Welcome to St Andrew’s Church in Bedford, and to our third year promoting ‘Music at St Andrew’s.’  Click on the links below for details of the concerts in 2008.

Our next concert

The 2008 Season

In 2008, we have planned five events showcasing major international artists, local talent, amateurs and the rising stars of the future. The programmes are just as diverse and unusual as those offered in previous years all within a framework that seeks to entertain, educate and bring people into the beautiful and acoustically excellent St Andrew's.

For a review of the concert please click on the name.

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In January we were pleased to welcome the Bedford Town Band, consisting of some of the finest brass playing talent in the country. The Band is proud to be in the First Section of the National Brass Band grading scheme. Many locals will be aware of the tireless work they do for local charities. Before the main concert Sankofa Mas presented a programme of Carnival Dance and Gospel Song.

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In March we were delighted to welcome Lila Cita, the leading Balinese Gamelan group in the UK. A Balinese Gamelan is a beautiful and elaborate percussion orchestra comprising bronze gongs and metallophones led by a pair of drums.

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In May we welcomed an award winning violinist at the beginning of her career, Ruth Palmer. “Strident, shocking, imperious and beautiful, this was a riveting performance” was how Anna Picard described Ruth’s Wigmore Hall debut in the Independent on Sunday. Ruth is fast developing an international reputation for her intense physical performances, deeply sonorous sound and championing of new music. She won the Young British Classical Performer 2007 award at the Classical BRITs. Ruth’s debut CD with the Philharmonia Orchestra was released to huge critical acclaim worldwide.

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For our annual ‘Bring and Sing’ performance in October, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Vaughan Williams’s death with a performance of his Five Mystical Songs, as well as presenting a staple work of the choral repertoire, Vivaldi’s Gloria. A strong line-up of outstanding soloists will make this an occasion to remember.

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We conclude our season with soprano Joan Rodgers, one of Britain's best loved singers. It is a huge privilege to welcome Joan to Bedford. She has appeared in recital throughout Europe and the USA and in concert with conductors including Solti, Barenboim, Rattle, Harnoncourt, Mackerras, and Ashkenazy. She is a frequent performer at the BBC Proms. Operatic engagements have included regular appearances at the Royal Opera House, English National Opera, Glyndebourne, and other leading companies in Britain, Europe and the USA. Her discography is impressive, as are her awards, which include the Royal Philharmonic Society Award as Singer of the Year for 1997. Ruth will perform works by Grieg, Rachmaninov and Mozart with Joseph Middleton, winner of the Pianist’s Prize at the Wigmore Hall International Song Competition.

 

We look forward to welcoming you at St Andrew’s for our 2008 season.