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Wednesday, November 12, 2008, 12:46
The Somerset Standard and Guardian leisure editor Dan Biggane has been organising concerts throughout the year to raise funds for Myeloma UK following the death of his mother to the form of bone marrow cancer last year.
Christine Meadows Consultancy (CMC) has kindly offered to sponsor the event, which is a performance of Mozart's A Little Night Music by the London Chamber Soloists, featuring Sarah Poole (soprano) and David Heyes (double bass).
"I saw a piece in the newspaper last year and I was moved by the story of loss of Dan's mother," said Christine Meadows.
"I got in touch and offered to organise and promote a classical concert on behalf of the charity and for Dan.
"CMC covers a wide education and arts development remit – from supporting education in music and promoting artists and musicians, to offering a creative approach to parenting.
"They may seem quite different but the inspiration behind them is the same – I like to think outside the box!
"I enjoy classical music and I'm really looking forward to bringing the London Chamber Soloists to Frome, it will be a magical evening at the loveliest venue in the town.
"The London Chamber Soloists was founded in the 1980s by David Heyes (double bass) and Sarah Poole (soprano) with friends from the various music conservatoires in London.
"They performed about 25 concerts a year, including several acclaimed concerts at London's prestigious South Bank Centre.
"After a break of a few years, the ensemble was reformed in 2007 and specialises in the music of 18th-century Vienna.
"They have performed a number of successful concerts in the South-West featuring works by Mozart, Beethoven, Haydn and Schubert, and have instigated HAYDN 200, in time for the bicentenary of Haydn's death in 2009, to premiere and perform a number of new concertos for double bass inspired by the only existing fragment of music from the lost Haydn Double Bass Concerto of 1763.
"All members of the London Chamber Soloists are successful performers and teachers, working throughout Britain and abroad with various orchestras and as soloists, and have concerts booked into 2010.
"The concert will include many wonderful works from 18th-century Vienna.
"The style and elegance of the age is encapsulated in the glorious melodies of Mozart alongside the dance music of Lanner and Beethoven.
"The glorious soprano voice of Sarah Poole can be heard in Mozart's Exsultate Jubilate and the concert will also include Mozart's exquisite Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (A Little Night Music), a rare performance of J.M. Sperger's Concert Aria for Soprano, Double Bass and Strings, and the premiere of Judith Bailey's Concerto After Haydn, based on the two existing bars of Haydn's lost Double Bass Concerto, and composed in the style of Haydn.
"The audience will be able to sit back and enjoy the melodies of the musical capital of Europe."
Christine also presents an afternoon magazine show on FromeFM, where she talks to local musicians, artists and writers.
Christine said: "It's because of my interests in the creative arts that I became involved in FromeFM.
"As well as presenting, I'm also the radio's community ambassador and a director.
"I'm extending my range of programmes at the moment and I'll shortly be presenting an educational programme, as well as one which looks at parenting.
"The plan is for FromeFM to continue to broadcast online every Sunday, with Saturday repeats – and then start to do sports commentary on Saturdays.
"As more people come on board – and we have about 70 at the moment – we'll start to take up more Saturday space.
"We are also now talking to other community radio stations in Somerset about sharing our programmes so we can give our musicians/artists/writers a wider audience.
"In the long run we are committed to getting a full-time community radio licence, so we can broadcast on air at all times, rather than just for the 20 days a year that Ofcom lets us have at the moment."
For further information about Christine and her innovative consultancy approach call 01373 451019.
London Chamber Soloists
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