previews, reviews, interviews, and recommendations with Steve Cooke
MIDWEEK COLUMN WEDNESDAY 04 SEPTEMBER 2024
A soaring lyrical tenor voice resounded beautifully in the acoustic at St Mary in the Baum
Review by Dr Joe Dawson
Tim Kennedy began his musical career singing for Her Late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, as a treble at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor, before becoming a music scholar at Winchester College and then organ scholar at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge. He has now been based in Manchester for more than fifteen years pursuing a multi-faceted career not only as a tenor soloist but also a talented pianist (including being a staff accompanist at the RNCM), and organist. It was his gifts as a tenor that we enjoyed today. (Visit: www.tim-kennedy.co.uk.)
Joanna Garcia gained a First-Class Honours degree from Manchester University, followed by postgraduate diplomas from the RNCM, plus prizes for outstanding achievement. She subsequently became a staff accompanist at these institutions and at Chetham’s and remains a freelance staff pianist at the RNCM. Meantime she also had a successful career in school teaching. Joanna proved to be a strong joint-interpreter and sensitive and sympathetic concert partner.
The opening song, When lovers meet again, showed the romantic side of C. Hubert Parry (who was best known for writing ‘Jerusalem’) The romantic theme continued with two arias from the Baroque composer Antonio Caldara.
In a charming Irish interlude, we had two different settings of WB Yeat’s poem The Lake Isle of Innisfree by Richard Farrelly and Muriel Herbert. These were separated by Danny Boy by Fred Weatherly, sung a cappella most effectively.
We enjoyed impeccable German in lieder by Schubert and Schumann and French with Lydia and Les Berceaux by Fauré. Also, in more popular idiom The sunshine of your smile by Lilian Ray, Fly home, little heart by Ivor Novello and She by Charles Aznavour. These two accomplished musicians raised these popular C20 songs to the fine compositions that they truly are.
Tim’s soaring lyrical tenor voice resounded beautifully in the acoustic at St Mary in the Baum throughout the varied styles and periods, supported superbly by Joanna.
Factory International presents the LIGHTROOM production David Hockney: Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away)
Preview by Steve Cooke
As fan I am very much looking forward to letting David Hockney take us on a personal journey through sixty years of his art in this vibrant immersive exhibition coming to Factory international’s Aviva Studios.
He tells us: ‘The world is very very beautiful if you look at it, but most people don’t look very much. They scan the ground in front of them so they can walk, they don’t really look at things incredibly well, with an intensity. I do.’
With huge state-of-the-art projections and a revolutionary sound system, Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away) invites us to experience the world through David Hockney’s eyes.
After opening at Lightroom in London to rave reviews, this is the first time the show has travelled outside of the capital. We can get an insight into the legendary artist’s process journeying through six different chapters of his work, seeing the room around us light up and change.
Covering his work from LA to Yorkshire, and up to the present day in Normandy, the show is an incredible opportunity to get to know one of the great popular geniuses of the art world still experimenting with new technology to create beauty and wonder.
We shall hear from David Hockney as we watch how he experiments with perspective, uses photography as a way of ‘drawing with a camera’, captures the passing of time in his polaroid collages and the joy of spring on his iPad – and shows us why only paint can properly convey the hugeness of the Grand Canyon.
With a specially composed score by Nico Muhly guiding our experience, we can enjoy the work of this legendary artist in a whole new light.
Previews £20*
Tues - Thurs from £20, Fri - Sun from £25
Affordable: Concessions 50% Discount *not Previews, Aviva £10 Tickets.
Tickets are dynamically priced & may fluctuate depending on demand.
Suitable for all ages - Under 14s must be accompanied by an adult aged 18+. Babes in Arms - Children aged 2 and under do not require a ticket.
Accessibility features available for this event: Captioning Audio Description Relaxed Performance BSL Interpreting Wheelchair Access Sensory Adapted
10 Dec 2024 - 25 Jan 2025
The North Warehouse, Aviva Studios, Water Street, Manchester, M3 4JQ
RECOMMENDED
Wednesday 04 September 2024
Toad Lane Concerts - Rochdale's Weekly Music at Lunchtime
This week we have Voci Voices: Elizabeth Ambrose, Margaret Ferguson sopranos, Eric Cymbir tenor, Mackenzie Paget baritone, and Jonathan Ellis piano.
The concert series has been held at St Mary’s since 2001 and was granted the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2020… during the pandemic!
Running every Wednesday, Music at Lunchtime is a weekly live classical music concert series that has been going since the 1960s. The sessions were initially run at the old Rochdale Art Gallery by the local authority, but since May 2001 have been run by volunteer-enthusiasts and artistic director, Dr Joe Dawson.
£6
Phone: Dr Joe Dawson 01706 648872
Doors open 12noon, concert starts 12.30pm - 1.30pm
St Mary in the Baum, Toad Lane/St Mary's Gate, Rochdale OL16 1DZ
Wednesday 04 September 2024
Rochdale Photographic Society
Tonight's session - Digital KO – Judge Adrian Hendley CPAGB
We meet every Wednesday at Rochdale Unitarian Church, starting at 7.30pm prompt (doors open from 7.15pm). The door is kept locked so please ring the bell on arrival.
