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Finalists of this year's Tunbridge Wells International Music Competition gather for a celebratory chamber concert, with a varied programme for piano, strings and wind.
For more information, check the TWIMC Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/twiyca
The Scholfield-Clarke Duo will give four concerts across Scotland, featuring a new commission from composer Tom W Green, as well as a host of other original works for saxophone and piano - including music by Desenclos, Caplet, Maurice, Noda and Lauba/Matitia.
Thursday 3rd October, 1-2pm - Giffnock South Parish Church, 2 Greenhill Ave, Giffnock, Glasgow G46 6QX
Friday 4th October, 7:30-9:30pm - Mid-Argyll Arts Association, Christ Church, Bishopton Road, Lochgilphead, PA31 8PY http://www.maaa.org.uk/calendar/october.html
Saturday 5th October, 1-2pm - Arran High School, Lamlash, Arran KA27 8NG
Sunday 6th October, 3-4pm -
Music @ Bothwell,
Bothwell Parish Church, Main St, Bothwell, Glasgow G71 8EX -
https://musicatbothwell.weebly.com/#/
The Scholfield-Clarke Duo present a short evening recital at Giffnock South Parish Church, featuring highlights from their 2023-2024 season repertoire. Tickets £6, available on the door.
PROGRAMME (c. 60 mins)
Fantasia by Hector Villa-Lobos
Pavane pour un infante defunte by Maurice Ravel (arr. Scholfield)
Prelude, Cadence et Finale by Alfred Desenclos
Romance by Amy Beach (arr. Scholfield)
Fuzzy Bird Sonata by Takashi Yoshimatsu
Giffnock South Parish Church, 2 Greenhill Ave, Giffnock, Glasgow G46 6QX
Richard gained second prize in the Tunbridge Wells International Music Competition at Mayfield Festival 2024.
This international Competition for outstanding young concert artists is recognised around the world as a unique event. It started in 1979, and became part of the Mayfield Festival in 2016, and is hosted by Mayfield School. The Competition has played an important role in the careers of many internationally celebrated musicians.
More information here: https://twimc.org.uk/
Richard performs as guest soloist with the Epsom Symphony Orchestra in their Spanish Fiesta programme, playing Borne's dramatic Carmen Fantasy as well as Ravel's hauntingly beautiful Pavane pour un infante défunte.
Programme also to include music by De Falla, Chabrier and Rimsky-Korsakov.
More information and tickets available here: http://www.epsomsymphony.co.uk/concerts-events/
Epsom Playhouse, 42 Ashely Avenue, Epsom KT18 5AL
Richard perform's Darrel Davison's new saxophone concerto The Garden of Earthly Delights with the Sampson Orchestra of Cambridge in their concert entitled 'Voices of Spring'. This piece is a musical response to a triptych of the same name by Hieronymus Bosch, painted between 1490-1500.
"Few artworks sum up the wild ecstasy and weirdness of lust better than Hieronymus Bosch’s famed triptych [...] The painting largely depicts an unbridled, deeply imaginative romp. But Bosch’s overarching message here—and the intricate, sneaky symbolism that powers it—is decidedly more complex. Themes of sin, punishment, and Hell also permeate the masterpiece. For centuries, the artist’s radical creativity and imaginative iconography has sparked rowdy scholarly debate and provocative spinoffs." -Alexxa Gotthardt
Programme to include Elgar's Froissart Overture as well as Schumann's Symphony No. 1 'Spring'.
More information and tickets available here: https://www.westroad.org/whats-on/sampson-orchestra-spring
West Road Concert Hall, 11 West Rd, Cambridge CB3 9DP
Richard performs alongside other winners of the Hans Schaeuble Award, presenting three recitals as part of the Arosa Klassik festival. The 'Songs and Dances' programme will include everything from famous works by Mozart and Schubert to selections from Kurt Weill's Threepenny Opera, all in unique arrangements for saxophones and accordions.
More information and tickets available here: https://arosakultur.ch/veranstaltungen/
Thursday 14th March, 6pm - Arosa Kulm Hotel & Alpin Spa, Innere Poststrasse, 7050 Arosa
Friday 15th March, 8pm - Chur Klibühni Chur, Kirchgasse 14, 7000 Chur
Saturday 16th March, 8pm - Zurich
Johanneskirche, Limmatstrasse 112, 8005 Zurich
Richard perform's Darrel Davison's new saxophone concerto The Garden of Earthly Delights with the Sevenoaks Symphony Orchestra in their concert entitled 'The New World'. This piece is a musical response to a triptych of the same name by Hieronymus Bosch, painted between 1490-1500.
