WORLD sounds will be at the heart of the new season at the National Centre for Early Music in York, where Making Tracks will enjoy a seventh year of collaborative concerts.
The liaison enables audience members to see two shows for the price of one, in this case Paolo Angeli and Derek Gripper's fusion of Sardinian and South African guitarists on February 16 and Sklamberg & The Shepherds' blend of traditional and contemporary Yiddish and Russian song with klezmer styles and Southern Mediterranean music on March 22. Led by Lorin Sklamberg, this will be their first visit to York.
Maintaining the klezmer theme, the NCEM welcomes back She'Koyokh on April 9 on a tour to coincide with the release of their fourth studio album. Regarded as "the leading klezmer ensemble on the planet", the group brings together musicians from Britain, Serbia, Sweden and Turkey to perform klezmer, gypsy music, soulful songs and Balkan dance tunes, with Ciğdem Aslan on vocals.
Antonio Forcione: rearranged concert at NCEM
This season's jazz programme parades two multi award-winning guitarists, starting with Antonio Forcione's jazz, flamenco, soul and African sounds on April 21 in a concert rearranged from last year. Martin Taylor will be joined by Scottish-Canadian jazz singer Alison Burns on May 7 on a tour where they celebrate Ella Fitzgerald's centenary and highlight her Grammy Award-winning collaboration with jazz guitarist Joe Pass.
Jacqui Dankworth returns to York with her husband, pianist-vocalist Charlie Wood, on June 3 for a night of duet arrangements celebrating a century of song, inspired by the partnerships of Ray Charles and Betty Carter, Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn, and George and Ira Gershwin. On July 2, pianist and entertainer Joe Stilgoe presents Song On Film, featuring his own original orchestrations to memorable moments in cinematic history.
Working in partnership with the Black Swan Folk Club, the NCEM plays host to Leveret on March 6, bringing together three of England's finest folk musicians, melodeon player Andy Cutting, fiddler Sam Sweeney and concertina player Rob Harbron.
Rob Harbron, Sam Sweeney and Andy Cutting: joining folk forces as Leveret
Steve Tilston and Jez Lowe, two of the British acoustic/folk scene’s supreme songwriters, give insights into their writing craft in a night of music and banter on March 28; Faustus, leading lights of the vibrant English traditional folk scene, make their third NCEM appearance on April 10, showcasing their album Death And Other Animals, and Calan introduce a new generation of listeners to Welsh traditional music on May 3.
On the classical front, the University of York Song Day, A Concord of Sweet Sounds: Shakespeare in Song, on February 18, includes recitals by mezzo-soprano Kitty Whately, baritone Roderick Williams and pianist Peter Seymour and a lecture/discussion with David Lindley at 12.30pm, 3pm and 7pm.
Later, the University of York Baroque Day, Music Without Words, on May 6, explores the use of music to tell stories and express emotions, a popular concept in the 17th and 18th centuries, again at 12.30pm, 3pm and 7pm.
She'Koyokh: "the leading klezmer ensemble on the planet"
In between those university days, the NCEM will be celebrating the 2017 European Day of Early Music with the European Union Baroque Orchestra on March 21, when the 7.30m programme embracing Handel and Bach will be broadcast live by BBC Radio 3 and across European radio stations too.
Peter Holman directs the Leeds Baroque Orchestra on June 11 in their Made in the North Sunday afternoon celebration of the music made and performed by 18th-century composers from northern England.
One concert has sold out already: John Williams and John Etheridge's programme of solos, duets and trios with classical guitarist and composer Gary Ryan under the name of 6 Hands on June 15.
Full details of the NCEM season can be found at ncem.co.uk. Tickets can be booked online or on 01904 658338.
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