David Coleman

PROGRAMME

(Translated from Hungarian)
The English 100 thematic season of the Hungarian State Opera is strengthened by two thematic concerts, the earlier one, Télvíz, is the English bouquet, which looks at three centuries of England.

Britten’s tribute immediately before Purcell creates the bridge that can span over a really relatively uneventful two hundred and fifty years in British music. Edward Elgar‘s Cello Concerto is a late work and was created during Benjamin Britten’s lifetime.

Gustav Holst‘s orchestral suite entitled Planets was created around the time of Britten’s birth, but like Elgar’s concerto, it also has its roots in the 19th century.

The soloist of the latter is the multiple competition-winning Colombian horn player, Santiago Cañón-Valencia, who is praised by international critics for his flawless technique and perfect interpretation of the composer’s intention.

The three iconic British pieces are conducted by English conductor David Coleman, who is also a well-recognized conductor in OPERA’s ballet ensemble and orchestra following his productions in recent years.

B. Britten: Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Henry Purcell
E. Elgar: Cello Concerto
G. Holst: The Planets

Featuring: Santiago Cañón-Valencia (cello) and the Orchestra and Choir of the Hungarian State Opera

Conductor: David Coleman

Celebramus

I have composed a new piece named Celebremus specifically for the Golden Age, English Elegance concert in Budapest.

It celebrates the coming together of English music and the orchestra and chorus of the Hungarian State Opera, – two artistic cultures in one evening  of music making here in Budapest, – and I am delighted and honoured to conduct this event. 

Within the musical texture, I use the Hungarian National Hymn and the English National Anthem, threading them together in one musical theme.

Towards the end of the composition I quote the theme from Benjamin Britten’s Young Persons Guide to the Orchestra Variations on a Theme of Purcell which follows it in the programme. I was inspired to do this because I did meet and work a little with Britten when I was a student at Dartington Hall. 

In the choral writing, I have preferred to use a universal language. For me, Latin has the added virtue that it can transcend the languages of specific cultures. Thus, for example, the title Celebremus which can mean both “Let’s celebrate” and “We celebrate together”.

PRESS

Interview on Mediaklikk – Begins at 15:30:04 until 17:36:40

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E. T. A.Hoffmann is widely associated with The Nutcracker while fewer know that the story of Coppelia is based on his short story, The Sandman (Der Sandmann). The author, known to be a polymath himself, also designed various machines and automatons, and he was perfectly aware how easy it is to fall in love with your own creation. A ballet version of Coppelia was first premiered in Hungary in 1877, later it was adapted by Gyula Harangozó, in 1953. More than seventy years afterwards, on the fiftieth anniversary of the choreographer’s death, the production returns to the Hungarian National Ballet’s repertoire to prove that classical ballet, pantomime, and magic tricks can co-exist just as perfectly as Léo Delibes’ late romantic music and the Hungarian czardas.

Dancing Percussion is an extravaganza for percussion ensemble created by conductor composer David Coleman.

Seven elite percussionists will be on stage with an eclectic array of well known and more unusual instruments.

The snare drum leads out and is quickly joined by bass and tenor drums, the majestic congas, and diminutive bongos.  Glockenspiel and Xylophone dance with big brother Vibraphone which is played with beaters and also exotically with the bow of the double bass.

Hear the contributions from the triangle, tubular bells, Indian bells and wind chimes, maracas , castanets, temple blocks, even a whistle stars and of course the cymbals, all reaching a glorious climax with a jazzer’s full drum kit.

Dancing Percussion is a composition in five movements :

Procession – From quiet taps on the snare drum, the big drums gradually join the procession.

Bells – An ethereal soundscape.

Rumba – A full-blooded dance with the spotlight on Vibraphone and Xylophone.

Scherzo – A playful skittish fast moving ’joke’.

Uneven Dance – In 5 time, both composed and improvised. The driving jazz rhythms from the drum kit and finally the full ensemble piling in to make a joyous conclusion.

Dancing Percussion has its first performance and recording on stage at the Hungarian State Opera in Budapest on Friday 28^th June 2024 performed by The Percussion Ensemble of the Hungarian State Opera orchestra, to whom this work is dedicated.

Currently it is also in rehearsal at the Accademia of La Scala in Milan.

In addition to the premier and recording of Dancing Percussion at the Hungarian State Opera today, Maestro Coleman’s viola fantasy Flowers will be played at an invitation only concert in Budapest, by the artist to whom it is dedicated, Veronika Botos.

The tribute by La Scala and its artists to Carla Fracci, who was and remains a cardinal figure in the history of dance, continues in the 2023-2024 Season. Hers is a story of talent, perseverance, and work that has inspired and continues to inspire generations of young people, and not only in the world of ballet.

To honour this legendary étoile, the Ballet Director Manuel Legris has instituted a seasonal gala to celebrate international dance and ballet in her name, and to look beyond the milestones in the repertoire to new and contemporary creativity.