Saturday 27th March 7.30

             

                                       Kenneth Woods                                                                                      Emma Curtis

Surrey Mozart Players
Leader - Sally Dewey

Music Director - Kenneth Woods

Contralto Soloist - Emma Curtis

Beethoven Overture Fidelio  Haydn Symphony No. 49 – La Passione  Elgar Sea Pictures   Schumann Spring Symphony

Now recognized as one of the premiere non-professional chamber orchestras in the UK, Surrey Mozart Players (SMP) was founded in the 1970s by distinguished bass clarinetist Richard Temple Savage. They gave their first concert on 16 January, 1971 and Richard continued to direct until his retirement in 1990.  The orchestra’s musicians, about fifty, reside in Berkshire, Hampshire and Surrey. The orchestra  has long been known for championing emerging soloists, including  Tasmin Little, Emma Johnson, Andrew Haveron, Natasha Elvin, as well as the distinguished pianist, Ronan O’Hara, Michael Cox , Philip Dukes, and Crispian Steele-Perkins. Since the appointment of Kenneth Woods, the orchestra is “going from strength to strength, presenting ever more adventurous programmes”, according to a recent review, attracting particular praise for their cycle of the orchestral music of Robert Schumann. Their playing has recently been described as “well articulated, vigorous and controlled with strong dynamic contrasts, steady, harmonious woodwind, brass and string combinations and delicate phrasing  ... thrilling”

Hailed by the Washington Post as an “up-and-coming conductor” and a “true star” of the podium, conductor Kenneth Woods has worked with many orchestras of international distinction including the National Symphony Orchestra, the Cincinnati Symphony, Northern Sinfonia, the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, the Budapest Festival Orchestra and the State of Mexico Symphony Orchestra. He has also appeared on the stages of some of the world’s leading music festivals, including Aspen, Lucerne, and Scotia. His work on the concert platform and in the recording studio has led to numerous broadcasts on BBC Radio 3, National Public Radio, and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. In nine years as Music Director of the Oregon East Symphony, Kenneth Woods brought a remote orchestra to national attention for their widely praised Mahler cycle and their innovative youth programmes. In addition to his work with SMP, Woods is currently conductor of the Contemporary Music Ensemble of Wales, Rose City Chamber Orchestra and in 2010 becomes Principal Guest Conductor of Orchestra of the Swan, with whom he will be busy in concerts and recordings. Woods records for Avie Records.

Emma Curtis studied at the Guildhall School of Music and at the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara, California where she worked with Marilyn Horne. She was a full-time member of the Solo Ensemble at the Staatstheater Stuttgart from 2003 to 2006.  Emma has also worked with ensembles and opera companies including BBC Symphony Orchestra, Les Arts Florrisants, Göttingen International Handel-Festival, Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, Portland Opera USA and The English Concert. Emma created the role of Galatée in the world premiere of Pastorale by Gérard Pesson for Staatstheater Stuttgart conducted by Kwamé Ryan, and the leading role of L'Ainée in the world premiere of Jacques Lenot's J'étais dans ma maison et j'attendais que la pluie vienne at Opera de Genève, conducted by Daniel Kawka.   Emma was awarded All Music Guide’s Best Classical Vocal Album 2006 for her debut recording Calliope – volume the first (AV2102) with The Frolick.

"a statuesque contralto with a luscious lower range" - New York Times  

Surrey Mozart Players are members of                     There will be a retiring collection in aid of