Music

whatever your talent, we’ve got the stage for you!

Timothy Redmond presents the Advanced Conducting students in a stirring programme, ending with Brahms’ valedictory 4th Symphony.

It includes a piano concerto performance by Beethoven, Liszt or Bartók, performed by the winner of the 2018 Dartington Piano Competition.

Adie Birtwell introduces 2 x 45 minute sets from new artists or established musicians showcasing new material.

Music Launch Pad is every third Thursday of the month at the Bay Horse Totnes. It’s a platform for previewing new music, new line ups and for artists to introduce themselves to Totnes.

As always we’ll have two brilliant acts for you at Music Launch Pad at the Bay. Free entry.

At 8.45 we kick off with Devon based blues roots alternative singer/songwriter Ollie Dixon. Ollie’s original and energetic sound is steeped in historical and contemporary influences that transcend obvious comparisons with pioneers of the roots tradition. Ollie’s songs are powerful, melodic and accomplished – switching from tender and brittle to involved, complex, impassioned and transfixing melodies. Ollie Dixon is a rare star whose humility belies his future brightness.

At 9.45pm we have Kris Howe And The Nows which means Kris Howe, Dave Atkins and Anna Karthäuser who’ve performed together since 2011. The band was formed by Kris to perform his own songs as distinct from the work he was doing as Shane Roe’s songwriting partner in the South Hams Boogie Band which morphed into the Three Radicals.
Kris has been playing and songwriting for 50 years or so and released a few of his well known songs on the CD Sweet Dreams in the Castle of Nowhere, in 2011. He will be bringing some of his latest with mandolin accompaniment and delightful vocal harmonies from Anna and Dave. At one stage the Nows were a seven piece backing band of very accomplished musicians who are still working and playing with various acts around the country. Whatever the format, they are brilliant, don’t miss this!

A hugely pleasurable concert: show-stopping operatic arias by Puccini, Verdi, Mozart and Bizet, performed with panache and style by students on the Advanced Opera course.

This was one of our highlights last year – come and be entertained and enthralled. Best enjoyed sipping a glass of champagne.

The Dartmouth Inn is excited to be hosting their first ever Sausage & Cider Festival, featuring some great live music from The Ukelective, The Crooked Tempo Samba Band and The Mighty Skankers Ska and Reggae Band.

There’ll be BBQs outside from 6pm and live music all evening both Friday & Saturday.

Friday
The Ukelective from 7pm

Saturday
Crooked Tempo Samba Band from 7pm
The Mighty Skankers Ska & Reggae from 9pm

Haydn’s exhilarating, life-enhancing oratorio tells the story of the creation of the world and mankind, in exultant choruses and sublime arias.

In this specially conceived performance for Dartington, it’s conducted by the superb Jane Glover, and narrated by the celebrated actor Harriet Walter.

With surtitles

Together the husband and wife duo combine the rich traditions of folk music with original and contemporary interpretations, through a blend of closely intertwined vocal harmonies. Their music is performed with integrity and on instruments that include the concertina, harmonium, banjo, stompbox, acoustic guitar and dobra.

Final night party, with a live Salsa band to practise your stylish moves. Bring your dancing shoes!

he hugely popular Black Voices return! Formed in 1987 by its Music Director Carol Pemberton MBE, Black Voices has gained a reputation as Europe’s finest female a cappella quintet.

For over 25 years the ensemble has captivated global audiences with their singing and performances in the black oral tradition – an early music form that is based on the ancient folklores and story telling of Africa and the Diaspora, which has impacted on classical music, as well as blues and jazz.

Drawing inspiration from that rich tradition, Black Voices has developed a unique repertoire and arrangement of spirituals, traditional African, Caribbean and English folk songs, jazz, gospel, pop and reggae as well as a fusion of contemporary and classical styles that has earned them world wide recognition as a performance and teaching company.

