Richard Durrant’s Christmas Sleigh Ride

In less than a month Richard Durrant will be heading out in his magic sleigh together with his special guests Amy Kakoura and Nick Pynn on his Candlelit Christmas Concert Tour. In this article we take a closer look at the fabulous venues where he will be delivering his Christmas goodies. Will there be a venue near you?

Christmas tour

Starting off on 2 December in West Sussex at his home venue of the Ropetackle Arts Centre, Shoreham-by-Sea. Richard is actually giving a further two performances here later in December so there are several opportunities to catch him here.

Ropetackle Arts Centre

Next it’s on to the atmospheric 13th century church of St Mary Magdalene in Cobham, Kent before whizzing up north to the Lake District for a visit to the lovely Hunter Hall School in Penrith then down to rural Leicestershire and the village of Stoke Golding on the Ashby-de-la-Zouch canal – famous for being the birthplace of the Tudor Dynasty.

Cobham, Penrith and Stoke Golding

Cobham, Penrith and Stoke Golding

Over the border to north Wales for the next leg of this whistle stop UK tour and to Theatr Clwyd in the Flintshire town of Mold before heading across the country to East Anglia and the charming church of St Mary the Virgin near Eccles before a trip down to The Cut, an arts centre in a converted former maltings on pretty Suffolk village of Halesworth.

Theatr Clwyd, Eccles, The Cut

Theatr Clwyd, Eccles, The Cut

A few more to go and all in the South East for the final calls at the quaint 11th century church of St Mary’s & St Peter’s, Wilmington in East Sussex. After the two extra performance at the Ropetackle it’s on to Royal Tunbridge Wells in Kent for a show at the cleverly converted Trinity Theatre. And Christmas will finally be well and truly wrapped in West Sussex when the tour finally comes to rest at All Saints Church in Findon Valley, Worthing.

Wilmington, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Worthing

Wilmington, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Worthing

Richard will certainly have earned a mince pie or two by then! A sell-out success year after year, Richard’s evocative playing and stunning stage set create a magical aura perfectly aligned to the festive season. Ensure Richard Durrant’s Candlelit Christmas Tour is part of your Christmas schedule this year.

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The Number 26 Bus to Paraguay

The Number 26 Bus to Paraguay

A new book containing eleven, previously unreleased, beautiful new guitar pieces plus the story of how a number 26 Brighton bus took a musician all the way to Paraguay has now been published. 

Richard Durrant’s amazing, colourful and intriguing new book is called The Number 26 Bus to Paraguay.

Richard explains:

“As a kid I used to catch the number 26 bus every Wednesday night from where I lived on a council estate just outside Brighton to guitar lessons in Hove. 

I loved that bus ride; I’d sit all alone on the upper deck, gazing out at the Sussex Downs watching the changing seasons. I made that journey for years, regular as clockwork. It was a musician’s journey, full of dreams.

I also remember one hot summer’s afternoon, just back from school and playing in the garden under the open kitchen window. My Mum had put my favourite Alirio Diaz record on the family radiogram and the music of Agustín Barrios was blaring out of the house.”

Agustin Barrios, 1922

Agustin Barrios, 1922

“Many years later I was living nine miles along the coast in Shoreham by Sea, with children of my own.  And one of those No 26 bus ride dreams had come true: I was living the life of a full time musician.

Then one day in early 2011 – whilst working on a collection of recordings of music by Barrios – the phone rang. It was a man with a strong South American accent:

“Would you consider travelling to Paraguay to play some concerts and launch your new album?”.

I smiled: “OK”.

There remained just one important question: 

What to call the album?

The answer was easy:  The Number 26 Bus to Paraguay.“

A page from Richard Durrant's brilliant new book

In April 2011 Richard arrived in Paraguay for the first time and a new musical adventure began. Over the next few years he returned to this fascinating land which inspired some of his finest work, amazing tales, three albums, awards and accolades.

In this beautiful book, guitarist and composer Richard Durrant tells his story in music, pictures and words. With artwork by Mark Charlton, photos from Richard’s tours and a vibrant cover illustration by Miranda Vincent 

The Number 26 Bus to Paraguay is available now in its limited first edition from this website. It will also be on sale at live shows.

Richard Durrant and Ismael Ledesma

Hear Richard Durrant and Paraguayan harpist Ismael Ledesma live in concert 11-16 October in London, Shoreham-by-Sea, Crawley, Edinburgh, Scopwick and Swindon.

Buy the limited edition new book

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Learn Ukulele this Autumn with Richard Durrant

Richard Durrant Ukulele Workshops

By popular demand! Richard is offering a series of fantastic opportunities to learn the Ukulele this autumn. Whether you are a complete beginner or want to improve your Uke skills these workshops are for you. Held in Shoreham-by-Sea and Brighton there are three courses on offer – each for an hour a week over a six week period starting 26 October.

Richard Durrant Ukulele Workshops

Ukulele Ground Zero

If you are a complete beginner this course is for you. This six-week introduction to uke playing is an informative, enjoyable and a comprehensive way to start your ukulele adventures. Join Richard for this gentle and friendly way to get started with this accessible and fun filled instrument.

