Beaumont School Music Department

I've got loads of better things to do, but I got really excited about this piece of music today and I was compelled to blog about it. Argentinian composer Osvaldo Golijov (b. 1960) wrote this piece,  The Dreams and Prayers of Isaac the Blind, in 1994. In the words of the composer: "Eight centuries ago Isaac The Blind, the great kabbalist rabbi of Provence, dictated a manuscript in which he asserted that all things and events in the universe are product of combinations of the Hebrew alphabet's letters: 'Their root is in a name, for the letters are like branches, which appear in the manner of flickering flames, mobile, and nevertheless linked to the coal'. His conviction still resonates today: don't we have scientists who believe that the clue to our life and fate is hidden in other codes?" Notes from the composer continue  here . The piece is scored for string quartet and 'klezmer clarinet', and uses traditional Jewish melodies, including tho...

For Stephen Hawking's 75th Birthday, the Choir Gonville and Cauis, Cambridge (where he has been a Fellow for 52 years) commissioned the composer Cheryl Frances-Hoad  to write a choral piece for him, the theme being the universe.  In the video below, we get a small insight into her creative process and how she set about finding some words to create her musical image of the universe. In the piece, Frances-Hoad uses Newtonian physics, NASA space sounds and a children's poem as her inspiration.  The coming together of the arts, literature and science results in quite an ethereal work. You can read more here about the influences in the piece and watch the two videos below.  You will also recognise our lovely alumna Alice Webster as one of the three soloists, who asks some of the questions which Hawking asks in his Brief History of Time while the choir repeats "Sun, moon, stars".

Hopefully you are all having a restful weekend and maybe some of you are still counting/eating the eggs from your Easter Egg Hunt. Whether you are Christian or not, the Easter story has evoked some sublime music from composers over the years. This year, I'm focussing on my main man, Johann Sebastian Bach, mainly because his style is studied at A Level. This is the perfect time to put the four-part chorale and the sound world of the two part counterpoint into context. BBC Radio 3 has a plethora of programmes about Bach and his Passions. Last week we heard the St John Passion and St Matthew Passion  live. Tuning in to either of these and listening to how Bach sets these evocative texts will really bring this style to life. You will hear the dramatic choruses, reflective arias, and of course, contemplative chorales. I am pretty sure you could get your hands on a score if you tried (hello imslp) so take some time out to soak up this really beautiful music.  If you are a Spo...

Lucky you! Every day this month, open a door to our Advent Calendar and listen to a track chosen by Mr Guinane, Ms Doan or Mr Burrett. Most tracks will be seasonal (how about a whistle stop tour through  our carols over the years?!) but we might even slip in music that we simply just love. Click here or below, save the link and get listening. Wishing you a wonderful lead up to Christmas. Mr G, Ms D and Mr B.

On Saturday, Ms Doan will be playing in the Amadeus Chamber Orchestra Concert in St Saviour's Church at 7.30pm. On the programme, every string player's dream: Bach Violin Concerto in E, a Handel Concerto Grosso and some Lennox Berkeley too. If you are in Senior Strings, you will love this. If you are in Year 9, two of the styles you will be studying at GCSE feature in this programme.  Arts Award students will also enjoy this. In actual fact, if you enjoy music on any level, you will enjoy this concert.  Please come. It's £3 for students, and you can buy your tickets in advance by clicking here , or you can get them on the door. Hope to see you there.

Hi all, Stuck on repeat: why we love repetition in music I just wanted to share this article; as a fan of all things repetitive in modern music, this is right up my street. This is 'my jam'. Have a read, and have a listen if something interests you. Cheers, Mr G

Ok folks, Modern music is hard to grasp, but the more you read about the stories and motivations behind its proponents, the more sense it makes. There are a lot of resources at your fingertips that will help: Books in the Beaumont library: The following books are either in, or on their way to, Beaumont's library. Have a read of the relevant chapters/sections in the following books: Alex Ross - The Rest is Noise: Listening to the Twentieth Century (big, but quite easy to read) Paul Griffiths - Modern Music (the best book on early C20th classical music) Paul Griffiths - Modern Music and after (the follow-up, covering the 2nd half of the 20th Century) Norman Lebrecht - The Complete Companion to 20th Century Music (I haven't read this, but will check it out) Arnold Whittal - Serialism (Cambridge Introductions to Music) (pretty obvious what this is about) Grove Music Online Use your Herts library card to log in to Grove, the BEST online Music encyclopaedia. YouTube - T...

Year 13, From the Mr Guinane archives, for your listening pleasure: Click here to download the highlights of Radio 3's Composer of the Week on Haydn String Quartets. Enjoy!

Dear Year 12, From the Mr Guinane archives, for your listening pleasure: Click here  to download the highlights of Radio 3's Composer of the Week on Tavener. Enjoy!

Right people listen up. Esteemed alumni Sarah Walker is organising a concert to raise funds for her planned trip to Tanzania and Malawi, where she plans to undertake important work as part of her gap year. It is an amazing project so get involved! When: This Sunday, 15th September, 7pm Where: Cunningham Hill Junior School, Cell Barnes Lane The evening will feature a huge range of performances from ex- and current Beaumont students. It promises to be a fantastic evening full of Music. Entry is FREE but donations to help Sarah fund her trip are welcome! Spread the word, and once again, get involved!