Event overview
Join violinist Peter Sheppard Skærved for four great musical voices of our time, framed by works by two 17th Century composers based in the Ducal court of Modena.
Caprices and Celebrations
Programme: Justin Connolly (1933-2020)– ‘Celebratio’ (2005) - World Premiere
Michael Alec Rose (1959-) –‘Anna Parenna’, ‘Horne Call’, ‘La Superba’ (2024) - World Premiere
Robert Saxton (1953)– Three Miniatures (2024) - World Premiere
David Matthews (1943-) – 'An Arctic Suite' (2024) World Premiere
Giovanni Battista Vitali (1632-1692) – ‘Partite sopra Diverse Sonate’
Giuseppe Colombi (1635-1694)– Capricci e scordature
Four great musical voices of our time, framed by works by two 17th Century composers based in the Ducal court of Modena. The work of Colombi and Vitali was first heard in the London of Charles II, when his younger brother, James, married Mary of Modena in 1672. Her younger brother, the Duke Francesco, was ‘violin mad’ and played in his renowned court orchestra, in which these two composers played.
After the death of Justin Connolly in 2020, a previously unknown work for solo viola was discovered amongst his papers. ‘Celebratio’ is one of a number of works whose premiere and recording have been spearheaded by Neil Heyde, Nic Hodges and Andrew McBirnie. Peter is privileged to have been part of these revivals and resulting recordings.
David Matthews has written over 30 works for solo violin and viola for Peter, who premiered his ‘Artic Suite’ in Zagreb in April 2024. ‘Fantasia’ was written when the composer was in his mid-twenties, and lay unplayed, until Peter took it up, recorded it, and tonight, gives it an long-overdue premiere.
Robert Saxton’s large scale solo sonata was premiered by Peter in the Autumn 2023, and his Kreutzer Quartet have just completed a disc of his works, including the 4th Quartet, dedicated to them. Tonight’s group of miniatures are the first in an emerging cycle of vignettes, the first of which was dedicated to the composer Elliott Schwartz (1936-20016) in 2006.
Nashville-based Michael Alec Rose and Peter were introduced in 2004 by the George Rochberg. Their meeting triggered a collaboration which has resulted in a concerto, chamber works, and numerous works for violin alone. Tonight’s pieces form part of an extended cycle Michael has been writing to be recorded and filmed on the great instruments in museums including the Library of Congress, the Ashmolean Museum, the Zagreb Museum of Arts and Crafts, and the Metroplitan Museum, as part of Peter’s ‘Knowledge Exchange Violin’ project.
Peter Sheppard Skærved is acclaimed internationally for performances of a vast range of solo repertoire. His repertoire stretches from the late 16th century to hundreds of works written for him: these include major works by composers by established ‘greats’ such as Hans Werner Henze and George Rochberg, to the many young composers with whom he collaborates worldwide.
Free, open to all
Image: End papers from a 1765 edition of Alexander Pope's
Peter Sheppard Skaerved website
Dates & times
| Date | Time | Add to calendar |
|---|---|---|
| 2 May 2024 | 6:00pm - 7:30pm |
Accessibility
If you are attending an event and need the College to help with any mobility requirements you may have, please contact the event organiser in advance to ensure we can accommodate your needs.
