For some people, moving to a new place is a daunting prospect. Trying to find your tribe and meet new people can be a challenge. Others jump in feet first and not only engage themselves in a new environment, but also seek to add to and grow the cultural tapestry of their new home.
Shortly after Christine Jasper moved to Jersey in 2021, she established Moments Musicaux Jersey to promote professional classical music on the island. She has clearly found her tribe – those who value and live and breathe music; she graced the cover of our Winter Edition last year with a group of them. Christine and her artistic advisors are inspired by bringing together an audience who loves classical music and sought-after internationally acclaimed artists. They are seeking to work on new projects that can create a one-of-a-kind concert experience. Here’s what they have lined up over the coming months.
Saturday, 12th October 2024
The Journeys of Chopin
7pm Town Church
The historic Town Church will resonate this month with the beautiful music of Frédéric Chopin, performed by internationally acclaimed pianist, Hardy Rittner.
This concert offers a rare opportunity to experience the profound beauty of Chopin’s music in an intimate and historic setting. Whether you’re a devoted classical music enthusiast or a curious newcomer, Hardy Rittner’s performance is not to be missed. Curated and organised by Moments Musicaux as the opening concert of their recently published 2024/25 season and in Association with Jersey Opera House, this exceptional evening promises to be a highlight of the island’s cultural calendar.
Hardy Rittner is renowned as a pioneer in the historically informed performance of 19th-century keyboard music. He bridges the gap between period instruments and the modern concert grand piano, bringing a deep understanding of historical context to his performances. His expertise extends beyond the music of Chopin, as his repertoire includes works from the classical era to contemporary music.
A scholar as well as a performer, Hardy Rittner’s research focuses on the music of Chopin, with particular attention to the composer’s virtuosic yet lyrical style. His recent publication, ‘’Die vergessene Cantilene. Frédéric Chopin’s misunderstood virtuosity’’ (2022) provides fresh insights into Chopin’s pursuit of a ‘vocal ideal’ influenced by bel canto, even in the most technically demanding passages of his works.
Rittner’s distinguished career has taken him to prestigious venues across Europe, including the Philharmonie and Konzerthaus in Berlin, Alte Oper Frankfurt, and Tonhalle Düsseldorf, among others. His performances have also been heard in the United States, Canada, South Korea, China, and Taiwan. In addition to his concert career, Hardy Rittner has recorded an extensive discography for the Detmold label MDG, including the first complete rendition of Johannes Brahms’s solo piano music on period instruments. He is a two-time Echo Klassik laureate and currently serves as a professor of piano and artistic research at Musikhochschule Freiburg.
The evening’s hour-long programme will feature some of Chopin’s most beloved works, including:
Nocturne in D-flat major, Op. 27 No. 2
Nocturne in B major, Op. 32 No. 1
Nocturne in E major, Op. 62 No. 2
Polonaise in C-sharp minor, Op. 26 No. 1
Mazurkas: F-sharp minor, Op. 6 No. 1; C-sharp minor, Op. 6 No. 2; C-sharp minor, Op. 63 No. 3
Barcarolle in F-sharp major, Op. 60
Sonata in B-flat minor, Op. 35
In association with the Jersey Opera House.
Adults: £20, Concessions: £15
Tickets: jerseyoperahouse.co.uk
Saturday, 16th November 2024
‘Awakenings’ Song Recital
Laurence Kilsby, Tenor and Ella O’Neill, Piano
7pm St Marks Church
The award-winning tenor and his piano partner perform their Wigmore Hall program in Jersey, an eclectic mix of Brahms, Saint-Saëns, Wolf, Schoenberg and Britten themed around the journey from innocence to lust.
In Awakening, Kilsby and O’Neill will guide the audience through a poignant musical journey, exploring the emotional and romantic awakenings of life, from childhood to adulthood. The diverse programme includes works by Brahms, Saint-Saëns, Wolf, Schoenberg, Rebecca Clarke, Hugh Wood, Jake Heggie, and Kurt Weill, offering an eclectic mix of songs that promise to resonate deeply.
Having recently released their debut CD, Awakening, which critics describe as “an intriguing & eclectic programme full of disturbing elements complemented by performances of remarkable maturity,” the duo’s live performance is not to be missed. Robert Hugill of Planet Hugill praised Kilsby’s “chameleon-like performance” and O’Neill’s “remarkable emotional depth,” making this recital a truly immersive experience.
In Association with the Jersey Opera House.
Adults: £20, Concessions: £15
Tickets: jerseyoperahouse.co.uk
2025:
Saturday, 18th January 2025, 7pm
Young Pyo Lee
7pm Private Salon ‘La Fallue’
An evening with French violinist Young Pyo Lee. Young Pyo Lee was born in Bordeaux, France. He studied at the Bordeaux Conservatory with Professors Jean-Luc Fort and Vladimir Nemtanu. He has taken part in Festivals such as Prussia Cove, the Holland Music Sessions, the Salzburg Mozarteum and Bowdoin (USA).
Thursday, 13th February 2025
Aimez-Vous Brahms?
7pm St Marks Church
Ahead of Valentine’s Day, allow yourself to be taking on a journey to the shores of the Donau with Brahms ‘Liebeslieder Waltzes’ and ‘Neue Liebeslieder Waltzes’.
Featuring Susanna MacRae, Soprano. Christine Jasper, Contralto. N.N., Tenor. Benjamin Hewat-Craw, Baritone. Richard Lewis, Piano and Satoshi Kubo, Piano
Friday, 21st March 2025
A Journey Through The Seasons
7pm St Town Church
The Quartet of the London Mozart Players will return to Jersey and take us on a journey through the seasons including Vivaldi’s ‘Four Seasons’ in a setting for chamber ensemble. The quartet is known for its precision, expressiveness, and contribution to London’s vibrant chamber music scene.
Friday, 25th April 2025
Gerard Le Feuvre (Cello)
7pm St Marks Church
One of the leading cellists of his generation will perform an evening of Solo Cello works. Gerard Le Feuvre is a renowned British cellist, composer, and conductor. He founded the Kings Chamber Orchestra in London and is known for his passionate performances and diverse repertoire, blending classical, sacred, and contemporary music. Le Feuvre’s work often reflects his Christian faith and community involvement.
Saturday, 7th June, 2025
Mateusz Kowalski (Guitar)
7pm Private Salon ‘La Fallue’
Celebrate the end of the season with a recital by the young Polish, prize-winning Guitarist. Mateusz is acclaimed for his technical mastery and emotive performances. A graduate of the Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in Warsaw, he has performed internationally, captivating audiences with his interpretations of classical guitar repertoire, spanning from Baroque to contemporary music.
