2019 Applications now open!
We’re delighted to announce that applications to become a 2019 CMF Artist are now open. CMF welcomes applications from classical, jazz, folk, and world musicians – both soloists and ensembles – to join our innovative two-year Artist Programme. Starting in September 2019, those selected for the scheme will enjoy: A series of tailored Professional Development […]
CMF Artists to perform at Wigmore Hall
Lotte Betts-Dean (mezzo-soprano) and Andrey Lebedev (guitar) are to perform at Wigmore Hall on Saturday 9th February in a showcase presented by the Musicians’ Company. This showcase concert presents the recipients of the Company’s inaugural New Elizabethan Award, a biennial award for classical guitarists and lutenists for the performance of solo and/or ensemble music, written by […]
Three questions before a recital: A4 Brass Quartet
A4 Brass Quartet answer a few questions ahead of their lunchtime recital at St Bart’s the Less on Wednesday 19th December. When planning our December recital, we immediately thought of A4 Brass Quartet (2018 CMF Artists) – who better to bring us some much needed Christmas cheer! For our final recital of 2018, A4 Brass […]
Alex Hitchcock wins 2018 Peter Whittingham Jazz Award
December 5, 2018
Phil Barrett
Help Musicians UK (HMUK) has announced Alex Hitchcock as the winner of the prestigious Peter Whittingham Jazz Award 2018. Now in its 28th year, the Peter Whittingham Jazz Award offers up to £5,000 for an emerging jazz musician or group to undertake a creative project of their choice that will support their professional development. The award can fund recording, […]
A4 Brass Quartet appointed Honorary Associate Artists of RNCM
December 4, 2018
Phil Barrett
A4 Brass Quartet have been announced as Honorary Associate Artists of the Royal Northern College of Music. The Quartet are one of seven recent RNCM alumni selected for this prestigious ambassadorial role as a result of their outstanding achievements since graduation. They will now play an active role in promoting and supporting the college’s strategic […]
Guide: CMF Artists at 2018 London Jazz Festival
At this year’s EFG London Jazz Festival (Friday 16th to Sunday 25th November) you’ll find CMF Artists at every turn, in venues such as the Elgar Room (Royal Albert Hall), 606 Club, and Kansas Smitty’s, a venue founded by CMF Artist Giacomo Smith. Here’s a quick guide to who, when, and where to find CMF […]
A4 Brass Quartet win RPS Henderson Prize
A4 Brass Quaret have been awarded the RPS Henderson Prize, one of four awards offered by the Royal Philharmonic Society as part of their burgeoning young musicians programme. The Quartet will receive £5000 as a result of the award. Other prize-winners include the Barbican String Quartet, who also receive £5000, and Izabela Musial (bassoon) and Maria Gilicel (violin), who both receive £2,500. Click here to read the […]
Three questions before a recital: Helen Charlston
Mezzo-soprano Helen Charlston (2018 CMF Artist) answers a few questions ahead of her lunchtime recital at St Bart’s the Less on Wednesday 14th November. Hailed as “a rather special mezzo” (MusicWeb International), Helen Charlston’s warm and distinctive tone has cemented her as a key performer in the next generation of British singers. She received first […]
Mentoring in Action: Helen Charlston with Joan Rodgers
October 4, 2018
Phil Barrett
Mentoring has always been a central part of the CMF Artist Programme and for 2018 CMF Artist Helen Charlston (mezzo-soprano) a session with legendary soprano and CMF patron Joan Rodgers was her very first experience of what CMF has to offer. Helen and Joan spent the afternoon together discussing how to build a successful singing career, […]
Three questions before a recital: Gwenllian Llyr
Harpist Gwenllian Llyr (2017 CMF Artist) continues our 2018-19 Lunchtime Recital Series at St Bart’s the Less on Wednesday 17th October. A former prize-winner at the USA International Harp Competition, Welsh harpist Gwenllian Llyr has performed at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall and St David’s Hall. Her programme will include works by Debussy, Scriabin, […]
A4 Brass Quartet appear on In Tune
September 26, 2018
Phil Barrett
To mark the announcement of their selection as 2018 CMF Artists, A4 Brass Quartet appeared on BBC Radio 3’s In Tune on Tuesday 25th September. They were interviewed by Katie Derham and played three contrasting pieces by Anton Bruckner, Martin Ellerby, and Percy Grainger. In conversation with Katie, they told her about their plans for the […]
2018 CMF Artists announced
