Your events at Classical Events
Details
St James' Church
Thurland Road
Bermondsey
London
SE16 4AA
England
Programme
Arcangelo Corelli – Concerto Grosso in G minor 'Christmas concerto', Op.6 no.8
Antonio Vivaldi – The Four Seasons
Performers
Harriet Mackenzie – violin
David Wright – harpsichord
Surround Sound
Programme Note
World class violinist Harriet Mackenzie returns to our programme for a special Christmas concert: come and be swept away by a breathtaking candlelit performance of Vivaldi’s legendary Four Seasons performed by Harriet in a new collaboration with her stellar cellist sister Alexandra Mackenzie and her collective, Surround Sound. This hour long programme will open with Corelli’s sumptuously magical ‘Christmas Concerto'. Acclaimed maestro David Wright will be joining them on harpsichord.
Pre-concert prosecco, mulled wine and juice, along with mince pies, will be available to pre-order when you purchase your tickets online. Come in good time: the concert itself will start at 7.30pm and run for an hour without interval.
More about the performers:
Described as delivering “searing intensity” and “captivating” performances (The Strad), Harriet Mackenzie's recordings have received five stars from The Times and nominations for 'Recording of the Year' by Music Web International. She has performed across five continents and been made Associate of the Royal Academy in 2015 for her outstanding contributions to music. She has also been praised by Gramophone Magazine for her "superbly responsive playing" and "faultless technique." Harriet has recorded for labels such as Nimbus, Signum, and Naxos, and her performances are regularly broadcast on BBC Radio 3 and Classic FM. A passionate advocate for contemporary music, she has premiered over 100 new works. Her extensive soloist performances include collaborations with leading orchestras such as the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Bournemouth Symphony, and London Chamber Orchestra. She continues to direct her own Celoniatus Ensemble, named after her 1730 Italian violin, and be a part of Kosmos Ensemble, that she has brought to us in Rotherhithe.
Alexandra Mackenzie is internationally recognised as an outstanding cello player and educator. Eight years in New York saw her work with the legendary S.E.M. Ensemble and play with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra and found her touring with a ragtime band and recording for Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson and the Wu Tan Clan. She appeared at Carnegie Hall, Weill Hall and Alice Tully and played concerts in 43 of America's 50 States.
Surround Sound is a recently-formed collective where the timeless beauty of classical music meets the innovative spirit of contemporary performance. At the heart of Surround Sound lies a profound belief in the transformative power of music with its unique ability to touch hearts and minds. Their mission is to bring the finest works of legendary composers to life, as well as to introduce audiences to contemporary pieces that reflect the evolving landscape of classical music.
David Wright is a musician of international acclaim who specialises in early keyboard instruments. Originally from London's East End, David was entirely self taught as a child until his late teens, after which he went to study at the Royal College of Music winning numerous international competitions and prizes, most notably the Broadwood Harpsichord Competition. He pursues an extremely busy career as soloist, chamber musician and continuo player in orchestras and opera companies, recently recording with The Academy of Ancient Music.
Built in the first part of the 19th century when Jamaica Road had a few rather grand houses along it, St James' Church was modeled on the Greek temples, is graced with a fine interior gallery all the way round and a spire in the style of Wren. John Betjeman described it as “probably the finest of the Waterloo churches”. It is a short walk from Bermondsey tube station.
