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ICONOCLASSICS Classic Gershwin at Café Yukari

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The Life of George Gershwin in Music & Words

Viv McLean piano

Susan Porrett narrator

Tickets £25

We are delighted to present our hugely popular words and music production Classic Gershwin in the intimate surroundings of Café Yukari as part of our ICONOCLASSICS series.

‘Classic Gershwin’ weaves the vibrant music of the ever-popular composer George Gershwin with his fascinating life story from birth in the colourful, teeming New York of 1898 to his tragically early death in 1937.

With prize-winning pianist and renowned Gershwin interpreter Viv McLean and RSC, National Theatre and TV actress Susan Porrett as narrator, this mixed-genre concert presents an intriguing, eclectic mix of Gershwin’s music from the much-loved Rhapsody in Blue, I got Rhythm Variations, The Man I Love and Swanee to the rarely-played classical Three Preludes.

NB – very small venue, early booking recommended for this popular show

 

“a glorious and intriguing celebration of Gershwin’s life and work”

– ArtMuseLondon.com

Café Yukari is an intimate, friendly venue close to Kew Gardens tube station. Concert-goers enjoy high-quality classical music in a convivial setting and a chance to mingle with other music lovers and meet the artists. Plus authentic Japanese food and a beautiful Fazioli grand piano!

Concert-goers can enjoy authentic Japanese food before the concert – please book via the venue  020 8487 1338

Praise for 7 Star Arts at Cafe Yukari:

“a truly uplifting evening- beautiful music and delicious food”

“What a charming experience …to listen to  first-class music and eat delicious food while outside, beyond the fairy lights, commuters pour out of Kew Gardens Station”

 

ICONOCLASSICS Divine Fire at Café Yukari

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Divine Fire – the story of Fryderyk Chopin & George Sand in Music & Words

Viv McLean piano

Susan Porrett narrator

Tickets £25

We are delighted to present our acclaimed words and music production Divine Fire in the intimate surroundings of Café Yukari as part of our new ICONOCLASSICS series.

Featuring some of Chopin’s loveliest piano works, Divine Fire traces the relationship between Fryderyk Chopin and the authoress George Sand, from their first meeting in Paris in 1836 until their parting in 1849.

The story unfolds through a compelling, dramatic narration of events by the RSC, National Theatre and TV actress Susan Porrett, interspersed with fiery Scherzos, heartrending Ballades, intimate lyrical Nocturnes and stirring Polonaises, performed by acclaimed concert pianist Viv McLean.

absorbing, moving and beautifully presented

– The Cross-Eyed Pianist

Café Yukari is an intimate, friendly venue close to Kew Gardens tube station. Concert-goers enjoy high-quality classical music in a convivial setting and a chance to mingle with other music lovers and meet the artists. Plus authentic Japanese food and a beautiful Fazioli grand piano!

Concert-goers can enjoy authentic Japanese food before the concert – please book via the venue  020 8487 1338

Praise for 7 Star Arts at Cafe Yukari:

“a truly uplifting evening- beautiful music and delicious food”

“What a charming experience …to listen to  first-class music and eat delicious food while outside, beyond the fairy lights, commuters pour out of Kew Gardens Station”

 

 

An evening with Viv McLean at The OSO

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Programme:
Schubert Impromptus D. 899
  1. Allegro molto moderato in C Minor
  2. Allegro in E Flat
  3. Andante in G Flat
  4. Allegretto in A Flat
Chopin Polonaise-Fantasy Op. 61
~interval~
Mozart Sonata K. 330
  1. Allegro moderato
  2. Andante cantabile
  3. Allegretto
Beethoven Sonata Op.110
  1. Moderato cantabile molto espressivo
  2. Allegro molto
  3. Adagio ma non troppo- Allegro ma non troppo

 

Tickets £20

Pianist Viv McLean captivates audiences with his expressive playing, in particular the music of Chopin and Gershwin. His illustrious career has seen him perform with leading orchestras and ensembles, including the BBC Concert Orchestra and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra to the Adderbury Ensemble and the Sacconi String Quartet.

