From rising stars to professionals
JUNE’S Wednesday lunchtime concerts at St Mary’s in the Baum showcased both seasoned professionals and rising stars.
June 6: Pianist Duncan Glenday enjoys a busy and varied performing career as a recitalist, concerto soloist, chamber musician and teacher.
Currently tutoring at Manchester University, Chetham’s School of Music and at the Junior Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM), he is also founder and artistic director of Uppermill Summer Music Festival which takes place in July (visit www.usmf.uk).
He played a delightful and popular romantic piano recital, all from memory, consisting of Schumann’s Novelette in F, pieces by Debussy and waltzes, mazurkas and a polonaise by Chopin.
June 13: The Meraki Duo performed on flute and guitar.
Meraki means ‘doing something you love with all your creativity, soul and passion’ and rising stars the Meraki Duo certainly do that.
Flautist Meera Maharaj is studying at the Royal Academy of Music, having graduated from the RNCM with a first class degree, amassing several prestigious awards and appearing in major venues.
Meera has organised several successful concerts in aid of charity, with the Meraki Duo and as a flute/piano duo.
Guitarist James Girling has just completed his master’s at the RNCM under classical guitarist Craig Ogden and jazz specialist Dan Whieldon.
In 2016 he won the RNCM Gold Medal and made his Wigmore Hall and professional concerto debuts in 2017. The duo played music by Manuel de Falla, Tadic and Villa-Lobos, as well as Chick Corea and James’s arrangements of Andy Scott.
June 20: A new departure for the concert series was I, Franz Schubert, a lecture recital based on the book of that name.
The author, retired English teacher Nick Morrice, was not only present but narrated, dressed as the eponymous composer.
Experienced bass singer John Nancarro, in perennial evening concert dress tails and white tie, sang examples of Schubert’s songs, including the popular, descriptive tale of the Erl King.
Pianist David Hammond accompanied and also played several of the composer’s pieces by way of illustration.
June 27: Regular visitors, soprano Margaret Ferguson and pianist Jonathan Ellis, are consummate professionals with engaging personalities.
They gave their usual mixture of high art classical performance and songs from the stage and also brought a hilarious feline finale to the month as they were joined by Alyson Brailsford in Rossini’s vocal novelty, The Cat Duet.
Lunchtime concerts are held on Wednesdays, 12.30pm to 1.30pm, with refreshments served from 11.30am. Tickets cost £4
Call 01706 6488724 for more information.