Tag Archives: Gulbenkian

Award-winning quintet comes to the Gulbenkian next week

The series of lunchtime concert begins anew this term with a visit from the vibrant St James Quintet next Monday, in a programme of music by Ibert, Hindemith and Reicha.

Jacques Ibert

Ibert’s Trois Pièces Brèves are a light-hearted and brightly-sonorous addition to the wind quintet repertoire, while the Hindemith occupies a smiliar soundworld to the neo-Classicism of Stravinsky and includes a tiny fourth movement, a mere twenty-three bars, in which each instrument is given a miniature solo, cadenza-like flourish. A lifelong friend of Beethoven, Reicha contributed some twenty-five pieces to the wind quintet repertoire, which in their day were widly performed across Europe, and remain his best-known works.

The concert begins at 1.10p, finishes at 1.50pm; entry is free, with a suggested donation of £3.

More details online here.

Bear-faced cheek: singing for Children in Need

Many thanks to everyone who came along to the Gulbenkian Theatre at lunchtime, and joined in to sing Handel and raise money for this year’s Children in Need appeal.

The Yellow Bear turned up and conducted the massed ranks of visitors and musicians in a rousing rendition of the ‘Hallelujah Chorus,’ whilst members of the Music Society charged around with buckets and balloons to take the collection.

After some lively warm-ups and a run-through of key moments in the piece, the performance was delivered with gusto and vibrant enthusiasm.

Pudsey with violinist Jo Pearsall

Afterwards, Pudsey was almost swamped by a crowd of eager…err… grown-ups all clamouring for a picture with the Great Bear: and not a child in sight!

Our thanks to Pudsey for coming along, to the Gulbenkian for throwing its theatre doors open to the massed and eager rabble, to the ever-enthusiastic Music Committee for being on hand to help (and rattle collection-buckets), and to everyone who turned up, made a donation, and took part. We raised £270 for a very worthy cause.

Keep an eye out on local BBC at 6.30pm and possibly 8.30pm tomorrow night: that’s all I’m saying…

Appearing at ArtsFest: Family Fun at the Gulbenkian Theatre!

Gulbenkian TheatreFresh from celebrating its fortieth birthday last year, the University of Kent’s Gulbenkian Theatre is proud to be the focus of family fun and children’s activities at ArtsFest this Saturday 12 June, from 1pm onwards.

Tell-Tale HeartsWith plenty of tables and chairs, a café bar, children’s menu and baby-changing facilities, the Gulbenkian for the first time offers a dedicated area especially for children and families on the day. Dee Ashworth, Gulbenkian Director says he is delighted at the prospect of extending the Gulbenkian welcome to all families.

Mimirichi
Mimirichi: Paperworld!

Ukrainian comedy act Mimirichi will delight and entertain children (both young and old!) with ‘Plastic Fantastic’ which combines pantomime, improvisation and lots of cellophane and ‘PaperWorld.’ There will also be face-painting, a BBQ, candy-stall and ice-cream machine, and the spacious café will be providing a variety of children-friendly meals to keep youngsters happy.

Stage SpidersStage Spiders will be performing Hansel and Gretel, a 15-minute play for children, on the Gulbenkian Foyer Stage at 4pm, 5pm and 6pm.

Elsewhere around the campus, all manner of family-friendly live music, drama, comedy and entertainers will be taking place: there’ll be something for everyone.

Further details about the entire day can be found on-line here.

ArtsFest: don’t miss out, just turn up!