European Brandenburg Ensemble Bach Six Concertos for the Margrave of Brandenburg

2005-2007

Trevor Pinnock

PrEssTrevor Pinnock plans 60th birthday celebrations in sheffieldThe City of Sheffield, whose representatives joined Trevor in London today to announce details of their new culture strategy is a significant partner in Brandenburgs Revisited.

This extensive project could not take place without the remarkable demonstration of the value of partnerships and the belief in cultural regeneration by the organisations who have provided their generous support: Sheffield City Council, the University of Sheffield, Hammerson, Sheffield International Venues, Sheffield First for Investment, DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary and several Sheffield hotels including Macdonald St Paul, Sheffield Park, Cutler’s, Hilton and Royal Victoria Holiday Inn. The Classical source News, May 11, 2006

Capital vision of the city of ‘culture’Sheffield took its vision of becoming a ‘European centre of excellence’ in London this week. The city’s commitment to a new culture and sporting strategy was outlined on Tuesday …by Minister of sport Richard Caborn, Sheffield Theatres artistic Director Samuel West and world–renowned musician and conductor Trevor Pinnock.

Sheffield is aiming to place culture at the heart of the city’s social and cultural regeneration… Ian soutar, sheffield Telegraph News Friday, May 12, 2006

Pinnock’s Birthday Brandenburgs“The germ of the project was a harpsichord recital I gave in Sheffield and the offer of an honorary degreee from the university,” says Pinnock, “with my 60th birthday approaching there was an impetus to create a project especially for the city.”…Underwriting it all – in cash and in kind – is a virtuous circle of interests including the University, the city, Sheffield International Venues, Hammerson Properties and a network of local hotels. Graeme Kay, Early Music Today, June/July 2006

November 2005 Acoustic assessment sheffield City Hall Ballroom

Michele Gaggia, Trevor Pinnock’s Leipzig based sound recordist, arrives in Sheffield to conduct extensive sound checks in the ballroom and is impressed with the acoustic potential of the space: “The diffusion is helped by the structure of the roof and by the round columns in the room. Similar acoustic devices are nowadays placed in recording studios or new concert halls. By chance, in the ballroom, they are simply part of the room structure.”

May 2006 sheffield culture strategy event DLA Piper offices, London

Trevor joins Carolyn Kenney, Assistant Director, Hammerson plc, Phil Roberts, Director, Sheffield First for Investment, Dr Ann Gosse, Sheffield’s Director of Culture, Sports Minister Richard Caborn, and Sam West, Artistic Director of Sheffield Theatres, for the official launch of Sheffield’s Culture Strategy. The event also celebrates the beginning of the European Brandenburg Ensemble (EBE), recognising the project as a clear demonstration of Sheffield’s cultural ambitions.

Project Chronology

August 2006 summer residency The University of sheffield, Firth Hall supported by Arts Council England and sponsored by Hammerson plc and the University of sheffield

The doors of the Firth Hall open up for a series of rehearsals, lectures and an opportunity for Sheffield people to meet Trevor Pinnock and musicians of the EBE for the first time. Music in the Round joins forces with the EBE to run a junior event as hundreds of young fans queue to become ‘Little Brandenburgs’.

‘Music is noisy, that’s why we like it’ say youngstersThe whole residency was a huge success and generated much interest with big audiences at the public events, open rehearsal sessions, lecture and talks. The residency, which saw all the members of the EBE coming together for the first time, was hosted by Sheffield University in association with Hammerson (UK Properties). sheffield Telegraph, Classical Guide, August 11, 2006

sponsors sought for City Hall CDThe project is being touted as a major cultural event which will boost Sheffield’s international image, and a number of companies have already pledged their support.

Among them are DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary, Hammerson Properties UK and The University of Sheffield. The latest to sponsor the project is Wolf Safety Lamps which has taken up the offer to ‘Adopt a Concerto’.

