All the latest CMF and artist news.
At our St Valentine’s Day fundraiser in Mansion House, Sir Nicholas Kenyon (CMF Trustee and Managing Director of the Barbican) gave a short speech outlining plans for an exciting new chapter for City Music Foundation. CMF has been looking for its own space for some time, a place to host our many core activities and […]
St Valentine’s Day isn’t traditionally a day for a party, but it is a day for giving. Last Wednesday we hosted a sumptuous event at the Mansion House, kick-starting our fundraising campaign to create a permanent home for CMF in the City of London. Naturally the evening was full of music, as well as fine […]
January 22, 2018
Tabitha
The Ligeti Quartet are well-known for their inventive and engaging programming of contemporary music, and their latest invention is no less intriguing. György Ligeti String Quartet No. 1, ‘Métamorphoses nocturnes’ Gregers Brinch String Quartet No. 1 Tanya Tagaq Sivunittinni (arr. Garchik) INTERVAL John Zorn Cat O’Nine Tails Alfred Schnittke String Quartet No. 3 ‘Morphs and Magpies’ draws together 5 composers who […]
January 11, 2018
Tabitha
Each year it is an enormous pleasure, as well as a huge challenge, for our judging panels to select the musicians for the CMF Artists Programme from the ever increasing number of exceptionally accomplished applicants. This year we’ve selected four soloists and one ensemble, which include classical as well as jazz musicians with talents […]
December 15, 2017
Tabitha
Ahead of her concert at the Baroque at the Edge festival, Tabea will perform on BBC Radio 3’s In Tune with lutenist Alex McCartney on Thursday 4th January. Baroque at the Edge invites leading musicians ranging from classical to world, jazz and folk to take the music of the Baroque and see where it leads them. […]
November 13, 2017
Tabitha
We’re delighted to announce that CMF is taking part in the Big Give Christmas Challenge 2017, the UK’s largest online match funding campaign. CMF is one of the charities that’s been selected to receive match funding from the Big Give, which means that donors have the rare opportunity to Double your Donation. For one week […]
July 14, 2017
Tabitha
BBC PROMS AUCTIONS: DEADLINE EXTENDED LOT ONE – 2 Premium tickets to the Last Night of the Proms Saturday 9th September: BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC Singers, Sakari Oramo This Lot has now been sold! Thank you for all your bids. LOT TWO – An exclusive Grand Tier Box for 10 for Prom 71 Wednesday […]
July 14, 2017
Tabitha
BBC Proms Auctions Terms and Conditions Before bidding in our auction for City Music Foundation (CMF), you should read this. These terms and conditions set out the rules by which the auction is run. By placing a bid, you acknowledge that you agree to CMF’s Terms and Conditions: In addition to reading the Terms […]
July 12, 2017
Tabitha
City Music Foundation Summer Residency at the Wallace Collection Following last year’s successful residency at the Wallace Collection, our annual Summer Residency returns in the week of 24th July, as we present 5 more CMF Artists in a series of lunchtime performances. Held in the stunning Great Gallery in the Wallace Collection, each concert commences […]
December 7, 2016
Tabitha
On Tuesday 6th December at the annual BASCA British Composer Awards (sponsored by PRS for Music and in partnership with BBC Radio 3), hosted at the BFI Southbank, Oliver Christophe Leith was the winner of the ‘small chamber’ category for his work, A Day at the Spa. Leith was one of two compositions commissioned for […]
November 30, 2016
Tabitha
Last Monday CMF’s Business Mentoring partners BNY Mellon hosted us for a welcoming event to meet the new 2016 CMF Artists and mentors. The spectacular views from the BNY Mellon office were the perfect backdrop for the event which began with a professional development workshop on key aspects of a professional musicians life including networking, the […]
November 10, 2016
Tabitha
The month of November has some very exciting things in store for our jazz CMF Artists! They have an EP launc and the recording of a new album and lots of gigs at the EFG London Jazz Festival. New 2016 CMF Artists Nérija will be launching their new EP, funded by their Kickstarter campaign. They recorded it […]
October 24, 2016
Tabitha
We have officially announced the new 2016 CMF Artists! After a rigorous audition process in which the artists had to submit a paper application then audition in person with a performance and an interview, we chose our new CMF 2016 Artists and we are excited to introduce the following artists! We have been featured in […]
