FULLY BOOKED: WAGNER: THE EASY WAY

Higham Hall College Bassenthwaite Lake, Cockermouth, Cumbria, United Kingdom

People often keep Wagner at arm's length. Avoiding 'heavy' sounds and 'longueurs', this course aims to make his music approachable, with scenes and excerpts from across his operas. Throughout, the 

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RECITAL: THE INSTRUMENT OF THE DEVIL

Higham Hall College Bassenthwaite Lake, Cockermouth, Cumbria, United Kingdom

“CLAR’NETS, HOWEVER BE BAD AT ALL TIMES ... DEPEND UPON’T, IF SO BE YOU HAVE THEM TOOTING CLAR’NETS YOU’LL SPOIL THE WHOLE SET-OUT”. So said Michael Mail and Mr Penny 

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SIBELIUS AND GRIEG

Higham Hall College Bassenthwaite Lake, Cockermouth, Cumbria, United Kingdom

Sibelius (1865-1957) and Grieg (1843-1907) were 2 of the foremost composers to emerge from Scandinavia in the Romantic era. They complement each other well, with the Finnish master excelling in 

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FULLY BOOKED: THE MUSIC OF WILLIAM BYRD

Higham Hall College Bassenthwaite Lake, Cockermouth, Cumbria, United Kingdom

This year is the 400th anniversary of William Byrd (ca 1540-1623), one of the greatest English composers. This course will consider the dangerous and tumultuous context of his life and 

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PRINCELY PIANO CONCERTOS

Higham Hall College Bassenthwaite Lake, Cockermouth, Cumbria, United Kingdom

From the genius of Mozart (no.20), that prince of concerto writers, we will survey many of the peaks of the repertoire. Mighty Beethoven (no.3), lyrical Chopin (no.1), popular Grieg, symphonic 

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FULLY BOOKED: MAHLER 5, 6 AND 7

Higham Hall College Bassenthwaite Lake, Cockermouth, Cumbria, United Kingdom

Mahler’s central triptych of purely orchestral symphonies offers a less fanciful, more mature and realistic approach than his early symphonies. The Fifth moves from death to life, the Sixth Mahler 

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BRAHMS AND THE SCHUMANNS

Higham Hall College Bassenthwaite Lake, Cockermouth, Cumbria, United Kingdom

Johannes Brahms (1833-97) and Robert Schumann (1810-56) were 2 of the greatest composers of the Romantic era. Their lives were intertwined through the remarkable figure of Clara Schumann (1819- 96). 

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OVERTURES

Higham Hall College Bassenthwaite Lake, Cockermouth, Cumbria, United Kingdom

Traditionally, concerts always began with an overture featuring colourful orchestration and memorable melodies. Starting with Mozart and Beethoven we will examine overtures by Rossini, Mendelssohn and Weber, Verdi and Wagner, 

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FRENCH MUSIC FROM RAMEAU TO RAVEL

Higham Hall College Bassenthwaite Lake, Cockermouth, Cumbria, United Kingdom

This weekend will uncover the great wealth of French music from the Baroque (1600-1750) through to the 20th century. Composers will include Berlioz, Gounod, Saint-Saëns, Fauré and many others. We 

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