FRIDAY 03 JULY: OUR FINAL PAUSE FOR A MOMENT – THANK YOU
Our final Pause for a Moment video reflects on ten weeks of short works created by some of Lakeside's artist friends and the moments these have provided to encourage all our audiences, including University staff and students, to pause, relax and think.
Thank you for pausing with us. We hope you’ll continue to enjoy Lakeside’s programme over the coming weeks and months #WeAreUoN #InWithLakeside
FOR MORE PAUSE MOMENTS
WEDNESDAY 01 JULY: TALISK PERFORM 'ECHO'
Multi-award-winning Scottish folk band Talisk – Mohsen Amini, concertina, Hayley Keenan, fiddle and Graeme Armstrong, guitar – has generously recorded a lockdown a melody especially for Lakeside. Winning plaudits for their phenomenal musicianship and infectious enthusiasm, Talisk performs at the major folk music festivals the world over.
The band’s Lakeside debut last autumn to a capacity audience was a brilliant evening of virtuosic, energetic and joyous music making. We look forward to welcoming them back to the University in the future.
See more information about Talisk here.
MONDAY 29 JUNE: XUEFEI YANG & LING PENG PERFORM TOGETHER
Two virtuoso musicians who performed earlier in the Pause season return as a duo. Guitarist, Xuefei Yang and erhu player, Ling Peng gave a memorable Chinese New Year concert in the Djanogly Recital Hall at Lakeside. They perform Peach Blossom and Plum Blossoms in the Snow.
See more information about Xuefei Yang here and Ling Peng here.
FRIDAY 26 JUNE: 'THE NOTTINGHAM WOMEN' – GEORGINA WILDING
University of Nottingham alumna, Georgina Wilding, was the first Young Poet Laureate selected by Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature. She is a prolific writer for television, radio and a marvellous performer; and she has established her own publishing company MUD Press. Georgina was featured in our Women at Nottingham - Pressing for Progress - exhibition (2018-2019) and this is a reminder of the wonderful poem that we commissioned to celebrate International Women's Day 2018. You can see all the amazing women who featured in the Women at Nottingham exhibition here.
See more information about Georgina Wilding here.
WEDNESDAY 24 JUNE: JAMES COUSINS COMPANY – DUET FROM EPILOGUES
In January 2019 James Cousins Company were in residence at Lakeside, during which time they created this particular duet for Epilogues which later toured nationally. We were privileged to be part of the process, and our team were invited to sit in on a work in progress and to comment as the piece took shape. James has since compiled this rehearsal footage video which is a wonderful reminder of this remarkable and touching duet which looks at 2 women tenderly supporting each other through a shared loss. Beautifully considered movement performed by Jemima Brown and George Frampton, set exquisitely against soulful vocals from the legendary Terry Callier.
See more information about James Cousins Company here.
MONDAY 22 JUNE: PROFESSOR STEVE BENFORD PLAYS CAROLAN GUITAR
Acoustic guitarist Professor Steve Benford from the School of Computer Science & Mixed Reality Lab, arranges and performs two songs on the unique Carolan guitar. Named after the legendary Irish harpist and composer, Turlough O’Carolan the guitar was made with the express purpose of capturing and telling its own life history. Technology that hides digital codes within the decorative patterns adorning the instrument enables the guitar guitar to replay its performance history.
For more information about Carolan guitar, visit the website here.
See more information about Steve Benford here.
FRIDAY 19 JUNE: GUY MASTERSON PERFORMS 'UNDER MILK WOOD'
Guy Masterson has regularly brought fabulous productions from his company Theatre Tours International to Lakeside since the Djanogly Theatre opened in 2001-02. A multiple award-winner –including an Olivier Award – he is a consumate performer. His powerful solo performances with only minimal props/staging are legendary, and we count ourselves as fortunate to have staged a number of them including Anthem for a Doomed Youth, Animal Farm, Under Milk Wood and A Christmas Carol.
Guy has generously recorded this short piece especially for inclusion in Pause for a Moment.
