Great Creative Learning day in Buenos Aires
This August the British Council Argentina was delighted to offer a group of young string players their chance to join ‘Music and Rivers’, a truly unique music education project featuring special guests from the UK, Britten Sinfonia. As the name suggests, the central theme of this project was water, linking in with another British Council project, Rivers of the World, which will be launched in Buenos Aires this November.
After an initial selection process, we chose 40 young musicians from diverse backgrounds to rehearse, create and perform with Britten Sinfonia, one of the most dynamic chamber orchestras in Europe, who joined us for this project between sell-out evenings at the Teatro Colón, Argentina’s most renowned concert hall.
The youngsters participated in a series of rehearsals, led by music education expert Humberto Lopez, and culminated in a creative learning day on 9 August with Britten Sinfonia. All of the tunes that the group rehearsed and performed were themed on water, such as The Cascades by Joplin and Water Droplets by Sibelius. The repertoire even included a beautiful piece composed especially for this project and dedicated to Britten Sinfonia, H20 by Claudio Griggio, Director of Artistic Education at the Ministry of Education of the City of Buenos Aires.
As well as practising the rehearsed pieces with Britten Sinfonia, the group joined in a three hour improvisation session with lead violinist and internationally renowned artist Pekka Kuusisto, creating music inspired by the sound of rivers. After rehearsing and creating innovative sounds with Britten Sinfonia using instruments ranging from violas to kitchen pots, the group rounded off an inspiring day with a live performance at the spectacular Instituto Bernasconi in front of an audience of over 150 people.
The Music and Rivers creative learning day was a very special experience for all those involved and provided an opportunity for musicians from both the UK and Argentina to exchange ideas and learn about the other’s culture. As second violinist Facundo Sacco told us “what I really enjoyed was the possibility of sharing with other cultures through what I love most…music”.
Far from being over, the creative learning day was just the first step in the young musicians’ journey with the British Council, and we look forward to seeing them perform live at two other venues in Buenos Aires later this year.
Calum McLaggan
Projects Manager
British Council Argentina
Calendar
Next Production
Padmore sings Mahler
Bradford on Avon, Cambridge and London
12 - 17 May 2012
Due to family illness, Mark Padmore has had to withdraw from this performance. He will be replaced by baritone Roderick Williams.
Britten Sinfonia at Lunch 4
West Road Concert Hall, Cambridge
01 May 2012 1:00pm
Renowned tenor, Mark Padmore joins Britten Sinfonia for the final concert in the 2011-12 At Lunch series. At the centre of this programme is a work by British composer, Jonathan Dove, co-commissioned by Britten Sinfonia and Wigmore Hall with support from the Tenner for a Tenor campaign.
Britten Sinfonia at Lunch 4
Wigmore Hall, London
02 May 2012 1:00pm
Renowned tenor, Mark Padmore joins Britten Sinfonia for the final concert in the 2011-12 At Lunch series. At the centre of this programme is a work by British composer, Jonathan Dove, co-commissioned by Britten Sinfonia and Wigmore Hall with support from the Tenner for a Tenor campaign.
Norfolk & Norwich Festival - Padmore Sings Mahler
St Andrew's Hall, Norwich
11 May 2012 7:30pm
Due to family illness, Mark Padmore has had to withdraw from this performance. He will be replaced by baritone Roderick Williams.
Padmore sings Mahler
Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford on Avon
12 May 2012 7:30pm
Due to family illness, Mark Padmore has had to withdraw from this performance. He will be replaced by baritone Roderick Williams.
Padmore sings Mahler
West Road Concert Hall, Cambridge
16 May 2012 7:30pm
Due to family illness, Mark Padmore has had to withdraw from this performance. He will be replaced by baritone Roderick Williams.
Padmore sings Mahler
Southbank Centre's Queen Elizabeth Hall, London
17 May 2012 7:30pm
Due to family illness, Mark Padmore has had to withdraw from this performance. He will be replaced by baritone Roderick Williams.
Brighton Festival - Mahler & Schubert
Corn Exchange, Brighton Dome, Brighton
19 May 2012 7:30pm
Due to family illness, Mark Padmore has had to withdraw from this performance. He will be replaced by baritone Roderick Williams.
Bury St Edmunds Festival
The Apex, Bury St. Edmunds
20 May 2012 7:30pm
Britten Sinfonia returns to the festival for in 2012.
Brighton Festival - King Priam
Corn Exchange, Brighton Dome, Brighton
27 May 2012 7:00pm
‘I have to sing songs for those who can’t sing for themselves. Those songs come from the torments and horrors that have happened. I can’t lose faith in humanity.’ Sir Michael Tippett
Britten Sinfonia at Museo Reina Sofia
Museo Reina Sofia , Madrid
28 May 2012 7:30pm
Fabián Panisello conducts his song cycle Libro del Frio with soprano Allison Bell and Britten Sinfonia
