In the Stream
In these locked-down days, many are choosing to hear music streamed to save the postman!
I’m glad to say that both my CDs (‘Voices from the Sea’ and ‘Simplicius’) are available streamed as well as on CD.
For instance these sites can be searched for both CDs. Some pay the composer more than others!
Spotify https://www.spotify.com/uk/
iTunes https://www.apple.com/uk/music/
Amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=hawkins+simplicius&i=digital-music
and now QoBuz best-known for hi-res audio https://www.qobuz.com/gb-en/discover
My short String Quartet ‘Fuzon’ and my earlier three movement String Quartet as well as my ‘Urizen’ for viola and piano are available on YouTube in top-notch performances.
Safe Encounter
Back in 2019 BC (before corona), the wonderful duo of flautist Emma Halnan and pianist Daniel King Smith played my ’Sonata Serenata’ in London at a St Martin-in-the-Fields lunchtime concert. Here is a video of that excellent performance:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whiiAZ_HkxU&feature=youtu.be
Times on hands
Just in case you have … here are some recordings of Hawkins pieces on Youtube
First string quartet (1976) played by James Toll, Guy Button (violins), John Crockatt (viola) and Jonathan Rees (‘cello) in 2019
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbwaslLhZl8
‘Urizen’ played by Paul Silverthorne (viola) and Aglaia Tarantino (piano) at LSO St Luke’s in 2012
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-NfGIbhXqs
‘Fuzon’ played by the Piatti Quartet live at ‘Rencontres Musicales ProQuartet en Seine-et-Marne’ in 2014.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFElZOSC6oU
All wonderful performances!
Party Piece
On March 7th, the wonderful Cuatro Puntos group with Alexander Kollias (clarinet) gave the first public performance of ‘Party Piece’ which was written for a birthday party back in 2004. Five minutes of Klezmer-slanted music for clarinet and two violas ends wildly! The concert called ‘Klezmer Dreams’ iwas in the USA at Glastonbury CT on the 7th and Hertford CT on the 8th. The piece is described by the group as “an upbeat knee-slapper imbued with the spirit of traditional Klezmer.” !
Fauxsong
On Tuesday 10th March at the Chapel Royal, Brighton 1.00 pm will be the first performance of a new short piece for violin, ‘cello and guitar ‘Fauxsong’ played by Paul Gregory (guitar), Manon Derome (violin) and Anthony Pleeth (‘cello).
John Hawkins studied composition with Malcolm Williamson and Elisabeth Lutyens. He has written a wide range of chamber, vocal, choral and orchestral pieces, which have been performed worldwide.