CLASSIC NEWS

Rather than delete old items of news that may still be of interest, they now reside in here!

NEWS FOR CRAIG OGDEN (guitar)

& CLAIRE BRADSHAW (mezzo-soprano)

 

On December 8, 2004 Craig Ogden was awarded the honour of being conferred as a Fellow of the Royal Northern College of Music. Ogden is the second youngest fellow in the history of the RNCM and joins an exclusive list of guitarist/Fellows including John Williams, Julian Bream and Gordon Crosskey.

Fellowships were also conferred on Michael Berkeley (distinguished composer and broadcaster), Gianandrea Noseda (Principal Conductor of the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra) and Professor George Caird (Principal of the Birmingham Conservatoire).

L-R. Michael Berkeley, Craig Ogden, The Duchess of Kent,  Gianandrea Noseda, George Caird

* 2005 was the centenary year of Michael Tippett – a composer with whom Craig has a stronger association than any other guitarist since Julian Bream. Having performed The Blue Guitar for the composer on numerous occasions Ogden has gained unique insights into this substantial piece. He was featured in the BBC television documentary, Tippett at 85 and his debut recording for Nimbus records – The Blue Guitar, 20th Century Guitar Classics received a Grammy nomination. In reviewing 20th Century Guitar Classics BBC Music Magazine dubbed Ogden "a worthy successor to Julian Bream”. Craig Ogden performed The Blue Guitar at the Wigmore Hall on January 6, 2005 in a Tippett centenary concert and again on January 21, 2005 in Glasgow in a recital to be broadcast on BBC Radio 3.

* Craig Ogden’s position as the most sought after guitar concerto performer in the UK continues to be consolidated with eight performances of the Concierto de Aranjuez from October to December 2004. In December he gave three performances with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and will continue his regular outing of this work in 2005 with the Hallé, English Sinfonia and the Philharmonia (conducted by Vladimir Ashkenazy).

* In October 2005 Craig Ogden recorded the Guitar Concerto by British composer Simon Bainbridge with conductor Clark Rundell and members of the RLPO.

* In April 2005 Craig Ogden returned to New York to give a solo recital in the Great Performer’s Series at the Lincoln Centre. Ogden first performed at the Lincoln Centre with the American counter-tenor David Daniels while on tour promoting their Virgin Records release A Quiet Thing and was immediately invited back to present a solo recital. His programme in New York will include Tippett’s Blue Guitar in honour of the Tippett centenary and the USA premiere of The Hinchinbrook Riffs for guitar and digital delay by Australian composer Nigel Westlake.

* Craig Ogden was featured performing Aria from Malcolm Arnold’s Fantasia for Solo Guitar on Tony Palmer’s recently broadcast film Malcolm Arnold – Towards the Unknown Region on the South Bank Show.

* In November 2004 Craig Ogden premiered two new works as part of his Music Network tour of Ireland. Voces Criticas by Irish composer Ben Dwyer was specially commissioned for the tour and represents a substantial new addition to the repertoire. Ogden also gave the world premiere of Nigel Westlake’s The Hinchinbrook Riffs for guitar and digital delay.

 

OTHER HEADLINES:

Husband and wife team Craig Ogden and Claire Bradshaw are delighted to announce the arrival of their first child on January 11, 2003. Gabriel Elliot John Ogden was born at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. Latest images here

Claire Bradshaw's career plans have undergone some alteration due to the arrival of Gabriel. Claire recently sang Carmen Carmen at the Royal Albert Hall for Raymond Gubbay Ltd to critical acclaim and her future plans had included Suzuki Madama Butterfly, Carmen Carmen and Lola Cavalleria Rusticana for Welsh National Opera, a recording of Vaughan-Williams' opera The Poisoned Kiss for Chandos Records with Richard Hickox and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and a series of opera gala concerts for Raymond Gubbay Ltd.

All of these commitments have, however, been cancelled due to the pregnancy and birth and her plans for 2003 include a greater focus on concert engagements before resuming her opera career with the role of Suzuki, Madama Butterfly with Welsh National Opera in Spring 2004. 

OGDEN AND BRADSHAW JOIN RICHARD BAKER

Following many successful performances together on P&O Classical Cruises, Craig Ogden and Claire Bradshaw have teamed up with legendary broadcaster/actor/writer, Richard Baker for performances of words and music. The trio present an entertaining mixture of music, song and readings within a number of themed programmes. This represents a rare opportunity to hear Richard Baker in an intimate performance situation with two truly world-class musicians.

Craig Ogden and Claire Bradshaw also continue their work together as a duo presenting recitals with a broad range of song and solo guitar music. For further information contact Jayne Rollason: jayne@classicmgt.org.uk or telephone 01295 780 689.

OGDEN THE LEADER IN GUITAR CONCERTO PERFORMANCES IN THE UK.

Following his Royal Philharmonic Orchestra debut at London's Royal Festival Hall performing Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez in November 2002, Craig Ogden continues to dominate the guitar concerto scene in the UK with the world premiere performance of 'Concerto in Blue' by Australian composer, Gerard Brophy with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra (to receive a copy of this live recording please contact Jayne Rollason). This performance was recorded by the BBC and will be broadcast on BBC Radio 3 in April, 2003.

This follows on from recent concerto performances with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, London Concert Orchestra and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales (broadcast live on the BBC ­ to receive a copy of this live recording please contact Jayne Rollason). Future concerto dates include performances with the City of London Sinfonia, Bournemouth Symphony, New London Orchestra, Northern Sinfonia and West Australian Symphony Orchestra.

