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Day: November 6, 2018

BREMF REVIEW: Music & Silence @St Pauls Church

Posted on by Eric Page

MUSIC & SILENCE

Sunday, November 4, St Paul’s Church at 4pm

John Dowland at the court of Christian IV in Denmark.

Lux Musicae London

Roberta Diamond soprano
Daniel Thomson tenor
Mirjam-Luise Münzel recorders
Sophie Creaner recorders
Harry Buckoke viola da gamba
Aileen Henry harp
Toby Carr lute

Lux Musicae London took us into this literary inspired journey in to the court of King Christian’s court in early 17th-century Copenhagen. A lodestone for composers and virtuosi across Europe, including John Dowland, Tobias Hume, Irish harpist Cormacke Mcdermid, Praetorius and Scheidt.  They explored the music of the times with short readings from Rose Tremain’s bestselling novel Music & Silence which is set mostly at the same time as the music and centres around the King’s musical establishment as well as the colourful life of his court.

The narrative starts in 1629, a young English lutenist named Peter Claire arrives at the Danish Court to join King Christian IV’s Royal Orchestra. From the moment when he realises that the musicians perform in a freezing cellar underneath the royal apartments, Peter Claire understands that he’s come to a place where the opposing states of light and dark, good and evil, are waging war to the death.

Designated the King’s ‘Angel’ because of his good looks, he finds himself falling in love with the young woman who is the companion of the King’s adulterous and estranged wife, Kirsten. With his loyalties fatally divided between duty and passion, how can Peter Claire find the path that will realise his hopes and save his soul?

This was an engaging afternoons music enlivened with some furiously catchy Irish music from Turlough O’Carolan and possibly the best rendition of John Downland’s melancholy masterpiece flow my tears that I’ve heard in some time.

Lux Musicae are a confident group of performers who gently allowed us to relax and be taken away to a more romantic, but less easy time when passion and music flowed around Denmark and rip tides of the heart dragged people under the deep seas of loves possibilities. We were lulled by them in this Sunday afternoon concert of emotive bliss.

Full details of this concert can be seen on the BREMF website here:

BREMF REVIEW: LIVE! Showcase @St Pauls Church

Posted on by Eric Page

BREMF LIVE! SHOWCASE

Saturday, November 3, 3pm,

St Paul’s Church

This is the annual early music live showcase for five emerging ensembles and has got to offer the best value ticket in the entire Brighton Early Music festival.

We were treated to five of the country’s top emerging ensembles, in superb 20 minute sets, offering an afternoon of endless variety, from early medieval song through to Mozart.

VOICE opened the event in atmospheric style with some Hildegarde of Bingen which floated ethereally around the huge space of St Paul’s, this Medieval vocal ensemble made up of Emily Burn, Victoria Couper, Clemmie Franks are a superb trio of mature and experienced voices sharing a purity of expression which was sublime.

They were followed by the COMALLI CONSORT a Renaissance ensemble who shared a lovely little program of music based around the Da pacem and concluding with the transporting and meditative Da pacem Domine from Arvo Part.

DRAMMA PER MUSICA brought some drama to the music and this early baroque ensemble played us strong passionate music from the 17th century with a touch perfect rendition of Purcells‘ Evening Hymn.

Image: Marcus Gaved
Image: Marcus Gaved

Following an interval with what must be one of the best selections of home-made cakes in any festival we settled back replete from Orange Cake and some warming coffee to Figo another superb baroque ensemble who lead us across Europe with a musical journey ending with Moffat, the epitome of early musical transnational composers.

Rounding off with the most delightful Pocket Sinfonia, who gave this petit and rather perfectly formed D major symphony from Mozart, arranged with perfection, played with a verve and speed that was exhilarating and as interesting to watch as they are a joy to listen to.

What a superb round-up of emerging talent showing us a full range of expression and mastery of voice and instrument that goes a long way to show why the BREMF is consistently sold out year after year.

Full details of this performance and the programme are available here on the BREMF website.

BREMF REVIEW: The Hanseatic League – a talk by Rodrigo Calveyra

Posted on by Eric Page

An illustrated talk on The Hanseatic League

Rodrigo Calveyra

Director of Canto Fiorit

Although delayed after leaving a half-dozen of his instruments on the train from Gatwick, the charming and erudite Brazilian musician, Rodrigo Calveyra, an expert on the Hanseatic League and director of Canto Fiorito, arrived breathless and excited at the Friends Meeting House, for his very informative and interesting illustrated talk.

