Matthew Barley visits Concerts Penzance at St. John’s Hall on Friday March 22nd as he travels Around Britten exploring the legacy of British composer Benjamin Britten whose centenary takes place this year. With 100 performances and education workshops across the length and breadth of Britain, Mathew plays in a staggering array of venues, including large and small concert halls, cathedrals and churches, houses and barns, pubs, a cave and even on a lighthouse.
Always one to look at the world of music from unusual angles, Matthew’s programme in Penzance sets Britten’s writing for solo cello amongst a diverse mix of contemporary cello music by composers working in Britain in the years since Britten’s death, including Dai Fujikura, John Tavener, James MacMillan, Colin Matthews and Gavin Bryars. The programme also includes improvisations around a remix of the Fujikura score by Norwegian DJ Jan Bang.
The concert opens at 7pm with new music for 21 players inspired by Britten’s suites for solo cello, written over the preceding four days by Matthew Barley and Music Scholars from Humphry Davy School – the first big collaboration project of Matthew’s Around Britten tour.
“Matthew Barley’s name is synonymous with the joyful dismantling of musical boundaries, but even for such a master of the unexpected the whole concept of this Britten tour is wonderfully eccentric.” said Tim Boulton, Director of Concerts Penzance. “I’m absolutely delighted that Matthew is not just visiting Penzance for a single concert but staying for nearly a week to share his gifts with young musicians from Humphry Davy School – I’m very excited to hear the outcome of this collaboration.”
The first part of the performance starts at the earlier than normal time of 7pm. Tickets costing £10 (£2 for under 19s) are available from West Penwith Music, Union Street, Penzance 01736 364440 and Mounts Bay Wine, Bread Street, Penzance 01736 364118, and on the door.
