News and Reviews

News: Unique Debut for Djanogly, Nottingham
September 2007

sinfonia ViVA’s Principal Guest Conductor Nicholas Kok has teamed up with clarinettist Julian Bliss - one of the youngest and brightest rising stars in the classical world - to devise a new improvised jazz piece which will make its world premiere at Nottingham’s Djanogly Recital Hall on Thursday September 27.

Nicholas and Julian who, at 18 is already establishing himself on the international concert scene, have been working together behind closed doors for several months to devise the new piece which is a cutting-edge approach to improvisation in an entirely novel context. The piece is the finale to the concert, ViVA: Americana, a programme with a heavy emphasis on the rich musical history of the USA.

Two works by Aaron Copland comprise the first half of the concert. Appalachian Spring, the chamber version, contains the Famous Gifts melody and perfectly captures both the rugged brightness of the North American frontier environment and the excitement and nervousness of a bride-to-be and her groom as they contemplate what their married future may bring. Next will be the Clarinet Concerto, commissioned by Benny Goodman and with Copland’s resulting composition it has a strong jazzy flavour. The second part of the concert opens with a mouthwatering jazz-fest of trio items - 'Let’s Do it', 'The Lady is a Tramp' and 'Can't Help Lovin' That Man'.

Nicholas Kok explained: "Two years ago Julian and I collaborated on the Mozart Concerto. We got talking and it became very apparent that Julian shared by love for improvisation. We therefore decided that I would devise a piece for Julian alongside a piano soloist (me on this occasion), a drummer and the musicians of sinfonia ViVA."

"Julian and I have met on several occasions for jamming sessions in order to find a style for the piece and it became clear during our sessions that Julian wanted something quite poppy, boppy and not too modernist. The piece which has not yet got a title, is dedicated to sinfonia ViVA’s Chief Executive Peter Helps - a friend and colleague for many years."

Julian Bliss added: "I hope that the audience firstly enjoy this piece and secondly, I hope that they come away with a different take on the 'improvisation' side of music as there isn't another piece like this at all. There are both classical and jazz elements to the piece so I hope it will appeal to a wide audience."

Julian Bliss has appeared as soloist with orchestras across the world and has been invited to record exclusively for EMI on their main label. A favourite of the Royal Family, Julian performed at the Queen’s 80th birthday at the BBC Proms and was among the distinguished artists invited to perform at the Queen’s Gold Jubilee Celebrations at Buckingham Palace in 2002.

Among his many talents, Julian can perform Flight of the Bumble Bee in just under one minute in one circular breath. He also plays the didgeridoo!

Tickets for the concert at Djanogly Recital Hall on Thursday September 27, supported by Rolls Royce plc and Orchestras Live, cost £12 (£9 concessions). Contact the Box office on 0115 846 7777.

Media enquiries: Sarah Jenkin-Jones, JJPR, Tel: 01332 515102/07951 945 665 or email sarah@jjpublicrelations.co.uk

Photo credit: Lucy Fitter, EMI Classics