| |
|
Performances & Events...
|
 |
|
|
|
The Becket Ensemble - made up principally of students at the Royal Academy of
Music, playing on Becket Collection instruments, have had a number of
unique opportunities to participate in high-profile performances. In addition,
students who borrow instruments commit to playing in a number of events for
charity.
Smaller chamber groups are also formed in order to make maximum use of the
Collection’s instruments. In 2001 and 2002 a set of instruments were on
extended loan to the Becket Quartet - a string quartet formed from current and
past students at the Royal Academy of Music.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
| |
I was lucky enough to borrow a Becket Collection violin
and bow during my time at the Royal Academy of Music, which enabled me to have
my first experience of playing Classical music on period instruments. Because
of the large number of instruments in the collection, it is possible for all
the members of the Becket Ensemble to play on instruments of high quality,
making a very special blend of sound. One of the most memorable concerts during
my two years at the Academy was the Becket Ensemble performance of Mozart's
Requiem with Sir Roger Norrington conducting. This was a wonderful occasion to
showcase this wonderful collection of instruments outside the four walls of the
Academy.
Huw Daniel, Violin
PGdip course at the RAM 2001- 2003
|
|
The Becket Collection is extremely unique and
important. A complete orchestra of classical instruments is an invaluable
resource and we have been very fortunate at The Royal Academy of Music to be
able to use these intruments for orchestral and chamber projects in
collabortation with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. The students get
so much out of playing on the 'real thing' and it enables them to discover
performance practice issues and this wonderful repertoire at the very highest
level.
Laurence Cummings, Head of Historical Performance
Royal Academy of Music
|
|
|
|
Highlights have included:
March 2005
A Gala concert to benefit the Royal Academy of Music at St Marylebone Parish
Church; works by Mozart, and Beethoven 7th Symphony.
February 2004
A concert in the Duke’s Hall at the Royal Academy of Music conducted by Trevor
Pinnock with music by JC Bach, Mozart and Haydn.
June 2003
A performance of Mozart Requiem conducted by Sir Roger Norrington in the
Spitalfields Festival.
October 2001
Recording In Gloria Dei Patris: a CD of Mozart masses in Neresheim Abbey
Church, Germany.
June 2000
A concert in the Spitalfields Festival, directed by Monica Huggett; works by
Mozart including the Symphony No 50 in D.
Since January 2002
Annual coaching projects with principals from the Orchestra of the Age of
Enlightenment, culminating in a lunchtime concert in the Duke’s Hall.
Since October 2002
Many students and recent graduates of the Royal Academy of Music have been
selected for the OAE/Jerwood Experience for Young Players apprenticeship
scheme, as a direct result of the experience they have had with the Becket
Ensemble. This is the only apprenticeship scheme run by a period instrument
orchestra, which gives young musicians direct professional experience alongside
experienced players.
For more information about the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, including
the OAE/Jerwood Experience for Young Players, visit
www.oae.co.uk
Future Plans
Future plans include ongoing collaboration with the Orchestra of the Age of
Enlightenment on coaching projects, and participation in the Genius of the
Violin Festival in 2006, with a concert at the Royal Academy of Music directed
by Margaret Faultless.
For more information about opportunities to use Becket Collection instruments
at the Royal Academy of Music, please contact:
Helen Thorp, Historical Performance Department Administrator
(tel) 020 7873 7379 / (email) historical@ram.ac.uk
|
|
|
|
Contact us at: Becket Collection Administrator, 4 Essex Villas, London W8 7BN,
info@becketcollection.org.
The Becket Collection is an independent body, with charitable status, not
associated primarily with any one orchestra, ensemble or conservatoire. Charity
number 1072238. Trustees: N W Brown, B Peerless, D Pickard, E B Smith
(Chairman), M G Smith
|
|
|