October 19, 2016
Tabitha
Last week CMF Artists Y-Squared launched two new music videos produced and commissioned by CMF. The videos themselves were directed by fellow CMF Artist and member of the Kaleidoscope Saxophone Quartet, Ian Dingle. We filmed the videos earlier in the year in a very chilly Asylum Chapel in Peckham, you can take a look at […]
October 12, 2016
Tabitha
That’s right, we at CMF put on our first professional development workshops for the new 2016 CMF Artists on Tuesday 4th October! CMF is committed to providing professional musicians in the UK in the early stages of their careers with expert advice, guidance and support to help them to build successful careers in music. We don’t […]
October 3, 2016
Tabitha
Last night four CMF Artists produced an electrifying performance of Olivier Messiaen’s devastating Quatuor pour la fin du temps, ‘Quartet for the End of Time‘ at Clapham Omnibus. The quartet featured clarinetist Joseph Shiner, Michael Foyle and Maksim Štšura of the violin and piano duo the Foyle-Štšura Duo and cellist Yelian He of Y-Squared. The performance was reviewed by […]
September 22, 2016
Tabitha
CMF Artist and pianist Dinara Klinton was live on Classic FM’s Facebook page. An innovative and relatively new Facebook platform, Facebook Live allows you to live stream anything you like. The video was taken as she rehearsed for her concert later that evening and has received over 24,000 views! During the video you can see […]
September 12, 2016
Tabitha
The Oxford Lieder Festival is an annual festival presenting more than 35 concerts and dozens of other events celebrating the unique art form of song. It is a leading festival and the biggest of its kind in the UK attracting many of the world’s greatest artists. A big part of the festival, Oxford Lieder has a long […]
August 25, 2016
Tabitha
As part of the City Music Foundation Artist Scheme, CMF Artists are able to have a music video shot and produced by CMF. You can see our other artist videos on our YouTube channel including Eusebio Sanchez and see the Foyle-Štšura Duo play Lutoslawski, Brahms and a promo video for them. The next artist to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity is Andrey […]
August 16, 2016
Tabitha
Two of City Music Foundation’s artists, Samson Tsoy and Andrey Lebedev will take part in a showcase for City Music Foundation presented by Rhinegold LIVE. This showcase is a first of its kind of City Music Foundation and a way to, not only exhibit the talent of the CMF artists, but also to watch, and experience first-hand […]
August 8, 2016
Tabitha
CMF Artist and pianist Dinara Klinton stormed in to third place at this weekend’s final of the Cleveland International Piano Competition after performing Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 with the Cleveland Orchestra, conducted by Bramwell Tovey, winning a cash prize of $15,000. You can see a picture of her performance below. In earlier rounds she performed […]
August 4, 2016
Tabitha
Each year, City Music Foundation opens their applications to find the next lot of City Music Foundation Artists. This year, with more applications than ever, we had a lot of work on our hands whittling them down to a more manageable 25 or so to audition in person. With the finalists selected, the judges on their […]
July 25, 2016
Tabitha
City Music Foundation joins The Wallace Collection to invite 5 CMF Artists and ensembles to perform an eclectic programme of lunchtime concerts in the glorious surroundings of the Great Gallery in the Wallace Collection. As part of the Artistic Mentoring Programme CMF, particularly the Artist Manager, work to expand CMF Artists’ horizons; booking concerts, recording CDs, […]
July 14, 2016
Tabitha
City Music Foundation, along with the Royal Albert Hall, are giving one lucky winner the chance to win a box for 10 people to see a completely sold-out BBC Proms concert on 6th September! Full information here. BBC Proms programme notes describe the concert as “Bruckner, but not as we know […]
July 8, 2016
Tabitha
Last night CMF Artists Joseph Shiner, Yelian He and the Foyle-Stsura Duo performed Messiaen’s Quartet for the End of Time at the Deal Festival. This morning we stumbled across these lovely photos from Music Director, Paul Max Edlin, who described the performance as ‘deeply special’ and ‘astonishingly good playing’ You can find out more about […]