John Jackson, Managing Director of Wolf Safety said he was proud to be associated with a project which would set a new standard for Sheffield’s cultural ambitions. “Future generations will look back on this momentous event as yet another stride in the city’s progress towards becoming a major centre of culture and the arts in provincial England”. Bob rae, sheffield star Business News, November 16, 2006

sheffield lifts ‘cultural’ profile with Brandenburg projectStarting on Monday, Trevor Pinnock will be making his historic new recording of the Brandenburg concertos in the City Hall Ballroom for a CD to be distributed globally by Avie Records. The provision of the venue by SIV was crucial in kickstarting the project…..the contribution by British Land, Arup and Wolf Safety Lamps in turn attracted £10,000 from the Arts & Business New Partners investment programme …to ensure maximum recognition for the business sponsors which will encourage others to support future cultural events.

“Business sponsorship of the arts is important, not only in financial terms but as recognition of the value that arts events bring to the economy of our region, especially in areas of regeneration,” says Tessa Gordziejko, director of A&B Yorkshire... Ian soutar, sheffield Telegraph News, December 8, 2006

‘Mid summer Brandenburgs’

Harpsichord master the key to ensembleForty years on Trevor Pinnock is one of the world’s greatest exponents of the instrument, celebrating with a 60th birthday formation in Sheffield of the European Brandenburg Ensemble…..As the idea of the new orchestra evolved, Pinnock’s connections with Sheffield, and in particular the University, brought musicians from France, Germany, Italy, Slovakia and the UK to the city…They return to Sheffield on December 16 to perform the complete Brandenburgs in a City Hall Concert. David Denton, Yorkshire Post Culture Friday, December 8, 2006

Happy Bach day to you, Mr PinnockIt’s hard to believe that Trevor Pinnock has turned 60. But with 100 discs to his name he’s celebrating in style, beginning with a concert of the Brandenburgs in Sheffield. Michael Church, The Independent, Extra December 14, 2006

strictly ballroom for landmark Brandenburg recordings…City Hall General Manager Dominic Stokes: “It certainly was a surprise to find out that the ballroom was a near-perfect acoustic for this recording. It has created yet another use for the ballroom proving just how multi-functional the venue is.” Bernard Lee, sheffield Telegraph Music Guide December 15, 2006

December 14-18 2006 January 1-5 2007 recording sheffield City Hall Ballroom sponsored by Arup, Wolf safety Lamp Company, British Land, the University of sheffield and sheffield City Hall

Musicians arrive in Sheffield for the first classical recording to be made in the City Hall ballroom. The logistics of running a full programme of events upstairs whilst recording takes place below ground are tricky but thanks to a huge amount of cooperation and support from the City Hall team, the recording is completed on time.

December 16 2006 Birthday concert sheffield City Hall Irwin Mitchell Oval Hall VIP reception sheffield City Hall, Millennium Hall supported by Arts&Business Yorkshire sponsored by sheffield City Hall and steelworks studios

Trevor celebrates his birthday with the EBE in a sell-out performance of the Brandenburgs at the City Hall. VIP guests join Trevor, musicians, sponsors and friends for a special, post-concert, birthday reception. Sir Bob Kerslake, Chief Executive of Sheffield City Council and Peter Cropper, Artistic Director of Music in the Round, lead the 100 strong party in a birthday toast. Trevor is 60 and the evening marks the beginning of the EBE’s programme of international concerts.

January 2007 Italian Tour

Trevor and the EBE take the Brandenburgs to venues in Cagliari, Rome, L’Aquilla, Zurich, Treviso, Torino, Mantua and Belluno. Six out of eight venues are completely sold out.

April 2007 Far East Tour – concerts, workshops and receptions sponsored by Creative sheffield with support from the University of sheffield

Concerts in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and Seoul and Ulsan, Korea, quickly sell out and audiences queue for programme signings with Trevor and EBE musicians.

The ensemble host pre and post-concert VIP receptions in Kuala Lumpur in conjunction with tour sponsors Creative Sheffield and with the University of Sheffield’s Far Eastern office.