Brave and compelling – The People’s String Foundation fuse passionate theatrics with an urban gypsy sound and spellbinding performances. Led by Ben Sutcliffe (musical director for Rogue, Kneehigh and Bish Bash Bosh theatre companies) who’s virtuoso violin styles have resulted in him to playing with the likes of The Levellers, The Stranglers, The Yardbirds and Gary Stringer from Reef, the collective use the drive of urban/world beats with a distinctive artisan twist. As a band they generally play from the core 3 member up to a 7 piece ensemble but that to expands into a 24 piece orchestra in certain situations such as their infamous concert on the cliffs of Cornwall at the dramatic Minack Theatre.

The People’s String Foundation are fast being recognised as intense musical heavyweights in folk circles and on the festival scene, having featured at on renown stages like Chai Wallahs in front of large numbers people. Live veterans across the UK and mainland Europe they are guaranteed to inspire the audience to be moved emotionally or get up to dance with excitement. After 2 album releases, Making Waves and The Lost Dreams of Gilgamesh they have a large repertoire of originals, whilst both release were acclaimed the second was only promoted within the southwest due to theatre commitments so in 2016 the album is re-issued and promoted across the UK with festival and venue dates planned throughout the year. The People’s String Foundation are on a mission – to make something big and beautiful with nothing but heart and a grass roots spirit brought live and direct to your venue.

Join us for the launch of Permutations, where you can meet the composer and architects behind this fabulous installation, running all week until 25 August.

Permutations is a project exploring the social capacity of music and architecture, a roaming performance artwork. Written by the composer Freya Waley-Cohen, performed and recorded by violinist Tamsin Waley-Cohen, in an architectural setting designed by Finbar O’Dempsey and Andrew Skulina, it’s a playfully powerful and intriguing experience. It’s family-friendly too, inviting you to explore a new work of music through walking round six adjustable chambers.

Described as ‘at once intimate and visionary’ by BBC Music Magazine, Freya Waley-Cohen’s music has been performed in the Wigmore Hall, Sage Gateshead, Barbican Centre, The British Film Institute, Aldeburgh, Tanglewood, Santa Fe, Cheltenham, St Magnus and Spitalfields festivals. Winner of a Royal Philharmonic Society Composition Prize in 2017, Freya held an Open Space Residency at Snape Malitngs from 2015-2017, and was 2016 Composition Fellow at Tanglewood Festival; she is Associate Composer of NonClassical, NightMusic at St. David’s Hall. She is a founding member and artistic director of Listenpony, a concert series, commissioning body and record label that programmes classical music, both new and old, alongside a variety of other genres including folk, jazz and pop, in beautiful and unusual venues.

Blues, fairy tales, salsa, and Eleanor Alberga’s epic and moving It’s Time, based on the great Pushkin poem It’s time, my friend, it’s time: a recital devoted to the power of female imagination.

Sofia Gubaidulina Musical Toys
Errollyn Wallen I wouldn’t normally say
Gabriela Ortiz Suy-muy-key
Stevie Wishart Proem, Prelude and Fugue
Freya Waley-Cohen Southern Leaves
Nina Simone trans. MacGregor Little Girl Blue; Good Bait
Eleanor Alberga It’s Time

Joanna MacGregor’s programme draws on music’s biggest female talents, from Mexico, Belize, Russia, the Deep South and the UK. Stylistically, the music ranges from Gubaidulina’s delicate, folk-inspired pointillism and rip-roaring salsa from Errolyn Wallen and Gabriela Ortiz, to breathtaking, Nancarrow-inspired prelude-writing from Stevie Wishart. Freya Waly-Cohen’s spacious homage to Nina Simone is followed by MacGregor’s own jazz transcriptions. Eleanor Alberga is our resident composer this week, mentoring the Advanced Composers course.

MacGregor’s verve, energy and astounding technique are always at the service of the music and never vice versa. Her ability to inhabit so many sound worlds with the same intensity and commitment is profoundly impressive. – BBC Classical Review

A nutritious, thought-provoking programme of works from this much-loved string quartet, returning to Dartington.

The whole of the second half comprises Beethoven’s Op.132 transcendant, late statement; before the interval, Britten’s Quartet no.2, which was was written to mark Purcell’s 250th anniversary in 1945. (Purcell’s Fantasia Upon One Note, with Britten playing the drone on the viola, was added to this work’s first recording, on a 78.) Eleanor Alberga’s exhilarating, one movement quartet – commissioned by the Smith Quartet in 1994 – opens the concert.

