DESCRIPTION:
Performed by Kyle Horch (soprano saxophone) and Pavel Timofejevsky (piano) at St John's Church Notting Hill on 28th June 2012 (hear the whole concert at http://www.music-chamber.com.

John Carmichael (b.1930) Fêtes Champêtres
Mvts: Passepied ~ Berceuse ~ Rigaudon

John Carmichael was born in Melbourne, Australia, where he studied piano and composition at the University Conservatorium before going on the Paris Conservatoire as a pianist and, afterward, on to London where he studied composition privately with Arthur Benjamin. Resident in London for over 40 years now, he was for some years the musical director of the Spanish dance company 'Eduardo y Navarra'. He was also a pioneer in the field of music therapy, developing music projects at Stoke Mandeville Hospital and Netherden Mental Hospital. Many of his long list of compositions have been recorded on ABC Classics, and performed around the world by well-known artists including James Galway, John Wallace, and Antony Gray. He was recently awarded the OAM (Medal of the Order of Australia) in the 2011 Queen's Birthday Honours. Concerning Fêtes Champêtres, John writes: "My years of study in France have left me with a deep affection for the country, its language and culture. Fêtes Champêtres is, therefore, a tribute similar in intention to those of Debussy (Suite Bergamasque), Ravel (Le tombeau de Couperin), and Poulenc (Suite Française), in which traditions of the past are remodelled and recreated. The 'Passepied' and 'Rigaudon' are French dances dating from the 15th and 16th centuries. They were often performed at open-air events for the aristocracy. The 'Rigaudon' is a sailors' dance, robust in character, usually with a quieter middle section, finishing here with a vigorous flourish. The 'Berceuse', meanwhile, or Lullaby, had been crooned over cradles for many a century until it graduated into a concert piece in the 18th century. The initial, gently rocking rhythm leads to a brisker, dance-like middle section, a kind of dream interlude, which finally returns to the quieter mood of the opening." The piece was originally written for the clarinet, and was rearranged for the soprano saxophone by the composer.

Kyle Horch studied at Northwestern University in Chicago, and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London; his teachers included Frederick Hemke and Stephen Trier. As a student and young professional musician, he won prizes in competitions in Britain, Europe, and the USA. He has since performed as a soloist and chamber musician at many venues in Britain and abroad. He has made numerous recordings: ChamberSax (Clarinet Classics), AngloSax (Clarinet Classics), one with his own ensemble, Flotilla (Big Shed Music), and two CDs of music by composer Ian Stewart, San Gejtanu and Islas, on the Music Chamber label. An active freelance musician, he works regularly with many ensembles including the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Birmingham Contemporary Music Group, Bournemouth Symphony, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Rambert Dance Company, the chamber ensemble 'Counterpoise', and the Piccadilly Dance Orchestra. He has been saxophone professor at the Royal College of Music in London since 1991.

Pianist and composer Pavel Timofejevsky studied at the Gnessin Academy in Moscow, the Purcell School, and the Royal Academy of Music. He has performed in the UK, Russia, France, Cyprus, South Africa, and India. Since 2007 Pavel has given concerts and led workshops in a variety of community venues across the UK as part of Live Music Now scheme. He recorded the soundtrack and starred in the US documentary "Tchaikovsky" and has composed for several films including "Le fin de la belle époque" for Russian TV. Pavel has been the recipient of numerous awards, such as the Musicians Benevolent Fund Award, the 2007 Myra Hess Award, and the Philharmonia Orchestra Martin Musical Scholarship. In 2011 he was selected as a Recommended Artist at the Making Music Young Concert Artist Awards. He is a St. John's Church 'Musician In Residence'.