The King’s Lynn Music Society is promoted by the King’s Lynn Musical Society, its original name when established in 1891. It was reconstituted in 1996 . We arrange an annual series of eight monthly recitals and illustrated talks from September to May (excepting December).
We meet usually on the 3rd or 4th Wednesday of the month, in the Assembly Room of the Town Hall in Saturday Market Place, King’s Lynn, PE30 5DQ, opposite King’s Lynn Minster.
There are steep steps from the street to the venue but a lift is available. All meetings (except the AGM) start at 7.30pm and coffee is available from 7.00pm.
Those under 18 and in full time education and members of other societies affiliated to the Federation of Recorded Music Societies are welcome to attend without charge . Music teachers are also encouraged to bring their pupils without charge.
Annual membership is £50. Visitors are welcome to attend a single meeting and will be invited to make a donation (£10 is suggested) at the door. Those under 18 and in full time education and members of other societies affiliated to the Federation of Recorded Music Societies are welcome to attend without charge. Music teachers are also encouraged to bring their pupils without charge.
Further details may be obtained from the Secretary, by Email: kingslynnmusicsociety@gmail.com
OVER MY SHOULDER
For anyone who is a fan of 1930s stage and screen goddess Jessie Mathews, her song Over My Shoulder must be
one of their favourites. The song gives its title to a new entertainment telling the story of a curious connection
between Jessie Mathews and another very different singer, the international classical soprano Elisabeth
Schumann.
Each of these women was hugely famous in her day, and yet their names are hardly recognised now by younger generations of music-lovers. Over My Shoulder sets out to remedy this by weaving together the lives of these two women as an introduction to their music and work. The evening was inspired by the discovery of their graves in the same West London churchyard.
Jessie Mathews was the UK’s biggest female star at the box office during the 1930s, appearing in films opposite John Gielgud and Sonny Hate, and directed by Alfred Hitchcock and Carol Reed. Her most famous numbers include Dancing on the Ceiling, My Heart Stood Still and Parisien Pierrot, which was her breakthrough performance, understudying Gertrude Lawrence.
Elisabeth Schumann was born in Germany and made regular concert tours in the UK throughout her career as well as appearing at the Royal Opera, Covent Garden and the Proms. Elisabeth’s granddaughter still lives in London and attended the first performance of Over My Shoulder in 2017.
Over My Shoulder combines story-telling and singing to present the parallel lives of two remarkable women - their marriages, romantic scandals, falls from grace and remarkable come-backs are described alongside their music, ranging from Schubert to Rodgers & Hart to Strauss to Noël Coward.
Over My Shoulder with mezzo-soprano Clare McCaldin and pianist Paul Turner is performed for King’s Lynn Music Society on Wednesday 19th March 2020 at 7.30pm at the Assembly Room, Town Hall, Saturday Market Place, King’s Lynn PE30 5DQ
For more information see McCaldinArts.com
18/09/19 Charlotte Rowan violinist with pianist Charlotte Stevenson. Charlotte Rowan has gained recognition for her virtuosity and masterful command of her instrument and returns by popular request with her regular accompanist.
16/10/19 Riyad Nicolas Pianist. Syrian born International pianist and multi prize winner.
20/11/19 “Elgar by those who knew him.” Christopher Wiltshire from the Elgar Society East Anglian Branch gives an illustrated talk including a compilation of recordings by Elgar’s contemporaries.
15/01/20 Estevão Devides Classical Guitarist. Born and studied in Brazil he was selected by the Brazilian Ministry of Culture in 2013 to be part of a cultural exchange which included concerts at some King’s Lynn schools.
19/02/20 Emma Abbate and Julian Perkins Four hands at the Piano Emma and Julian have given keyboard duet recitals at many prestigious UK venues including the Royal Opera House and St John’s Smith Square.
18/03/20 “Over My Shoulder” performance by Clare McAldin mezzo-soprano and pianist Paul Turner telling the stories of two very different singers – Elisabeth Schumann, international classical soprano, and Jessie Matthews, darling of the 1930s stage and screen.
22/04/20 Leo Appel (violin) and Dominika Mak (piano), students from St John’s College Cambridge.
20/05/20 Jamal Aliyev cellist accompanied by Maksim Stsura, piano. Born in Azerbaijan, Jamal studied at Yehudi Menuhin School and Royal College of Music making his BBC Proms debut in 2017. This event is supported by Countess of Munster Musical Trust.
Links to other local music events include:
King`s Lynn Festival - offers talks, ballet, opera, orchestral concerts, jazz, folk, classical recitals and children's entertainment. The main festival takes place each year in July. In addition there are occasional concerts during the rest of the year. (www. kingslynnfestival.org.uk)
King`s Lynn Festival Chorus - gives three/four concerts a year locally and also performs elsewhere in East Anglia and abroad. (www.klfc.org.uk)
Norfolk Symphony Orchestra - plays regularly at the Corn Exchange, King`s Lynn. (www.nso-uk.co.uk)
Other useful links:
FRMS (Federation of Recorded Music Societies)
King’s Lynn Society of Arts and Sciences