BRITISH GUITAR CONCERTO PERFORMANCES

In October and November 2002, Craig Ogden also performed the guitar concerto by British composer Simon Bainbridge in Manchester (to receive a copy of this live recording please contact Jayne Rollason) and at the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival. Of Ogden's Manchester performance of his Guitar Concerto, Simon Bainbridge wrote:

"I was thrilled by your wonderful performance. You fully understood both the expression and structural articulation of the piece. Thank you".

Craig Ogden and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra will contribute to the Lennox Berkeley centenary in 2003 with a performance of the Berkeley Guitar Concerto (recorded by Ogden with Richard Hickox and the Northern Sinfonia on CHAN 9963) on July 17 at the Cheltenham Festival.

ANTIPODEAN FLUTE AND GUITAR DUO

Judith Hall (flute) and Craig Ogden recently formed a duo with inaugural performances in the Bahamas and the USA. Judith Hall's recordings, recitals and broadcasts have constantly received critical acclaim in the UK since her professional career here began in the 1980's. Now the two ex-pat Aussies have joined forces to present a duo with a dynamic and innovative approach to programming and performance. For suggested programmes and all further information please contact Jayne Rollason.

OgdenTANNER TOUR IN NOVEMBER, 2003

Following OgdenTANNER's highly successful debut tour of the UK in summer 2002 performing in London, Manchester, Bath, Carlisle, Kendal, Oxford and Hastings, Paul Tanner will return to the UK in November 2003 to join Craig Ogden for a three week period only. During their debut UK tour, audience reaction to the unusual combination of five-octave marimba, vibraphone, percussion and guitar was rapturous. Of their performance in London, Classical Guitar Magazine wrote:

"Amazing interplay...."

"A fluid and perfectly synchronized performance".

"They are brilliant at what they do. Catch them if you can."

"The sheer variety of sounds that Tanner produced was exhilarating. That is not to say Ogden's sound battery was no less impressive. His playing is nothing short of immaculate and both players exuded typical Antipodean confidence and this was very refreshing."

Australian composer Philip Bracanin has also composed a double concerto for OgdenTANNER.

For further information in relation to the November tour contact Jayne Rollason: jayne@classicmgt.org.uk or telephone 01295 780 689.

RECORDING WITH DAVID DANIELS (Counter-tenor) FOR VIRGIN CLASSICS

Craig Ogden has been approached by Virgin Classics to record a recital CD with the extremely successful American counter-tenor David Daniels (see Gramophone cover feature, September 2002). The first part of the recording took place in New York in December 2002 and will be completed in Paris in March 2003. A concert tour will follow in August 2003 including a performance at the prestigious Tanglewood Festival and the Lincoln Centre in New York.

 

OGDEN BECOMES D'ADDARIO ENDORSEE

Craig Ogden recently signed a two year agreement as an endorsee of D'Addario strings. Having used D'Addario strings exclusively throughout his professional career for recording and performance, Ogden is delighted to have the support of the world's biggest string manufacturer. www.daddario.com

 

 

 

OGDEN AND DE BERNIERES JOIN FORCES FOR CONCERTS OF WORDS AND MUSIC.

Following their collaboration over the CD ‘Music from the novels of Louis de Bernières’, Craig Ogden and Louis de Bernières undertook a series of performances of the author’s favourite Greek and Latin American poetry and music Their first performance together on November 29, 1999 at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London was received with acclaim. Further performances at the Oxford Literary Festival (April 8), Warwick Arts Festival (July 7), Wingfield Arts, Norfolk (July 28)** and Jersey (September 29)**. (**with mandolinist Alison Stephens).

OGDEN GIVES FIRST LONDON BARBICAN PERFORMANCE OF THE MILLENNIUM

On New Years Day, 2000, Craig Ogden and the London Concert Orchestra gave the first performance of the millennium of Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez in what was also the first concert of the millennium at London’s Barbican Hall. The venue was filled to 100% capacity for the afternoon performance of the Raymond Gubbay New Year’s Day Spectacular.

PETER SCULTHORPE'S 70TH BIRTHDAY CONCERT

Peter Sculthorpe’s 70th Birthday celebrations at the Vale of Glamorgan Festival featured Craig Ogden performing Nourlangie for guitar, strings and percussion. One of Sculthorpe’s most evocative works, the composer was quoted after the performance saying:

"That was the best live performance I've heard".

Ogden also performed 'From Kakadu' for solo guitar.

OGDEN FEATURED ON SOUNDTRACK FOR HIT FILM ‘NOTTING HILL’

Film composer Trevor Jones (Last of the Mohicans, Brassed Off, Mississippi Burning, Cliffhanger), has used Craig Ogden on a number of recent projects including the hit British film Notting Hill. Ogden was credited for his work on the film and also features prominently on the two Trevor Jones tracks (10 & 11) on the Notting Hill soundtrack CD.

LATEST OGDEN CD SELLS OVER 10,000 COPIES IN THREE MONTHS

"This disc is pure joy" Daily Telegraph CD of the Week (October 30, 1999)

‘Music from the novels of Louis de Bernières’ (CHAN 9780) is now Chandos Records fastest selling CD ever. Ogden has received universal praise for this ingenious CD of music drawn from references to actual composers and repertoire in the four novels of Louis de Bernieres (the Latin Trilogy and Captain Corelli's Mandolin). The CD (with mandolinist Alison Stephens) has featured in the top 10 of the classical chart since its October 1999 release and has been no.2 on Amazon.coms best-selling classical CD chart.