We’re delighted to announce the six artists joining the CMF Artist Programme as ‘2018 CMF Artists’: A4 Brass Quartet Helen Charlston (mezzo-soprano) Toby Hughes (double bass) Ariana Kashefi (cello) Tom Millar (jazz piano) Emily Sun (violin) Chosen from over 150 applicants, these six successful artists were selected through a series of audition stages, culminating in […]
Farewell to Jairo
How time flies! Abner Jairo Ortiz García, our second Mexican International Scholar, has now to come to the end of his time in London with CMF. To mark the end of his stay we organised for Jairo to give a recital at the Residence of the Mexican Ambassador, which provided the perfect opportunity to reflect […]
New Lunchtime Recital Series at St Bart’s the Less
Continuing our relationship with The Hospital Church of St Bartholomew the Less, from Wednesday 19th September we will be presenting CMF Artists in a series of monthly lunchtime recitals, which will run throughout the 2018-19 season. Under the stunning octagonal ceiling of this ancient church (situated within the grounds of St Bartholomew’s Hospital, EC1A 7DS) we […]
Eblana String Trio to perform live on BBC Radio 3’s In Tune
July 17, 2018
Phil Barrett
Ahead of their concerts at Lake District Summer Music (LDSM) at the end of month, the Eblana String Trio will perform live on BBC Radio 3’s In Tune on Tuesday 24th July. Since its formation in 2006, the Eblana String Trio has been performing regularly at music festivals throughout the UK and beyond; at LDSM the Trio will […]
Jairo at halfway!
Three weeks ago, cellist Abner Jairo Ortiz García, our second CMF Mexican International Scholar (sponsored by Anglo Arts), arrived in London for his six-week CMF experience. Now halfway through his time with us, Jairo has (so far!): made his London recital debut as part of our Day of Music at St Bart’s Hospital (pictured below), attended a workshop […]
Looking back on a Day of Music at St Bart’s Hospital
On 28th June 2018 we brought a Day of Music to St Bartholomew’s Hospital. Three events in three historic spaces around the hospital grounds. We started the day with a lunchtime recital in The Hospital Church of St Bartholomew the Less, or ‘the less’ as it’s known. Performing under its stunning octagonal ceiling, Mexican cellist […]
Second International Scholar arrives in London
On 24th June, cellist Abner Jairo Ortiz García, our second Mexican International Scholar, arrived in London for his CMF experience. CMF recognises the importance of international experience in the development of young artists’ careers and are proud of the status of London in the musical world. The CMF International Artist Programme gives us the chance to extend […]
Lotte Betts-Dean introduces Death Speaks
“There is a simplicity and directness to David Lang’s music that draws the listener in immediately” – Lotte Betts-Dean As part of our day of music at St Bartholomew’s Hospital on Thursday 28th June, we’re bringing David Lang’s haunting song cycle death speaks to The Pathology Museum (part of Queen Mary University of London). As the title […]
A Day of Music at St Bartholomew’s Hospital
A hospital may not seem like the most obvious music venue, but walk through the Henry VIII gate of St Bart’s Hospital and you’re soon greeted by a stunning 15th-century church tower followed by a large Georgian square. Journey further in and you’ll discover the hospital’s hidden gem, the Barts Pathology Museum. On Thursday 28th […]
“I couldn’t have done this project without CMF”
An interview with Tabea Debus Recorder player Tabea Debus launches her third album XXIV Fantasie per il Flauto on 10th April 2018 Commissioning new music is not an everyday occurrence. It takes time and careful planning and there’s still risk involved; there’s no guarantee you’ll get what you want at the end of it! In […]
Lotte Betts-Dean to give Nico Muhly Australian Premiere
March 13, 2018
Phil Barrett
Interview with Nico Muhly: “Write for your friends and behave well” In a few weeks’ time, chamber music will crash against the concrete walls of the Collingwood Underground Carpark. Wedged inside a program of Schumann and Brahms, American composer Nico Muhly’s piece So Many Things will be performed by singer Lotte Betts-Dean and the Penny Quartet as […]
‘Morphs and Magpies’ – the Ligeti Quartet’s mischievous new programme
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 […]
2017 CMF Artists announced
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 […]
Tabea Debus to perform on BBC Radio 3’s In Tune
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. […]
