Andy Scott’s Dark Rain will receive its second performance in Spain in the space of a month when it is played in Seville next week.
Saxophonists Alfonso Padilla and Juan M Jiminez will perform the award-winning double saxophone concerto with the wind orchestra of the city’s Conservatorio Superior de Musica on 3 June. The same soloists recently performed Dark Rain to a full house at the inaugural European Saxophone Congress in Ciudad Real, receiving a very enthusiastic reaction from the audience. Dark Rain is one of Andy Scott’s most powerful and moving works. It was inspired by a visit to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, where Andy was struck by both the devastation mankind can inflict on itself and the overwhelming quest for peace. The groundbreaking double concerto won the prestigious British Composer Award 2006 in the brass band / wind band category. Dark Rain has proved to be a popular concerto both in the UK and internationally. Last year it was performed in Slovenia, Hong Kong and the United States, and it has previously featured in performances in Australia, the Netherlands and at the World Saxophone Congress in Slovenia in 2006. It can be heard on Rob Buckland’s latest CD Gameshow, available from Sospiro Records, which pairs John Harle and Rob Buckland as soloists with the RNCM Wind Orchestra. Dark Rain is published by Astute Music Click to visit the Sound section to hear an extract from Dark Rain Click to visit Sospiro Records
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Andy Scott’s harp work Crossing Waves provides the title track for a new solo album by leading harpist Keziah Thomas.
The CD Crossing Waves was released this month, with concerts taking place in Bath and Bristol on 27 May to launch the CD. The recording mainly comprises previously unrecorded works by British composers including Malcolm Arnold, Sally Beamish, Huw Watkins and Benjamin Britten as well as the Andy Scott commission. The composition Crossing Waves was commissioned by Keziah Thomas for her debut Carnegie Hall recital in 2010. The work was inspired by the exploits of Roz Savage, who rowed solo across the Atlantic Ocean in 2005. The eight minute piece breaks down into three main sections: The first reflects the apprehension and excitement at the start of a daunting journey, navigating sudden changes in weather, and at times relaxing into a regular rhythm; The second section represents stillness, calm, isolation and beauty mid-ocean; The final section displays a sudden release of energy and optimism, knowing that the final leg of the journey is underway an inner strength prevails. Described by the New York Concert Review as ‘Stupendous…totally original and engaging’, British harpist Keziah Thomas enjoys a reputation of a lively and exciting concert artist. She has appeared in major venues and festivals throughout the world, including a solo tour of Japan for Aoyama Harps, and performances at World Harp Congresses in Geneva, Dublin and Amsterdam. Keziah was the winner of the 2003 London Harp Competition, the 2008 Camac Harp Competition and the 2011 Contemporary Record Society Performing Artists Competition. The sheet music for Crossing Waves is published by Astute Music Click to visit the website for Keziah Thomas The Tempest Flute Trio will give the second performance of Andy Scott’s flute trio commission Yusef in Cheshire this month.
The performance will take place at St Mary's Church Hall, Sandbach on Wednesday 28 May as part of the popular monthly Sandbach Concert Series. The same ensemble gave the world premiere of the new work in a Park Lane Group Evening Recital at the Wigmore Hall in March. The work takes its inspiration from the legendary flautist, saxophonist and composer Yusef Lateef, who sadly passed away in December last year. The first movement, The Golden Flute, takes its title from a piece by Lateef, which was written on 15 June 1966, the day that Andy was born! Scored for alto flute and two piccolos, this movement has a spiritual quality and an intense lyrical melody. This is followed by The Golden Horn, for three flutes, in a faster, Turkish influenced style. Tempest is an exciting flute trio founded at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, with a wide repertoire of music including new works and their own arrangements. The trio has won many prizes and awards, including the Royal Overseas League Chamber Music Competition 2013, the RNCM Contemporary Music Award 2012, the RNCM Ensemble of the Year Competition 2011 and the RNCM Woodwind Chamber Music Competition 2011. Tempest is much in demand for performances across the UK and internationally. Yusef Lateef was a Grammy Award-winning composer, performer, recording artist, author, visual artist, educator and philosopher, and a major force on the international musical scene for more than six decades. In recognition of his many contributions to the world of music, he was named an American Jazz Master for the year 2010 by the National Endowment for the Arts. As a virtuoso on a broad spectrum of reed instruments - tenor saxophone, flute, oboe, bamboo flute, shanai, shofar, argol, sarewa and taiwan koto - Yusef Lateef introduced new sounds and blends of tone colors to audiences all over the world, and incorporated the sounds of many countries into his own music. The new flute trio will be published by Astute Music Click to visit the Sandbach Concert Series website for further details of this event Click to visit the Tempest Flute Trio website Click to visit website for Yusef Lateef British Bandsman will feature a saxophone cover image for the first time when Andy Scott appears on the front of the latest issue, released this week.