The Hanseatic Way operated between the 13th and 17th centuries and linked many cities in Northern Europe from London to Tallinn. This event introduced the history of this great trading league and the musical culture that flowed along the trade routes, with a smattering of maps and lots of paintings to give a flavour of the linking architecture, culture and fashions that joined up these cities and their fiercely protected monopolies. Calveyra explained how composers, singers, conductors and musicians of the time would travel between cities like bees, cross pollinating musical culture and bringing new themes, ideas and styles to fertile rich courts to embed, grow and be cultivated.

Our historical journey reminded and emphasised the shared musical culture and heritage that we share with our northern neighbours and the free movements of talented people and novel ideas, which enriched us as an island and which goes back many hundreds of years.

Although lacking in any music this gentle exploration of an often overlooked important stage in the development of northern European music and the development of trade and culture was a most pleasant way to spend an hour.

Full details of the event can be seen on the BREMF website here:

Taking Early Music to the skies

Posted on by Contributor

As part of its ongoing mission to take early music to new and unusual places, Brighton Early Music Festival (BREMF) took over the i360 in Brighton early on Sunday morning (Nov. 4).

Image: Rob Orchard
Image: Rob Orchard

SACKBUTS and cornetts from Musica Antiqua Salzburg accompanied the Lithuanian vocal ensemble Canto Fiorito, performing pieces from their programme The Hanseatic Way.  The Hanseatic League was a key trade confederation across Europe from London to Tallinn, between 1300 and 1700.

The musicians explore in their full programme the cultural exchange that went alongside the close trade links, with music from ten different countries (in concert on Sunday evening at St Martin’s Church in Brighton).  As a taster, as well as performing to invited guests on the i360 itself, they also gave a free pop-up performance for the public at the base of the tower.

The Brighton Early Music Festival, now in its 16th year, has been celebrating the richness of 700 years of music from Europe, looking at Britain’s long and often tempestuous relationship with the rest of the Continent from medieval times onwards.

Still to come during the festival are an opera double bill of rarely performed works by Monteverdi and John Blow, a concert by the fine young ensemble the Fieri Consort, and two concerts from two of BREMF’s own choirs.

Firstly, the BREMF Consort of Voices will perform music by Taverner, Tallis and Byrd in Reformation Remainers, and then to conclude the festival, the BREMF Singers, joined by the BREMF Players, and a great line up of young soloists, in Peace in Europe, with music by Charpentier, Purcell, Handel and Zelenka.

The festival runs until Sunday, November 11.

For venues, times and tickets, click here:

By Nick Boston

CRUSE Charity Gala at Queens Arms tonight, November 6

Posted on by Besi

Three years ago, following the death of his mother, the Scottish singer Allan Jay recorded a single written by Jason Prince and Lewis Greenslade to raise funds for CRUSE Bereavement Care, the national charity that helps people deal with grief and loss.

Each year since Allan has continued to do a “wee bit of fundraising” for the charity which provides such an essential service to those suffering bereavement.

This year thanks to The Queens Arms, Allan’s friends, Lynn PA Management and Julie Scott, Allan is hosting another fundraiser on Tuesday, November 6 starting at 7pm at the Queens Arms featuring a fantastic line-up of artists including Miss Jason, Davina Sparkle, Kara Van Park, Stephanie Von Clitz, Sally Vate, Jason Lee, Jason Prince, Christopher Howard and Lola Lasagne.

Allan said: “We are doing the night to raise money for Cruse Bereavement Care, a UK-wide charity that helps anyone dealing with the loss of a loved one. After I lost my mum in November 2015, I was approached to record a single originally written for Cilla Black – a song about loss. So with everything I went through, we decided to use it to raise money for Cruse. We had a charity night and managed to raise some good money. Now every year in November, I try to do a night to raise some money for the charity. So we are having a night at the Queens Arms with entertainment, raffle, and we’re hoping to have a small auction. We’ll be just raising as much as we can!” 

Event: Charity Gala for CRUSE Bereavement Care

Where: Queens Arms, George Street, Brighton

When: Tuesday, November 6

Time: 7pm

Cost: Free event – no tickets – get there early!

Police appeal for witnesses to Brighton rape

Posted on by Besi

Sussex Police are appealing for witnesses after a man reported being raped by another man at Dukes Mound, Brighton.

THE 20-year-victim was approached by a man at the popular cruising area, commonly called The Bushes, who started talking to him before pushing him to the ground and raping him sometime between 5am and 7am on Saturday, November 3. The victim then managed to escape from the suspect before running home.