This excerpt is made available through the generosity of The Estate Of Dylan Thomas.
See more information about Guy Masterson here.
WEDNESDAY 17 JUNE: 'FILM ONE' BY RUSSELL MALIPHANT
Film One is by Russell Maliphant whose work is characterised by an approach that uses uniquely explores a relationship between movement, light and music.
If you want to know more about Russell Maliphant Dance Company, find out more here.
MONDAY 15 JUNE: LI MIN ONG PERFORMS FIRST MOVEMENT OF RAVEL'S SONATINE & BRUBECK'S 'TAKE FIVE'
Alumna Li Min Ong was to have played Ravel Piano Concerto with University Philharmonia on 16 June. Li Min performs first movement of Ravel’s Sonatine recorded before lockdown. She also recorded on her home keyboard Dave Brubeck’s Take Five especially for this Pause.
FRIDAY 12 JUNE: 'NOT MY CUP OF TEA' POEM BY HENRY NORMAL
Please be aware that this poem includes two expletives, and therefore carries a PG warning.
This poem is the second of 2 which have been written by Henry Normal during lockdown especially to share with Lakeside audiences. Henry was born in St Ann's, and now lives in Brighton with his family; he is a TV and film producer, writer and poet, and is undoubtedly one of our favourite creatives who regularly tests his new Radio4 material by premiering the content before capacity audiences at Lakeside. We hope to welcome him back in November this year, social distancing permitting. In the meantime, enjoy his wonderful treatise on tea.
If you want to know more about Henry Normal, find out more here.
WEDNESDAY 10 JUNE: 'GRAVITY' BY MOTIONHOUSE
We’ve greatly missed seeing Motionhouse as part of Wheee! Festival this year; their amazing performance of WILD blew us all away in 2019. The company have generously shared a duet that we haven’t yet see live at Lakeside – Gravity – for inclusion in Pause. Especially made to celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of the Moon landing, Gravity combines hand-to-hand acrobatics with Motionhouse’s signature contact choreography and breath-taking balances in this evocative exploration of weightlessness and zero gravity.
If you want to know more about Motionhouse, find out more here.
MONDAY 8 JUNE: ROB CHALLINOR PLAYS PADEREWSKI'S 'NOCTURNE' AND CHOPIN'S WALTZ IN E MINOR
Today's Pause is brought to you by University Choir and Chamber Choir Accompanist Rob Challinor. Rob also accompanies many of the Music Department students. While in lock down Rob has recorded backing tracks for student recital exams which has been really appreciated by students, one even sending chocolate brownies in the post to thank him!
Rob also took part in the Nottstopping Festival on the Lakeside Arts stage and filmed a short recital from home especially. Today, Rob plays Nocturne by Ignacy Jan Paderewski and Frédéric Chopin's Waltz in E minor.
FRIDAY 5 JUNE: 'BIRTHDAY' PERFORMED BY XENIA PESTOVA BENNETT AND WRITTEN BY ED BENNETT
Friday's Pause is a miniature performed by pianist Assistant Professor Xenia Pestova Bennett written by Ed Bennett to celebrate the birthday of composer Scott Wilson, Director of the Birmingham ElectroAcoustic Sound Theatre at the University of Birmingham.
If you want to know more about Xenia Pestova Bennett, find out more here.
WEDNESDAY 3 JUNE: 'THE RED DOOR' BY STEPHEN LOWE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH TANYA MYERS
Awarded an Honorary Doctorate at University of Nottingham (2011), Dr Stephen Lowe is undoubtedly one of Nottingham’s best known writers and directors. In addition to his award-winning work at Nottingham Playhouse and the Royal Court (Touched), we are lucky to have worked with Stephen over many years, premiering a number of his plays at Lakeside including Smile (2008); Empty Bed Blues (2009); Seance on a Sunday Afternoon (2011) and Just a Gigolo with Maurice Roëves at Edinburgh Fringe and Lakeside (2012).
We're delighted that he, in partnership with Director Tanya Myers, created a new short work especially for Nottstopping Festival and we are pleased to share it with you for Today’s Pause. Special thanks to Colin Wells and to Shirley Road neighbours who appear.
