After our disappointment at the cancellation of our March recital in the Glasgow Art Club, we're delighted to be singing this coming Friday, 18th October 2013, to entertain members of the Royal College of Physicians in Edinburgh, at their Fellows Reception and Dinner.
Sadly, unless you're a member of that distinguished organisation you don't get to come and hear us, but rest assured it should be good, with an eclectic programme which includes traditional Scottish pieces, a madrigal, a choral version of an opera overture, an English folk song, and even a 16th century song about the love life of a cricket!
Wednesday, 16 October 2013
Wednesday, 13 March 2013
Cancelled recital
Sadly, for reasons outwith our control, our recital scheduled for this Sunday, 17th March, in the Glasgow Art Club has been cancelled.
We're hopeful it may be rescheduled for some time in the future, so watch this space.
We're hopeful it may be rescheduled for some time in the future, so watch this space.
Wednesday, 30 January 2013
Twitter and a recital
The New4Tet is now on Twitter - follow us @TheNewQuartet
And on another note, we have a recital coming up soon, on Sunday 17th March 2013 when we shall be returning to Glasgow Art Club, 185 Bath St, Glasgow, with a varied programme.
Watch this space for details!
And on another note, we have a recital coming up soon, on Sunday 17th March 2013 when we shall be returning to Glasgow Art Club, 185 Bath St, Glasgow, with a varied programme.
Watch this space for details!
Monday, 5 March 2012
Grace Isobel
Congratulations to Emma (and Alex, of course) on the arrival of Grace Isobel on 29th February 2012 (yes, she's a leap-year baby!).
I'm sure in no time she'll be joining her mother singing and we'll have to be renamed the New Quintet!
I'm sure in no time she'll be joining her mother singing and we'll have to be renamed the New Quintet!
Tuesday, 3 January 2012
A significant year
Happy New Year!
2012 is a particularly significant year for two members of the New 4tet, as Emma is due to have her first baby in February while Gary celebrates a birthday with a zero at the end in the same month!
What form the music-making will take - well, who knows, but whatever it turns out to be we'll all enjoy it, as ever.
2012 is a particularly significant year for two members of the New 4tet, as Emma is due to have her first baby in February while Gary celebrates a birthday with a zero at the end in the same month!
What form the music-making will take - well, who knows, but whatever it turns out to be we'll all enjoy it, as ever.
Sunday, 25 December 2011
Friday, 2 December 2011
Charity gig 2011
If you happen to be in the Royal Bank of Scotland branch in Gordon Street in Glasgow city centre at around 1pm on Tuesday 20th December 2011 then you'll see and hear The New 4Tet singing an assortment of carols to customers and staff, all in the name of charity. And if you are inside the bank, please dig deep in your pocket and contribute what you can to the collecting bucket. I don't yet know what this year's charity will be, but have no doubt it'll be worthy.
Last year when we did it we managed to set off a fire alarm, causing evacuation of the bank and the restaurant next door, when the little fan heater provided by the bank to warm us a bit overloaded the plug which turned literally red hot! This year we've decided to wrap up well and refuse all offers of artificial heat, in the hope that we'll get to sing for the full hour rather than the measly 20 minutes we managed last year before the fire brigade arrived!
Last year when we did it we managed to set off a fire alarm, causing evacuation of the bank and the restaurant next door, when the little fan heater provided by the bank to warm us a bit overloaded the plug which turned literally red hot! This year we've decided to wrap up well and refuse all offers of artificial heat, in the hope that we'll get to sing for the full hour rather than the measly 20 minutes we managed last year before the fire brigade arrived!
Saturday, 15 October 2011
Choir Place
This Blog has been pretty quiet for a while, but recently we met to sing, drink, eat and socialise together for the first time as a quartet since much earlier this year, and although we have no specific plans to sing in public in the near future things may change if we feel like it!
Tuesday, 1 March 2011
Voices united for Christchurch
Last night's benefit concert for Christchurch, in which all four members of the New 4tet were involved, went fantastically well, and raised £4155 which will go via the Red Cross to help those most in need after the earthquake.