Detective Inspector Emma Vickers said: “We are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed this or has any information about the suspect to contact us. The victim is being supported by specially trained officers.”

The suspect is a white man, aged in his late 20s to early 30s, 5′ 8″, with a small wart or spot on his right cheek. He was wearing a dark grey hooded top with light grey speckles, blue jeans and grey Nike trainers.

Any witnesses or anyone with information should contact the police online or ring 101 quoting serial 289 of 03/11.

For advice and support about sexual violence, click here:

QueenSpark Books want your stories

Posted on by Gary Hart

QueenSpark Books, the UK’s longest-serving community publisher will be publishing four new books as part of it’s Heritage Lottery Funded project, Archives Alive.

THE books, to be launched in July 2019, will draw on archive material from its previous 106 publications.

Working with local volunteers, QueenSpark will also be collecting new material for the books, and is looking for your stories, memories and anecdotes about Brighton and Hove, relating to the following themes:

‘Unsung heroes and pioneers’ – people who shaped Brighton, those who arrived and made a difference, and those who keep Brighton running today.

‘Outskirts’ – stories and memories from areas on the outskirts of the city, e.g. Moulsecoomb, Whitehawk, Portslade, Bevendean, etc.

‘Alternative Cultures’ – music, art, fashion, sexuality, politics, Co-ops, Open Houses, Naked Bike Ride etc.

‘Terraces’ – neighbours and neighbourhood, architecture and building, and how it creates and impacts upon our communities.

Do you have any stories, anecdotes or memories – anything from 20 words to 300 – about any of the above?

If so, email them to john@queensparkbooks.org.uk by 5pm, on Monday, November 26, and they’ll be put forward to the editing groups for possible inclusion in the books.

Also include a name that you would like to be credited by on the email.

“One Day that Changed My Life” – My dream job – from nurse to train driver

Posted on by Besi

In September, a former NHS nurse was featured in the BBC programme One Day that Changed My Life as she trained to become a train driver.

Polly McGillivray and Laura McDonald (right)
Polly McGillivray and Laura McDonald (right)

Recently-qualified train driver, Laura McDonald, was featured in a new BBC series – about her journey to become a train driver for Southern Trains.

Determined to break into a male-dominated industry, Laura quit her job as an NHS nurse to begin her rigorous training to become a London train driver for Southern. Women make up just 5.4% of the 19,000 train drivers in Britain, and it had always been Laura’s dream to join them.

She spent twelve years of her professional life as a nurse in the NHS, and although she loved her work, earlier this year she decided to quit her job and pursue her dream career.

One Day That Changed My Life joined Laura on her assessment day, following months of learning, training and preparing for a career on the railways.

Viewers received a unique insight into what it takes to become a train driver, the breadth of knowledge they needed to retain, their training on how deal with a crisis and the strict assessments they had to pass.

Laura said: “I love my job as a train driver and I worked really hard to achieve my dream. You need to focus and concentrate all the time and the safety of passengers and colleagues is of utmost importance. There’s support for women’s development at GTR. Only 5.4% of Britains 19,000 train drivers are women – having more would be amazing and I would hugely encourage more to apply.”

Will Laura have what it takes? One Day That Changed My Life tells the story of a single day that changes the course of people’s lives –  dramatic moments that can send lives in one of any two directions. With four stories per episode, the programme showed the run up to real life results moments, culminating on one day that delivers intimate decisions that reflect the audiences lives back to them. Narrated by Jo Joyner, the programme gives the audience intimate access to life changing events as they happen.

Southern trains are pushing hard to make the industry more attractive to female applicants – this year they’re on track for 30% female train driver trainees on Southern, up from 18% last year.

Laura is pictured in the drivers cabin with fellow Southern Trains employee Polly McGillivray, a champion weightlifter and trainee driver trainer whose marriage to her partner Skylar Smith was featured in Gscene last year.

Lord Fowler visits Mildmay Hospital

Posted on by Besi

Lord Fowler attends Mildmay Hospital to mark the charities 30th year working in HIV.

THE Lord Speaker in the House of Lords, attended an event at East London hospital Mildmay, to mark the charities 30th year working at the forefront of HIV service provision, treatment and care in London.

Since Mildmay first opened in 1988 as a unit for people who were at that time dying of AIDS related illness, great strides have been made in HIV treatment with people today who are diagnosed with HIV and start early treatment being expected to live a long and healthy life.

However, this is not the case for everyone. Late HIV diagnosis continues to be a serious threat to health and survival. Today 30 years on, Mildmay provides specialist treatment for people with complex and severe health conditions caused by HIV, including brain impairment.