MONDAY 1 JUNE: JOSH MEAD & OWEN JONES DUET
Music Department alumni Josh Mead (saxophone) and Owen Jones (guitars) took to the virtual Lakeside Arts stage for Nottstopping Festival on Saturday 23 – Sunday 24 May.
Here's an excerpt from their performance featuring arrangements by Owen for duets with each other and themselves.
Watch their full performance from Nottstopping Festival on our YouTube channel.
FRIDAY 29 MAY: 'MA MA LEY' BY LING PENG & FRIENDS
Sura Susso and Ling Peng are virtuosos of two of the world’s oldest instruments: the kora and the erhu. Sura, born into a Gambian griot family, and Ling, a child prodigy in the instrument that literally means ‘two strings’, have played across every continent as soloists, songwriters, and band members. With Michael Cretu on bass and Mohinder Singh on tablas, they joined forces to explore rhythms, melodies and songs blending storytelling from both cultures in a programme premiered in the Djanogly Theatre, Lakeside in 2016.
If you want to know more about Ling Peng, find out more here.
WEDNESDAY 27 MAY: 'HOME SCHOOLING' BY HENRY NORMAL
Henry Normal, poet, writer and film/TV producer, is proud of his Nottingham heritage. He has a beer and a bus named after him and has been awarded honorary doctorates at both University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University. He regularly premieres his new content for BBC Radio4 productions at Lakeside in front of delighted capacity audiences.
Henry has generously written a poem especially for Lakeside during lockdown, and this one entitled Home Schooling poignantly captures our humane experience right here, right now ...
If you want to know more about Henry Normal, find out more here.
FRIDAY 22 MAY: 'LOSING HER VOICE' OPERA BY DR ELIZABETH KELLY
Lakeside Arts worked with Assistant Professor in Music Composition, Dr Elizabeth Kelly to stage her first opera, Losing Her Voice which premiered in in April 2019. Today’s Pause for a Moment brings you highlights from the opera.
Losing Her Voice was inspired by the life of the American opera diva Geraldine Farrar a famous opera singer in the early 20th Century. Farrar made a name for herself singing in the grand opera houses of Europe and America, including the Berlin State Opera and the Metropolitan Opera in New York. She came to the attention of Cecil B. De Mille who invited her to star in his 1915 silent film version of Carmen. Farrar already had a strong female fan base, known as ‘Gerry-flappers’ and with her film success she became perhaps America’s first true superstar.
Although Farrar lived in the early 20th Century the themes continue to resonate today. The opera explores the cult of celebrity and a world in which fans and audience are no longer merely observers but active participants in the unfolding story.
WEDNESDAY 20 MAY: 'LITTLE DREAMS' BY WILKIE BRANSON
Lakeside has watched Wilkie Branson's progress since first coming across his cinematic approach to dance back in 2010 with the groundbreaking live performance/film production White Caps. This short piece Little Dreams explores aspirations, dreams and fears through animation and dance; it was originally created in 2015 over the period of a year using more than 4000 handcut characters. Wilkie felt it was particularly relevant right now, and we'd like to thank him for sharing it with Lakeside audiences now.
Since Little Dreams Wilkie's immersive dance for cinema practice has continued to develop and TOM blew audiences away back in February as part of the Science and Curiosity Festival. If you'd enjoy seeing more, a new version is being platformed from 22 May for 7 days on Sadlers Wells Digital Stage for those of you who would enjoy a second opportunity to see it.
If you want to know more about Wilkie Branson, find out more here.
MONDAY 18 MAY: 'EURYDICE AND ORPHEUS' BY SAM REDWAY
Sam was commissioned by Lakeside Arts to create a new version of Orpheus and Eurydice to complement Elpida Hadzi-Vasileva's public art work titled Eurydice Prevails* (2019) at Lakeside. Sam's account of the Greek myth entertainingly tells of the lovers' deals struck with Hades to escape the underworld, leading to their interminable condition ...