Representatives of nine different choirs took part, under the inspirational leadership of Michael Bawtree, Glasgow Chamber Choir, RSCM Scottish Voices, St Mary's Cathedral (Glasgow), St Mary's Cathedral (Edinburgh), Edinburgh Singers, Edinburgh Royal Choral Union, Glasgow University Chapel Choir, Strathclyde University Chamber Choir and the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (RSAMD).
A reporter from BBC Radio Scotland was there to record much of what was happening and he interviewed a few people, albeit he got the first name of the Kiwi soloist wrong by calling her Jane Elder instead of Ruth Elder (Ruth is a friend of all four of the New 4tet). You can hear a recording of the BBC news article, including some interviews and a bit of the choir singing as well as the two Kiwi soloists by clicking here.
The full programme was:
Choir
Stephen Chambers (tenor)
Rachel Hynes (soprano)
Ruth Elder (soprano)
Rachel Hynes (soprano) and Karen Cargill (mezzo soprano)
Stephen Chambers (tenor)
Choir & soloists
Brynne Mcleod (mezzo soprano)
Nick Morris (baritone)
David Sloan (violoncello)
Geoff Woolatt (organ)
Choir and audience, first verse sung in Maori by choir
Representatives of nine different choirs took part, under the inspirational leadership of Michael Bawtree, Glasgow Chamber Choir, RSCM Scottish Voices, St Mary's Cathedral (Glasgow), St Mary's Cathedral (Edinburgh), Edinburgh Singers, Edinburgh Royal Choral Union, Glasgow University Chapel Choir, Strathclyde University Chamber Choir and the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (RSAMD).
A reporter from BBC Radio Scotland was there to record much of what was happening and he interviewed a few people, albeit he got the first name of the Kiwi soloist wrong by calling her Jane Elder instead of Ruth Elder (Ruth is a friend of all four of the New 4tet). You can hear a recording of the BBC news article, including some interviews and a bit of the choir singing as well as the two Kiwi soloists by clicking here.
The full programme was:
Choir
- Locus Iste - Anton Bruckner (1824-1896)
Stephen Chambers (tenor)
- Comfort ye my people - George Frederic Handel (1685-1759)
Every valley shall be exalted - George Frederic Handel (1685-1759)
Rachel Hynes (soprano)
- The Lord's Prayer - Albert Hay Malotte (1895-1964)
Ruth Elder (soprano)
- Pokarekare Ana - Trad. Maori folksong
Rachel Hynes (soprano) and Karen Cargill (mezzo soprano)
- Letter Duet from The Marriage of Figaro - W A Mozart (1756-1791)
Stephen Chambers (tenor)
- The Choirmaster's Funeral (Thomas Hardy) - Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)
Choir & soloists
Brynne Mcleod (mezzo soprano)
Nick Morris (baritone)
David Sloan (violoncello)
Geoff Woolatt (organ)
- Requiem (Op. 9) - Maurice Duruflé (1902-1986)
Choir and audience, first verse sung in Maori by choir
- God defend New Zealand (National Anthem)
Wednesday, 23 February 2011
Benefit Concert for Christchurch, New Zealand
The concert will take place in St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral, 300 Great Western Road, Glasgow, which is an almost exact twin of the cathedral which has been damaged in Christchurch. The two buildings were built at the same time to a design by the same architect, Sir George Gilbert Scott.
As well as Requiem by Maurice Duruflé the concert will also feature the music of several New Zealanders living in Scotland.
Choristers from Glasgow Chamber Choir, the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) Scottish Voices, Strathclyde University Chamber Choir, the RSAMD, St Mary’s Cathedral Choir (Glasgow), St Mary's Cathedral Choir (Edinburgh), Edinburgh Singers, Glasgow University Chapel Choir, and Edinburgh Royal Choral Union will join together at St Mary’s Cathedral in Glasgow’s West End. Two New Zealanders currently studying at the RSAMD will also perform at the concert.
Cathedral Provost The Very Rev Kelvin Holdsworth said: “People in Scotland have all kinds of strong links with people in New Zealand. This concert is an act of solidarity with the people of Christchurch. Christchurch Cathedral is like a 'twin' of St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral in Glasgow, having been built by the same architect at almost exactly the same time. As we look around the building in Glasgow, our hearts go out to those who are struggling to cope in a damaged city half a world away.”
