On this page you can see what is keeping me busy – musically speaking – and keep up to date with forthcoming performances and projects. Please check back regularly for further news.
Braille Music (2017) Documentary – Available Now
\’Braille Music\’ Trailer
Braille Music is the subject of a new documentary directed by American film-maker Michael House. It features six blind musicians who come together to record a tribute to Louis Braille.
Braille Music in now on Amazon Prime U.K. It\’s free to anyone who is a member of Amazon Prime, if you\’re not a member, you can rent it or buy it.
‘Hope’ by Zoe Dixon, the piece of music featured in the film, is available on Amazon, iTunes UK and Google Play.
2018 showing.
I am delighted that the film will be screened as part of the Ludlow English Song Weekend on Friday 6 April 2018.
Read more about the film, including the associated piece of music, on this previous news post.
James Oswald : A Romantic Scot in Handel’s London
Thursday 14 September at 6.30pm
Handel and Hendrix in London, 25 Brook Street, Mayfair, London, W1k 4HB.
Lois Murray – Soprano
James risdon – Recorders
Trevor Hughes – Harpsichord
A performance of the charming song cycle Colin’s Kisses as well as other instrumental gems by one of the 18th century’s most distinctive composers.
Venue website
Tel: 020 7495 1685
Sensing Nature Sound Trail
Friday 30th June- 5pm
Saturday 1st July – 12pm, 2.30pm, 4.30pm
Thornham Walks, Thornham Magna, Eye, Suffolk IP23 8HA
“Sensing Nature” will see the Tactile Ensemble create music inspired by the natural world in the beautiful surroundings of Thornham in Norfolk. Further information can be found on the flyer.
Whether you can be there or not, please perform your own little anti-rain dance…
Braille Music (2017) Documentary
Braille Music is the subject of a new documentary directed by American film-maker Michael House. It features six blind musicians who come together to record a tribute to Louis Braille.
As part of the film, we spent two days in Paris, treading the streets where Braille lived and worked. Brilliantly, the classroom where he taught, as well as numerous samples of his tactile code are preserved. Even more extraordinary is that his means of conveying stave notation in combinations of six dots remains largely unaltered and continues to thrive in the digital age.
As someone whose study and employment have depended largely on Braille, making this documentary was both very moving and a great privilege.
While we eagerly await news of a network broadcast, you can see the trailors and full credits on the IMDB website.
Braille Music was premiered at the Montreal International Film Festival of the Arts on 26 March. You can see more at the FIFA website.
Zoe Dixon’s setting of Hope by Emily Dickinson, commissioned especially for the film, can be downloaded from Amazon, iTunes UK and Google Play.
Proceeds will be donated to the Amber Trust, a charity supporting the musical endeavours of blind and partially sighted young people, including those with additional and complex needs.
Guest appearance for the Amber Trust
Sunday 14 May 2017 at 3:00pm
The Wathen Hall, St Paul’s School, Barnes SW13 9JT
I am delighted to have been invited by the Amber Trust (link to www.ambertrust.org) to perform at their next fundraising concert to support their work with young blind and partially sighted musicians. Amber support some amazing young people and this concert is a wonderful chance to hear some of them.
Click to download/print a pdf of the flyer.
British Paraorchestra with members of the CBSO
Saturday 18 February 2017 at 7.30pm
Symphony Hall, Birmingham, B1 2EA
Programme to include Corelli’s epic ‘La Follia’ and Lloyd Coleman’s ‘Towards Harmony’.
A concert for St Valentine
Sunday 12 February at 3pm
The Church of St Paul and St Peter, Aldeburgh, IP15 5DU
Join us for a complete performance of the little known but charming collection of songs known as ‘Colin’s Kisses’ by the 18th century Scottish composer James Oswald paired with arrangements of several songs on the theme of love by George Gershwin.
Featuring:
Lois Murray – Soprano
James Risdon – Recorders
Gillian Hughes – Clarinet
Trevor Hughes – various keyboard instruments
Janet Tothill – Double Bass
Clare Fleck – Narrator
Tickets available on the door.
A concert for St Valentine – Norfolk
Saturday 11 February at 7:30pm
St. Mary’s Church, Kirkgate, Holme-next-the-Sea, Norfolk PE36 6LJ
Join us for a complete performance of the little known but charming collection of songs known as ‘Colin’s Kisses’ by the 18th century Scottish composer James Oswald paired with arrangements of several songs on the theme of love by George Gershwin.
Featuring:
Lois Murray – Soprano
James Risdon – Recorders
Gillian Hughes – Clarinet
Trevor Hughes – Various keyboard instruments
Janet Tothill – Double Bass
Clare Fleck – Narrator
Tickets available on the door.
Taking the Recorder for a walk…
Saturday 28 January at 7.30pm
St Alfege Church, Greenwich, SE10 9BJ
A programme “taking the recorder for a walk” through some familiar countryside and charting some less familiar territory…
Featuring:
James Risdon – Recorders
Trevor Hughes – Organ and Piano
Tickets available on the door.
Rejoice and Be Merry Christmas Event
Tuesday 6th December 2016 at 7.30pm
Grosvenor Chapel
South Audley Street, Mayfair, London W1K 2PA
Christmas words and music for choir and audience.
Introduced and narrated by Brian Kay
Featuring:
Joyful Company of Singers
Peter Broadbent – Conductor
James Risdon – Recorder
Michael Higgins – Organ
Tickets £20 and £15 from Eventbrite