Guildford International Music Festival 2007
Events for Saturday 24 March 2007
Blackheath and Bramley Choral Society
Mendelssohn's Elijah
Robert Gillman conductor
Event number: 59
Holy Trinity Church, evening performance
Further tickets available from Festival Box Office, or from Frank Taylor 01483 568659
Häxan – Witchcraft through the Ages
World première
Geoff Smith composer and performer, Philippe Barnes flutes
Event number: 60
The Electric Theatre, 7.30pm
£10 adult/senior citizen, £5 concessions
This isn't just an innovative soundtrack as its echoes positively enhance the melancholic and menacing moods of this intense, psychological masterpiece.
BBC Radio Times
Häxan - Witchcraft through the ages is a truly legendary and infamous film. Banned in every country in Europe when first released in 1922 it was one of the first drama-documentaries, integrating fact, fiction, objective reality, investigation, delusion
and hallucination in an uninhibited and experimental style. The film is transfused with humour - a witches' brew of the horrific, gross, and darkly comedic.
Geoff Smith's new score for Häxan is a revelation in the composition and performance of live music for film. He won international fame with his scores to The Cabinet of Dr Caligari and Faust which re-popularised live cinema events. Geoff is the world-leading virtuoso and unique innovator in composition, technique and performance on the hammered dulcimer - an ancient percussion instrument struck by small wooden hammers, sticks or mallets, which produces intriguing sounds. The new score for Häxan further explores Geoff's pioneering approach to composition, performance and design.
Post-performance talk: Geoff will give a brief talk and answer questions about the film and his extraordinary instruments.
If you want to really get into the spirit and add to the dark atmosphere of the film, then come in themed dress and sample a cocktail or two.
There will also be an opportunity to look at and buy the recently published book Witch craft Through the Ages by Jack Stevenson, Volume 1 of the new Cinema Classics Collection published by FAB Press of Godalmijng. Visit www.fabpress.com
Festival Finale
Event number: 61
Guildford Cathedral, 7.30pm
£15 premium seats, £11 adult/senior citizen, £3 concessions
LCGC performances are inspiring, uplifting, full of fun and life: the exhilaration of this concert will stay with you for days to come!
The exuberant LCGC provide a rousing finale to the Festival. They have performed with Madonna at Live 8, sung on the soundtrack of Disney's Lion King, opened on the main stage at Glastonbury, and put gospel on the map for the first time at the BBC Proms.
Tonight's performance will include the world premiere of Guildford Gospel, a work celebrating the diversity and uniqueness of Guildford 's people. Drawing on the personal stories of residents, as well as the town's history, LCGC's Artistic Director, Bazil Meade, has used specially-gathered oral histories and original research to create this new work for Guildford. The music has been shared with a wide variety of groups who will be looking forward to joining their voices with the choir and everyone else in the audience in its first public performance. The Festival has commissioned Guildford Gospel to explore and celebrate what makes Guildford so special and attractive to the many people who choose to make their home here.Come along and join in the fun!
You can't listen to LCGC without moving or smiling… The Guardian
Additional opportunities for visually impaired people are associated with this event. Please visit the Festival website or contact the Festival administration on 01483 689690 for further details.