The popular magazine for brass band enthusiasts includes a feature article on Andy Scott’s role as Composer in Residence with Foden’s Band and his latest work for the band, incorporating voice and harp. The article, Composing for Foden’s Band, appears in the 17 May issue of the popular magazine. Andy’s partnership with Foden’s Band goes back to 2008, when Foden’s approached Andy to become their inaugural Composer in Residence following their performance of Andy’s tuba concerto Salt of the Earth with soloist Les Neish, who had commissioned the work. The relationship has gone from strength to strength, resulting in the creation and performance of many exciting and groundbreaking new works and the release of two CDs: A World Within (British Bandsman CD of the Year 2010) and Spirit of Foden’s. Most recently, Foden’s premiered A Child Like You, Andy Scott’s New Music Biennial commission for the band with soprano Anna-Clare Monk and harpist Lauren Scott. The commission will receive further performances in special weekend festivals at London’s Southbank Centre on Sunday 6 July and Glasgow UNESCO City of Music, on Saturday 2 August, linked to the city’s hosting of the Commonwealth Games. Established in 1887, British Bandsman is the biggest selling weekly publication in the international brass band market and a household name throughout the world. Each week, the magazine offers up-to-the-minute incisive news, reviews, investigative features, comprehensive contest coverage, in-depth event previews, expert music analysis, technical know-how and tips, product information and thought-provoking opinion. Click to visit the Brass Band section of this website Click to visit the New Music Biennial section of this website Click to visit the website for Foden’s Band Click to visit the website for British Bandsman Andy Scott will be heading to France this week for his annual spring saxophone course, and this year promises to be the most successful ever!
The course at La Moreau in South West France has gone from strength to strength over the years, resulting in all places for 2014 being booked far in advance of the deadline. During the week Andy will coach participants in large and small saxophone ensembles, and each player will also receive a half hour individual lesson from Andy. The course will include the opportunity to perform in a jam session, and this year for the first time every participant will be able to make a professional recording of a chosen individual piece at the end of the week. The one week course is run by Creative Vacances, a small company specialising in boutique creative residential courses in Charente Maritime, combining excellent tuition with some of the best of French food and drink. As well as Andy’s popular saxophone course, they offer a range of other courses in music, creative writing and art. Click to visit the Creative Vacances website Andy Scott will be performing in Apitos Pequeño this month, bringing all the warmth and vibrancy of Latin America to Cheshire.
The performance will take place at DeBees music bar in Winsford at 8.00pm on Wednesday 7 May. The group will play an upbeat and uplifting selection of music from South America as part of the venue’s popular Jazz at DeBees series. Led by Andy Scott’s duo partner Dave Hassell, Apitos Pequeño is a small ensemble specialising in Latin jazz and salsa music. The name translates as “little Apitos”, and this is the smallest of three different line-ups under the Apitos name. Featuring Andy Scott on tenor saxophone, the band plays Cuban and Latin jazz standards inspired by the music of Gerry Gonzales and Tito Puente, with a strong emphasis on improvisation and tradition. DeBees music bar is well known in the North West as a quality live venue, as well as the place to go to for an entertaining night out. By programming quality live music, jazz, cutting edge comedy and theatre, DeBees has earned a reputation as the culture centre of Winsford and mid Cheshire. Click to visit the website for DeBees music bar Click to visit the website for Dave Hassell |
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May 2023
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