In May, Schlenzer goes from strength to strength. One week after the village festival, on Whit Saturday, 27 May 2023, the village will celebrate the seventieth birthday of our fellow citizen, the much honoured and awarded composer, conductor, percussionist and pianist James Wood. Planning for this great event – two classical music concerts in a row – is still in progress, but much has already been decided.
The first concert in the village church starts at 2pm. The organ has been painstakingly restored over many years. James Wood himself will play this new old organ, and three singers (bass) and one singer (soprano) from the RIAS Kammerchor will join him to perform pieces by Gibbons, Schütz, Tallis and Bach. At 14:45, visitors can enjoy coffee and cake.
The second concert will then begin at 4 pm: the Courtyard Concert in James’ Courtyard Schlenzer 32, hosted as in previous years by Dr Ralph Mayer.
This concert is dedicated to three themes:
Heimat with pieces by Schumann and Mahler.
Wanderlust with pieces by Fauré, Ravel and Falla
Dancing with pieces by Saint-Säens, Schulhoff and Stravinsky.
Mezzo-sopranos from the Rundfunkchor Berlin will sing accompanied by James Wood (piano), with special guests Rudolf Preckwinkel (double bass) and Philip Mayers (piano). We here in Schlenzer are very much looking forward to this cultural event, guests from wherever are very welcome.