"Few artworks sum up the wild ecstasy and weirdness of lust better than Hieronymus Bosch’s famed triptych [...] The painting largely depicts an unbridled, deeply imaginative romp. But Bosch’s overarching message here—and the intricate, sneaky symbolism that powers it—is decidedly more complex. Themes of sin, punishment, and Hell also permeate the masterpiece. For centuries, the artist’s radical creativity and imaginative iconography has sparked rowdy scholarly debate and provocative spinoffs." -Alexxa Gotthardt
Programme to include Elgar's Froissart Overture as well as Dvorak's Symphony No. 9 'From the New World'.
More information and tickets available here: https://www.sevenoakssymphonyorchestra.org.uk/event-the_new_world.html
Stag Theatre, London Road, Sevenoaks TN13 1ZZ
Evening recital by the newly formed Spirito Saxophone Quartet. The programme includes music by Jean Francaix, Jun Nagao and Samuel Barber, showcasing the versatility of this exciting new chamber ensemble.
Soprano Saxophone - Sophia Elger
Alto Saxophone - Richard Scholfield
Tenor Saxophone - Robert Burton
Baritone Saxophone - Robert Finegan
Holy Trinity Church, Sloane St, London SW1X 9BZ
Review of recital at Inverurie Music: https://inveruriemusic.org/scholfield-clarke-duo-concert-february-9th-2024-inverurie-town-hall/
The Scholfield-Clarke Duo embark on a concert tour of Scotland, supported in part by the Tunnell Trust, presenting a 'red, white and blue' programme which explores the rich diversity of the saxophone's original repertoire, with works from French, British and American composers. With jazz-tinged, impressionist pieces, luscious romances and angular minimalism, the duo will take audiences on a journey through the life of the classical saxophone over the past 100 years. This journey culminates in the present day, with the premiere of a new commission from English composer John de Simone specially written for concerts in their February 2024 tour.
Friday 2nd February 2024, 7:30pm - Music Arran, Arran High School, Lamlash, Arran KA27 8NG - https://www.arranmusic.co.uk/
Saturday 3rd February 2024, 1:00pm - Giffnock South Concert Series, Giffnock South Parish Church, 2 Greenhill Ave, Giffnock, Glasgow G46 6QX - https://www.facebook.com/GiffnockSouthConcertSeries
Saturday 3rd February 2024, 7:00pm - Auchterarder Parish Church, 24 High Street, Auchterarder PH3 1DF
Friday 9th February 2024, 8:00pm - Inverurie Music - https://inveruriemusic.org/
Saturday 10th February 2024, 7:30pm - Ayr Music Club, Alloway Church Hall, Ayr KA7 4PQ - https://www.ayrmusicclub.co.uk/page13.html
Sunday 11th February 2024, 7:30pm - Helensburgh Music Society, Helensburgh United Reform Church, 35 West Princes Street, G84 8TF- https://helensburghmusicsociety.org.uk/
Newly established clarinet, saxophone and accordion trio Triskelion perform an evening recital at Sherbrooke Mosspark Parish Church, presenting an eclectic programme of dance-inspired music. This concert will be a globe-trotting experience, with everything from the stately European court dances that inspired the timeless music of J.S. Bach to lively jigs and reels from Scotland, and firey Argentinian Tango. Since their formation, the trio have appeared at the Billiard Room Sessions in Govan for the Glasgow Barons, toured the highlands with Netherlorn Music Scheme and had recordings broadcast on RTÉ LyricFM in Ireland.
Sherbrooke Mosspark Church, 240 Nithsdale Rd, Bellahouston, Glasgow G41 5AD
Tickets £10, available on the door.
The Scholfield-Clarke Duo headline at the Rotary Club of Auchterarder's Annual Charity Concert in aid of Ukraine, concluding the concert with music by Pierne, Yoshimatsu and Widoeft.
Auchterarder Parish Church, 24 High St, Auchterarder PH3 1DF
More information available here:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100070410613218&locale=en_GB
Richard perform's Darrel Davison's new saxophone concerto The Garden of Earthly Delights with the Croydon Symphony Orchestra in their concert entitled 'A New World'.
The concerto is based on the Hieronymus Bosch triptych of the same name, an intruiging masterpiece painted between 1490-1500.
"Few artworks sum up the wild ecstasy and weirdness of lust better than Hieronymus Bosch’s famed triptych [...] The painting largely depicts an unbridled, deeply imaginative romp. But Bosch’s overarching message here—and the intricate, sneaky symbolism that powers it—is decidedly more complex. Themes of sin, punishment, and Hell also permeate the masterpiece. For centuries, the artist’s radical creativity and imaginative iconography has sparked rowdy scholarly debate and provocative spinoffs." -Alexxa Gotthardt
Programme to include Elgar's Froissart Overture as well as Dvorak's Symphony No. 9 'From the New World'.
