You Heard it Here First - Classical Weekend World Premieres
NewsClassical Sheffield are thrilled to have commissioned a whopping 10, yes 10! WORLD PREMIERES for our much-anticipated Classical Weekend this March. Find out more about which events are hosting world premieres during the weekend.
#1 Who Runs the World? - Fri 8th | DINA
The first world premiere of the Classical Weekend will be held in the alternative venue of DINA on Cambridge Street. Join award-winning young composer, Ellen Sargen, as she premieres a new work which will be performed by the incomparable Ligeti Quartet, Ella Taylor (soprano) and Sarah Watts (bass clarinet). You can expect lively conversation, unique themes and much more!
#2 Prayers from the Ark - Sat 9th | Upper Chapel
See history come to life as composer Robin Morton premieres a new work based on the poetry of Carmen Bernos de Gasztold. Robin will be joined by musicians Georgia Denham (soprano), Ingrid Clement (piano) and Christine Genders (speaker). Georgia will also be premiering new works at this event, so remember - you heard it here first!
Robin has this to say about his new work:
"I am utterly delighted to have the opportunity to present Prayers from the Ark at the Sheffield Classical Music Weekend. I fell in love with Rumer Godden's translation of Bernos de Gasztold's text over a year ago, and knew immediately that I wanted to write a large-scale song cycle using its unforgettable poetry. The chance to meld the poets' insights with our own as musicians and present the result in this amazing Classical Weekend festival is an extremely rare pleasure."
#3 Sheffield Sings! - Sat 9th | Upper Chapel
Made in Sheffield for Sheffield musicians, hear Kate Thickett’s new work performed by the talented Sheffield Singers Community and the super-talented Sheffield Junior Singers. We can’t wait to see what delights await us at this event!
#4 Fusion Fireworks - Sat 9th | Kelham Island Museum
Looking for a world premiere that pulls together some incredible young talent to perform fusion music with an incredible world musician? Then Fusion Fireworks is the event for you! This family-friendly event, performed twice across the weekend, is a thrilling fusion of Bhangra, jazz, pop and classical to create the global phenomenon that it is known for today. Join Kulji Bhamra, the Bridge Quartet and the Sheffield Music Hub Senior Orchestra for a world premiere of Bhamra’s new work. Not to be missed!
#5 Women of Steel - Sat 9th | Kelham Island Museum
One of the most anticipated events of the weekend, join the brilliant Sheffield City Opera, as they tell the true stories of women who worked in the city’s factories during the second world war. This powerful new opera is set to be incredibly special, so don’t miss the opportunity to see it!
#6 The Gospel Get-Together - Sat 9th | Kelham Island Museum
Have you ever heard an orchestra and gospel choir perform in perfect harmony before? Now is your chance to hear this thrilling fusion through local composer JoAnne Sibanda’s new work. JoAnne’s gospel choir are joining forces with the Endcliffe Orchestra, who will be performing works both old and new.
#7 Sounds of Heaven - Sun 10th | Sheffield Cathedral
Join Sheffield-based composer Timothy Peters, as he premieres his new choral work that has been commissioned by Classical Sheffield. The work is bringing together the best chamber choirs in the Steel City to perform a heavenly programme of choral music.
Timothy has this to say about his commission:
"I'm so pleased to have received this commission from Classical Sheffield. As a composer, I always have a plethora of musical ideas swirling round my head, so the opportunity to get them down on paper for four large choirs has been a real treat. This is also my first commission in which I have used my own text - another opportunity for which I am very grateful."
#8 Ode to Joy! - Sun 10th | Sheffield Cathedral
For the thrilling finale event of the Classical Weekend, it is only fitting to premiere another new work! Explore the capabilities of the viola in Jenny Jackson’s new work ‘Limb’. She will be joined by Hallam Sinfonia for this whirlwind finale!
Jenny has said this about her new work for the festival:
"It is an honour to be programmed in the closing concert of the Classical Weekend festival and I am delighted to think that a piece which features the (sometimes undervalued) viola, as well as being a new work, by a female composer, is being given this performance opportunity."
Pop Up Premieres - Sun 10th March | Firth Hall
You can also catch world premieres happening during pop up events across the city! Join Sheffield's future makers, including the winners of the Classical Sheffield composition competition and the winning entries of the Center for New Music.
To make the Classical Weekend as accessible as we can, tickets cost just £5 a concert and are free for under-18s, as well as some events being free to everyone. Keeping prices low is important to us, but it means we are looking for support for our brand new commissions from both young and more established Sheffield-based composers.
Please consider supporting us - more information here