July 4, 2016
Tabitha
WEDNESDAY 6th JULY GUILDHALL YARD, EC2V 5AE City Beerfest, now in it’s fourth year, is back for another round! This Wednesday 6th July, it’s returning to Guildhall Yard to raise money for City Music Foundation and the Lord Mayor’s Appeal. In partnership with the Worshipful Company of Brewers, 15 of Britain’s best-loved breweries will be serving […]
June 27, 2016
Tabitha
CMF International Artist Eusebio Sanchez launches his debut album tomorrow at The Forge, Camden. ‘Xilitla’ is inspired by the Mexican area of Las Pozas, a subtropical ‘Garden of Eden’ designed by English artist Edward James. The album has been curated to merge the musical worlds of Mexico and UK through new and existing works for […]
May 25, 2016
Tabitha
CMF Artist and clarinettist, Joseph Shiner with his Magnard Ensemble present Paul Patterson’s Revolting Rhymes and Marvellous Music in Roald Dahl’s centenary year. As a CMF Artist, Joseph is able to complete a specific project of his choosing with the support of CMF. The result of this endeavour has been Revolting Rhymes and Marvellous Music. […]
May 23, 2016
Tabitha
The Kaleidoscope Saxophone Quartet were chosen as CMF Artists in 2014 and have since taken great steps to progress together as professionals in the difficult world that is the music industry. As part of the CMF Business Mentoring Programme KSQ have attended numerous workshops with leading figures within the City of London. Topics discussed […]
April 25, 2016
Tabitha
On Friday 15th April 2016, we at City Music Foundation celebrated William Shakespeare’s death in our own unique way, by holding a Shakespeare Cocktail Concert at the Guildhall Art Gallery. Three of our patrons, internationally renowned artists; Simon Callow, Joan Rodgers CBE and Roger Vignoles, were joined on stage by CMF Artist and soprano Raphaela […]
March 24, 2016
Tabitha
Dinara Klinton performs on InTune Tabitha McGrath, Artist Manager Being an Artist Manager to such exciting artists such as CMF’s come with its perks – Dinara Klinton’s appearance on BBC Radio 3’s InTune programme on Tuesday proved to be exactly one of these. At CMF, we’ve been working with Rebecca Driver Media Relations for a […]
March 21, 2016
Tabitha
CMF Artist and flautist Emma Halnan has won the Arts Club-Karl Jenkins Music Award, a classical music competition in collaboration with Classic FM. Emma performed a repertoire by all female composers including Kokopeli by Katherine Hoover and Concertino by Cécile Chaminade. As the winner, Emma has the chance to record the winning performance as well as a work composed especially […]
March 9, 2016
Tabitha
Y-Squared, with the help of the CMF production team, transform the stunning Asylum Chapel into an atmospheric burlesque club for the filming of Nikolai Kapustin’s ‘Burlesque’. The Chapel was given a makeover complete with red-tinted lighting and a custom red neon sign for Yasmin and Yelian of Y-Squared’s performance. They were true professionals as they braved the […]
February 11, 2016
Tabitha
CMF Artist and violinist of the Foyle-Stsura Duo, Michael Foyle has won the first prize in the Netherlands Violin Competition 2016. In the final he performed the Szymanowski Concerto with the Rotterdam Philharmonic and conductor, Rafael Payare. The prize has already seen Michael perform with Maksim Stsura in a lunchtime concert at the prestigious Het […]
January 15, 2016
Tabitha
Alastair Penman’s Electric Dawn has received wonderful reviews from musical magazines and blogs. “Alastair Penman created surpassingly beautiful music… The record is excellent…Each piece had a perfection of its own and the combination of sax and electronics never sounded cluttered but pure and diamond-sharp, tonally burnished and singing free on both instruments…Thanks to RNCM […]
December 9, 2015
Tabitha
Pianist and 2014 Artist Samson Tsoy has taken first prize in the 9th Campillos International Piano Competition, hosted in Malaga, Spain. The jury consisted of pianists from across Europe and US, and was chaired by D. Juan Lago. Tsoy succeeded 50 finalists to claim the prize, which is a cash award and a number of […]
December 9, 2015
Tabitha
Pianist and 2014 Artist Samson Tsoy has taken first prize in the 9th Campillos International Piano Competition, hosted in Malaga, Spain. The jury consisted of pianists from across Europe and US, and was chaired by D. Juan Lago. Tsoy succeeded 50 finalists to claim the prize, which is a cash award and a number of […]
