CARMINA BURANA

University of Surrey Symphony Orchestra and Choir

When?

Saturday 18 February 2012, 19.30

Where?

Guildford Cathedral

Open to:

Public, Staff, Students

Admission price:

£12.50, £10 senior citizens, University staff, £6 students, concessions

Orff Carmina Burana
Prokofiev Suite from Romeo and Juliet
Conducted by Russell Keable and Sierra Schwartz

It’s the time of year where students at Surrey present their biggest and most spectacular concert in Guildford Cathedral. Whether you are usually a fan of orchestral music or not – this concert is brimming with some of the most dramatic and famous music in the orchestral world, including the provocative Montagues and Capulets (the theme to the BBC’s Apprentice) and O Fortuna (the music played when the judges appear on X Factor), which is bound to leave all who see it astounded.

Carmina Burana, based on a collection of like-named poems, tells of four aspects of medieval life and humanity that are still relevant today: Pleasure of nature and the arrival of spring; Drinking, gambling and gluttony; Perils of fortune and wealth and of course, lust. However, there is a dark undertone in Orff's music, portraying the wheel of Fortuna decided the fate of mankind.

Carmina Burana captures the spirit and impending doom implied in the original medieval poetry creating one of the most popular compositions of the last centaury.

Featuring professional soloists in addition to the Orchestra and Chorus, we hope you an join us for an evening of drama and magic.

Why not enjoy pre-concert dinner at the Cathedral Refectory? Dinner will be served from 5-7pm, advanced booking required. For more information or to book dinner please call 01483 560471 or visit www.therefectoryguildford.co.uk

Menu

Classic beef bourguinon served with mashed potato
Fisherman's pie
Chunky vegetable pie
- all served with seasonal vegetables - 

Sticky toffee pudding with a rich toffee sauce
Sicilian lemon tart with cream

One course £9.95//Two courses 12.95

Russell Keable

Keable was trained at Nottingham and London Universities; he studied conducting at London’s Royal College of Music with Norman Del Mar, and later with George Hurst.  For 23 years he has been associated with Kensington Symphony Orchestra (regularly broadcast on Radio 3 and described by the Sunday Telegraph as 'the most professional sounding of non-professional orchestras') with whom he has led first performances of works by many British composers (including Maxwell Davies, Woolrich, Holloway, David Matthews, Joby Talbot and John McCabe). He has also made recordings of two symphonies by Robert Simpson and a Beethoven CD was released in New York. His performance of ErrollynWallen's Spirit Symphony (BBC Concert Orchestra at the Royal Festival Hall) won the BBC Radio Three Listeners' Award (part of the British Composer Awards 2005).

Russell Keable is recognized as a dynamic lecturer and workshop leader. With the Endellion Quartet he has devised a unique and powerful way of presenting the string quartet as a model for team-play skills in a business environment. Over recent years he has presented his Music Master Class: The Art of Teamwork at major business conferences in Davos, Paris and in the UK.

Russell is also in demand as a composer and arranger. He has written works for many British ensembles and has had premières throughout the UK (including at the Edinburgh and Newbury Spring Festivals). His community opera Burning waters, commissioned by the Buxton Festival as part of their millenium celebration, was premièred in July 2000. Russell Keable has established a reputation as one of the UK’s most exciting musicians.  As a conductor he has been praised in national and international papers.  ‘Keable and his orchestra did magnificently’ wrote The Guardian, ‘one of the most memorable evenings at the South Bank' said The Musical Times. He performs with orchestras and choirs throughout the British Isles including the London Mozart Players, Manchester Camerata, Northern Ballet Orchestra and RPO; and has conducted in Prague and Paris (concerts filmed by French and British television). He recently made his début with the Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra in Dubai.

Sierra Schwartz

Sierra is an accomplished conductor, performer, and music educator from the United States.  Originally from New York State, Sierra came to England only a year ago to pursue her Master’s degree in Conducting from the University of Surrey.  

While in America, she taught instrumental music and directed a variety of ensembles for 3 years throughout the state after graduating from the Crane School of Music at the State University of New York - College at Potsdam with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education.  

Since crossing the pond, Sierra has thrown herself into the UK's music scene wholeheartedly.  She can be found on the podium, directing the Winchester Youth Orchestra, UniSurrey's Symphony Orchestra, Concert Band, Jazz Band, and String Orchestra, Bishop’s Waltham Beginner Band, as well as appearing as guest conductor for the Haslemere Symphony Orchestra.  

Sierra continues her passion for music as a peripatetic music teacher for Hampshire Music Service, where she teaches everything from African Percussion at Key Stage 1 to brass and woodwind lessons and ensembles to college students.  

In addition to conducting and teaching, Sierra keeps her chops up as Principal Horn of the University of Surrey Symphony Orchestra and Concert Band, features regularly in the horn section of the Royal Holloway Philharmonic Orchestra, and performs with the Premier Quintet and Stag Hill Brass