Viv McLean

Tales of the Tod Boyd Steinway at The OSO

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A fundraiser concert for the essential maintenance of the historic Steinway grand piano at The OSO Arts Centre in Barnes
Join us and a star-studded lineup – including concert pianists Mei-Ting and Viv McLean, actress Susan Porrett and soprano Sofia Kirwan-Baez – performing music from the instrument’s past, woven together by anecdotes from the individuals who have ensured its longevity. The concert also features the UK premiere of a recently discovered work by Richard Strauss.
The TOD BOYD Steinway piano has been generously donated, on a long loan, to the OSO Arts Centre by the Boyd family who lived in Castelnau, Barnes, for 90 years. Find out more about the piano’s fascinating history here
Tickets from £20 per person

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Divine Fire at POSK

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The story of Fryderyk Chopin and George Sand in music and words with

Viv McLean – piano

Susan Porrett – narrator

 

Divine Fire traces the passionate relationship of Fryderyk Chopin and the authoress George Sand from their first meeting in Paris in 1836 until their parting in 1849.

The story unfolds through a compelling, dramatic narration of events by the RSC, National Theatre and TV actress Susan Porrett. Mood-evoking piano pieces are interspersed with the narration as the great Chopin interpreter Viv McLean plays fiery scherzos, heart-rending ballades and stirring Polonaises.

“An absorbing, moving and beautifully presented evening of words and music.”

Frances Wilson (The Cross-Eyed Pianist)

Tickets £15 (+booking fee)

BOOK TICKETS

 

Classic Gershwin at The Old Sorting Office

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7 Star Arts most popular production returns to the OSO Arts Centre in Barnes where it received its world premiere in 2014.

‘Classic Gershwin’ weaves the vibrant music of the ever-popular composer George Gershwin with his fascinating life story from birth in the colourful, teeming New York of 1898 to his tragically early death in 1937.

With prize-winning pianist and renowned Gershwin interpreter Viv McLean and RSC, National Theatre and TV actress Susan Porrett as narrator, this mixed-genre concert presents an intriguing, eclectic mix of Gershwin’s music from the much-loved Rhapsody in Blue, I got Rhythm Variations, The Man I Love and Swanee to the rarely-played classical Preludes.

Tickets £14 in advance / £15 on the door

BOOK TICKETS

 

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Classic Gershwin Showreel

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A taster of Classic Gershwin, 7 Star Arts’ most popular mixed genre production, starring Viv McLean (piano) and Susan Porrett (narrator). Music by George Gershwin

 

Iconoclassics at The Jazz Room

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7 Star Arts announces the launch of a new series of concerts in the iconic Jazz Room at the Bull’s Head

Iconoclassics features leading, critically-acclaimed classical musicians, more at home in the world’s great concert halls than in a jazz club but all happy to break free from the conventional classical music scene. The small size of the Jazz Room creates a special connection between musicians and audience, and allows the musicians to present music in a more accessible and relaxed way.

In keeping with the main focus of The Jazz Room, programmes in the Iconoclassics series will explore links between classical music and jazz, and will include works by Ravel and Gershwin, two composers whose music crossed genres and pushed the boundaries of what we define as “classical music”.

Iconoclassics launches on 14 February 2018 with Classic Valentine – a special concert for Valentine’s Day featuring David Le Page (violin) and Viv McLean (piano). This will be followed on 11 March by a solo concert by internationally-acclaimed pianist Anthony Hewitt, who has been praised for his “fine, poetic and communicative musicianship” (BBC Music Magazine).

This promises to be an exciting and intriguing new series in an intimate and friendly venue.

 

Purists may balk at hearing classical music in a venue normally reserved for jazz, but the small size of the jazz room lends itself to the right kind of concentrated listening and intimacy of expression which this music demands and offers. And David Le Page and Viv McLean create a very special intimacy of their own – these musicians work together regularly and their empathy and mutual understanding is palpable in every note they play.

