
From Russia With Love
The inaugural SongEasel recital series, From Russia with Love, featured Russian repertoire in programmes that explored the cultural and political links between the former Soviet Union and Europe.
Freeman brings a full range of colours to her touch, as well as a sensitive response to harmony and terrific control of texture.
The award-winning Welsh collaborative pianist and conductor Jocelyn Freeman is lauded for her artistry, programming and powers of communication. She is an advocate for diversity in a range of artistic endeavours, and a skilled communicator on the concert platform, and in broadcast, recording and social media. Founder-director and curator of SongEasel, an initiative established to provide a platform for song in South East London, Jocelyn has curated extensive concert and recording projects to wide critical acclaim.
Jocelyn’s engagements have taken her to four continents including broadcasts in the UK and Germany; performances in the Wigmore Hall, the Royal Albert Hall, Oxford’s Sheldonian Theatre and the Sage, Gateshead; and awards from Internationale Hugo-Wolf-Academie, International Marlow Concerto Competition and Snape Maltings. Notable collaborations feature Jamal Aliyev, Fleur Barron, the Broomwood Ensemble, Stuart Jackson, Gareth Brynmor John, the Lakewood Sinfonia, Stephan Loges, Joseph Shiner, Elin Manahan Thomas and Julien Van Mellaerts.
A prize-winning graduate of the Royal Academy of Music, Jocelyn’s repertoire champions standard song and concerto repertoire alongside lesser-known and contemporary composers. Her discography comprises releases with Kissan Records, Ty Cerdd and Orchid Classics.
Jocelyn is grateful for the support of the Carne Trust, Victor Wood, the Oleg Prokofiev Trust, the Nicholas Boas Foundation and Arts Council England.
… ever-sensitive… exemplary, whether taking the lead or in discreet support.
SongEasel was established in 2018 to fill South East London with song. With threefold-aims to provide a platform for outstanding singers in the area; to bring new repertoire to established audiences; and to introduce standard repertoire to new audiences. Each series holds diversity and inclusivity at the heart of its mission, in harmony with showcasing exceptional musical quality at an international standard.
This year, The Wanderlust Series features Schubert’s song cycles in Blackheath Halls, and collaborations with leading instrumentalists in Catford. From Russia with Love in 2019 comprised four recitals in Blackheath Halls and four in Catford, featuring Russian repertoire in programmes that explored the cultural and political links between the former Soviet Union and Europe.
SongEasel would like to extend its deepest gratitude to the Arts Council England, Blackheath Halls, the Nicholas Boas Charitable Trust, St Laurence Church, Catford and the Oleg Prokofiev Trust.
The inaugural SongEasel recital series, From Russia with Love, featured Russian repertoire in programmes that explored the cultural and political links between the former Soviet Union and Europe.
The Wanderlust Series presents songs celebrating both the rewards of roaming in nature and the earnest world of inner, conflicting personal journeys.
I continue my Schubert cycle at Blackheath Halls with the wonderful American-Nigerian soprano, Francesca Chiejina, including a pre-concert talk with Dr Natasha Loges and Natasha Riordan at 5.45 pm, all as part of The Wanderlust Series.
Postponed – new date coming soon
Blackheath Halls
London SW3 9RQ
This recital concludes my Schubert cycle at Blackheath Halls, and I will be joined by the outstanding bass-baritone Stephan Loges, for this recital. There will also be a pre-concert talk with Dr Natasha Loges and Natasha Riordan at 5.45 pm, all as part of The Wanderlust Series.
7.00 pm, 20 Feb 2021
Blackheath Halls
London SW3 9RQ
My dear friends Elin Manahan Thomas and Joseph Shiner make their first appearances in Catford for this, the final recital of The Wanderlust Series. We will perform Schubert’s dazzling setting of Wilhelm Müller’s Shepherd on the Rock, alongside German and Italian works, paying homage to the poet’s love of Rome.
12.15, 21 Mar 2021
St Laurence Church
Catford SE6 2TS
I make a return visit to collaborate with Catherine Underwood and the Radcliffe Orchestra in Beethoven’s Third Piano Concerto.
7.45 pm, 12 June 2021
Tingewick Hall
John Radcliffe Hospital
Oxford OX3 9DU
The delightful mezzo-soprano Fleur Barron and I take an eclectic programme of song to this intimate venue.
2 July 2021
The Red House
Aldeburgh IP15 5PZ
I return to Oxford Proms to perform Beethoven’s Third Piano Concerto with Catherine Underwood and the Oxford Proms Orchestra.
7.30 pm, 7 Aug 2021
University Church
of St Mary the Virgin
Oxford OX1 4BJ
...with heavy, sooty piano chords, deftly shaded by Freeman, fading to a hushed end.
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