World premieres and artists announced for Classical Weekend 2019

World premieres and artists announced for Classical Weekend, 8-10th March 2019!

After announcing the third Classical Weekend will be hosted in Sheffield from 8 – 10 March 2019, we have released details of the artists that will feature. We are excited to announce that the weekend festival will include ten world premieres as well as featuring over 30 free performances and hands-on workshops.

World premieres include: a new Classical Sheffield commission by Ellen Sargen featuring Ella Taylor and Sarah Watts during a concert from Ligeti Quartet; Prayers from the Ark, a world premiere from composer Robin Morton sung by soprano Georgia Denham; Women of Steel from Sheffield City Opera, a new opera based upon the story of the Sheffield Women of Steel who worked bravely and tirelessly through two world wars in Sheffield’s munition factories; and a choral work from Sheffield-based composer Timothy Peters. The festival finale will also include a world premiere by composer Jenny Jackson alongside a collaborative performance of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony by Hallam Sinfonia, Hallam Choral Society and Singers from the City.

For the first time, the weekend has been programmed around three themes: Women in Music, to celebrate International Women’s Day which falls on the same day the festival opens; Future Makers, to celebrate the wealth of young musicians in the city; and Beyond Borders, which celebrates both the fusion of classical music with other art forms and different world cultures. The new commissions link to these themes and demonstrate that Sheffield is leading the way for new classical music in the United Kingdom.

The festival will also feature concerts and a workshop from award-winning Kuljit Bhamra MBE in partnership with Music in the Round. Kuljit is a world-renowned musician and considered to be one of the most inspiring musicians in the British Asian music scene. He has worked on film scores for Indiana Jones and Bend it Like Beckham as well as performing as on-stage percussionist for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s hit musical Bombay Dreams. Classical Sheffield has also commissioned a new work by the acclaimed artist which will premiere during his concerts. Bringing the Beyond Borders theme to life, he’ll be performing with the Sheffield Music Hub Senior Orchestra, who as winners of a National Award for Innovation in 2014 are one of the best school-aged Youth Orchestras in the country.

Stewart Campbell, Producer for Classical Weekend said:

“The line-up is not only a good representation of the thriving classical music scene in Sheffield but is bringing artists from across the UK to the city for some truly exciting performances and workshops. Over 7,000 people attended events during the Weekend in 2017, and we can’t wait to see people in the city enjoying so much live music again in 2019.”

Passes are on sale now and cost just £20 for a day pass or £30 for the whole weekend. Individual tickets, which are just £5 per concert or workshop, go on sale in January. With restricted numbers on passes Classical Sheffield recommends purchasing them early to avoid disappointment. See this website or call 0114 2233 777.

Friday Line-Up:

Global Soundtracks: Kadialy Kouyate, Ligeti Quartet, Platform4, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sound Junction

Saturday Line-Up:

Endcliffe Orchestra, Global Soundtracks: Haymanot Tesfa & Arian Sadr, Guild of Strings, Kuljit Bhamra (tabla), Lucy Phillips and Jonny Ingall (violin & cello duo), Music and Art with Gildas Quartet and Jack McNeill (clarinet), Music in the Round’s Bridge Quartet, Sarentino Strings, Sheffield Bach Choir, Sheffield Chamber Choir, Sheffield City Opera, Sheffield Flute Choir, Sheffield Philharmonic Orchestra, Sheffield Young Voices, Sheffield Music Hub Senior Orchestra, Sterndale Singers, Vivacity

Sunday Line-Up:

Ensemble 360, Kuljit Bhamra (tabla), Hallam Sinfonia, Hallam Choral Society and singers from the city, Lawson Trio, Peter Fagerlind (piano), Sheffield Cathedral Choirs, Sheffield Music Academy, Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus, Sheffield Symphony Orchestra, Sounds of Heaven

Plus FREE pop-up events throughout the weekend including: Dore Gilbert and Sullivan Society, Ensemble 360, Greenhill Primary School, Juice Choir, Lydian Singers, Octogenesis, Sheffield Cathedral Young Voices, Sheffield Music Hub, Sinsontes, Sheffield Viola Ensemble, Sheffield Youth Orchestra, West Side Singers, University of Sheffield students

Photo credit: Anthony Robling

#CS2019