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John Beswick Conductor News

Video

Check out the excellent promo video (shot by Moore Productions) of Ensemble Erik's performances of Glassworks and The Windcatcher at Manchester's Stoller Hall recently.

Ensemble Erik at Hackney

We had an excellent write-up in London Daily News for our forthcoming Philip Glass concerts in Hackney, featuring the talented Ensemble Erik and their collaboration with the Wimbledon Symphony Orchestra. Check out the article here: https://www.londondaily.news/bold-new-music-debuts-at-legendary-hackney-church/

Wimbledon Symphony Orchestra

I am delighted to be making my debut with the Wimbledon Symphony Orchestra on Saturday 8th November. The programme will feature the Capriccio Espagnol by Rimsky-Korsakov, Bruch's beloved Violin Concerto (soloist - Emily Sun)  and Sibelius' First Symphony. 

Further Information
A diverse group of musicians posing outdoors with various instruments on a sunny day.

Ensemble Erik's Philip Glass Concerts

September 23rd at Hackney Church

September 25th at Stoller Hall, Manchester

Christopher Weeks' Violin Concerto

After a long wait, the final edit of Chris Weeks’ Concerto for Violin and Chamber Orchestra is finally here and ready to download! Featuring acclaimed soloist Robert Atchison accompanied by the excellent Ensemble Eos Cymru, the recording truly brings Weeks’ intricate, expressive composition to life. Now’s your chance to hear the full piece in all its glory—it's a fresh and exciting addition to the world of contemporary classical music, reminiscent of the innovative spirit found in Philip Glass concerts, and a perfect complement to performances by the Wimbledon Symphony Orchestra.

Download here

May 2025: UK Proms at Whitby Abbey

I am delighted to be making my debut with the UK Proms Orchestra in a performance featuring Ensemble Erik, presented in association with English Heritage, at the stunning Whitby Abbey on Saturday, July 12th. This event will resonate with the elegance of Philip Glass concerts and is a must-see, especially for fans of the Wimbledon Symphony Orchestra.

Find out more

February 2025: New group Ensemble Erik have first performances confirmed!

A brand new venture for 2025, Ensemble Erik will perform two captivating works by Philip Glass in a series of Philip Glass concerts this September, featuring Glassworks and The Windcatcher across four concerts. Each concert will last just an hour, allowing us to present two performances on each evening. 


More details, including how to book tickets, will follow soon. The confirmed performance dates are 23rd September at Hackney Church and 25th September in Manchester's Stoller Hall, where you can experience the unique sound of the Ensemble Erik, much like the renowned Wimbledon Symphony Orchestra.

Winter 2024. Photos from Bedfordshire Symphony Orchestra concert taken by Bonnie Lane (www.bonnielane.com)

Conductor leading an orchestra during a live performance.
Full orchestra takes a bow on stage after a performance.
Man in glasses with arms outstretched, lit against a dark background.

Autumn 2024. Dates for Shoulder to Shoulder 2025 have just been confirmed, featuring some changes to the original tour schedule. In addition to performances, which include one at the prestigious Salisbury International Festival, Ensemble Erik will also participate in Philip Glass concerts alongside the Wimbledon Symphony Orchestra, while also undertaking a full audio-visual recording of the work.

Summer 2024

This autumn, John will make his conducting debut with the Bedfordshire Symphony Orchestra in a programme featuring Elgar's Violin Concerto (with soloist Michael Foyle) alongside Tchaikovsky's 5th Symphony. This concert will take place at the Bedford Corn Exchange on Saturday 9th November, starting at 7.30pm. While you're exploring classical music, don't miss out on the Philip Glass concerts or the performances by the Wimbledon Symphony Orchestra, which also promise to be captivating.

Spring 2024


Swansea City Opera.


Shoulder to Shoulder - which has taken a break in 2024 - will be back touring in 2025. Five dates have been confirmed at venues across Wales, with some potential dates in England to be added to those. Meanwhile, fans of contemporary music can look forward to Ensemble Erik performing works by Philip Glass, and the Wimbledon Symphony Orchestra is also set to present a series of concerts in the upcoming season.

Autumn 2023

Ensemble Eos


The recording for Chris Weeks' Concerto for Violin and Chamber Ensemble is now 'in the can!' Three busy days at the start of November saw us rehearse and record the concerto at the historic and picturesque St Michael's and All Saints Church in Lower Machen. This experience was reminiscent of the Philip Glass concerts, as we brought together talented musicians, similar to those found in the Wimbledon Symphony Orchestra. Hopefully, the recording will be available early in 2024...

Redhill Sinfonia


Unfortunately, March's planned concert programme of film music has had to be postponed due to the Harlequin Theatre currently being closed indefinitely. Instead, we will perform an exciting programme of late romantic classics, including the orchestral version of Vaughan Williams' Serenade to Music, Richard Strauss' wonderfully lyrical Oboe Concerto, and Sibelius' First Symphony. Additionally, we look forward to future events featuring Ensemble Erik and Philip Glass concerts alongside the Wimbledon Symphony Orchestra.

