Alex Rider performs with major ensembles throughout the UK on both period and modern instruments. But his passion lies in research; going beyond the notes on the page to find the stories hidden within. An intimate feast of music for the harp, to include works by JS Bach, Saint-Saëns and Fauré, drawing connections between the composers and the performers who inspired them.
5:00pm Pre-concert Early Bird meal at La Casa Mia (not included in the ticket)
Why not make an evening of it and book your pre-concert dinner at La Casa Mia who are kindly helping to sponsor the concert series
Programme
6:30pm Doors open
7:00: Spotlight Concert
Music performed by talented young people from Sandbach
7:30 Intermission
Art Exhibition by Katherine Hughes from Sandbach Art Club, Refreshments
8:00 Main Concert
Bach – Largo (BWV 1008) arr. Saint Saëns / Grandjany
Deux Fantaisies pour la luth – Luis de Milan arr. Saint Saëns
Fantaisie op. 95- Saint Saëns
Une Châtelaine en sa Tour… op.118- Fauré
Le Jardin de Dolly – Fauré arr. Micheline Kahn
Le Rouet Enchanté- Marcel Tournier
With interests encompassing period performance to the newest music, Alexander Rider freelances with major ensembles throughout the United Kingdom. These include the BBC Concert BBC Symphony, BBC Philharmonic and BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestras, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, the London Sinfonietta, London Chamber Orchestra, English Touring Opera, Brighton Philharmonic, Chroma and (on the Erard) he appears with groups including the Gabrieli Consort and the Academy of Ancient Music.
Alexander is noted for his affinity with French music at the turn of the last century, and for his work on original instruments of the period. He has conducted extensive research into the music and players of the time, delving into rich and often hidden histories. Audiences have been delighted by Alexander’s erudition, wit and eye for fascinating detail. In this vein, and using a French Erard harp built in 1902, Alexander has given numerous lecture recitals to great acclaim, at the 2022 World Harp Congress in Cardiff, for the Franz Liszt Academy of Music (Budapest), at the Espace Camac (Paris, on instruments from the Camac collection) The Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and the Harp on Wight Festival. Alexander is delighted to have recorded ‘Fresque Marine’, a disc of rare French works for the harp, part of a new series for the Willowhayne label.
Alexander studied with Gabriella Dall’Olio and Frances Kelly, and was then a scholarship student of Imogen Barford at the Guildhall school of Music and Drama. From here, he graduated with distinction, and was subsequently honoured with a Guildhall Artists’ fellowship.