  • Frances Wilson/The Cross-Eyed Pianist

 

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Classic Gershwin on BBC London

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Susan Porrett (actress and writer of Classic Gershwin) and Yvonne Evans (Director of 7 Star Arts) will be appearing on the Jo Good show on BBC London at 1pm on Wednesday 10 January to talk about The Cinema Museum London & “Classic Gershwin” (which plays at The Cinema Museum on Saturday 13th January). Featuring music from the show played by acclaimed pianist Viv McLean.

Book tickets to Classic Gershwin at The Cinema Museum

 

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http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p011nd8m

Chekhov’s Grand Piano comes to Craxton Studios, Hampstead

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Saturday 2 June 2018 at 7.30pm

Craxton Studios, 14 Kidderpore Avenue, Hampstead NW3 7SU

Chekhov’s Grand Piano, 7 Star Arts’ newest mixed-grenre production, interweaves the words of the great Russian writer Anton Chekhov with the music of Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff and Prokofiev, together with David Le Page’s music inspired by ‘The Seagull’.

Performed by internationally-acclaimed musicians Viv McLean (piano) and David le Page (violin) with readings by celebrated West End actress Susan Porrett

Tickets £20 each, including a glass of Prosecco. Book online using the link below or call 07889 399862

BOOK TICKETS

There are many parallels between the works of Chekhov and the music of his compatriots. Chekhov’s writing is filled with allusions to music, and especially the piano, and some of his plays have piano interludes. Shostakovich noted that Chekhov’s short stories were written in sonata form. Chekhov corresponded with Tchaikovsky, whom he revered, and his friend Rachmaninoff played the piano in Chekhov’s summer home, The White Dacha at Yalta.

Craxton Studios, originally built as an artist’s home and studios, was for many years the home of celebrated pianist and teacher Harold Craxton who created a cultural hub for musicians, writers, poets and actors. The same spirit continues at Craxton Studios today and the house is regularly used for concerts, rehearsals and auditions. It is a fine example of English Arts & Crafts architecture and interior design.

 

“Viv McLean revealed extraordinary originality, superb simplicity, and muscles of steel hidden by fingers of velvet. He plays with the genius one finds in those who know how to forget themselves, naturally placing themselves at the right point to meet the music, this mystery of the moment.”

– Le Monde

“The finesse and fieriness of [David le Page’s] playing is always top-notch, but more than that, his unique sense of creativity infuses everything he does. His own music has a strong personal voice, full of improvisatory flair and independence of thought – and, like his interpretations of the classical repertoire, seems driven by a deeply poetic spirit.”

– The Independent

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Events

ICONOCLASSICS Classic Gershwin at Café Yukari

/in /by

The Life of George Gershwin in Music & Words

Viv McLean piano

Susan Porrett narrator

Tickets £25

We are delighted to present our hugely popular words and music production Classic Gershwin in the intimate surroundings of Café Yukari as part of our ICONOCLASSICS series.

‘Classic Gershwin’ weaves the vibrant music of the ever-popular composer George Gershwin with his fascinating life story from birth in the colourful, teeming New York of 1898 to his tragically early death in 1937.

With prize-winning pianist and renowned Gershwin interpreter Viv McLean and RSC, National Theatre and TV actress Susan Porrett as narrator, this mixed-genre concert presents an intriguing, eclectic mix of Gershwin’s music from the much-loved Rhapsody in Blue, I got Rhythm Variations, The Man I Love and Swanee to the rarely-played classical Three Preludes.

NB – very small venue, early booking recommended for this popular show

 

“a glorious and intriguing celebration of Gershwin’s life and work”

– ArtMuseLondon.com

Café Yukari is an intimate, friendly venue close to Kew Gardens tube station. Concert-goers enjoy high-quality classical music in a convivial setting and a chance to mingle with other music lovers and meet the artists. Plus authentic Japanese food and a beautiful Fazioli grand piano!

Concert-goers can enjoy authentic Japanese food before the concert – please book via the venue  020 8487 1338

Praise for 7 Star Arts at Cafe Yukari:

“a truly uplifting evening- beautiful music and delicious food”

“What a charming experience …to listen to  first-class music and eat delicious food while outside, beyond the fairy lights, commuters pour out of Kew Gardens Station”