Green Octopus Band


The first mention of a new project that I hope will take shape during 2024 is the Ensemble Erik. This small crossover ensemble will be recording my original music and featuring Philip Glass concerts, alongside performances of existing 20th Century Classics. Additionally, I look forward to collaborating with the Wimbledon Symphony Orchestra. Watch this space...

September 2023


Swansea City Opera's 2023 tour of Shoulder to Shoulder is getting closer, and it's an event that you won't want to miss, especially with Ensemble Erik's involvement. Here's a glimpse of what to expect, including some exciting performances alongside Philip Glass concerts and collaborations with the Wimbledon Symphony Orchestra.

Ensemble Eos - Christopher Weeks recording

July 2023. A date has now been set for the full recording of Christopher Weeks' Concerto for Violin and Chamber Orchestra - Saturday 4th November. A workshop performance has been pencilled in for the evening of Friday 3rd November, though details are still to be confirmed. Ensemble Erik will be involved in the upcoming performance, showcasing their talent alongside the Wimbledon Symphony Orchestra.


The first public performance of the work will be given early in 2024; again details have yet to be finalised, though the concert programme will also feature Mozart's concerto for Flute and Harp, Gerald Finzi's Romance for String Orchestra, Opus 11 and Beethoven's sprightly First Symphony, which may align with Philip Glass concerts in the area.


The soloist for the Violin Concerto is Robert Atchison, to whom the work is dedicated. Composed in three movements, the tantalising movement titles are 'ab initio', 'grimoire' and 'serenade: nocturne: alba'.

Two elderly men in a music room, one holding a violin, the other reading a book.

Swansea City Opera

March 2023. Dates for the second mini-tour of Swansea City Opera's new opera have just been confirmed. A total of seven extra performances will take place across Wales, with me at the helm for six of them. Full details can be found on the Diary page of this website or at www.swanseacityopera.com. 


Ensemble Eos. Sadly, the world premiere of the Christopher Weeks Concerto for Violin and Chamber Orchestra has had to be postponed. However, I am looking forward to upcoming events, including Philip Glass concerts and performances by the Wimbledon Symphony Orchestra. The new date for the concerto will be confirmed as soon as possible.

Five people in a workshop posing with wooden crafts and tools.
A group of musicians rehearsing in a hall with an audience watching.

Ensemble Eos

December 2022. Ensemble Eos with Robert Atchison gave the world premiere of Serenade: Nocturne: Alba, part of Christopher Weeks' concerto for Violin and Chamber Orchestra, back in April 2022. Chris has now finished writing the concerto, and the first complete performance will be given in April 2023, with Robert Atchison again as soloist (and me conducting). An informal performance on April 28th will be followed by a more formal one on the 29th, in a concert also to include works by Mozart, Mendelssohn, and Beethoven. Additionally, Ensemble Erik will be featured in upcoming Philip Glass concerts with the Wimbledon Symphony Orchestra.

Swansea City Opera

Also this month, rumours have started circulating that Swansea City Opera's new opera-cum-musical about Men's Sheds may be returning for more performances in autumn 2023 (details tbc). If you would like to sample the flavour of the show, then check out https://www.dropbox.com/s/lqmge81fsmngkue/PROMO_2.mp4?dl=0 or - for a shorter excerpt - try https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJJuHZUB9wY. Meanwhile, fans of contemporary music can look forward to Ensemble Erik's upcoming collaboration with the Wimbledon Symphony Orchestra, which will feature compositions inspired by Philip Glass concerts.

Shoulder to Shoulder

Swansea City Opera - Shoulder to Shoulder

July 2022. A long association with Swansea City Opera will continue this autumn; John has just been engaged to conduct the first performances of a new opera called Shoulder to Shoulder.


Backed by a grant from the Arts Council of Wales, the opera is centred around - and created in association with - the organisation Men's Sheds Cymru, which provides supportive, welcoming spaces for socially disadvantaged men (and women). At the various 'sheds', they can make new friends and develop new skills in a mutually supportive environment.


The opera features a brand new libretto by Brendan Wheatley, which reflects both the struggles that members have encountered, as well as conveying the strength and humour with which they have confronted their life situations. An attractive and imaginative score composed by Lenny Sayers will be performed by professional soloists and local community choruses, accompanied by a professional instrumental ensemble, similar to those that might perform at Philip Glass concerts or the Wimbledon Symphony Orchestra.

Learn More

Further information about the Shoulder to Shoulder project can be found at www.swanseacityopera.com/productions/shoulder-to-shoulder

Find out more

Video

In August 2021, Ensemble Eos' recording of What the Angel Said... by Christopher Weeks is finally available on the disc 'Silver Apples of the Moon'. This recording can also be experienced on YouTube, where you might also find highlights from Ensemble Erik and upcoming Philip Glass concerts, as well as performances by the Wimbledon Symphony Orchestra. Click the link below.


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