Swiss pianist Christoph Braun
There is a Cornish flavour to the next concert at Holy Innocents church in Hammersmith, when the Composers Present group – celebrating its 10th anniversary this year – will perform.
The composers who belong to the club live or work in Hammersmith & Fulham, with Andrew Wells presenting several of his Cornish songs, joined by Ros Keating and Shelley Smith from the Chiswick Baroque a cappella group.
The concert takes place at the church in Paddenswick Road – near Ravenscourt Park tube – on Sunday January 29 at 4pm.
Andrew, who lives in Stamford Brook, works as a rehearsal accompanist to the Petros Singers (the Hammersmith-based chamber choir), the Hogarth Singers (a Chiswick choir) and the Fulham & Hammersmith Choral Society.
Other members of Composers Present whose work is being showcased are: Julian Dawes (Clarinet sonatina, Always of My Heart); Celia Harper (Water Music for solo violin, featuring David Juritz, and The River of Life); and John Carmichael (Short Cuts).
Special guest on the afternoon’s bill is Swiss pianist Christoph Braun, who began learning the piano at the age of eight, studying under Margrit Rederer in Zurich.
He has produced three CDs of improvised music, and will perform London Pictures at the concert.
“I believe the art of improvising can be compared with the ability to speak freely,” explained Christoph. “When I prepare for a concert, I reflect on different themes, motifs, harmonies, melodies and characters as well as the order of the pieces.
“What happens next is purely extemporaneous and cannot be repeated. I try to arouse emotions in myself and in my audience; the aim is to evoke images, stories and films in listeners’ minds.”
Refreshments are available in the half hour before the performance and during the interval, and tickets are £12 (£10 concs). Under 16s free.
