John Hancorn and Richard Wigmore continue their successful series of online choral workshops with Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven and Brahms, starting on Saturday 20 March 2021. Full details here.
Liz Webb
Sing & Discover with Richard Wigmore now ONLINE
Saturday 20 June, 4-6pm: Handel’s Saul and Samson
Saturday 11 July, 4-6pm: Bach’s Magnificat and Mass in B Minor
Join John Hancorn and Richard Wigmore for these two-hour online workshops. John and Richard will look at the origins and cultural background of these magnificent works and explore the music in some detail, with recorded illustrations. Participants will then join in with several choruses.
Each session costs £10 (plus booking fee) and tickets are available from Trybooking – click on the links below:
Saturday 20 June, Saul and Samson: https://www.trybooking.com/uk/SNK
Saturday 11 July, Bach: https://www.trybooking.com/uk/SNQ
John Hancorn is music director of the BREMF Singers, Baroque Collective Singers, East Sussex Bach Choir and Eastbourne Choral Society. He leads workshops and masterclasses specialising in baroque repertoire including regular visits to Early Music Fora. He teaches at the University of Chichester and East Sussex Academy of Music and is a specialist examiner for Trinity Laban. https://www.johnhancorn.com
A former professional singer, Richard Wigmore works as a music writer, lecturer and broadcaster for BBC Radio 3. He writes for Gramophone, BBC Music Magazine and other journals, appears frequently on BBC Radio 3’s CD Review, is in demand for pre-concert talks at the South Bank, Wigmore Hall, King’s Place etc, and is a regular lecturer on Martin Randall Cultural Tours. His publications include Schubert: The Complete Song Texts and Pocket Guide to Haydn. http://wigmoresworld.co.uk
Homelink Concert at Glyndebourne a huge success
John Hancorn was Artistic Director for Sussex charity Homelink’s Gala Concert at Glyndebourne on 17 November 2019. The concert was sold out and raised over £35,000 for the charity. John put together a brilliant showcase of local professional and amateur talent, including soprano Dame Felicity Lott, mezzo-soprano Rebecca Leggett, conductor Sian Edwards, recorder virtuoso Piers Adams, violinist Julia Bishop, the Lewes Prison Staff Choir, the Choir with No Name, and school and community groups.
Photograph by Sam Stephenson, 07880 703135, www.samstephenson.co.uk.
Homelink Concert: artists confirmed
John Hancorn is artistic director for Homelink’s fundraising concert at Glyndebourne Opera House on Sunday 17 November 2019. Featured performers include Felicity Lott, soprano; Piers Adams, recorder; Sian Edwards, conductor; the Baroque Collective and Baroque Collective Singers; Lewes Sings Gospel; Lewes Youth Band; Chitone.
The event will be MC’d by Steve Coogan and Katie Derham.
Full details here.
BREMF Singers live-streamed across Europe
John Hancorn conducted the BREMF Singers and the BREMF Community Choir in a sold-out concert in Brighton celebrating European Early Music Day. Repertoire included extracts from Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas and the opening movement from Handel’s Dixit Dominus with the BREMF Players.
The concert was live-streamed across Europe.
Video here. Purcell at 1hr 5mins; Handel at 1hr 20mins
BREMF Peace in Europe review
John Hancorn directed the BREMF Singers and Players in a programme of music from Britain, France and the Holy Roman Empire as the finale of the Brighton Early Music Festival 2018.
‘The highest point of this beautifully balanced concert was Purcell’s deeply tragic ‘Dido’s Lament’. Charlston’s delivery was so tender and Hancorn responded by allowing plenty of time for the drama while avoiding self-indulgence.’
Early Music Today review of Handel: Il Trionfo
Early Music Today featured John Hancorn’s performance of Handel’s ‘Il Trionfo del Tempo e del Disinganno’ in their October 2018 edition. The performance featured soloists Susanna Macrae, Thalie Knights, Clara Kanter and Matus Simko with the Baroque Collective.
‘The performance as a whole was expertly steered through a variety of colours and moods by director John Hancorn and the evening reached a perfect finish in the final aria … bringing a wonderful performance to an emotional end.’
John Hancorn new video and Viva Lewes feature
The East Sussex Bach Choir have released a video of John Hancorn discussing Bach’s St Matthew Passion and Mass in B minor here.
Viva Lewes magazine featured an interview with John in their December 2017 edition.
Brighton Early Music Festival 2017: Reviews
Bach: Christmas Oratorio
BREMF Singers and Players directed by John Hancorn
Sunday 12 November 2017 at St Martin’s Church, Brighton
‘Conductor John Hancorn maintained a brisk pace but never at the expense of the Christmas story’s essential tenderness. Alert and responsive as ever, the BREMF Singers delivered plenty of excitement and agility alongside some very sensitive singing.’
Andrew Connall, Latest Brighton, 15 November 2017
‘John Hancorn conducted with a florid grace which kept the music tight and graceful while allowing the complex interactions of Bach’s melodies to entwine and entice us.’
‘The BREMF Singers are unparalleled in their precision, diction and singing in the original German provided an authentic feeling to the evening. I never fail to be impressed by the quality of the BREMF singers; they provided a superb level of choral singing which adds impressively to any event they are part of. ‘
Eric Page, GScene, 14 November 2017
‘Sing and Discover’ with Richard Wigmore
John Hancorn and Richard Wigmore have launched ‘Sing and Discover’ day workshops for experienced singers, choirs and music lovers – a detailed exploration of the very best baroque choral music, including unique musical insights, historical context, recordings, and lots of singing. Repertoire includes Bach, Handel, Haydn and Purcell. Full details here.