Gabriel Erkoreka

An unexpected signing for Oxford University Press is Gabriel Erkoreka, a young Spanish composer, whose pianistic abilities match his promise as a composer.

He completed his studies at the Royal Academy of Music under Michael Finnissy. Already his performance schedule is mounting in Spain, France, Germany, and the Netherlands. 'Kultura' has marvelled at 'the breadth of his creative imagination' and foresees 'a promising future for such a dedicated composer'.

Erkoreka has formed a piano trio – the Trio Bernaola – with Inigo Alonso (clarinet) and Natalie Rozario (cello). We look forward to his music and his playing.

A Celebration Carol for the Millennium

Any SATB choir looking for a lively purposeful Millennium Carol in 7/8 time should look at Sing a New Song by Jane Humfrey. Copies are available from 5 Dallington Green, Northampton, NN5 7HW, United Kingdom. Tel: +44 (0)1604 751 051. Price GBP 1.75 stapled and GBP 2.75 bound. GBP 0.50 from each copy sold is donated to the Millennium Appeal Fund 'Children's Promise'.

and information previously published here (and there) ...

Elliott's final bow

Dr Graham Elliott took a final bow as Master of the Music at Chelmsford Cathedral on 20 October, when he directed Choral Evensong from Chelmsford in a broadcast relayed live by BBC Radio 3. [Click to listen.]

From the Essex cathedral city Dr Elliott moves to pastures new, transferring to Washington D.C. where he is to take up a new position at St.Paul's Church, Rock Creek.

During almost twenty years as organist at Chelmsford (a post he was appointed to in l981), Dr Elliott has transformed the musical landscape at the cathedral, setting up the Choral Foundation to maintain the choir on a firm financial footing, expanding the programme of sung services to six days a week, and establishing the Cathedral Consort, an auxiliary choir which supplements the work of the Cathedral men and boys.  

He was responsible for setting up the successful annual Chelmsford Cathedral Festival, and it was largely thanks to his energies that the cathedral can now boast two new Mander organs, located at its East and West ends. In addition to his teaching at the Guildhall School of Music and at the Colchester Institute, where he was instrumental in establishing a groundbreaking M.A.course in Liturgical Music, Dr Graham Elliott has recently played a prominent role as President of the Cathedral Organists' Association (a post which he relinquishes upon his translation to Washington).   St.Paul's, Rock Creek is the oldest church in Washington D.C., and is a superb example of early colonial architecture. Dr Elliott will be closely involved in the plans to instal new instruments there - a project for which his expertise will prove invaluable.  

Neil Weston / Roderic Dunnett

Chinese Visit

A performance in honour of the State Visit of the President of the People's Republic of China, His Excellency Jiang Zemin, took place on 20 October at Shakespeare's Globe in London. Amongst the items was the Tallis Scholars directed by Peter Phillips singing the two settings of Hosanna to the Son of David by Orlando Gibbons and Thomas Weelkes. The Tallis Scholars performed in anticipation of their first tour of China.

Naxos award

For the first time, Naxos have carried off a Gramophone Award at the annual ceremony on 16 October at the Royal Festival Hall in London. The Editor's Choice Award went to Naxos for their 20th Century British Music series. It was accepted by David Lloyd-Jones and Paul Daniel on behalf of Naxos.

Circles

With the recent departure from Westminster Abbey of its organist Martin Neary and the appointment of James O'Donnell from Westminster Cathedral to the Abbey, this tight-knit circle of exchanges is now completed by the appointment to the Cathedral of Martin Baker, currently sub-organist of the Abbey.

Art song in Boston

Composers of any age or nationality are invited to enter the Boston Art Song competition. They must write a song to a compulsory text by George Eliot, set for high soprano voice and piano. The prize is USD 100 plus a performance at Reading University in England (with other likely performances). The deadline for entries is 31 January 2000. Further information by email or by sending a stamped self-addressed envelope to Naomi Gurt Lind, 126 Beethoven Avenue, Newton, Massachusetts 02468-1728, USA.

Barcelona phoenix

Barcelona's Gran Teatre del Liceu re-opened on 7 October with a run of Puccini's Turandot, after being all but destroyed by fire in 1994. The 4000 seater opera house, built in the Italian style in 1847, was also burnt down in 1861!

Baroque oboe workshop

Matthew Peaceman is holding a two day workshop for baroque oboists in Mainz, 29 October - 1 November, as part of the First Music Pedagogic Seminar 'Musik Verstehen'. Also of interest to modern oboists with an interest in baroque and early classical performance practise, the course will be held in German and English. Info: Matthew Peaceman.

Recording Fests in 2000

Symphonic Workshops are organising two recording sessions next year at Olomouc in the Czech Republic, at which composers can have their works performed and recorded by the Moravian Philharmonic Orchestra. The cost is USD 450 per hour for a standard recording or USD 650 per hour using digital multichannel techniques. Info: Symphonic Workshops.

To listen to the music illustration on this news page, you may need to download RealNetworks' realplayer G2.