University of Leeds International Concert Series

Vice Chancellor’s Introduction

One of the jewels in the crown of the University of Leeds is our School of Music and its annual concert series, which is an outstanding contribution to the performing arts in this great city.

For 2011-12, I am confident that we have a concert programme that will live up to and exceed expectations, building on from the successes of last year. I am continually delighted by the fantastic opportunities we have at the University of Leeds to experience music in all its forms.

Concerts will cover a wide ranging repertoire from The Sixteen (the Vice-Chancellor’s Concert) to Kirsty Almeida and the Troubadours and a new series featuring our own final year performance students from the School of Music - an ideal opportunity to spot star performers of the future and appreciate the wealth of talent nurtured within the School of Music.

An exciting keyboard series provides recitals by four internationally acclaimed pianists, with recitals by Melvyn Tan and, in the Leeds International Piano Competition “Rubenstein” series, prize winners Alessandro Taverna and Sofya Gulyak. Contemporary piano repertoire is represented with a recital by the award winning Rei Nakamura as part of the Contemporary Music weekend and the Clothworkers Centenary Concert Hall’s organ comes into its own in an organ recital by Thomas Leech. Graham Barber brings us music of the 20’s and 30’s with music by Billy Mayerl. Daniel Gordon explores The piano in perpetuum mobile whilst Peter Hewitt continues his Beethoven cycle with a live concert recording in the lunchtime concert series.

Following the highly successful “words and music” series last season we welcome poet Ian McMillan and his Orchestra and, with colleagues from Leeds Lieder +, present a programme exploring the life and works of A E Houseman in readings and song.

Last, but certainly not least we present a new series of Family Concerts – three Sunday afternoon concerts designed especially to appeal to all ages. These concerts will include opportunities for children in the audience to join in the performance and special prepared games and stories to take home.

We are particularly appreciative of the support given by our partner organisations in allowing us to create such an exciting programme.

I believe there is something here for everyone – I hope you will be able to join us and that you enjoy the series.