Lord Fowler gave an inspiring speech, made a tribute Mildmay’s achievements and to “the indelible contribution you have made across 30 years of progress.”

Lord Fowler also addressed the fact that discrimination, prejudice and stigma continues to be a huge problem and can prevent people accessing HIV testing or adhering to medication and means many live in debilitating fear of disclosing their HIV status to others.

He paid tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales and to her sons who have made an enormous contribution and continued her fight to confront stigma and raise HIV awareness.

Lord Fowler
Lord Fowler

Lord Fowler closed his address by saying: “As a health issue HIV has not gone away. We have come a long way there is no question of that, but above all the fight must go on. It is not the time to relax our efforts just as surely as there is still a long way to go. The help and contribution Mildmay has made is fantastic, please do continue.”

Geoff Harris CEO of Mildmay said: “We were truly honoured to welcome Lord Fowler to Mildmay today to mark this significant year in our long history of medical care. As Secretary of State for Health and Social Services during 1981-1987 he was the political force behind the Government’s response to the HIV epidemic, which was at that time claiming so many lives. The ground breaking ‘Don’t die of ignorance’ awareness campaign was and I believe still is, the biggest public health campaign that this country has ever seen, with leaflets sent out to every home. Lord Fowler personally drove through a campaign that undoubtedly saved lives and many say – changed who we are and what we talk about today. His work to keep HIV on the political and health agenda continues today and for this we are thankful. We are also grateful that he found the time to attend our small gathering, one that marked a big anniversary and achievement for our charity.”

Special status for city’s War Memorials

Posted on by Besi

Four public spaces in Brighton & Hove designated as Centenary Fields as part of a national initiative to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of World War 1.

The Chattri Memorial
The Chattri Memorial

OLD Steine Gardens and War Memorial, Patcham Peace Gardens, The Chattri and Easthill Park War Memorial, are among the hundreds of sites across the country to be given the special status.

The Centenary Fields initiative is a nationwide scheme being led by the Royal British Legion and Fields in Trust. The project aims to secure permanent public spaces to honour the memory of the millions who lost their lives in World War One.

A special Fields In Trust sign will be installed at the Brighton War Memorial tomorrow (November 6) at 9.30am attended by Councillor Gill Mitchell, Chair of Brighton & Hove City Council’s Environment Committee and Councillor Mary Mears, Chair of The Brighton and Hove branch of the Royal British Legion.

Cllr Gill Mitchell
Cllr Gill Mitchell

Cllr Mitchell said: “We are very proud that these four precious sites have been given this special status and included in the Fields in Trust Centenary Fields programme.

“Protecting these  unique public spaces in this way will not only provide further recognition as memorials but help to safeguard them for future generations.” 

Centenary Fields which have been protected as part of the programme include war memorials, parks and recreation grounds, memorial gardens, playing fields or other green spaces with a significant World War I link.

Old Steine Gardens – Home to Brighton War Memorial, which was unveiled in 1922 to honour those who died in WW1, and is the venue for annual remembrance services. The site also includes a commemorative stone and plaque in memory of Captain Theodore Wright who was awarded the Victoria Cross in WW1.

The Chattri Memorial – During WW1 injured Indian soldiers were treated at military hospitals set up at the Royal Pavilion and the Dome. The Hindus and Sikhs who died were cremated on the Downs and in 1921 the Chattri memorial was built on the cremation site. Memorial services are held every year to honour the dead.

Easthill Park – Home to Portslade War Memorial where regular remembrance services are held every year. The memorial was moved to the park in 1954 from its previous location in Trafalgar Road.

Patcham Peace Garden – Purchased in the 1920s to create a memorial to peace following the Great War. The columns and small temple were purchased from the 1924 Wembley Exhibition and statues were relocated from the old aquarium.

HRH The Duke of Cambridge
HRH The Duke of Cambridge

Speaking at the launch of the Centenary Fields programme, in 2014, Fields in Trust President, HRH The Duke of Cambridge, said: “The Centenary Fields programme aims to save in perpetuity scores of memorial spaces around the country.  Each moment of play or leisure that takes place on a Memorial Field is, in a way, an act of remembrance.

“I am delighted that Fields in Trust have identified these Centenary Fields as a vital part of our national heritage and well-being, which we cannot take for granted.  I encourage local authorities to support this cause and to safeguard these living spaces of remembrance for generations to come.”

To view an online interactive story map, click here:

At 11 am each day a different Centenary Field’s story is added to the website. The Chattri in Brighton was added on Sunday, November 4.

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