In Hong Kong, Trevor and selected members of the EBE hold workshops, master-classes and recitals with students at the Academy of Performing Arts. Creative Sheffield hosts a VIP reception on the final night.

July 2007 Germany - Ansbach sponsored by Creative sheffield

Sell out concerts in Ansbach’s Bach Festival.

October 2007 spanish Tour

The Ensemble takes to the road again for concerts in Vallodolid, Valencia and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

November 2007 German Tour sponsored by Creative sheffield

Further concerts in Düsseldorf (sold out), Hanover (sold out), Hamburg, Lorrach, Waiblingen and Munich.

November 14 2007 Final UK concert and Avie CD launch event, Cadogan Hall, London Hosted by the University of sheffield and Trevor Pinnock sponsored by Creative sheffield

A pre-concert champagne reception is held for London press and VIPs. Speakers include Miles Stevenson, Director of Alumni Development for the University of Sheffield and EBE Board Member Lord Balfour of Brucefield. Among the 60 strong party are journalists for national and international press and broadcast media, John Jackson of Wolf Safety Lamp Company and David Fletcher and Inga Uhrenbacher of Creative Sheffield.

The concert is another sell out and a pre-release CD signing gives audience members a first opportunity to enjoy the Sheffield recording of the Brandenburgs.

Trevor’s Brandenburg recording a sell-out

Trevor Pinnock’s new recording of Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos, the one made in Sheffield…was released just under a fortnight ago. It proved so popular that the recording company Avie was immediately faced with repressing it.

The recording….has made in Sheffield stamped all over it. City businesses back it, PR consultants Soundhouse Media handled publicity…and the recordings were made in the City Hall Ballroom. That it is an ideal recording acoustic can be heard in the finished product, Soundhouse Media having also designed the packaging that contains the two CDs. Bernard Lee, sheffield Telegraph, November 30, 2007

Glorious Brandenburgs

The opening and closing movements (Concerto No. 3) fizz along with fleet and buoyant strings. Thanks to good engineering and the apparently superb acoustics of the Ballroom of Sheffield City Hall, the distinct voices of the three layers of strings have rarely been easier to distinguish. Andrew O Connor, International record review January 2008

‘…Trevor Pinnock has culled the crème de la crème of period-instrument orchestras to form the European Brandenburg Ensemble – to play Bach his way, with himself on Harpsichord….this riveting reading revels in what Pinnock calls Bach’s ‘sense of disorder’ and the ‘subversive’ nature of his music.’ Anthony Holden, The Observer

‘What started as a very special birthday present is now a beautifully wrapped musical package for all of us to enjoy.’ Julie Amacher, Minnesota Public radio

December 2007 UK release of the Brandenburg recording on the Avie label

The CD is officially on sale and pre-release orders exceed expectations, necessitating a second ‘run’ in time for Christmas. Reviews are almost universally positive with many music journalists considering the recording to be the new benchmark interpretation of the Brandenburgs and several reflecting positively on the acoustics of the Sheffield City Hall Ballroom.

The EBE recording of the Brandenburgs makes it into the UK Classical Chart top ten and is featured as ‘CD of the week’ on Classic FM’s weekend breakfast show.

January 2008 Us release of Brandenburg recording

The Brandenburgs enter the US Billboard Classical chart at number 15.

The recording will be released around the world throughout 2008.

Pat on the Bach

It’s nice to hear a bit of class on Classic FM. This week the radio station is featuring the first classical CD recorded at Sheffield City Hall as CD of the week on Henry Kelly’s Sunday morning show.

Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos, is performed by world renowned conductor Trevor Pinnock, an honorary graduate of Sheffield University, and the European Brandenburg Ensemble.