WHERE: Ropetackle Arts Centre, Little High Street, Shoreham-by-Sea. BN43 5EG

WHEN: 6pm to 7pm First session is on Wednesday 26 October 2016

Ropetackle Arts Centre

Ukulele Circuit Training

If your uke playing has plateaued, then this immensely enjoyable and popular weekly musical workout is the perfect solution. Learn new techniques whilst developing a deeper and more instinctive understanding of chords, notes and songs. Join Richard and get closer to your inner uke in a friendly and exhilarating hour of musical keep-fit in Shoreham-by-Sea or Brighton this Autumn.

WHERE: Ropetackle Arts Centre, Little High Street, Shoreham-by-Sea. West Sussex. BN43 5EG

WHEN: 7.30pm – 8.30pm starting on Wednesday 26 October 2016

Ropetackle Arts Centre

WHERE: Hobgoblin Music, Queens Road, Brighton.BN1 3XF

WHEN: 7pm – 8pm starting on Thursday 27 October 2016

Hobgoblin Music

Each course is just £60 for the 6 week course

For more information call 01273 453422.

Book a place on the workshops
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This September: Richard Durrant Unplugged

Richard Durrant

unplugged

Catch internationally renowned concert guitarist and composer Richard Durrant at some great venues this September with some fantastic music, storytelling and all round entertainment.

“Brimful of technically impressive guitar playing on the folk/ classical cusp, with nimble runs, deft arpeggios and quicksilver fingering.” – The Independent

Firstly, in the intimate, candlelit setting of the Chapel at Bailiffscourt on 16 September a completely acoustic recital to include music by JS Bach on his unique four string tenor guitar alongside favourite solos on his six string concert guitar.

Chapel at Bailiffscourt

Chapel at Bailiffscourt

There is also the opportunity to enjoy a delicious three course Spanish tapas dinner following the concert. You can even stay the night at this magnificent venue to make a really special weekend break.

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A week later on 24 September Richard is back in his home town of Shoreham-by-Sea with another chance to listen to these two beautiful, new instruments in the round at the Ropetackle Arts Centre – This will be Ropetackle at its most intimate.

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“Durrant never lets his stunning technique overshadow this wonderful, timeless music” – The Sun

Richard at the Ropetackle

Richard at the Ropetackle

And finally this month on 28 September, Richard is performing at the lively Hurst Festival in the lovely West Sussex village of village of Hurstpierpoint. Catch up with Richard’s latest South American musical adventures (this time in Peru) and treat yourself to an evening of exotic musical offerings from Spain, the Americas and the Sussex coast.

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“Extraordinary virtuosity… A simply unmissable treat” – Classic FM Magazine

 

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Summer tour celebrates Richard Durrant’s 30 years on the road

Richard Durrant

Fresh from the mountains of Peru, Richard Durrant’s celebration of 30 years on the road will take place on 20 July at his home town venue – The Ropetackle in Shoreham-by-Sea. This will launch yet another whistle stop tour of the British Isles taking Richard from Nottingham villages to the Isle of Skye – complete with his enormous dog ‘Bollo’.

Many people have already discovered that Richard is no ordinary musician through his mesmerising Guitar Whisperer tour. On the eve of the summer holidays, enjoy a captivating evening of new exotic musical offerings from Spain, the Americas and the Sussex coast.

With his trademark beautiful lighting and projections Richard punctuates his incredible guitar playing with stories from a lifetime in music in a show that is joyfully virtuosic, at times deeply moving, and always hugely entertaining.

Extraordinary virtuosity… A simply unmissable treat’
Classic FM Magazine

‘Brimful of technically impressive guitar playing on the folk/classical cusp, with nimble runs, deft arpeggios and quicksilver fingering’
The Independent

‘Flawless and mesmerising’
Acoustic Magazine

One of the highlights of the launch event will be Richard’s long lost Clarinet Sonata. The original score was lost in 1984 and then was miraculously returned to Richard 30 years later – to be given its world premiere after 30 years – by clarinetist Jon Carnac and pianist Howard Beach. Howard will also be joining Richard to play Bach and Vivaldi on Harpsichord and Guitar along with some surprise guests joining Richard for the party.

Another highlight with be the unveiling of the brand new ‘Uffington Guitar’. This incredible instrument has been specially commissioned by Richard from Sussex luthier Ian Chisholm and has been inspired by Berkshire’s magnificent prehistoric White Horse at Uffington. Richard says of the instrument: “This amazing new instrument has a magical, silvery sound bringing a new dimension to each concert. Exploring Bach on metal strings played with a plectrum is a fascinating experience!”

From Shoreham-by-Sea Richard hits the road from a tour which includes Aslockton in Nottinghamshire, The Isle of Skye and Peebles in Scotland. Full details of the tour can be found here.

Tickets for the Shoreham-on-Sea 30th anniversary event can be bought direct from the Ropetackle at www.ropetacklecentre.co.uk Tel: 01273 464440.

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