Artist Spotlight - Trumpeter Crispian Steele-Perkins

Crispian Steele-Perkins

Crispian Steele-Perkins is unquestionably one of the worlds most renowned trumpeters. His biography reads like the resume of several musicians as opposed to a singular trumpeter. The list of singers, classical and popular, that he has appeared with is remarkable including Kiri te Kanawa, Emma Kirkby, John Tomlinson, Bryn Terfel, Led Zeppelin, Kate Bush, Cliff Richard, Bob Geldof and Harry Secombe.  This list reflects an eclectic career that includes performing repertoire from Handel to Glenn Miller; Crispian can, for instance, be heard playing on the soundtracks of over 80 films from Jaws to The Life of Brian. He is treasured by fans of early music for his appearances with groups such as The Academy of Ancient Music, The Kings Consort and The English Baroque Soloists. Ahead of his appearance playing Bach with the Yorkshire Baroque Soloists and Yorkshire Bach Choir on Saturday 12 March we caught up with Crispian to ask him some questions about his music making and life. 

I’m guessing you’ve performed the Easter and Ascension Oratorios before, tell us more about how Bach writes for the trumpet in these particular pieces.
Bach never writes for the trumpet in the same way twice unless re-using material.  These two are amongst my favorites and I never cease to be amazed at the technical virtuosity that his players must have achieved at the time.

As a trumpeter, what are your 'Desert Island' pieces?
Maybe Hummel's Concerto in the correct key of E (not Eb) but I don't think there is yet a 100% satisfactory version on record.

What do you enjoy most about performing in York?
I like working with Peter Seymour and enjoy working with a fairly set team of excellent musicians. Nice audiences too !

Eddie Calvert 'Oh My Papa'

Is there any piece of music or repertoire that you haven’t had the opportunity to perform?
No. I love Handel's 'Occasional Oratorio' which rarely gets performed though.

As a youngster, did you ever have a eureka moment listening to or performing a certain piece of music?
As a 69 year old youngster I heard a Rumanian Gypsy Band - Eureka indeed !

What was the first ever record you bought?
'Oh My Papa' Eddie Calvert - 'The man with the golden trumpet'-

Who is the composer (dead or alive) that you’d most like to meet? 
Haydn

What do you sing in the shower? 
I HATE showers and I can't sing for toffees.

What is your most treasured possession? 
An Antique Trumpet (several)

[Here is a gallery of Crispian's instruments on his personal website]

Crispian and one of his motorbikes

You're in a karaoke bar and (voluntarily or non-voluntarily) you have to sing or perform, what would you sing? 
I would have pity on the public and keep silent.

When you’re not practising or performing, how else do you like to
spend your time? 

Motorbikes......






We look forward to hearing Crispian in the exhilarating trumpet-led choruses of JS Bach Easter Oratorio (BWV 249) and Ascension Oratorio (BWV 11).  The concert will also include Bach Mass in G minor (BWV 235).  

The concert will take place in St Michael le Belfrey, York on Saturday 12 March and further details on the concert and how to buy tickets can be found at: bit.ly/YBach

Further details on Crispian can be found on his website: http://www.crispiansteeleperkins.com/ 

Artist spotlight - Alto Nancy Cole

Nancy Cole

Nancy is the alto soloist for our forthcoming performance of Mozart Requiem and Haydn Maria Theresa Mass on Saturday 14 March. Originally from Lancashire, she is an alumni of Yorkshire Bach Choir and former music student at the University of York.  Now studying at the Royal College of Music she features as a soloist in a brand new recording of Bach with Yorkshire Baroque Soloists for Signum Records.


We begain by discussing the Mozart Requiem and Nancy commented:     It's a piece clouded in mystery! It's fascinating to think that Mozart never heard the final work as it was left incomplete by his early death. It certainly heightens the drama and the passion. I have sung it many times, and it remains one of my very favourites.

Tell me more about your time in York...
I studied here for two years and so it's always wonderful to return. It's such a welcoming place to come back to. Each time I come back it never feels like I've been away that long. And not a tube in sight!

What is the hardest thing about performing?
After all the preparations, the best thing you can do in performance is trust you know what your doing, not think too much and really enjoy the sensation of performing. Sometimes that can be the most difficult thing, but can lead to the best performances.

Is there any piece of music or repertoire that haven’t had the opportunity to perform yet but would like to?
I would love to perform the Sea Pictures with full orchestra one day. I've sung them with piano in the practice room but unleashing them with an Orchestra would be amazing.

Which living musician do you most admire?
I think Bryn Terfel is a fantastic personality. I love the way he sings classical music with such energy. He sings such a versatile amount of music, not just classical, without every compromising quality.

What is your musical guilty pleasure?
Music theatre. I've seen Wicked four times. 

Which non-classical musician would you love to work with?
I love folk music and how atmospheric it is. Dan Tyminski is one of my favourite artists - such a fantastic voice and spirit. 

When you’re not practicing or performing, how else do you like to spend your time?
After having resisted for many years, I like to exercise. Particularly with friends, like planning cycle trips or runs with obstacles...a group of us conquered a 'tough guy race' last year. And going to the theatre.

What keeps you awake at night?
Usually fragmented words of songs I'm learning going through my head. It can get very complicated in there.

What would your super power be?
The ability to remember everything you ever learnt.

Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?
Damien Lewis, Beyoncé, Joyce DiDonato, Emila Fox & Stephen Sondheim

We look forward to hearing Nancy singing alongside other soloists Wendy Goodson (Soprano), Jason Darnell (Tenor) & Jamie Wright (Bass) in Mozart Requiem and Haydn Maria Theresa Mass with Yorkshire Bach Choir and Yorkshire Baroque Soloists on Saturday 14 March at 7.30pm at St Michael le Belfrey, York.
 
Tickets are available in advance at the National Centre for Early Music by clicking here: bit.ly/1B5i263
 
Further details on Nancy Cole can be found on her website: www.nancyceciliacole.com
 
Nancy features on the new recording of JS Bach’s early version (1727) of St Matthew Passion (BWV 244b) which has just been released by Signum Records further details can be found here: Details of new recording