It was recorded in the Sheffield City Hall Ballroom as part of Pinnock’s 60th birthday celebrations. rob Hollingworth, sheffield star, November 22, 2007

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NOVEMBEr 2007‘He [Pinnock] has long been a master of these works, but the miracle of these new accounts is that they sound completely fresh. Pinnock’s approach is as vigorous as ever, yet there’s no sense of the frenetic. His hand-picked players relish the life-affirming exuberance, the daring cut and thrust, the bold colouring and the lyrical beauties of this perennially wonderful music, in breathtaking, alchemic celebration.’

**** sunday Times

‘There is disarming freshness, even in the over-familiar No 3 where the third movement is breathlessly played, but it doesn’t sound frenetic. With Pinnock’s trademark, beautifully sprung rhythms, exuberance is paramount and there is not a trace of centuries-old dust.

It’s probably a sweeping statement but these Brandenburgs are going to become yardstick performances.’

Bernard Lee, sheffield Telegraph

DECEMBEr 2007‘It’s a revelation to find the allegros played with such brio, to hear the wind voicing in the second and forth concertos so subtly balanced and articulated, to sense Bach’s daring instead of his order and discipline. This is now my first-choice recording of the Brandenburgs.’

***** Andrew Clark, FT Year’s five best classics

‘This is one of the best all-round achievements I have ever heard in this music. Pinnock directs from the harpsichord and plays the horrendously difficult part in the Fifth Concerto. His tempi seem just right: fast movements are exciting, not rushed.

Even the fiendish high trumpet part in the Second Concerto is superbly delivered, by the memorably named David Blackadder.’

***** Tully Potter, The Daily Mail

‘It’s a stunning recording and the ultimate vindication of Pinnock’s interests’

**** Daily Express

JANUArY 2008‘The strings of the EBE are a delight’

Jens F. Lauron, Music Web International

‘This new glorious set...can be unreservedly recommended.’

Andrew O’Connor, International record review

‘These performances by the eponymous Brandenburg Ensemble enjoy a warm, intimate sonic patina that often reminds one of their antique antecedents.’

Gary Lemco, www.audaud.com

‘Kati Debretzeni’s violin in particular is on fire in No.4’

***rick Jones, The Times

‘The playing is wonderfully skilful and represents a point where ‘authentic’ performance has evolved from being a matter of earnest problem-solving into a panorama of musical opportunity.’

robert Beale, Manchester Evening News

FEBrUArY 2008‘This is a fine recording and one to which I will return time and time again.’

stephen rose, Early Music review

‘Pinnock’s direction from the harpsichord is a model of crispness, and the build-up to his big solo will have you cheering.’

***** richard Lawrence, Classic FM Magazine

MArCH 2008 Classic FM Presenter’s Playlist - March 2008

‘Trevor Pinnock first recorded the Brandenburgs 25 years ago and, as he says, “they remain fundamentally a celebration of music and life”. I agree!’

Henry Kelly Classic FM Magazine, Editor’s Choice

‘The playing, with an ensemble that brings together some of the world’s leading Baroque specialists, is supreme.’

James Inverne, Gramophone

‘This is not a Brandenburg set that sets out to score points, and all that is needed from us is to sit back and enjoy its relaxed, celebratory spirit.’

Lindsay Kemp, Gramophone

‘…this is a remarkably well-played and polished set that is sure to give much enjoyment.’

Graham Lock, International Piano

‘This set includes…one of the best-balanced Fifth Brandenburgs on record’

***** Uri Golomb, Goldberg Magazine

Selected CD Press Reviews

This saturday sees the culmination of 18 months’ planning and partnership between south Yorkshire’s arts and business communities, in a landmark cultural event taking place at sheffield City hall.

Throughout 2006 the region has been gearing up for a memorable birthday celebration. On December 16, world renowned harpsichordist and conductor Trevor Pinnock celebrates his sixtieth year in a special performance of Bach’s popular Brandenburg Concertos with his newly formed European Brandenburg Ensemble (EBE), at sheffield City hall’s irwin Mitchell Oval hall.

