News
 
"Songs of Triumphant Love is an enthralling novel: I couldn't stop reading. I got deeper and deeper into the very real world Jessica Duchen has created and just had to find out how it would unravel. Jessica writes with an unpredictable and original voice and a dazzling perceptiveness, and I was hooked from the first page. A sensational achievement."
JOANNA LUMLEY

2018
 

 
 


Thursday, 25 January 2018, Time:11:00

Cobham Library, The Cedar Centre, Cedar Road, Cobham, Surrey KT11 2AE
Coffee with Jessica Duchen.
A talk and Q&A about my novel 'Ghost Variations' over morning refreshments.
Tickets available from Cobham, Weybridge and Walton libraries.
Venue information here.



 
 

 
 


Saturday, 10 February 2018, Time:19:00 - 21:00

MAP Studio Caf
é, 48 Grafton Road, London NW5 CDU

WORDS AS MUSIC

Jessica Duchen
Miranda Gold
Lev Parikian
Tot Taylor
will be reading from their work and discussing the formative potential
of Literature that approaches - and often captures - the visceral power
of musical forms.
.
facebook booking link here | Eventbrite booking link here

... to enlarge, please click image

 
   
 
 
 

 
 

Thursday, 22 February 2018, 13:00
Leicester Lunchtime Classical Concerts, Leicester Art Gallery
GHOST VARIATIONS, The Concert of the Novel
A compact, one-hour adaptation of Ghost Variations for this splendid lunchtime series run by the amazing oboist Nicholas Daniel in the magnificent surroundings of Leicester’s Victorian art gallery.
More info here:
https://www.leicesterinternationalmusicfestival.org.uk/lunchtime-concerts-2017-8/






 
 

 
   

Author Jessica Duchen talks about her novel 'Ghost Variations' and the real incident that inspired it: the rediscovery in the 1930s, by the great violinist Jelly d'Arányi, of Schumann's long-suppressed Violin Concerto. Film by Zen Grisdale 

 
   
Recent Events 2018
 
   
 

 
Tuesday, 2 JANUARY 2018, 7.30pm - Lampeter House, Pembrokeshire

Usher in 2018 with a trip to the beautiful South Wales countryside and the private salon of Julian and Mami’s extraordinary home. Not too far from Carmarthen. Booking: please write to Julian at:
julian@lampeterhouse.com

 

 
 
more to come ....
 
Recent Events in
2017

Barnes Music Society
Monday, 20 Novembe 2017, 19:30
Barnes Music Society,
Venue: TBC
ALICIA'S GIFT, The Concert of the Novel
Viv McLean (piano), Jessica Duchen (author/narrator). Booking soon.


 

Sunday, 19 November 2017, 19:30
Burgh House, Hampstead
GHOST VARIATIONS, The Concert of the Novel
David Le Page (violin), Viv McLean (piano), Jessica Duchen (author/narrator). Booking soon.




Burgh House

 


Friday, 3 November 2017, Time: 19:30

Artix Arts Centre, Bromsgrove
GHOST VARIATIONS, The Concert of the Novel
David Le Page (violin), Viv McLean (piano), Jessica Duchen (author/narrator). AtrixArts Centre Booking Link





 


Monday, 23 October 2017, Time: 19:00

Crazy Coqs, Brasserie Zédel (just off Piccadilly Circus)
GHOST VARIATIONS, The Concert of the Novel
David Le Page (violin), Viv McLean (piano), Jessica Duchen (author/narrator). Brasserie Zedel info and Booking Link



Zedel
ZEDEL

Roxanna Panufnik's website





Garsington Opera commissions SILVER BIRCH, a new ‘People’s Opera’, music by Roxanna Panufnik, words by Jessica Duchen

Garsington Opera has commissioned a ‘people’s opera’, Silver Birch, designed to be performed by professional singers together with community and children’s choruses aged 8 upwards. A dynamic creative team has been engaged to create the 70-minute opera including Roxanna Panufnik (composer), Jessica Duchen (librettist), Karen Gillingham (director) and Douglas Boyd (conductor). The work aims to appeal to the broadest audience of all ages and levels of opera experience.