Organiser Michael Bawtree added: “Scotland has very strong links with New Zealand. Many of us who will perform have friends and family living and working in Christchurch; many have visited, lived, performed and worked in New Zealand; others are simply keen to show that support by giving of their time and talent.”
Stephen Chambers, an RSAMD Opera student from New Zealand who will perform at the concert, said: "My Dad (Dr. John Chambers) was in Christchurch on a Medical conference when the Earthquake hit. He managed to escape unscathed from the fourteenth floor of his hotel, which looked as though it was about to collapse. Like so many Kiwis around the world, I feel helpless. I hope that in putting on this concert we can get some money together to aid those hardest hit in the beautiful country that I call home."
Funds raised at this benefit concert will be passed through official channels to those most in need.
For those who are into such things there is an associated Facebook Event but the important thing is to come along to the concert and donate whatever you can afford.
Please consider supporting this worthy cause, and if you can't make it along to the concert you can give online to the Red Cross New Zealand Earthquake appeal by following this link.
Saturday, 1 January 2011
Sunday, 19 December 2010
Carol singing
Tomorrow, Monday December 20th, The New Quartet will be in the Royal Bank of Scotland in Gordon Street, Glasgow, singing carols between 1pm-2pm to help raise money for the charity the bank is supporting this year, which is Barnardo's.
If you're in the city centre at lunchtime, why not pop in and have a listen, and perhaps dig into your pocket to support this worthy cause.
If you're in the city centre at lunchtime, why not pop in and have a listen, and perhaps dig into your pocket to support this worthy cause.
Saturday, 5 June 2010
Friday, 4 June 2010
Glasgow Art Club
The New 4tet performed our inaugural recital to a very appreciative audience in Glasgow Art Club on Wednesday 2nd June 2010.
Many thanks to Alex Dickson for the photo.
The programme was described on the club's website as:
A very light and varied programme which should suit all tastes, includes madrigals, part songs, tavern catches, English folk songs and some comedy numbers with hopefully some witty banter in between. Composers include Morley, Farmer, Viadana, Purcell, Rossini, Finzi, Vaughan Williams, Toch and Sullivan. The New 4tet is a group who all worked in the music industry for many years then for a variety of reasons, three of them now do something totally different, but still keep up their love of live performance!
For the record, the programme included madrigals by William Beale, John Farmer, Thomas Morley and John Bennet, church choral music by Ludovico da Viadana, William Byrd and Giovanni Perluigi da Palestrina, a couple of rather rude Catches by Henry Purcell, some Shakespeare text set to music by RJS Stevens, a Tyrolese chorus by Giacomo Rossini, some folk songs by Gerald Finzi, Gustav Holst, and Ralph Vaughan Williams, some of Michael Tippett's setting of spirituals, the inimitable spoken Geographical Fugue by Ernst Toch, the musical jest Insalata Italiano (Italian Salad) by Richard Genee, and finally Sir Arthur Sullivan's gentle and evocative The Long Day Closes.
A deliberately mixed bag, comprising a fairly wide range of styles, and in between pieces Noel regaled the audience, and his fellow singers, with stories and jokes!
Afterwards we socialised in the club bar with members of the audience who were very enthusiastic about the recital, and indeed about their lovely club, described as the city's best kept secret. Again from their Website:
Think private Clubs are for the elite? The rich? The pretentious? You’re absolutely right. That’s why we here.
The Glasgow Art Club stands out from the rest. We are a long established anti-establishment which celebrates and indeed partakes in Glasgow’s heritage and history, with an excellent restaurant and bar to boot. Our membership is a melting pot of people of all ages, from all backgrounds, working in all professions.
Established in 1867, the Glasgow Art Club obtained their own property in 1892. Two mid 19th century town houses at 187 and 191 Bath Street. In 1893 these two adjacent town houses were transformed into the magnificent Clubhouse which still stands today. The design and works, including the breathtaking gallery, were by the architectural firm ‘John Honeyman & Keppie’ who employed Charles Rennie Mackintosh at the time. It is not a well known fact that the Gallery is open to members of the public and you don’t need to be a member to come in and have a look around. Over the years the Club has evolved from a world solely occupied by the Arts into a diverse hang out for artists and non artists alike.
