| Name:
| Ruskin Ensemble
| | Skills:
| ensemble (violin, piano, horn, viola, guitar and cello)
| | Phone:
| +44 (0)1892 540576
| | Fax:
| +44 (0)1892 540576
| | Address:
| 26 Common View, Rusthall, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN4 8RG, United Kingdom
| | Links:
|
E-mail | |
| | The Ruskin Ensemble gives concerts in music clubs and arts centres throughout the British Isles and have been featured live on the BBC from the Edinburgh Festival. In 1991, they gave their first concerts in France, and in 1995 were invited to perform at the British Embassy in Paris. They are regular visitors to National Trust houses and gardens and have given many concerts for charity. In London, the Ensemble have performed in venues as varied as St Martin-in-the-Fields, Dulwich Picture Galerry and number 11 Downing Street. The full ensemble, which can be used in a variety of combinations, consists of strings, piano, winds and guitar.
The Ruskin Ensemble, named after the Victorian writer and critic John Ruskin, have created several themed programmes often combining the music with art or literature. The highly popular Jane Austen programme, performed in period costume, recreates the ambience of a Regency Soiree. The Brahms, Schumann, Mendelssohn series includes readings from the composers' letters and diaries giving an insight into their life as well as their music. The Bronte Sisters is an evocative evening full of drama, mystery and passion. A special programme, "The Life and Times of John Ruskin" is to commemorate his centenary in 2000.
The Ruskin Ensemble is particularly committed to taking music into the community and, with their guitarist Jonathan Prag, have performed in over 50 small villages throughout the United Kingdom. When possible, they combine workshops in local schools and concerts in hospices and old peoples' home. They also perform for the Council of Music in Hospitals. A recently released CD for guitar and strings includes a work by Gordon Carr, especially commissioned by the Ensemble.
Jane Gomm, violin, is director of the Ensemble. She is a member of the City of London Sinfonia and plays regularly with the Orchestra of St John's Smith Square. Frank Mulder, piano, has give concerts throughout Europe as a soloist and chamber musician. He is an esteemed professor of the piano in Holland. Stephen Stirling, horn, has appeared as a soloist worldwide with the Academy of St Martin-in-the-Fields, the Chamber Orchestra of Europe and the City of London Sinfonia. Jonathan Prag, guitar, has given concerts at music clubs and arts centres throughout the UK, including several years at the Edinburgh Festival. Thrusche can Waveren gives poetry and prose recitals in programmes with dancers and musicians and presents evenings of stories accompanied by 'Klezmer' music. Stephen Shakeshaft, viola, is a principal player, soloist and chamber musician, and was principal viola with the Scottish National and Scottish Chamber Orchestras. Jonathan Few, cello, has won numerous awards, prizes and scholarships, freelances with leading London orchestras and is a member of the Triptych piano trio.
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