Minuet and Trio from Divertimento in D, Haydn Allegro. Jacob Gritt, Matthew Butterfield, Joe Berry, Liam Murphy

Bach: Bist Due Bei Mir soprano Olivia Carstairs, piano Alice Cook

Marcello concerto, Oboe Polly Bartlett accompanied by John Watkins, Jenni Curiel, Helena Bartlett, Alison Kay, Bonnie Schwarz
INTERVAL

Bridge piano Trio: Alex Cox, Helena Bartlett, Bonnie Schwarz.

Widor suite for flute and piano, 1st movement – moderato.

Gluck concerto in G major, 1st movement Allegro non Molto : Flute Emily Preston,  piano John Watkins

Mozart Oboe Quartet movement 1:  Martha Oakes, Lewis Lee, Lucy Moorsom, Anna Whitehead.

Klengal piano trio 1st movement:  violin Natalia Broadbent, piano Alice Cook, cello-Lauren Hardyman

Bruch Kol Nidrei:  cello Rachel Leigh, piano Christina Leigh

Malcolm Arnold “Sea Shanties”: Emily Preston, Polly Bartlett, Seth Jordan, Rob Hardyman, Lydia Bennett

12719370_1120907794609398_1982560211140227215_o
Polly Bartlett, BBC young musician of the year wind category finalist 2016. Photo: Nigel Apperley

 

The 2016 summer school is announced!

13241606_10208119393214491_213274137_oAfter last year’s incredibly successful workshops, we are delighted to announce today that our summer school will be taking place between 25th and 27th July at Poole Grammar School.

This is an exciting opportunity for young musicians of all levels to meet friends new and old and develop their musicianship in a variety of environments.

The Summer school will consists of a range of activities, each approximately an hour long and the days will be tailor made for each child depending on their age, instrument and ability. All the tutors are chosen due to their expertise, all teach and perform at the highest professional level.

There will be different standard music theory classes based on working towards ABRSM grade 5 level. Those who have passed grade 5 theory will take part in advanced musicianship classes with a highly qualified tutor aimed at educating and inspiring at the highest level. The chamber music groups will be allocated according to instrument and ability. This will include quintets, quartets, trios and larger ensembles and tutors will be visiting from the local Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra as usual. There will also be an improvisation class.

There will be one non musical structured activity during each day and each tutored group will take part in a demonstration of work at approximately 3.30pm on day 3. It is not essential to take part in the 3 days, but highly advisable as their work is leading towards this final performance.

See our feedback from last year’s summer school

For more information or to book your place click here to sign up!

What people have said about our workshops and summer schools

We run a wide variety of workshops each year including a summer school. This gives an opportunity for young musicians to meet and work together to produce high quality music that stretches and challenges them. Often they would not be able to achieve this on their own without the support from other like-minded young musicians and the teaching that they receive from world-class professional musicians and teachers.

We receive a huge number of lovely comments from parents and participants so don’t just take our word for how good our workshops are please feel free to read what they say about us too!

My daughter, an oboist aged 15, wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. Each afternoon, she returned happy and tired – the best combination. New people and old friends, inspiring adults, plus a massive range of music to enjoy and to challenge. She says that it’s her sight-reading skills that have benefited the most; she covered more music in those 3 days than in months before! The other new element was the chance to play chamber music – itself very focused and exposed – with new people, with the immediate need to listen and trust.

What we as parents appreciated was the absolute commitment, passion, and also sense of fun in the staff who ran the summer school, both administratively and musically. The final concert was relaxed, and yet had a real sense of urgency and a desire to communicate all that they had managed to learn and play together in 3 days.

 

Thank you very much indeed for all that you have done to prepare and direct this summer school. The boys have both thoroughly enjoyed it and benefitted. It’s really great to have had this opportunity so close to home and with such wonderful people taking part and leading – and BSO contacts too. Really great. Thank you. Hope it wasn’t too much for you to put into place. Have a great rest afterwards. Very much looking forward to the presentation this afternoon.

 

From his feedback each day I could tell he’d been busy and given plenty of different opportunities. I really enjoyed the performance too. I’m hoping that it will become a regular event….
Many thanks.

 

Next time we’ll try and make sure he can do the full course – it’s a wonderful opportunity. It’s great to add in the theory, too.

 

I’d just like to thank you Ali and absolutely everyone who has put time and effort into the last three days of BMS. I really hope it happens again next year.

 

Just to thank you for all your hard work with the summer school. Our three children were just able to attend it yesterday, but they enjoyed it and learned a lot. I know you and your team put a lot of preparation into it, and I just want to say that we appreciate it. May you have a well deserved rest!

 

It was fantastic, a great opportunity for children, it was my daughter’s first attempt of playing her cello outside of the school orchestra, she now has the confidence to try and join and outside orchestra. Thank you for everyone’s hard work.

 

I am just so so pleased she attended, despite lots of moans from her beforehand. She has come away so incredibly motivated, now wanting to take her grade 2 in flute and progress. We haven’t heard her play her her flute so much. Last night she wouldn’t put it down and was busy practising scales!! There must have been some magic included in your course. Thank you all so so much.

Workshops in pictures

Over the last couple of years we’ve run several very successful workshops and masterclasses with a wide range of age groups and abilities. Our last summer workshop included teachers from the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and several local outstanding schools.

In the summer of 2015 we started working with Soundstorm who have supported our workshops. We are very grateful for their support, without which we would not have been able to run these events.

Have you enjoyed our events? Do leave us some feedback by clicking here, we’d love to hear from you.

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Baroque Café in pictures

Our second event of the 2016 season was a very popular baroque café. With a large number of sweet and delicious goodies to nibble this laid back concert was a real treat!

If you missed out, do look at our photos to whet your appetite just in case we repeat the event in the future, with cakes like these don’t be surprised if it happens again!

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