Sibelius - symphonies of fire & ice

The music writer (and our new Vice President) MICHAEL JAMESON is justifiably one of the most popular speakers at SRMS meetings and, once again, makes the first presentation of our new season. This year, his subject is Finland's most famous composer. An extra charge of £1 is payable for this evening.

In the mood

JOHN COTTRELL, Chairman of the Forest RMC and also an SRMS member, will attempt to give a mini survey of various types of music that illustrate the different moods that are part of the human experience. We will have to hope that John is in a mellow mood this evening....

Czech masters

SRMS Secretary DAVID CHEALE intends to make a selection from the music of Czech composers such as Smetana and Janacek. The second part of the evening will be given over to a symphony by Dvorak, played in full.

Salute to the ladies - part 2

Female composers have always struggled to make their mark in a male-dominated profession. JIM NICOL believes that they have been unjustifiably neglected and will once again do his best to prove that point.

President's night

For well over 30 years we have been privileged to have a regular annual presentation by our distinguished President, Professor DAVID BROWN. We never know in advance what musical theme he will pursue, but we are always certain of a stimulating and entertaining evening.

Symphonies from the new world?

In 1893, Antonín Dvořák famously instigated a public debate concerning the nature of American national music. We all know Dvořák’s own ‘New World’ Symphony; but what other kinds of symphony have been created in the New World over the last century? And to what degree are they ‘American’? This question is posed by tonight's presenter, Professor DAVID NICHOLLS of Southampton University's Music Department, making a very welcome return visit to the society after his excellent presentation last year.

Ravel

TERRY BARFOOT is a well known music writer and university lecturer in the south of England. He is also Publications Consultant to the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. His subject tonight is the French composer Maurice Ravel. An extra charge of £1 is payable for this meeting.

Note that our next meeting is on the following Friday

Christmas Social Evening

Once again, this social event follows the pattern of an ‘American Supper’ (i.e. everyone brings a contribution to the food and drink) combined with an entertaining Musical Quiz compiled by SRMS Chairman Roy Gage. It is guaranteed to bring the year to a very enjoyable conclusion.

The English concerto in the 20th century

The 20th Century saw a blossoming of concertos written by English composers, many of which are regular items on the concert programme. However, Professor PETER MORICE believes that some underperformed concertos also have considerable virtue. He plans to compare and contrast examples of each group.

Subtle samplings of obscure opuses

For his first presentation to the society, CHRIS COAKES plans to challenge our musical knowledge by investigating music now rarely heard and possibly new to most members. It should be an interesting evening.

Mostly Mozart....

....with a morsel of Morton. For his second presentation to the society, NORMAN AMEY offers a programme of Mozart selected mainly from the lesser-known works. Fellow composer Jelly Roll Morton is expected to make a brief guest appearance.

The name's the same - part 2

Henri Murger inspired two Italian composers to write operas based on his 'La Vie de Bohème', namely Leoncavallo and Puccini. ALBERT-LAURITZ RASMUSSEN will attempt to illustrate these two great works, showing the differences in each composer's approach.

Tchaikovsky

DAVID PEARCE has recently completed his three-part review of the Russian Nationalist composers and their effect on Russian music up to the modern day. However, such a survey would not be complete without this retrospective on a composer who remains to this day the greatest musical talent that Russia has produced, with greatly enduring influences. All Russian composers of any stature, both then and now, admired him and even the obsessive Balakirev recognised his early talent with considerable encouragement. In a wide-ranging programme, David promises some Tchaikovsky that most will not have heard, as well as the more familiar.

The Welsh connection

From Ar hyd y nos to Hen wlad fy nhadau, and with lots more in between - tonight's programme from BRYAN VAUGHAN is devoted to music composed or performed by people associated with Wales. Some liberties will be taken with the great and the good, but all in a good cause.

Keyboard music through the ages

JOHN STRAW plans to concentrate on keyboard music, taking us from the virginals to the modern grand piano. He will also include some organ music, though our hi-fi system (despite its excellence) will never equal the live experience of hearing something like the newly-refurbished 9,997 pipe organ in the Royal Albert Hall!

In Bohemia's woods & fields

Many Czech and Slovak composers wrote melodic music inspired by the varied landscape of their homeland, from lush meadows and trickling streams to high mountain ranges. JIRINA MILLER will present her personal choice.

Staircase to heaven

HAROLD BAGUST's presentation tends to attract one of the largest audiences each year, probably as a result of his devotion to Schubert. There may once have been a good reason why he chose the title shown above for his programme but no one, including Harold, can now remember what it was! Not that it matters, because you are guaranteed an evening of beautiful music!

An alphabet of composers - part 3

Two years ago, SRMS Treasurer DAVID ANDERSON started to work his way through a list of composers with surnames beginning with every letter of the alphabet. This year's programme will start with the letter 'N'.

Russian music

SRMS Chairman ROY GAGE is known for his great enthusiasm for Russian music and will present some of his particular favourites tonight.

Johann Nepomuk Hummel

It might have taken MICHELLE GREEN seven years to prepare for her first presentation to the society last season, but there's no stopping her now! This year she will be playing a varied selection of music by Hummel interspersed with information on his life and works. She may even explain the origin of his middle name.

A musical journey around the world

NEVILLE GREEN has developed an interest in seeking out unusual arrangements of classical works from around the world, often taking a chance on CDs found in charity shops. Be prepared to hear some familiar pieces presented in an unconventional manner.

Your loss, Adolf, our gain

Between Adolf Hitler's rise to power in 1933 and the outbreak of war with Germany in 1939, many musicians of Jewish descent, or with other reasons for fearing the Nazis, found little alternative but to leave their homeland and seek sanctuary elsewhere. GRAHAM BALMAIN will follow the lives and work of some of those who came to Britain and contributed, then and later, to musical life here.

Korngold

BARRY DAVIS will describe the life and work of Erich Wolfgang Korngold - a child prodigy pronounced a 'genius' at the age of eight by Gustav Mahler. His rather unusual life grew to span the very different worlds of Vienna and Hollywood. A successful composer of operas, such as Die Tote Stadt, he also won two Oscars for his film scores.

An evening with Derek Goodger

The President of the Southampton Choral Society, DEREK GOODGER, has been one of our regular presenters for many years. Derek is a professional musician and a very entertaining speaker. His enthusiasm always makes this meeting a highlight of our season.

Annual General Meeting

All members are asked to make their best efforts to attend the Annual General Meeting. Important decisions are made and votes taken which can fundamentally affect the future operation of the Society.