It is a long time since I have written anything in this magazine about music in church. In fact, my last piece was printed in the summer of 1994. A lot has happened since then. A lot has happened in music too with instrumental, keyboard and choral concerts taking place throughout the year. Sometimes, the performers are members of our own choir and, sometimes, they are visitors who become aware of the fine acoustic and the beauty of St. John at Hampstead. Our church is now the performing home in Hampstead of the Hampstead and Highgate Festival and there will be many distinguished concerts in May.
I wanted to draw your attention to a very special concert here on 16th April. The New Professionals Orchestra will play the Dvorak Cello Concerto, Bernstein Suite from ‘On the Town’ and Brahms Symphony No. 1. The conductor of this orchestra is a woman, Rebecca Miller. Female conductors are not exactly rare now but they are still highly unusual. Rebecca has just been appointed Assistant Conductor of the Jerusalem Orchestra.
Hampstead Cellist, Oliver Coates, who will play the Dvorak concerto made his debut at the age of 15 in Haydn’s Cello Concerto in C at St. John’s, Smith Square with the Chamber Orchestra of London. He attained the highest degree mark in the history of the Royal Academy of Music and also won the Sir John Barbirolli Memorial Prize.
I am very happy that Oliver has found time in the midst of his very busy schedule as an International soloist, chamber music player, recording artist and recitalist to play here. He has recently played the Britten sonatas at the Jubilee Hall, Aldeburgh where the first performance was given by Benjamin Britten himself with Rostropovich.
The New Professionals Orchestra has been paid the highest compliments by the musical press of London – ‘Dazzling, mesmerizing, exquisite playing’ …. ‘Scrupulous precision and incisive energy’ …. ‘Breathtaking and invigorating’
Do come and hear them on 16th April, it is especially lovely to have orchestral concerts in our beautiful church. Further details on posters around the church. Judy will have tickets in the Vestry from 1st April or you can get them at the door and do follow this magazine for information of musical events throughout the year, always supported by The Friends of the Music.