Back to Navigation page JEREMY POLMEAR oboe, cor anglais, alto saxophone DIANA AMBACHE piano WORDS AND MUSIC PROGRAMMES Programmes juxtaposing readings of poetry and prose with music have been a feature of the Duo's programming for several years. Working with actors such as Jenny Agutter, Michael Pennington, Janet Suzman, Sylvia Syms and Billie Whitelaw, each programme explores a theme, and words and music are interleaved to make a satisfying whole. Contents: The Pursuit of Happiness Jane Austen's World English Places, English Faces Rites of Passage Mozart Robert & Clara For feedback on the 2002 tour of Rites of Passage click here. To read an article about these programmes, originally published in Classical Music, click here. Most programmes can be performed with an actor of either sex. Back to contents Many and varied are the possible paths to happiness - through love and service to others, through work, through not working, by climbing vertiginous mountain cliffs, by lying in a field, via Spirituality or alcoholic spirit. All these and more are covered in writings from Shakespeare to Gyles Brandreth, and music from Purcell to Offenbach and Gershwin. And for those whom happiness still eludes, there are always the Gurus to tell us what to do. A programme to entertain and provoke. For more details, click here (it's a pdf file, read by Acrobat reader). To book this programme, please contact Clive Conway Celebrity Productions, by email or their website. Back to contents Jane Austen's World The authors of this programme - Fanny Burney and Mary Wollstonecraft, as well as Jane Austen herself - are highly valued for their descriptions of English life and acute observations about people. Four Sections illustrate gender attitudes, class, diversions and pleasures, and aspects of loving. The composers are equally expressive, providing a wide range of musical idea and form to complement the words. The programme brings to light some hidden treasure from our cultural heritage, with other composers from both before and after the 'long eighteenth century' of Jane Austen. Music and words together show that women have long played an important part in voicing our traditions and ideas, and vividly express a rich creative vein in English life. For more details, click here (it's a pdf file, read by Acrobat reader). Back to contents ENGLISH PLACES, ENGLISH FACES Witty and poignant views of England and the English, including selections from Shakespeare, Elgar, Churchill, Walton, D H Lawrence, Vaughan Williams, Malcolm Arnold, Alan Sillitoe and Keith Waterhouse. "What a lovely collection this is! John Julius Norwich's selections from the wealth of our literature combined with some of our country's most evocative music, make this a portrait of England that celebrates our strengths and laughs at our foibles." Billie Whitelaw The programme is in six sections - Places, Work, Faces, War, Class, and English Humours. For more details, click here (it's a pdf file, read by Acrobat reader). To book this programme, please contact Clive Conway Celebrity Productions, by email or their website. Back to contents Rites of Passage An unconventional look at some of life's important moments through the eyes of Beethoven, Chaucer, Handel, John Donne, Poulenc, Robert and Elizabeth Browning, Queen Victoria, Ravel and Cole Porter. "I love performing Rites of Passage because it is provocative, vital and funny - a voyage of discovery." Jenny Agutter The Programme is in four sections - Beginnings, Getting Together, Movement, and Endings. For more details, click here. Back to contents MOZART Music and letters from Mozart's early and middle life. "This is an evening of oboe, piano and the voice of Mozart., It catches Mozart at crucial early moments, and takes us through his dealings with family, lovers and friends. It is both delicate and powerful, funny and very moving." Michael Pennington The programme contains works by Mozart, J C and J S Bach and letters by Mozart and his father. For more details, click here. Back to contents Robert & Clara An intimate portrait of the best known husband-and-wife relationship in music, taken from the 'marriage diaries' kept by both Robert and Clara Schumann. The music comes from their compositions, and is featured on the CD opposite. The Programme covers the beginning of their married life together, Robert's moods, their observations on Berlioz and Wagner, and Clara's life as a touring pianist. For more details, click here. Back to top or Back to Navigation page