29th January is the 150th anniversary of the birth of Frederick Delius
A series of major concerts, events and recordings to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the birth of the remarkable and individual Bradford-born composer Frederick Delius have been announced by the Delius Society, and Festivals everywhere area being encouraged to take part.
A true cosmopolitan, influenced by the places he visited, particularly Florida, Scandinavia and France where he finally settled, Delius composed in all forms: operas, orchestral, choral, concertos, chamber works and songs.
Join in the celebrations!
In support of any organisation wishing to promote Delius during 2012, the Society can make available a complete list of the composer’s works with forces required, a Delius discography, biographical and promotional material, a Delius timeline, a list of artists available for performance opportunities during 2012, and inclusion on the Society website, in their Journal and Newsletters.
Website www.delius.org.uk will tell you more and Michael Green, ViceChairman@ThedeliusSociety.org.uk will be delighted to hear from you.
Events already confirmed include a birthday concert at The South Bank Centre, on 29th January, performances of the ‘cello concerto and ‘Sea Drift’ in Hereford Cathedral as part of the Three Choirs Festival (22nd and 26th July), a study Weekend at The British Library 22nd and 23rd September and a four day Delius Celebration at Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester and St George’s Hall, Bradford (17th to 20th October).
A further 50 concerts and recitals are already scheduled to take place during 2012, listed on the Delius Society website: www.delius.org.uk .
Commenting on the 2012 programme, Delius Society Chairman Martin Lee-Brown said: “Those of us who have been planning for the year have been delighted by the scale of the enthusiastic response we have received from individual artists, orchestras and ensembles, promoters, music societies, broadcasters and ordinary members of the public. Frederick Delius was a true cosmopolitan and it is inspiring to see that there are to be performances of his works in places as far apart as Bradford, Koln and Chicago. We are particularly grateful to The Delius Trust whose generous funding has enabled us to develop such a wide-ranging programme.”
Other special features of the year will include:
A Royal Mail commemorative postage stamp, an EMI 18-CD box set of Delius works, a first Delius Society own label recording of English Piano Music performed by Paul Guinery, a special 2012 International Composition Prize, and a new ‘Delius inspired’ Jazz work commissioned from the distinguished performer and composer Digby Fairweather.