Trevor Pinnock is not by any means ‘Yorkshire born and bred’. however, since his first visit to sheffield in 1985 he has developed a special affinity with the city. he is closely associated with chamber music promoters Music in the Round and Artistic Director Peter Cropper and in 2005 he received an honorary degree from the University of sheffield. For this reason he chose to celebrate his sixtieth birthday in the city.

Joining him is an Ensemble made up of some of the world’s finest baroque musicians. Together they will deliver this weekend’s birthday concert, which launches a tour of Europe and the Far East. They will also create a historic new recording of the Brandenburgs in the City hall’s Ballroom.

Over the last 18 months, local organisations and corporate partners have assembled to commit their support for this project, recognising its potential to put sheffield and south Yorkshire on the cultural map at an international level. The University of sheffield and hammerson Property UK were the first to come on board, sponsoring a summer residency for the Ensemble which engaged the local community in a series of rehearsals, lectures and performances. Local hotels led by The holiday inn Royal Victoria and the st Paul Macdonald have opened up their hospitality to Pinnock and his musicians; rooms, dinner, an opportunity to take a break from the rigours of the touring life are all on the house.

More recent additions to this co-operative of funders include the likes of Arts Council England, sheffield City hall, sheffield Tourism, Arup and British Land. Even smaller, traditional businesses like Wolf safety Lamps, synonymous with the mining industry have been attracted to the project and to flexible sponsorship packages which include an option to ‘Adopt a Brandenburg’ for the recording; communications agency soundhouse Media have offered their services in promoting the project at cost and sir Bob Kerslake, Chief Executive of sheffield City

Council has personally helped to introduce the project to prospective investors.

For Arts and Business Yorkshire, also counted among key project sponsor, the Brandenburg project perfectly represents sheffield’s future cultural aspirations, demonstrating the importance of both commercial and creative ambition in building civic pride and attracting further inward investment to the region. Vanessa Gibson commented:

“Arts & Business Yorkshire fully support the initiative of Trevor Pinnock and the EBE in bringing this major opportunity to sheffield.

“Our remit is to enable and develop sustainable, mutually beneficial relationships between business and the arts community in the region, and we are looking for opportunities to work with private sector companies to maximise the benefits they receive from association with artistic excellence.

“We believe that the Brandenburg recording can offer great benefit both to individual companies and to the recognition of sheffield as a city rich in culture and innovation.”

EBE Project Manager Mitzi Matlock certainly feels the significance of partnerships between the arts and business goes beyond the financial aspects.

“This is about being part of a city’s regeneration,” she reflects, “sheffield has always been a great place to live, work and raise a family and now we’re

rapidly progressing towards becoming a more progressive European City. What we’re doing here with the EBE, sheffield Theatres, the museums and galleries, the National institute of sport and numerous grass roots projects involves the whole community and will impact positively on the whole community and that’s incredibly inspiring.”

in that sense, even before saturday’s celebration event, the Brandenburg ‘project’ represents a huge success.

Beyond the concert and the tour which follows, the classical world is already waiting in great anticipation for Avie records to release the new recording of the Concertos. For many people, outside the realms of the typical classical enthusiast, the Brandenburgs became familiar in the 1980s when Pinnock made his first recording of this epic work with the English Concert. That recording became one of the best selling classical records of the twentieth century. high time then that the Brandenburgs were revisited; and if they achieve a similar level of recognition it’s good to know that south Yorkshire and so many of its resident businesses will have played a huge part in making it happen.

For more information on the European Brandenburg Ensemble project go to www.europeanbrandenburg.com or call Mitzi Matlock on: 07913613918

Celebrating in style

Yorkshire Post, December 12, 2006

World-renowned harpsichordist and conductor Trevor Pinnock and, below, with the European Brandenburg Ensemble

Banner for the VIP reception, sheffield City Hall, December 2006

Project Manager Mitzi Matlock

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Photography: sheffield summer residency, Ian spooner sheffield recording and concert, Andrew stepan