If you would like to see the club for yourself and meet our members, you are welcome to attend as our guest for up to 3 weeks before committing to membership. Annual subscription is £36 for single or £46 for joint membership.
A weekly room fee of £2.50 is also payable on arrival at the meeting. Refreshments are 50p.
Visit: https://www.rochdaleps.org.uk/syllabus for a full 2024 syllabus.
Doors open 7.15pm, 7.30pm start
Rochdale Unitarian Church, Clover Street, Rochdale OL12 6TP
Friday 06 September 2024
UK Pink Floyd Experience
Celebrating 30 years since the iconic PULSE tour, this highly authentic show recreates the atmosphere of Floyd live – featuring top-flight musicians, a stunning light show and over two hours of incredible music.
The new show for 2024 includes many songs from the PULSE set, featuring tracks from Division Bell, The Wall, Animals, The Dark Side of the Moon and Wish You Were Here. The ‘Syd song’ for 2024 is Astronomy Domine. Also included is the much requested Not Now John from The Final Cut.
Come and share the passion for Pink Floyd’s music, in our true celebration of all things Floyd!
Doors open at 7pm.
Tickets from £26.00
Phone: Middleton Arena 0300 303 8633
7.30pm
Middleton Arena, LCpl Joel Halliwell VC Way, Middleton M24 1AG
Thursday 05 September 2024 - Saturday 07 September 2024
Visit Fireground Museum
Join us at Fireground this week to discover Greater Manchester's firefighting story.
Fire museum attractions are on show inside the museum including our collection of historic firefighting artefacts from the 18th century to present day, plus home-made refreshments in the new Fireground Café, and souvenirs from our fantastic new gift shop! We have a wide choice ranging from toddler to collector.
Under 4s are free, Children (aged 4-15) and Concessions £5, Adults £7 and Family (4 people) £20.
Phone: Fireground 01706 341219
Open Thursday, Friday & Saturday from 10am - 4pm
Fireground, Maclure Road, Rochdale OL11 1DN
Saturday 07 September 2024
Roy Orbison & The Traveling Wilburys Experience
Come and enjoy a fantastic evening of entertainment jam-packed with non-stop hits, big-screen action, expert narrative and lots of fun.
You will be taken on a journey through several decades of pop as we celebrate the music of Jeff Lynne’s ELO, Roy Orbison, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers and The Beatles’ George Harrison, as well as the collective genius that was The Traveling Wilburys.
Although the Wilburys never toured, here you have the chance to experience what it might have been like to see them live, as we explore their many collaborative hits.
Now in its ninth year of successful touring this popular show is an up-tempo feel-good celebration of classics such as Pretty Woman, Mr Blue Sky, Please Please Me, End of The Line, Handle With Care, Free Falling, Blowin’ in the Wind, Tweeter and the Monkey Man, Heading for the Light, Only the Lonely and many more.
Doors open at 7pm.
Tickets from £26.50
Phone: Middleton Arena 0300 303 8633
7.30pm
Middleton Arena, LCpl Joel Halliwell VC Way, Middleton M24 1AG
Saturday 07 September 2024
Temperance Bar on Toad Lane
To mark our 180th year and as part of Rochdale Town Centre's Heritage Open Days activities, we are hosting a pop up bar with temperance (alcohol-free) drinks for free!
The Rochdale Pioneers wanted to open one in the summer of 1844 for their members to gather socially and avoid the pitfalls of debt and addiction. They never achieved that ambition, so in 2024 we are giving it a go!
We want 31 Toad Lane to be a place where everyone feels welcome - come and try a traditional herbal refreshing beverage on us.
For people doing the Heritage Ale Trail - collect your information about the heritage of the pubs in Rochdale here at the Pioneers Museum first.
Our pop-up bar will be in the courtyard outside the museum; only in the case of very wet weather, we will move it indoors - parents of young children should note that there is a busy road nearby.
Terms and conditions: One drink per person limit, as long as stocks last. Allergen information will be available, and it is important that visitors review this on the day.
Free
Phone: Liz McIvor 01706 524920
11am - 2pm
Rochdale Pioneers Museum, 31 Toad Lane, Rochdale OL12 0NU
Saturday 07 September 2024
Grand Town Hall re-opening organ concert
There will be great music ranging from famous orchestral arrangements to original works, with something for everyone.
Jonathan Scott is organist at Manchester's Bridgewater Hall, where he regularly performs to audiences of thousands.
He is in demand as a concert soloist all over the world and is the only organist to be performing a solo organ concert at The Royal Albert Hall in London for the 2024 BBC Proms.
Jonathan has known the organ of Rochdale Town Hall all of his life and is proud to be giving this special concert on one of his favourite instruments.
Booking required: please book by 5pm, Friday, 6 September 2024.
£12
Phone: 01706 924797
3.30pm - 5pm
Rochdale Town Hall, The Esplanade, Town Centre, Rochdale OL16 1AZ
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