PICTURE GALLERY

Rosemary Rathbone

Camilla Pay

Ian Crowther

Ian Swatman

Adrian Brett -

soloist with TheBecker 22nd Nov 2002

John Georgiadis - Conductor & Violinist

The Becker Ensemble - June 2002

The Quartet photographed 1989

Rehearsal photographed March 2002

Alexandra Fletcher - Marlowe 'Young Musician of the Year 2001'

SANDWICH GUILDHALL 26th AUGUST 2004

"The Becker Ensemble returned to The Sandwich Festival with a concert consisting of two contrasting symphonies. A sell-out audience was also treated to the Mozart Symphonia Concertante for viola and violin, with soloists John Perkins and John Georgiadis and the Seranade for Strings by Edward Elgar. The conducting was shared between Anthony Halstead and John Georgiadis with John Perkins leader. Both conductors joined in part of the programme playing horn and viola respectively. It all made for a brilliant evening's music in a most attractive venue. A most pleasant aspect of The Becker's concerts is the strong feeling passing from orchestra to audience that the players really enjoy their music making in Sandwich. After the concert Mary Samuel who is a regular viola player with the London Philharmonic Orchestra said: "I was asked to play tonight with the London LPO at the Edinburgh Festival but I could not miss the opportunity to play with the Becker in St Mary's" The Becker Ensemble will play in Deal Town Hall on September 24 and in Sandwich Guildhall in November, December, February and March".

Tony Wiggins

SANDWICH GUILDHALL 6th FEBRUARY 2004

"The historic setting of Sandwich Guildhall was the backdrop for a superb evening of chamber music given by The Becker Quartet with their guest, the flautist Rosemary Rathbone. A packed Guildhall first heard Rosemary, John Perkins (violin) and Jane Browne (viola) play the ‘Serenade for Flute, Violin and Viola, Opus 25’ by Beethoven. This work written for an unusual combination of instruments was captivating; Beethoven writing a sequence of variations, shared in equal measure by all three instruments, requiring technical brilliance and stylistic contrast. The cellist John Cullis joined the trio to finish the first half with Cimaroso’s lively Flute Quartet No 4 in F. After the interval, George Simpson (2nd violin) joined the quartet for a performance of probably the most famous string quartet in the repertoire, Haydn’s Quartet in C Opus 76 No 3 (The Emperor). This is the quartet that includes variations on the ‘Emperor’s Hymn’ - today’s German National Anthem. The Becker Quartet brought this piece to life with a mixture of technical flamboyance and musical subtleties with an especially fine performance of the slow majestic second variation movement. The concert ended with the beautifully crafted Flute Quartet in D (KV 285) by Mozart. Again Rosemary Rathbone displayed technical brilliance combining beautifully with the ensemble in a rousing performance of this great work. We are very lucky to have this professional chamber ensemble as ‘Musicians in Residence’ in Sandwich and eagerly await the next concert in the Guildhall on the 12th March".
John Bird

FESTIVAL CONCERT A HUGE SUCCESS

A packed St Mary’s Church Sandwich enjoyed a wonderful concert by The Becker Ensemble last Thursday as part of the 2003 Sandwich Festival. The Becker Ensemble, led by John Perkins and conducted by John Georgiadis, began with the lively Symphony No 10 by Mozart. A symphony written by Mozart when only ten years old, yet full of interest and charm. This was followed by the ‘Elegy for Strings’ by John Perkins, a powerful piece, rich in harmony and tune evoking sounds of the late romantic period, yet very original in style and warmly appreciated by the enthusiastic audience. Adrian Brett (flute) and Camilla Pay (harp) then gave a performance of the double concerto for Flute and Harp by Mozart. Apart from being wonderful music, it is also wonderful theatre with the large harp taking on the small flute in this masterpiece. The second half began with John Perkins’ arrangement of ‘The Ashokan Farewell’ always a firm favourite with the audience. Finally the main work in the concert was a rousing performance of the Symphony No 5 by Schubert, a work that allowed this fine professional orchestra to really demonstrate their skills in every department. Another memorable night of high quality entertainment with the Becker Ensemble.

John Bird

THE GUILDHALL SANDWICH FRIDAY 14TH MARCH 2003

'OBOE FINALE TO BECKER ENSEMBLE CONCERT SERIES'

The Becker Ensemble series of concerts in Sandwich Guildhall came to a close with a highly enjoyable concert when the Becker Quartet was joined by the oboist Ian Crowther. The concert began with Schubert's Quartet in A minor, one of the four Celebrated quartets written towards the end of Schubert's life. In the absence of George Simpson, Jane Cullis deputised wit the ease of an experienced professional in this moving and demanding work, and an atmosphere of calm assurance typified the evening. Ian Crowther's first choice was a set of five folk songs by Vaughan William's. Familiar tunes were delight and gave the audience an opportunity to hear the Cor Anglais in an extended performance. The second half featured a short talk by Ian about the oboe family, its history and development. Another highlight of the evening was the inclusion of a miniature quartet by the contemporary composer David Stone. This entertaining and approachable piece added contrast to the finale for the evening, Albanian's Oboe Quintet in D minor. A capacity audience in the Guildhall greatly enjoyed the music and was equally pleased with the new comfortable seats now in place!

John Bird

THE GUILDHALL SANDWICH FRIDAY 7TH FEBRUARY 2003

"CLARINET VIRTUOSO JOINS BECKER PLAYERS"

The Becker Ensemble, Musicians in Residence, opened their 2003 season of concerts in Sandwich Guildhall on Friday. The musicians were joined by clarinettist Ian Swatman who played with the ensemble in Weber's Clarinet Quintet in B flat and the very well known Mozart Quintet in A. The concert started with Mendelssohn Quartet in E flat. As always the ensemble provided superb music-making in a warm and friendly ambience and Ian's virtuosity blended superbly with the steady assurance of the Becker.

Tony Wiggins

THE GUILDHALL SANDWICH FRIDAY 22ND NOVEMBER 2002

"AUDIENCE BLOWN AWAY BY TALENTED FLAUTIST"

Revealing a world of ethnic flutes, guest soloist, Adrian Brett brought his instruments to life at the Becker Ensemble concert in Sandwich Guildhall. From an unremarkable start at South Deal Primary School, Adrian has gone on to become an internationally renowned flautist and the world's authority on ethnic flutes. Between four superbly performed classical pieces, Adrian took time to present a selection from his 350- flute collection to the audience. From the ghostly Norwegian shepherds' flute to the giant Czechoslovakian herder's version the instruments produced a wonderful variety of sound. Adrian's humorous anecdotes from performing for blockbuster movies to the West End stage were lapped up by the Becker supporters. He joined the Becker string musicians for two beautiful Mozart quartets and a Bach quintet. The Bird, a stirring Haydn string quartet, was received by a delighted full house. Guest violist Mary Samuels joined violinists John Perkins and George Simpson, and cellist John Cullis for the concert. Throughout the evening the music was intertwined with the informal comments giving a sense of the original context to the performances even for the novice.

Phil Grant

ST MARY'S CHURCH, SANDWICH THURSDAY 22ND AUGUST 2002

ENSEMBLE SETTING THE STANDARDS FOR CONCERTS

The Sandwich Festival has been held for many years as a fun event appropriate to a small town and catering for many tastes. Sandwoich Town Council's adoption of The Becker Ensemble as Musicians in Residence has opened a far wider opportunity. As an opening event for this year's festival The Becker, joined by musicians from a number of leading UK orchestras, put on a concert that would have graced any specialist music festival. They were joined by the eminent conductor John Georgiadis who had rehearsed and then conducted the orchestra in his own arrngement of Bruckner's String Quintet in F arranged for full string orchestra and entitled 'A String Symphony'. This was the first performance in the UK of this realisation of a most significant piece of 19th-century romantic music. It was played in front of a sell-out audience in what is surely one of the most attraactive musical venues in Kent. the Church of St Mary in Sandwich. The church now boasts most comfortable seaing, suberb lighting and an ambience that is most attractive on a summer evening. The synmphony was played with confidence and aplomb by The Becker and this, a work that for many years was considered too sifficult for professional players to attempt. Established music festival in Kent will now have to seriously consider the standard that the Becker Ensemble and Sandwich are setting for serious music in the coumty and further afield.

Tony Wiggins

ACCESSIBLE MUSICAL MIX IS A FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHT
Proving once again that chamber music can be accessible, the Becker Ensemble carried off another successful concert at St Mary's Church, Sandwich on Thursday. Bruckner With The Becker, a highlight of Sandwich Festival for music lovers, brought a blend of favourites and new pieces to a full house. With a mix of genres, the first half provided a selection of short pieces and the second half one long and beautifully complex full piece. It was a UK first for Bruckner's String Symphony adapted from his Quintet for Strings by John Georgiadis. For a hour it was a musical journey conducted by Georgiadis himself with passionate outbursts where the ensemble moved in unison to solf moments of reflects and generously repeated patterns. The performances were interspersed with friendly discussion about each piece putting the music into context. The ever popular Pacelbell's Canon followed the light and delicate Sonata (serenade) No1 written by Rossini when he was just 13. Fans of John Perkins' arrangement of The Ashokan Farewell were treated to a performance of the Classic FM favourite with Perkins as the violin soloist.

Rachel Grant

ST MARY'S CHURCH, SANDWICH FRIDAY 28TH JUNE 2002

"In the beautiful setting of St Mary's Church in Sandwich, the Becker Ensemble performed their superb Spring Serenade last week. The professional chamber group took their audience through the Baroque music of Vivaldi and Bach from two of the Four Seasons to the sublime Concerto Grosso. Barber's Adagio for Strings broke up the style of the concert without losing the pace. Possibly the first time ever, the Seasons were played with the poem Vivaldi wrote with the music. Translated from the original Italian, each stanza - read at the point in the score Vivaldi had written it - enhanced the music for the novice and the seasoned listener alike. From the descriptions of birds in summer to harvesters' parties in autumn, the poem highlighted the composer's genius. The setting was ideal for the chamber concert with new comforable seating and stage to lift the music. Even with a large audience there was a friendly intimate atmosphere.

Philip Hornsey

THE BECKER ENSEMBLE CONCERT - SANDWICH GUILDHALL 22nd MARCH 2002

"Another scintillating evening's entertainment by 'The Becker Ensemble' in Sandwich Guildhall included music by Mozart and Schubert as well as contributions from young musicians of 'The St Nicholas Sinfonia' and an appearance by the 'Marlowe Young Musician of the Year', the cellist Alexandra Fletcher. The concert started with Mozart's Quartet in C (The Dissonance). The quartet takes its nickname from the mysterious opening which departs from the conventional harmonies of the Classical style creating a sequence of dischords which must have surprised the listener in the late 1700s. This was a commanding performance from the start by the Becker Quartet, with technical and rhythmic command and a clear understanding of stylistic subtleties of this celebrated quartet. The Becker Quartet was joined for the second half of the concert by the 16 years old cellist, and winner of both the 'Marlowe' and 'Kingston Upon Thames' Young Musician of the Year prizes, Alexandra Fletcher for a performance of Schubert's masterpiece, the String Quintet in C. This giant piece of the string repertoire is a musical journey through the complete range of emotions and demands great skill from all performers. This was a magical performance which captivated the large and enthusiastic audience and gave a very strong glimpse of the precocious talent that is Alexandra Fletcher; certainly a name to look out for in the years ahead. All too soon this series of four concerts in Sandwich Guildhall is at an end, and what a high point on which to finish".

THE BECKER ENSEMBLE CONCERT - SANDWICH GUILDHALL 8TH FEBRUARY 2002

"A packed Sandwich Guildhall enjoyed a flamboyant and stirring concert of music by Haydn, Mozart and Reicha given by the Becker Ensemble as part of their autumn and winter series of concerts in Sandwich. The concert started with Haydn's Quartet in Bb (The Sunrise). This work, famous for its opening which depicts the rising of the sun into joyous sunshine gained in stature as the piece progressed, concluding with a rousing finale in the style of a gypsy dance. The Becker Quartet was then joined by the oboist John Williams for a performance of the wonderful Oboe Quartet in F by Mozart. This true masterpiece, in just three movements, is vintage Mozart and demands great acrobatics from the soloist, who played with flair and panache. The second half began with the less well known Quintet in F by Reicha, himself a contemporary of Beethoven. Again the technical demands made of the soloist were brushed aside with a rousing performance from the Ensemble of this highly entertaining piece. Two smaller pieces, recently recorded by John Williams and arranged for the concert by John Perkins, concluded the evening. The first 'Couvre Feu', a musical depiction of the gathering silence as the 'Curfew' hour approaches and second, the spectacular 'Zephyrs' brought the concert to an end. Again we were treated to a truly memorable evening of professional music-making in Sandwich".

SANDWICH GUILDHALL23rd NOVEMBER 2001

"The stylish surroundings of Sandwich Guildhall was the setting for the second in the Becker Ensemble series of concerts which combined a pre-concert wine tasting, courtesy of The Barnsole Vineyard, with music from Bach, Mozart, Beethoven and Dvorak. The concert was played to a capacity Guildhall of enthusiastic supporters of the Becker and started with the C minor Quartet of the Opus 18 grouping by Beethoven. The quartet of John Perkins and George Simpson violins, Jane Browne viola, and John Cullis cello, were in sparkling form and brought this masterpiece to life from the first bar. Music students from Sir Roger Manwood’s School, having earlier played background music for the wine-t óasting, joined the Becker on stage for a performance of Mozart’s Divertimento in D. It was a very positive signal for The Becker Ensemble, Sandwich’s "Musicians in Residence", to be encouraging local young musicians in a professional setting. The second half began with Bach solo cello suite No 2, expertly controlled with a beautiful silky tone and masterly technical skills by John Cullis. The highlight of the concert was Dvorak’s ‘American’ Quartet in F which, for me, was the best playing of the evening, capturing the mood perfectly and creating a highly charged atmosphere to finish the concert. We are incredibly lucky to have a professional resident chamber group in Sandwich and the next concert in the Guildhall on the 8th February 2002 is eagerly awaited."