LUNCHTIME RECITAL
Blaze Ensemble
George Vass – conductor
Nick Ridley – oboe
FREE ADMITTANCE
Retiring Collection
The Programme
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Alessandro MarcelloOboe concerto in C minor, SZ799 (1717)
I. Andante e spiccato
II. Adagio
III. Presto
Symphony No 40 in G minor, K550 (1791)
I. Molto allegro
II. Andante
III. Minuet and trio
IV. Finale. Allegro assai
The Artists
Blaze Ensemble is a London-based chamber ensemble, whose performances range from works for small wind ensemble through to chamber orchestra. The group was formed in 1997 and currently gives up to five concerts each season. As well performing staples from the wind and string chamber ensemble repertoire, Blaze Ensemble has commissioned new works from the UK’s most established contemporary composers. In recent seasons, Blaze Ensemble has given the first London performance of Chris Gunning’s Concertino for Flute and small orchestra (at St Brides), and the first performance of Adrian Sutton’s ‘Montana Peaks’ for chamber ensemble. Blaze Ensemble has also performed several premieres of works by Paul Pritchard including ‘Imaginarium’, ‘Two Irish Songs and Other Dances’, ‘Fire Dances’ and the revised version of the semi-staged work, ‘Green Man Ho!’.
Respected English conductor George Vass studied at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and the Royal Academy of Music. Artistic Director of the renowned Presteigne Festival since 1992, Vass served the Hampstead & Highgate Festival in a similar capacity (2004-09). He made his professional debut at St John’s Smith Square in 1979 and, as Artistic Director of the Regent Sinfonia of London and Orchestra Nova, has appeared at many of the UK’s major concert halls and leading festivals.
Nick Ridley has enjoyed playing in London amateur orchestras for 30 years. He studied music at the City University alongside the oboe at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. After an attempt at being a rock bass guitarist, he decided to concentrate on the oboe as a hobby, while pursuing a career in the media and entertainment industry. Nick holds principal oboe positions with Corinthian Chamber Orchestra and The Salomon Orchestra. He also plays cor anglais with Forest Philharmonic. An occasional soloist, he has performed Mozart Oboe Concerto and Bach Violin & Oboe Concerto with Corinthian Chamber Orchestra and Strauss’s Oboe Concerto with Kensington Chamber Orchestra. By day he is Director of Engineering for Cinnafilm Inc.
