Richard Durrant’s 2017 Candlelit Christmas Concert Tour presents 12 performances across 8 different venues from the South Coast to the Yorkshire Dales…
For many music lovers across the UK Christmas doesn’t properly begin without attending one of Richard Durrant’s Candlelit Christmas Concerts. For guitar maestro and composer Richard Christmas is also very special which is why this tour has been a major part of his concert schedule for many years.
Richard’s musical choices are always a fascination. Original guitar works as well as tunes taken from the early music repertoire and works by Bach – all played in his uniquely expressive way with the flawless technique of a major virtuoso and the delivery of a natural story teller.
Richard Durrant, Nick Pynn and Amy Kakoura
This year Richard is once again joined by master folk fiddler Nick Pynn and singer Amy Kakoura – two great musicians who help take this show into the heart of Christmas.
‘… a celebration without any sparkly tinsel and commercial sentimentality. Amy’s pure vocal was a Yuletide delight. Durrant’s playing was masterful creating the right seasonal feel to this family show. ‘ – Brighton Argus
And here’s a taste of the magic to come with an extract from Richard Durrant’s 2013 album “An Acoustic Winter Solstice’ creating a wintry, musical landscape of acoustic instruments, hammond organ and percussion:
Richard Durrant’s Candlelit Christmas Concert Tour 2017
https://www.richarddurrant.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Christmas-on-the-Map.png9391200Richard Durranthttp://richarddurrant.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/rd1.pngRichard Durrant2017-11-13 14:25:022018-05-09 21:34:01Christmas with Richard Durrant on the map
After the gigs & accolades here it comes: STRINGHENGE, the long awaited double album on vinyl, CD & download…
This project can only happen with your help so Richard has teamed up with the leading crowd-funding company PledgeMusic. So, if you love Richard’s music, PledgeMusic is where you can become part of Stringhenge.
Please have a look at some of the ways you can get involved. Initially you can order advance copies of the double album and even have your name included on the album artwork, but more offers are scheduled to be announced weekly. You can buy an Access Pass for regular project updates, details of new offers plus a digital download of the album on completion.
And here’s just a sample of what you can do at PledgeMusic:
1 June 2018 sees the launch of the next chapter in the Stringhenge journey with a promotional tour to launch Stringhenge – The Album, beginning on Orkney with a concert in St Magnus Cathedral and ending in Sussex. In true Richard Durrant style, and to minimise the carbon footprint of this project, he will cycle the entire tour carrying all the gear for each concert.
Listen to The Bog Oak Bouree – the demo track for Stringhenge the album.
Stringhenge was launched in Ditching, Sussex on 24th March 2017, the first show in the Stringhenge tour. From there it has gone from strength to strength with concerts the length and breadth of the British Isles.
https://www.richarddurrant.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/PledgeMusic-for-Stringhenge.png449792Richard Durranthttp://richarddurrant.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/rd1.pngRichard Durrant2017-11-12 14:24:522018-05-09 21:34:01Here it comes: Stringhenge, the double album
Richard Durrant is planning two week long French Guitar Adventurers courses in the south of France. Richard tells us more about these exciting and popular courses in July and September 2018 for Guitarists and their friends…
How long have you been running these courses in France and who are they aimed at?
2018 will be the third consecutive French Guitar Adventurers holiday. We welcome guitarists of all descriptions and often have a mix of classical and acoustic players. We find there is a lot to be learned from both instruments (and players) plus the blend of sounds is great. We also tend to have a fairly even split of readers and non-readers which has not proved a problem. I do try to meet each of the players before the course and I will then spend time writing my arrangements for that combination of players and tailoring the group sessions.
What sort of activities are you planning this year?
Our French Guitar Adventurers holiday are an immersive guitar experience for all concerned!
The activities this year will be along the same lines as before – the players and I spend most of each day together exploring lots of fairly calming technical routines which I have designed to help each guitarist slowly explore the physical side of their playing.
I also introduce lots of more holistic musical aspects along the way which many guitarists seem to welcome. These touch upon key awareness, aspects of musical notation, ensemble playing and listening skills so we cover a lot of ground. To an outsider it may look a bit like guitar yoga (although I have named it Guitar Circuit Training). These sessions very quickly turn to working on a collection of new arrangements which I bring to each course.
What makes these courses special compared with other residential courses?
My Guitar Adventurers holidays always end with a concert featuring, most importantly, the entire group. This is what my arrangements are designed for so that everyone is able to be involved.
Listen to one of the 2016 group pieces:
The concert will also include various solos and duos etc that have emerged during the week. Preparing for and performing in the concert is where the real learning takes place (myself included!). By gig time we will all have got to know each other both socially and musically and this creates a special magic by the end of the week. Last year half the town and even the mayor turned up and I really got the sense that they had witnessed something rather marvellous. Certainly the mutual support and co-operation of all the Guitar Adventurers, and their partners, is evident both on and off the fretboard.
The setting for French Guitars Adventure
The workshop space
This year’s dates: 8-14 July and 10-16 September
And what are the details for enrolment?
The week is hosted by myself and Louise with the help of the totally wonderful “The French Retreat”. Situated near Bordeaux, this is is a truly magical location for our week.
Although we have room for ten guitarists and ten non guitarists (partners, friends, family etc), both weeks are already 50% full – so please get in touch as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
To enquire about taking part just contact Louise at louise@richarddurrant.com. We can then talk to each applicant to discuss individual needs including musical and dietary requirements etc.
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