John Harle - The Voice of the Saxophone

Thursday, 3rd July 2008

Chester Summer Music Festival

John Harle - The Voice of The Saxophone

Tuesday 22 July 7.30pm

Wesley Methodist Church

Tickets £17.50

John Harle, saxophone and Steve Lodder, pianist

John Dowland – Songs * Chick Corea - Childrens’ Songs * Bela Bartók - 3 Folksongs * John Harle - 3 Secrets From the Abyss * Phil Wood – Sonata * Duke Ellington - Sultry Sunset, In a Sentimental Mood, Star Cross’d Lovers

The outstanding and irrepressible talents of Chester Summer Music Festival’s artist in residence John Harle and his accompanist Steve Lodder will be showcased as they present a stunning selection of musical pieces. John Harle is the foremost saxophonist of his generation, and the most recorded in the world today. Harle’s unique playing and virtuosic capabilities will be given full reign as the saxophone takes on the mantle of the human voice. Starting with the early English songs of John Dowland, Harle will continue his fascinating realisation of the Voice that includes the Hungarian folk music of Bartók, and the effervescent Children’s Songs of Chick Corea. This wide ranging and entertaining programme also includes music of the jazz phenomenon Duke Ellington, and pieces by John himself.

Now in its 31^st year, the prestigious Chester Summer Music Festival reveals one of its most exciting line-ups to date, when it becomes the UK’s first music festival focusing on the human voice as it entertains, seduces and inspires.

John Harle is one of the most exciting contemporary musicians in Britain. He has had over 25 concerti written for him from a list of great and diverse composers including Sir John Tavener, Sir Harrison Birtwistle, Michael Nyman, Joby Talbot, Michael Torke, Mark Anthony Turnage and Gavin Bryars.

As a conductor, musical director and producer in a variety of fields, he has worked with artists as diverse as Paul McCartney, Elvis Costello, Moondog, Ute Lemper and Lesley Garrett and is renowned for his voracious appetite for all media from the concert hall to the small screen. In 1989 John was appointed Professor of Saxophone and Chamber Music at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London and has been the mentor to a new generation of saxophonists.

As well as defining some of this year’s programme with Andrew Cornall, John will engage with audiences across the many strands of his work including recitals, masterclasses, composition, debate and discussion. On Saturday 19 July at 11.00am he will conduct a Saxophone Masterclass at King’s School, Chester and at 5.00pm he will give a talk at the Grosvenor Museum.

One of the highpoints of the Festival takes place at Chester Cathedral on 25 July, when internationally renowned conductor Vasily Petrenko will conduct the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, baritone Garry Magee and the Chester Festival Chorus. The programme also includes the world premiere of artist-in-residence John Harle’s Earthlight, a major vocal/choral new work specially commissioned by the Festival, Rachmaninov’s Spring Cantata Vaughn Williams Tallis Fantasia and Debussy’s Prelude L’apres midi d’un Faune.

Under the artistic direction of Andrew Cornall, the Festival celebrates Chester’s choral and vocal history, one of the key strengths of past festivals. Cornall has programmed artists of outstanding skill such as early and contemporary music giants I Fagioliniand the Tony award winning Alfie Boe.

Ends

For further information contact Shelagh Bourke on 07971 819 016 she@we-r-lethal.com or Catharine Braithwaite on 07947 644 110 cat@we-r-lethal.com

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Chester Cathedral
Tuesday 22 July 2008, 7.30 pm
Tickets £17.50

Booking

Online: www.chesterfestivals.co.uk or www.chester-races.co.uk

By ‘phone: 01244 304 618

In person: Chester Festivals Box Office, Chester Racecourse, Watergate Square, Chester

CH1 2LY

By post: Cheques payable to Chester Race Company to the address above