Capricorn (ensemble)

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Capricorn
OriginLondon, United Kingdom
GenresClassical and contemporary
Years active1973 (1973)–2000 (2000)

Capricorn was a mixed chamber ensemble based in London and active in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.[1] Founded by the cellist Timothy Mason, clarinettist Anthony Lamb and pianist Julian Dawson-Lyell (who took the name Julian Jacobson in 1983), the original lineup was augmented by the violinist Monica Huggett to perform Messiaenʼs Quartet for the End of Time which featured in their London debut concert at Wigmore Hall in January 1974.[2][3]

The core ensemble of four players was frequently augmented by other instrumentalists to enable them to perform an exceptionally broad repertoire from the Viennese classics to contemporary music and commissions. Many prominent singers and conductors appeared with the group for works requiring larger forces. Notable performances took place at Wigmore Hall, Purcell Room, St John's Smith Square, The Proms and the Queen Elizabeth Hall where in 1984 they gave a 10th anniversary concert, conducted by Lionel Friend, of music of the Second Viennese School.[4][5][6][7][8]

The group appeared regularly on radio and television throughout Europe and at festivals including those of Aldeburgh, Bath, Brighton, Cheltenham, Edinburgh and Huddersfield.[1] Capricorn commissioned works from composers such as Harrison Birtwistle, David Bedford, Diana Burrell, Edison Denisov, Zsolt Durkó, James Ellis, Erik Hojsgaard, Anders Nordentoft, Nigel Osborne, Bernard Rands, Niels Rosing-Schow, Poul Ruders.[9][10][11]

Following the death in 1997 of Timothy Mason, who had acted as the group's unofficial artistic director, the group wound down its activities.[12]

List of players, singers and conductors[edit]

  • Malcolm Allison (violin)
  • Paul Archibald (trumpet)
  • Keith Bartlett (percussion)
  • Fenella Barton (violin)
  • Sian Bell (cello)
  • Stephen Bell (horn)
  • Norbert Blume (viola)
  • James Boyd (viola)
  • Simon Bainbridge (conductor)
  • Katie Clemmow (oboe)
  • Philippa Davies (flute)
  • Andrew Durban (double bass)
  • Catherine Edwards (piano)
  • Gavin Edwards (horn)
  • Judith Evans (double bass)
  • Julian Farrell (clarinet)
  • Lionel Friend (conductor)
  • Miles Golding (violin)
  • Barry Guy (double bass)
  • Lesley Hatfield (violin)
  • Monica Huggett (violin)
  • Julian Jacobson (piano)
  • Helen Keen (flute)
  • Iain King (violin)
  • Oliver Knussen (conductor)
  • Joely Koos (cello)
  • Anthony Lamb (clarinet)
  • Elizabeth Layton (violin)
  • Richard Lester (cello)
  • Tim Lyons (double bass)
  • Timothy Mason (cello)
  • Susie Mészáros (viola)
  • Roger Montgomery (horn)
  • Gareth Newman (bassoon)
  • Christopher O’Neal (oboe)
  • Jean Owen (bassoon)
  • Elisabeth Perry (violin)
  • Andrew Roberts (violin)
  • Ileana Ruhemann (flute)
  • Enno Senft (double bass)
  • Paul Silverthorne (viola)
  • Stephen Stirling (horn)
  • Helen Tunstall (harp)
  • Vicci Wardman (viola)
  • Sarah Walker (mezzo-soprano)
  • Felix Warnock (bassoon)
  • Jonathan Williams (horn)
  • Roger Williams (trombone)

[13][14][15][16][17]

Recordings[edit]

  • Glinka Grand Sextet and Rimsky-Korsakov Piano and Wind Quintet (1985)
  • Schnittke: Chamber Music (1996)
  • Parry & Stanford: Nonets (1987)
  • Hummel Septets (1989)
  • Psalmodies: Vox in Rama; Nightshade (1992)
  • Rasmussen,  Rosing-Schow, Nordentoft, Højsgaard: Chamber Music (1993)
  • Agnus Dei Volumes 1 & 2 (1996)
  • Nightshade (2014)

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Capricorn". Hyperion Records. Archived from the original on 22 August 2019. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
  2. ^ Cummings, David M. (2000). International Who's who in Music and Musicians' Directory: (in the Classical and Light Classical Fields). Psychology Press. p. 368. ISBN 0948875534.
  3. ^ Morrison, Bryce (17 January 1974). "London debuts". The Times. Reviews. No. 58990. London, England. p. 7.
  4. ^ Walsh, Stephen (20 May 1984). "Puzzling Pole". The Observer. London, England. p. 20. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
  5. ^ Bowen, Meirion (13 December 1982). "Capricorn". The Guardian. London, England. p. 11. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
  6. ^ "Prom 23, 7 August 1991". BBC. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
  7. ^ Cole, Hugo (25 January 1984). "Capricorn 10th birthday". The Guardian. London, England. p. 11. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
  8. ^ Pettitt, Stephen (25 January 1984). "Concerts: Anniversary classics: Capricorn/Friend: Queen Elizabeth Hall". The Times. London, England. p. 9.
  9. ^ Murray, David (3 May 1994). "Twenty years of Capricorn". Financial Times. p. 13.
  10. ^ Bowen, Meirion (25 April 1991). "Capricorn". The Guardian. London, England. p. 28. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
  11. ^ "Capricorn Ensemble". Dacapo. Archived from the original on 22 August 2019. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
  12. ^ Campbell, Margaret (12 May 1997). "Obituary: Timothy Mason". The Independent. Archived from the original on 12 December 2018. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
  13. ^ Capricorn: Glinka Grand Sextet, Rimsky-Korsakov Piano and Wind Quintet (Media notes). London: Hyperion Records. 1984. p. 3. CDA66163.
  14. ^ Capricorn: Parry & Stanford Nonets (Media notes). London: Hyperion Records. 1987. p. 2. CDH55061.
  15. ^ Capricorn: Hummel Septets (Media notes). London: Hyperion Records. 1989. p. 3. CDA66396.
  16. ^ The Music of Poul Ruders (Media notes). London: Bridge Records. 1992. p. 1. 9037.
  17. ^ "Capricorn Ensemble". MusicBrainz. Archived from the original on 22 August 2019. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
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