The Club has many guises and can be used for corporate entertaining – we have a reception room and a library to accommodate small business lunches, meetings or private parties. The restaurant, is open daily [exept Sundays], serves lunch. The Gallery acts as a ‘nest’ during the day for those seeking solace from the bustling Glasgow streets to read the papers, relax on their own or amongst friends. The Gallery will also accommodate up to 200 people for cocktail parties or 100 people for a formal dinner. Whether you are looking for a venue for a family gathering or a corporate one, we can tailor make an event to suit your needs. The library and reception rooms are the perfect surroundings for a party with a VIP feel for up to 20 people, and lunch or dinner menus and drinks can be arranged in advance. So browse through the website and see what the Glasgow Art Club has to offer you.
Many thanks to Alex Dickson for the photo.
The programme was described on the club's website as:
A very light and varied programme which should suit all tastes, includes madrigals, part songs, tavern catches, English folk songs and some comedy numbers with hopefully some witty banter in between. Composers include Morley, Farmer, Viadana, Purcell, Rossini, Finzi, Vaughan Williams, Toch and Sullivan. The New 4tet is a group who all worked in the music industry for many years then for a variety of reasons, three of them now do something totally different, but still keep up their love of live performance!
For the record, the programme included madrigals by William Beale, John Farmer, Thomas Morley and John Bennet, church choral music by Ludovico da Viadana, William Byrd and Giovanni Perluigi da Palestrina, a couple of rather rude Catches by Henry Purcell, some Shakespeare text set to music by RJS Stevens, a Tyrolese chorus by Giacomo Rossini, some folk songs by Gerald Finzi, Gustav Holst, and Ralph Vaughan Williams, some of Michael Tippett's setting of spirituals, the inimitable spoken Geographical Fugue by Ernst Toch, the musical jest Insalata Italiano (Italian Salad) by Richard Genee, and finally Sir Arthur Sullivan's gentle and evocative The Long Day Closes.
A deliberately mixed bag, comprising a fairly wide range of styles, and in between pieces Noel regaled the audience, and his fellow singers, with stories and jokes!
Afterwards we socialised in the club bar with members of the audience who were very enthusiastic about the recital, and indeed about their lovely club, described as the city's best kept secret. Again from their Website:
Think private Clubs are for the elite? The rich? The pretentious? You’re absolutely right. That’s why we here.
The Glasgow Art Club stands out from the rest. We are a long established anti-establishment which celebrates and indeed partakes in Glasgow’s heritage and history, with an excellent restaurant and bar to boot. Our membership is a melting pot of people of all ages, from all backgrounds, working in all professions.
Established in 1867, the Glasgow Art Club obtained their own property in 1892. Two mid 19th century town houses at 187 and 191 Bath Street. In 1893 these two adjacent town houses were transformed into the magnificent Clubhouse which still stands today. The design and works, including the breathtaking gallery, were by the architectural firm ‘John Honeyman & Keppie’ who employed Charles Rennie Mackintosh at the time. It is not a well known fact that the Gallery is open to members of the public and you don’t need to be a member to come in and have a look around. Over the years the Club has evolved from a world solely occupied by the Arts into a diverse hang out for artists and non artists alike.
The Club has many guises and can be used for corporate entertaining – we have a reception room and a library to accommodate small business lunches, meetings or private parties. The restaurant, is open daily [exept Sundays], serves lunch. The Gallery acts as a ‘nest’ during the day for those seeking solace from the bustling Glasgow streets to read the papers, relax on their own or amongst friends. The Gallery will also accommodate up to 200 people for cocktail parties or 100 people for a formal dinner. Whether you are looking for a venue for a family gathering or a corporate one, we can tailor make an event to suit your needs. The library and reception rooms are the perfect surroundings for a party with a VIP feel for up to 20 people, and lunch or dinner menus and drinks can be arranged in advance. So browse through the website and see what the Glasgow Art Club has to offer you.
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