Tickets available online here: https://croydonsymphony.com/buytickets/
More information available here: https://croydonsymphony.com/concert-diary/
Trinity School Concert Hall, Croydon CR9 7AT
The Scholfield-Killeen Duo present a concert of saxophone and clarinet repertoire at Jordanhill Parish Church, featuring a huge range of original and transcribed repertoire, from the timeless music of J.S. Bach and his son W.F. Bach, to playful French duos by Poulenc and Dubois and minimalist grooves by Marc Mellits.
Entry by donation.
Jordanhill Parish Church, 28 Woodend Drive, Glasgow West End G13 1QT
Performing Mark-Anthony Turnage’s expressionist masterpiece Three Screaming Popes with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra at the Edinburgh International Festival.
The Usher Hall, Lothian Road, Edinburgh EH1 2EA
More information available here:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/events/eqx6gw
First recital of the newly formed Spirito Saxophone Quartet. The programme includes music by Jean Francaix, Jun Nagao and Samuel Barber, showcasing the versatility of this exciting new chamber ensemble.
Soprano Saxophone - Sophia Elger
Alto Saxophone - Richard Scholfield
Tenor Saxophone - Robert Finegan
Baritone Saxophone - David Zucchi
Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church, 235 Shaftesbury Avenue, London WC2H 8EP
Performance with Triskelion (saxophone, clarinet and accordion) at Leeds International Organ Festival.
Triskelion is a new collaboration between Valerie Barr, Richard Scholfield and Cathal Killeen. As a trio they aim to present new and reimagined music to communities throughout Ireland and Scotland via innovative programming, new transcriptions and original compositions. Established following their studies at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, the group formed as a response to the lack of creative opportunity presented during the pandemic. Drawing on the shared cultural history of Ireland and Scotland along with their own classical training, the trio present their home traditions of music and contrast this proud heritage with original arrangements of classical favourites and new music.
Programme to include J.S. Bach, Saint-Saens, James MacMillan, Malcolm Arnold and Astor Piazzolla.
Leeds Cathedral, Cathedral Chambers, Great George St, Leeds LS2 8BE
More information available here: https://www.leedsiof.org/home
Performing as part of the 'Anthropocenic Garden', an experimental inderdisciplinary project at the Hidden Door Arts Festival, in collaboration with Stephanie Lamprea, Tom W. Green, Oana Stanciu, Penny Chivas, Sonia Killmann, and Katherine Wren. The environment will be 'live' from 6pm each night of the festival.
"In the Anthropecenic Garden, songs of the Earth are evoked and imagined through natural soundscapes and the human voice interfaced with electronics. Images of creatures and beings once extinct are reanimated through projections, and our sense of space is activated through dance and movement. We ask ‘what does it mean to witness and interact with our land?’ What is real and what is artificial? And bucolic as it may be, this scene is anthropocenic – among the lavish growth, witness also the harm done by our species, via pollution, construction and deconstruction, which has placed our earth on its last leg. By making contact with nature, are we connecting, or are we destroying?"
Scottish Widows Complex, 15 Dalkeith Rd, Edinburgh EH16 5BU
More information available here: https://hiddendoorarts.org/event/environment-3-garden/
Performance with Triskelion (saxophone, clarinet and accordion) at Williamwood Parish Church's Summer Concert Series
Triskelion is a new collaboration between Valerie Barr, Richard Scholfield and Cathal Killeen. As a trio they aim to present new and reimagined music to communities throughout Ireland and Scotland via innovative programming, new transcriptions and original compositions. Established following their studies at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, the group formed as a response to the lack of creative opportunity presented during the pandemic. Drawing on the shared cultural history of Ireland and Scotland along with their own classical training, the trio present their home traditions of music and contrast this proud heritage with original arrangements of classical favourites and new music.
Programme to include J.S. Bach, James MacMillan, Malcolm Arnold and Astor Piazzolla.
Williamwood Parish Church, 4 Vardar Ave, Clarkston, Glasgow G76 7QP
More information available here: https://www.facebook.com/williamwoodparishchurch/
The Scholfield-Clarke Duo (saxophone and piano) feature at Westbourne Music, performing an all-American programme in the beautiful Glasgow Art Club. The duo will perform creative transcriptions of music by Amy Beach and George Gershwin, as well as introducing the audience to two American sonatas which have become cornerstones of the saxophone's original repertoire (music by Paul Creston and William Albright).