Eleanor Alberga Quartet no.2
Britten Quartet no.2
Beethoven Quartet in A minor Op.132

Joanna Eden will be returning to perform to perform songs from her stunning new album ‘Truth Tree’.  If you like the music of Joni Mitchell, Carole King, James Taylor and Kate Bush, ‘Truth Tree’ should appeal to you.

Joanna’s originals will be interspersed with songs by her heroes; from Joni Mitchell to Nina Simone, James Taylor to The Kinks.
In a twenty year career, Joanna has shared stages with The Buena Vista Social Club, Jamie Cullum, The Blockheads and Ronan Keating as well as her superstar student Sam Smith who was her backing singer as a teenager. The Grammy and Oscar winning artist, has cited Joanna simply as “the reason I sing”.

Tickets Here

Up from Cornwall, this quintet focus on jazz of the 50s/60s with emphasis on improv.

Returning to Dartington after their unforgettable debut last summer, Nathaniel Mann and Robin Alderton’s Dead Rat Orchestra have gained a reputation as one of the most innovative ensembles on the UK music scene.

Raw, elemental and haunting, with a love of idiosyncratic folk traditions and antiquated technology, you’re sure to be amazed, and inspired.

Dead Rat Orchestra are adventurers adrift in a sea of sound and possibility, plucking textures and melodies to craft their idiosyncratic vision of what music and performance can be. Most often they have steered their ship through the idioms of Folk and Improv, to shout, sing and glisten at audiences. Acutely haunting, occasionally brutal and raucously joyous their music always attempts to enchant and entrance, be it emotionally or physically. Formed by Daniel Merrill, Nathaniel Mann and Robin Alderton, necessity has sometimes dictated duo performances of any permutation, always imbued with a sense of the missing member. Instruments are constantly swapped.

They have created music using the architectural surroundings in which they find themselves; coppice woods, abandoned abattoirs, paper mills, churches. Rarely performing in a conventional manner they often step away from the stage, to sing and holler a cappella amongst the audience..

Visiting for the first time is cool trumpeter Byron Wallen. He has collaborated with jazz and pop artists including George Benson, Chaka Khan, Talvin Singh, Courtney Pine, Craig David, Hugh Masekela, Style Council, Jean Toussaint, and Cleveland Watkiss. In 1992, Wallen formed Sound Advice touring the UK and playing in Syria in 1996 and the Czech Republic in 1997. The band also appeared at the North Sea Jazz Festival, gaining critical and audience acclaim. He has also visited East Africa, Morocco, Nigeria, Indonesia and Belize (his parents’ homeland).

On tour Wallen works with local musicians, developing new ideas for his performances and compositions. He’s joined here by musicians of international brilliance and recognition.

“Byron Wallen is one of the most innovative, exciting and original trumpet players alive” – Jazzwise Magazine.

Formed at the Royal Academy of Music, the Tritium Trio is a truly multinational ensemble, comprising Slovenian clarinettist Jernej Albreht, Swedish cellist Lydia Hillerudh, and Australian pianist Joseph Havlat.

Eleanor Alberga Duo from Dancing with the Shadow
Brett Dean Night Window
Brahms Clarinet Trio in A minor Op.114

The award-winning young clarinet trio make their debut in this imaginative programme. The foremost desire of the group is to explore repertoire other than pieces typically played by this ensemble type – in particular the clarinet trios of Beethoven and Brahms – in order, as they say rather modestly, ‘to make rehearsals and performances as refreshing and enlightening as possible, for both the trio and any audience they may have.’

An exploration of decadent, political Berlin during the Weimar era from Sarah Gabriel, one of the UK’s most talented and experienced singers in music theatre and classical music.

The programme includes songs by Kurt Weill, Hollaender (The Blue Angel), and Krenek (Jonny spielt auf).