*Eurydice Prevails is formed of two elm sculptures, and is dedicated to Lady Carol Djanogly, long time supporter and friend to Lakeside Arts. The sculpture is situated behind the D H Lawrence Pavilion, in University Park. Visit this page to find out more.
FRIDAY 15 MAY: RAPHAEL WALLFISCH PLAYS 'THE SONGS OF THE BIRDS' AND 'THE CHILDREN'S MARCH'
Today's musical pause has been provided especially for Lakeside Arts and the University of Nottingham's Pause for a Moment by the celebrated British cellist Raphael Wallfisch. With a discography of over 70 CDs he is one of the world's most recorded artists and has performed as a soloist with orchestras the world over as well appearing in major festivals including the BBC Proms, Edinburgh, Spoleto, Oslo and Schleswig Holstein. Teaching is one of Raphael’s passions. He is in demand as a teacher all over the world and holds the position of professor of cello in Switzerland at the Zürich Hochschule der Kunst.
In addition to his busy solo career he formed a piano trio in 2009 with colleagues Hagai Shaham (violin) and Arnon Erez (piano). We are looking forward to welcoming Trio Shaham Erez Wallfisch to Lakeside for the first time in spring 2021.
Today, Raphael Wallfisch plays two pieces. One by Pablo Casals called The Song of the Birds and the other The Children's March by Prokofiev.
If you want to know more about Raphael Wallfisch, find out more here.
WEDNESDAY 13 MAY: BEETHOVEN'S 'WALDSTEIN' SONATA PERFORMED BY JI LIU
Pianist Ji Liu was to have made his debut at the Djanogly Recital Hall on 14 May performing the opening concert in Lakeside Arts and the Royal Concert Hall's Beethoven 250: the Complete Piano Sonatas Festival. With the Festival now on hold, Ji Liu kindly recorded the first movement of Beethoven's Sonata No.21 in C major, Op.53 Waldstein for today's 'Pause'.
Born in China, now resident in London, Ji Liu is an extraordinary pianist, composer and arranger who delights audiences worldwide with his musicianship and fresh interpretations of a wide range of repertoire. We look forward to welcoming Ji Liu to perform at the University in the future.
If you want to know more about Ji Liu, find out more here.
MONDAY 11 MAY: 'DE DUM' BY FEARGUS WOODS DUNLOP FROM NEW OLD FRIENDS
Feargus Woods Dunlop is a founder member of New Old Friends who were due to perform their new show Crimes, Camera, Action at Lakeside Arts later this month. We're delighted that he's shared a brilliantly entertaining little monologue with us from a previous show, Silly Songs of Shakespeare which toured in 2012.
New Old Friends is a theatre company founded in 2008 by Feargus Woods Dunlop and Heather Westwell. The company tours nationally and successfully brings many fantastic and accessible shows to audiences to make them laugh.
If you want to know more, find out more information here.
THURSDAY 7 MAY: 'AN DRO & HORSES BRAWL' BY THE BEESTON CEILIDH COLLECTIVE
The Beeston Ceilidh Collective perform An Dro & Horses Brawl from their homes to bring us a performance to lift our spirits.
A message from The Beeston Ceilidh Collective:
We’re a local ceilidh band from Beeston. It’s been a real challenge not being able to get together to play over the past few weeks and so making this video of all of us playing our parts from our homes has been the next best thing. Several of us have also been taking part in local folk clubs and choirs that have sprung up online. That said, we’re really looking forward to when we can all get together for a proper ceilidh. Until then ..." – The Beeston Ceilidh Collective
Find more information about The Beeston Ceilidh Collective by visiting their website or Facebook page.
WEDNESDAY 6 MAY: WITHIN HER EYES FROM JAMES COUSINS COMPANY
Enter a secluded world where grief seals the bond between two acquaintances in a duet of fragile dependency.
Within Her Eyes takes the choreography from the internationally acclaimed stage production and places it on location for this intimate and awe-inspiring film. Originally created for the New Adventures Choreographer Award Showcase in 2012 and presented as part of the British Council Edinburgh Showcase 2013, Within Her Eyes has gone on to tour the world and astound audiences from Rio to Manilla.