More information available here: https://www.westbournemusic.org
Reviewed here: https://bylines.scot/lifestyle/arts-entertainment/notes-from-america/
The Glasgow Art Club, 185 Bath St, Glasgow G2 4HU
Scottish tour with newly formed chamber group Triskelion.
13th April - Glasgow / Billiard Room Sessions
14th April - Oban / Loch Melfort Hotel
15th April - Seil / Seil Community Hall
16th April - Luing / Atlantic Islands Centre
Triskelion is a new collaboration between Valerie Barr, Richard Scholfield and Cathal Killeen. As a trio they aim to present new and reimagined music to communities throughout Ireland and Scotland via innovative programming, new transcriptions and original compositions. Established following their studies at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, the group formed as a response to the lack of creative opportunity presented during the pandemic. Drawing on the shared cultural history of Ireland and Scotland along with their own classical training, the trio present their home traditions of music and contrast this proud heritage with original arrangements of classical favourites and new music.
Final round of the Croydon Symphony Orchestra's Concerto Competition, featuring myself and the other four finalists (piano, violin and voice) performing with the orchestra.
I will play Glazunov's Concerto Op. 109 for saxophone and string orchestra, with the rest of the programme including movements from Brahms Piano Concerto No.1, Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto and Saint Saens Piano Concerto No. 2, alongside vocal works by Verdi.
Results: I was awarded first prize, and look forward to collaborating with Croydon Symphony Orchestra and other local groups throughout the 2023-2024 season.
Woldingham School Concert Hall, Woldingham, Caterham CR3 7LR
More information available here:
https://croydonsymphony.com/concert-diary/
Joint afternoon recital as part of the 'Second Sunday' Concert Series with flautist Adam Richardson and pianist Michael Bawtree. The recital features masterworks from the woodwind repertoire by Glazunov and Gaubert, alongside shorter works by Pierne, Burton, Koechlin and Andy Scott - a concert full of contrasts, with something for everyone. Entry free/by donation.
St Margaret of Scotland Scottish Episcopal Church, 353 Kilmarnock Rd, Shawlands, Glasgow G43 2DS
More information available here:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1281920412361267?
Live Music Now Scotland Emerging Artists' recital with the Campus Trio, presenting a programme of original works for this novel trio of saxophones and piano in the grand surroundings of Edinburgh's Usher Hall. The concert will feature the first performance of my new transcription of Mikhail Glinka's "Trio Pathetique", specially created for this performance, as well as a brand new comission for the trio from Scottish composer Erin Thomson, supported by the Kimie Trust and Live Music Now Scotland - The Graceful Art of Walking on Stilts.
More information and tickets available here: https://www.usherhall.co.uk/whats-on/emerging-artists-campus-trio-0
Usher Hall, Lothian Rd, Edinburgh EH1 2EA
Performance with the Campus Trio at the Giffnock South Concert Series. This concert takes the trio in a different direction, exploring repertoire originally written for two saxophones and piano rather than their usual mix of transcriptions. The programme will feature an exciting new comission from Scottish composer Erin Thomson (supported by the Kimie Trust and Live Music Now Scotland) - The Graceful Art of Walking on Stilts - alongside contemporary works by Carter Pann, Warren Benson and Jun Nagao.
Tickets £5 cash, available on the door. More information here: https://www.facebook.com/GiffnockSouthConcertSeries/
Giffnock South Parish Church, 2 Greenhill Ave, Giffnock, Glasgow G46 6QX
Concert given by the winners of the 2022 Tunbridge Wells International Music Competition, featuring chamber music collaborations between the prize-winning musicians. Richard will perform original pieces by Jean Matitia and Charles Koechlin, as well as his own experimental transcription of WF Bach's Flute Duet in G major for an evolving duo of clarinet and/or flute and/or saxophone!
St Dunstan's Church, High St, Mayfield TN20 6AB
Lunchtime duo recital alongside pianist Iain Clarke at St Martin-in-the-Fields, London, with a programme exploring vocal repertoire and influences of birdsong. Works by Pierne, Chopin, Beach, Gershwin, Yoshimatsu and Messiaen.
St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 4JJ
Concerto performances of Debussy’s ‘Rapsodie’ with the Edinburgh Youth Orchestra under the direction of Sian Edwards. Richard will also perform with the orchestra in a brand new commission (Marches I) from Edinburgh-based composer Ninfea Cruttwell-Reade, as well as in Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition. The performance on 4th August will take place near Glasgow in Paisley Abbey, and on 5th and 6th in Greyfriars Kirk, Edinburgh.
