Emmanuel Vass at Brunswick House
Guest post by Frances Wilson
Hard to believe it’s six months since I introduced
readers of JDCMB to the South London Concert Series (SLCS), an
innovative concept which gives amateur pianists the chance to take to
the stage alongside the professionals. The series was launched to a full-to-bursting
house at the 1901 Arts Club in November 2013 with a programme of music ranging
from Scarlatti to Corea – with some Mozart, Szymanowski and Feuchtwanger along
the way – and much enjoyable piano chat at the noisy post-concert reception in
the 1901’s elegant upstairs bar and sitting room.
Now the
series is two concerts in, both of which sold out within a couple of weeks of
being advertised, with a third on 21st March, also sold out way in
advance. Buoyed up by the obvious success and popularity of the concept, my
partner in piano adventures, Lorraine Liyanage, and I decided that perhaps we
should find a larger venue for our events. It was Lorraine who discovered
Brunswick House: just five minutes from London’s Vauxhall Station, this fine
Georgian mansion is incongruously flanked by the brand new 5-star hotel and
luxury apartments of One Nine Elms.
Part of
the London Architectural Salvage and Supply Co (LASSCo), Brunswick House is a
treasure trove of antiques and reclaimed curiosities – including, conveniently,
a pretty little John Hopkinson baby grand piano in the first floor Saloon, a
room festooned with colourful oriental rugs, salvaged stained glass windows,
glittering chandeliers, and even a life-size cut out of the actor Tony Curtis.
It wasn’t
difficult to find an artist to grace the space, someone who could create the
stylish, retro atmosphere of a salon concert from a bygone era: Emmanuel Vass,
BBC Music Magazine’s March “rising star”, had already wowed the SLCS audience with
his suave showmanship and his ability to seamlessly merge mainstream classical
piano repertoire with his own transcriptions.
Emmanuel’s concert at Brunswick House comes hot on the heels
of his West End debut in a DEC/Philippines appeal benefit concert, and his
successful ‘From Bach to Bond’ national tour and CD launch in 2013. Described
as “one to watch” by The Independent,
Emmanuel will perform music by Bach, Turina, Liszt and some of his own new
transcriptions. And in keeping with the original ethos of the South London
Concert Series, he will be supported by performances by talented amateur
pianists from the London Piano Meetup Group, playing music by Bach, Mozart, and
Chopin. Added to that, guests can enjoy a glass of Prosecco on arrival, and are
invited to join performers and hosts in the stylish restaurant at Brunswick
House for a post-concert dinner. This promises to be a very special event, an evening
of music making and conviviality in a unique and eclectic London venue.
Date:
Thursday 3rd April 2014
Time:
6.45pm for 7.15pm concert
Dress
code: smart
Venue:
LASSCo/Brunswick House, 30 Wandsworth Road, London SW8 2LG
‘Emmanuel Vass at
Brunswick House’ is presented by the South London Concert Series. Endorsed by
top international concert pianist Peter Donohoe as "a wonderfully creative
idea", SLCS concerts recreate the atmosphere of the 19th-century musical
salon with music and socialising amongst friends in some of London’s most
beautiful and intimate small venues.
Twitter @SLConcerts