The brilliant soprano Sarah Gabriel sings music spanning four centuries, from early Handel works to brand-new commissions. Sarah performs on the opera stage around the world, in recital and in oratorios, in contemporary music, and in music theatre. She made her triumphant European debut as Eliza Doolittle in Robert Carsen’s much-loved production of My Fair Lady at Théâtre du Châtelet, opposite Alex Jennings as Higgins.

sarahgabriel.eu
Listen to Sarah

Joanna MacGregor, the Artistic Director of Dartington International Summer School & Festival, is one of the world’s most innovative musicians, appearing as a concert pianist, curator, and collaborator. Head of Piano at the Royal Academy of Music and Professor of the University of London, she has performed in more than eighty countries.

“MacGregor’s verve, energy and astounding technique are always at the service of the music and never vice versa. Her ability to inhabit so many sound worlds with the same intensity and commitment is profoundly impressive.” – BBC Classical Review

Irish music session.

Feel free to join in if you’d like – bring your fiddle, Bodhrán, Uilleann pipes- whatever!

All inclusive singing session for all-comers.

Come along and join in.

Steve and Lizzy, invite you to take the limelight for your own songs and if you ask nicely they will play along with you – or not as the case maybe.

Friendly, welcoming and encouraging, it’s always a good evening.

A chance to catch Bristol based folk-ster Phil King in an intimate setting in the Brewery garden at the foot of Totnes Castle.

Phil released his third studio album ‘The Wreckage’ in spring 2016. “Stunningly Beautiful, The Wreckage should expand his profile considerably.” – Folk Radio UK

As a singer-songwriter Phil King has the whole trinity: a beautiful, soulful singing voice; deft skills at playing the guitar and the capacity to write elegantly worded and powerful songs. Seen live, his diffident charm could win over the grumpiest of crowds” Tony Benjamin B24/7

“A modern Bill Withers in the making” Jazzwise Magazine

“Supremely talented Bristol-based singer, Phil King. He has a voice to die for” Time Out,London

“Absolutely Brilliant. He is a Song Weaver.” – Bob Harris BBC Radio 2

“Always lyrical, tuneful and emotional, lovers of the darker side of folk and roots-based music will find plenty to enjoy.”
– R2 Rock’n’Reel Magazine

“…an easy creativity and a sureness of direction, thats both appealing and accessible in a radio friendly way yet without lacking in substance. Phil’s songs are couched in the simple language of truth.” – Fatea Magazine

Eli hosts an Open Session on each other Thursday welcoming friends or guests, to either take over the Open Mic or to join in the session atmosphere at the end. If you want to come along and join in just come early and speak to Eli about a slot.

Somewhere in town..sometime in the evening….we will let you know… 😉

“Council of Giants are a post-punk influenced band who draw from the best of the genre’s past (think The Chameleons, Modern English or early Psychedelic Furs) while adding their own twist to the sound by incorporating elements of prog, goth and indie rock.

​With a well-received debut EP ‘Falling Down’ and a fearsome live reputation, Council of Giants are a band that demands your attention.”

Al O’Kane

West Country troubadour who folds Jimi Hendrix
into the sound of Celtic resistance rock n’ roll. Part
Waterboys, part Velvet Underground.

Followed by:

JUNK VOLCANO
‘A psychedelic plastic wasteland rock band from
the oceanic volcanoes at the edge of the world…’

Relax in the Garden and join Ensemble Baklava who blend the sounds of the oud, bouzouki, concertina, bagpipes, Middle Eastern percussion, mandolin, baglama, spiked fiddle, guitar, tin whistle and voices to bring evocative, stirring and lively music and song from the Mediterranean region, both contemporary and ancient.

One of our favourites – Western Swing, hokum, ragtime – the perfect beer festival band!

Steve and Lizzy, invite you to take the limelight for your own songs and if you ask nicely they will play along with you – or not as the case maybe.

Friendly, welcoming and encouraging, it’s always a good evening.

Following a stunning set at Party In The Town, Talitha Rise returns to Totnes to play an intimate gig with The Abandoned Orchestra at the gorgeous Angel Studios.

​”Not only could I listen to this record over and over again,
I have, and will continue doing so. If it was vinyl I’d have probably worn it out by now” Fatea Magazine

Plus special guests Julu Irvine & Heg Brignall, also fresh from a wonderful performance at Party In The Town.

Tickets £8 in advance / £10 on the door.