More information available here: https://edinburghyouthorchestra.org/summer-2022/
Evening recital at the Williamwood Parish Church Summer Concert Series - entry by donation. The Scholfield-Killeen Duo present a varied programme of duos for saxophone and clarinet, with a broad ranging programme featuring baroque duets by both J.S. Bach and his son W.F. Bach, 20th century French repertoire by Francis Poulenc and Pierre Max Dubois, and contrasting American works by William Grant Still and Marc Mellits.
Williamwood Parish Church, 4 Vardar Avenue, Clarkston, Glasgow G76 7QP
A free lunchtime recital at the Pianodrome, Edinburgh. The Scholfield-Killeen Duo present a varied programme of duos for saxophone and clarinet, with a broad ranging programme featuring baroque duets by both J.S. Bach and his son W.F. Bach, 20th century French repertoire by Francis Poulenc and Pierre Max Dubois, and contrasting American works by William Grant Still and Marc Mellits.
More info available here:
https://tinyurl.com/ys4f69hs
Concerto performance of Darius Milhaud’s ‘Scaramouche’ with the West of Scotland Schools Concert Band under the direction of Nigel Boddice. Evening performance at 7pm in the New Auditorium at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall.
Awarded 2nd Prize in the Tunbridge Wells International Music Competition at Mayfield Festival. A full recording of the final is available to watch here (my performance begins at 4:48:45):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h79sICLfZ3Y
Recital for Barnes Music Society at OSO Arts Centre, London. Together with pianist Mihai Ritivoiu, Richard will present a programme of both original and self-transcribed works for saxophone, featuring music by Prokofiev, Chopin, Ravel and Ibert. More information available here: https://www.barnesmusicsociety.org/scholfield
Collaborative recital featuring the music of Bach performed entirely on saxophones alongside my students from the music school of Douglas Academy. The programme featured solo and chamber works for the three musicians, including the third Partita for violin, Two-Part Inventions and transcriptions of organ trios. The concert also featured music that was subsequently inspired by the great composer’s work – duos written his son Wilhelm Friedemann Bach, alongside contemporary composer Jay Capperauld’s re-imagining of the Prelude from the Cello Suite in G major – "Déjà Vu".
Recital in conjunction with City Music Foundation in the Great Hall, St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London. Alongside fellow CMF artist Mihai Ritivoiu (piano), Richard will perform music by Debussy, Ravel and Piazzolla.
Full recording of the concert available on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGpHDD5OJIM
'Atypical Romance’ Tour with Resol String Quartet, featuring performances and educational workshops in Glasgow and the inner Hebrides (Arran, Islay, Seil, Easdale and Oban). The programme consisted largely of new arrangements for saxophone and string quartet, specially created by Richard, and we were very grateful to have been supported through funding from the National Lottery and Creative Scotland.
Excerpt from the programme - William Grant Still's Romance for saxophone and piano, in a brand new arrangement by Richard for saxophone and string quartet: https://soundcloud.com/richard-scholfield-sax/romance-william-grant-still
A collaborative performance given by the winners of the Tunbridge Wells International Music Competition 2021 in St. Dunstan’s Church, Mayfield
Full recording available on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiBO8XZ6-b4
Webern Quartet for Violin, Clarinet, Saxophone and Piano at 00:34:40
Debussy Rapsodie for Saxophone (trio version) at 01:46:20
Live appearance alongside Resol String Quartet on BBC Radio Scotland’s ‘Classics Unwrapped’ with Jamie MacDougall, discussing the upcoming ‘Atypical Romance’ tour and performing some excerpts from the programme.
Saxophone and clarinet duo recital with Cathal Killeen at the Giffnock South Concert Series, with new transcriptions of Beethoven and Poulenc, along with original works by Stravinsky and Gregory Wanamaker.
Awarded distinction in the 2021 Interrim Tunbridge Wells International Music Competition
Lockdown session – Ku Ku by Barry Cockroft
Lockdown session – Improvisation et Caprice by Eugene Bozza
Lockdown session – Déjà Vu by Jay Capperauld
Recording session with Nevis Ensemble, involving popular carols and new commissions. Solo saxophone features in An Dùbhlachd by Ailie Robertson, with Gaelic text written and read by poet Marcas Mac an Tuairneir.
Announced as a City Music Foundation 2020 Artist: https://www.citymusicfoundation.org/artist/richard-scholfield/
De l'Hôtel de Ville à la Concorde by Michael Nyman - international saxophone ensemble collaboration with colleagues from the European University of Saxophone 2019
Jupiter by Gustav Holst (arr. Christoph Enzel) - international saxophone ensemble collaboration with colleagues from the European University of Saxophone 2019
Lockdown Session – Caprice en Forme de Valse by Paul Bonneau