James Cousins Company are one of the UK's brightest young dance companies, this year nominated as Best Independent Company at the National Dance Awards 2020. The company believe in the power and global accessibility of dance and are committed to creating dance productions and films that speak to and reach large diverse audiences.
You can find out more about James Cousins Company here.
MONDAY 4 MAY: XUEFEI YANG PERFORMS GENTE HUMILDE ('HUMBLE PEOPLE') BY GAROTO
Today's 'Pause Moment' has been recorded especially by one of the world's finest classical guitarists, Xuefei Yang to lift our spirit's during lockdown. Xuefei plays a lovely piece called Humble People by Brazilian composer Garoto. Garoto wrote this piece during a time when the world was experiencing disruption and was inspired by the dignity of ordinary people.
Xuefei has been a regular visitor to Lakeside over many years performing solo recitals, a duo recital with Natalie Clein and chamber music with the Heath Quartet. Memorably, she performed Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez with the University Philharmonia in a free Summer Symphony in the Park held on Highfields Park some years ago, a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the student orchestra.
Xuefei has performed in over 50 countries with the world’s leading orchestras and has made acclaimed recordings for EMI Classics. Gramophone magazine named her as one of the leading innovators of her generation for her commitment to commissioning new works and making her own arrangements, particularly of Chinese and chamber music to add to the guitar repertoire. Currently, Lakeside is working with Xuefei to commission a new concerto for guitar and student chamber orchestra which combines elements of Chinese and western classical music.
You can find out more about artist Xuefei Yang here.
FRIDAY 1 MAY: I'VE GOT A BONE TO PICK WITH YOU BY ADRIAN MEALING
Today's moment is a poem by Adrian Mealing who is one half of The Very Grimm Brothers with his brother John Denton. This piece has been written specifically in light of lockdown with witty, real and charming honesty and we are delighted to share it with you.
Mealing's performance of his poem I've Got a Bone to Pick With You helps keep brilliant small scale performance alive in the hearts and minds of us all during lockdown.
WEDNESDAY 29 APRIL: JOSE AGUDO
Today's moment is shared by Jose Agudo showcasing various pieces of his work and choreography. Jose Agudo is a rehearsal director and assistant choreographer who began his dance career in 1992. Since then he has worked on several major works including DESH, Until the Lions, London 2012 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony and Sylvie Guillem's tour Life in Progress.
Inspired initially by flamenco dancing, Agudo began to draw himself closer to contemporary dance. His craft beautifully entangles movement with form, ritual, idea and energy choreographing dance through a changing physical landscape. His origins as a flamenco dancer still visibly shine as a continual source of inspiration in his dance.
We are very excited to be joined by Agudo Dance Company who will bring their contemporary adaptation of Prosper Merimée's classic portrait of individuality, freedom and pleasure - CARMEN - to Lakeside Arts in 2020-21.
You can find out more about the artist Jose Agudo by visiting his website here.
MONDAY 27 APRIL: AMBER FROST AND TOM KAY'S BLUE PLANET 2
Final-year Department of Music students, Amber Frost and Tom Kay, were inspired to devise a project for the University's Sustainability week in March with music that encapsulates our planet's beauty.
Amber explains: "The Blue Planet 2 project was created to join together UoN student composers and performers whilst highlighting the issues surrounding climate crisis. I wanted to create a way to address the ways in which human life is destroying the planet, but in a way that was more beautiful to the audience, so that they could appreciate what exists before it's too late, hence my choosing of the BBC's Blue Planet 2. The series as a whole perfectly encapsulates the beauty which our planet possesses, and by composing new music for the stunning video footage, it allowed musicians to really get into the soundworld of the planet and hopefully the concert was able to remind people that we are not alone in this world!"
The first piece is Kelp and Sea Dragons by Tom Kay. The second is Kobudai Fish by Amber Frost.
Join us and The University of Nottingham every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 10am to enjoy more Moments to Pause.