AWAKENING
Stuart King, Clare O’Connell and Liam Byrne
Awakening grew from a performance curated by Clare O’Connell for Liam Byrne, Stuart King and herself From Pergolesi to Pulcinella, which wove together music by Renaissance and contemporary composers arranged for the unusual combination of viola da gamba, cello and clarinet, introducing all three musicians to an entirely new sound world. Clare saw potential in developing this programme with Liam, Stuart and herself into a seamless arc of music moving from dark to radiant light, using the additional element of electronics - something Liam has much experience with.
Freya Waley-Cohen, David Bruce and Rubens Askenar were commissioned to write pieces for the programme and Claire Shovelton was commissioned to create projected visuals.
Supported by Snape Maltings, the Awakening team developed the programme during aweek’s residency at Walpole Old Chapel, Suffolk in July 2018.
Awakening explores the parallels between experimental composers both ancient and modern, allowing the music to speak on its own terms unfettered by historical context.This seemingly disparate combination of instruments affords a uniquely rich sonic experience.
A deeply moving experience, Awakening seamlessly weaves together music from ancient and modern experimental composers to create a uniquely rich sonic journey. Enhanced by projected visuals, this performance immerses you in a transcendental, transformative world.
The programme toured churches in April 2019.
AWAKENING Sacred Spaces Tour
performed by clarinettist Stuart King, cellist Clare O'Connell and viola da gamba player Liam Bryne, with projected visuals by Claire Shovelton.
Luminous chamber music in an ancient setting
Renaissance and contemporary music melded beautifully in a meditative journey from dark to radiant light
NORWICH
Tuesday 23 April 7.30pm
St. John Maddermarket - Pottergate, Norwich NR2 1DS
CAMBRIDGE
Wednesday 24 April 7.30pm
All Saints Church - Jesus Lane, Cambridge CB5 8BP
BERKHAMSTED
Thursday 25 April 7.30pm
St Peter‘s Church - Church Lane, Berkhamsted HP4 2AX
KINGS LYNN
Friday 26 April 7.30pm
St. Nicholas’ Chapel - St. Ann’s Street, King’s Lynn PE30 1NH
Programme:
Rubens Askenar - Praise of Smoke and Dust *
Nico Muhly - Drones and Viola Da Gamba
Freya Waley-Cohen - Wake *
Pierre De La Rue - Si Dormiero
Christopher Tye - Sit Fast - part 1
Manuel De Falla – Nana
Maurice Ravel - Passacaille from his Piano Trio
Alexander Agricola - Tandernaken
Charles Koechlin - Le Soir Dans La Campagne
David Bruce - Kundalee *
* CHROMA commission, premiere 23 April 2019 at St John Maddermarket Norwich
photos from the Snape Maltings residency at Walpole Old Chapel July 2018:
Audience feedback:Just a brief note to say how much my wife and I enjoyed last night's performance of Awakening at St John Maddermarket in Norwich. Spellbinding! We look forward to seeing and hearing more of Chroma in its various incarnations in the future. Simon Delf
Hello, just to say I really enjoyed the concert last night at All Saints, it was my first time at an instrumental concert and it was really magical and moving. Do pass on my thanks to everyone and hope to see you another time. Gail Pearson
I’d just like to say how much we enjoyed Awakening in Berkhamsted last night - such a wonderful experience. Thank you. Jill Glen
It was great to hear your performance of 'Awakening' last Thursday . It was indeed impressive to see the three of you working so closely and effectively together with this unusual material and to be present for such a warm response from the audience. Roger Ramsden
The Awakening concert was wonderful. Deirdre Ahern
Commissioned composers: David Bruce, Freya Waley-Cohen, Rubens Askenar
Awakening was made possible by the support of:
