Swindon Recital Series 2024-25

It’s extraordinary to think that we’re nearly a quarter of the way through the 21st Century, yet we still approach 20th Century music as if it’s something to fear! Our last two seasons – French Impressions and Bohemian Rhapsodies – relied heavily on music from the 20th Century, without any complaint from our audience. I felt it was the right time to make it central to our new season, so Modernist Classics was born.
The century is nothing if not diverse, with music ranging from jazz, through impressionist, modern, post-modern, neo-classical, atonal, 12 tone, serial, minimalist, popular song, film music etc. etc. etc. As a result, it’s impossible to show every aspect of a Century in just seven concerts, but we’re going to give it a good try!

I’ve chosen a combination of unassailable masterpieces and great composers who have a distinct style that pushed forward the development of classical music. We’re pushing the boundaries of chamber music too, with our percussion ensemble (two pianos!) and our semi-staged life of Cole Porter. His music’s light touch conceals Porter’s personal story and gives us a taste of the times in his complicated life as a gay man in a less accepting era. Our remaining concerts feature major names such as Shostakovich, Poulenc, Marc Mellits, Richard Rodney Bennett, Prokofiev, Martinů, Gershwin,
Tippett, Debussy and Ginastera.

It seemed particularly apt to programme Messiaen’s Quartet for the End of Time on the anniversary of 9/11 and at a time of continued conflict throughout the world. Messiaen wrote the piece while a prisoner of war in German captivity and it was first performed by his fellow prisoners. He later recalled, “Never was I listened to with such rapt attention and comprehension”. Suitable words to describe our whole season, specifically designed to introduce you to extraordinarily diverse music, beyond your imagination.

Paul Turner
Founder and Artistic Director
Swindon Recital Series