November 13, 2015
Tabitha
__ CMF Artists Misha Mullov-Abbado (Double Bass, 2014) and the Kansas Smittys, led by Giacomo Smith (Clarinet, 2014) have both been listed in the Telegraph’s Best Jazz Albums of 2015. Mullov-Abbado’s debut album, New Ansonia, was released in September on Edition Records, and is currently touring the album with his quintet. His next performance […]
August 14, 2015
Tabitha
Ahead of Mikhail Nemtstov’s concert and album launch on the 9th September, we learn a little more about him here: Describe yourself in 3 words: Honest Russian musician — Who do you usually perform with? My sister pianist Elena Nemtsova — What has been a performance highlight in your career so far? Evening recital […]
August 13, 2015
Tabitha
New Ansonia is the debut album from bassist and composer Misha Mullov-Abbado. Son of the late, great Italian conductor Claudio Abbado and Russian violinist Viktoria Mullova, British-born Mullov-Abbado grew up in a powerfully musical environment, a unique upbringing that has inspired Misha to create his own musical identity and tell his own compelling story. This, his […]
July 15, 2015
Tabitha
Some early rain and a tube strike couldn’t dampen the spirits of the thousands that came to the third City Beerfest on 8th July! They were rewarded with a huge range of beers and a fantastic musical programme in the beautiful setting of the historic Guildhall Yard. The event was officially opened by the Lord […]
July 7, 2015
Tabitha
Pedro Segundo is one of the most in-demand percussionists and drummers on the international circuit. 2015 sees the launch of his first solo project: Solo Segundo. A challenging, surprising and unique performance of the highest standard, Solo Segundo invites you to be enthralled by 75minutes of live, uninhibited solo drums and percussion. Think Stomp, with […]
July 7, 2015
Tabitha
This new recording by pianist Cordelia Williams (Piano Winner of BBC Young Musician 2006) is a unique combination of three of Schumann’s finest works for the instrument: the Davidsbündlertänze Books I and II, Fantasie and the Geistervariationen. The Davidsbündlertänze is a set of 18 pieces for solo piano, featuring characters who did not really exist, except in Schumann’s musical imagination. They initially appeared as […]
July 7, 2015
Tabitha
A wonderful evening was had by all at our Jazz in the Churchyard concert on the 16th June, organised in collaboration with St Mary-le-Bow Church. Giacomo Smith, Pedro Segundo and the rest of the Kansas Smitty’s Big Four treated an enthusiastic crowd to jazz standards and original compositions. Huge thank you to Aberdeen Asset Management for sponsoring the event! […]
June 26, 2015
Tabitha
CMF Artist Samson Tsoy is one of ten semi-finalists in the renowned Honens Piano Competion. To reach this stage is already an incredible achievement and Samson will travel to Calgary in September to compete for the largest prize of its kind: $100,000 CAN and an artist development programme valued at a half million dollars. Read more about […]
June 8, 2015
Tabitha
Ahead of Mari Poll‘s concert on the 17th June, we find out a little more about her: Describe yourself in 3 words: Friendly, open minded, driven — Who do you usually perform with? I usually perform duo with my pianist brother Mihkel Poll or British pianist Jennifer Hughes — What has been a […]
June 4, 2015
Tabitha
After the success of last year’s Opera in the Churchyard, St Mary-le-Bow and City Music Foundation are once again organising an evening of music in Bow Churchyard on Tuesday 16th June at 6.00pm. We are very grateful to Aberdeen Asset Management for once again making this event possible. Performing are CMF Artists Giacomo Smith, Pedro […]
May 6, 2015
Tabitha
This month, we’re getting to know clarinettist Joseph Shiner who will be giving a recital as part of CMF’s Rhyme & Reason Concert Series on Wednesday 13th May. Describe yourself in 3 words: I left this question until last, but then it occurred to me I’d already answered it on my Twitter handle: […]
May 5, 2015
Tabitha
May 2015 sees cellist (and one half of y-squared) Yelian He make his debut with the prestigious Sydney Symphony Orchestra, performing C.P.E. Bach’s Cello Concerto under violin/director Andrew Haveron. Then in June, y-squared will perform a number of smaller recitals around Australia, including Woodend Winter Arts Festival, with more dates to be revealed. To keep […]