During the 2017 season the ‘people’s opera’, which is part of Garsington Opera’s Learning & Participation programme, will be performed on the main stage.

Recruitment of the 150 participants has already begun in local schools and community centres. Devising workshops took place in which schoolchildren and members of the local population joined the creative team to explore the theme of war and its universal impact on families, as well as the significance to them of World War 1.

Both the character and poetry of Siegfried Sassoon will play an important role within the piece, connecting the 2017 World War 1 commemorations with modern-day warfare. Performers include 5 professional singers, 2 child soloists, 50 primary school, 40 secondary school, 30 teenage dancers, 40 adults, 17 professional and 20 youth instrumentalists.

 
 
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, 28, 29, 30 July 2017, Time: TBC
Garsington Opera: SILVER BIRCH

World premiere performances of Roxanna Panufnik’s new opera with libretto by Jessica Duchen. Booking link coming soon.

Garsington Opera website announcement

 
Wednesday, 5 July 2017, 20:00
The Harpenden Arms,
188 High St, Harpenden AL5 2TR
Bibliophilia Book Blog
Jessica Duchen and fellow authors Jennie Ensor and Kerensa Jennings join forces for a lively discussion with Bibliophilia organiser Katherine Sunderland about using real life events in fiction. Book signings, raffle prizes, mingling, chat and and a goody-bag. Booking available on Eventbrite soon!

 
Wednesday, 4 May 2017, 18:30,
Sheen Bookshop ,
375 Upper Richmond Road, London SW14
Authors Jessica Duchen and Jennie Ensor discuss their Unbound novels, both thrillers concerning the "outsider" in London and based around real events. Jennie's BLIND SIDE is set in 2005 and my GHOST VARIATIONS in 1933. We'll interview each other, do readings and take some questions. A small admission charge can be deducted from the price when you buy one of our books. https://hewsonbooks.co.uk/the-sheen-bookshop

 
 

Thursday, 9 March 2017, 18:00
Royal Festival Hall, London:
Pre-concert interview with conductor Rafael Payare


who then takes the helm for the Philharmonia Orchestra.

Southbank Centre website with more information




Biography at Askonas Holt
Philharmonia Orchestra website
 
CBSO website
Wednesday, 8 March 2017, 18:15,
Pre-concert talk, Symphony Hall, Birmingham

Pre-concert talk for the CBSO, exploring the fascinating and little-known story behind Wolf-Ferrari’s Violin Concerto

Further information from the CBSO website (incl Booking Lin)

 
 

Tuesday, 31 January 2017, 19:30
Brundibar Arts Festival, Caedmon Hall, Gateshead: A WALK THROUGH THE END OF TIME,
with Messiaen’s Quartet for the End of Time.

Brundibar Arts Festival website (Link to come)



Brundibar Festival
2016
The Sage in Gateshead
Tuesday, 22 November 2016, 19:30
The Sage, Gateshead: HUNGARIAN DANCES, the Concert of the Novel

with Bradley Creswick (violin), Margaret Fingerhut (piano) and Jessica Duchen.

Further information from the Gatehead website

 

Saturday, 12 November 2016, 19:30
Helmsley Arts Centre, HUNGARIAN DANCES, the Concert of the Novel,


with Bradley Creswick (violin), Margaret Fingerhut (piano) and Jessica Duchen (narrator).

Jessica Duchen reads from her novel Hungarian Dances, about a gypsyviolinist during the onset of Nazism in Europe. Bradley Creswick, outstanding violinist and leader of the Royal Northern Sinfonia, finds that playing with friends is a vibrant part of his life and he relishes the chance to play again with superb pianist Margaret Fingerhut. The readings are interspersed with music by Brahms, Bartok, Kreisler, Monti and other gypsy inspired composers in a unique performance. -

Helmsleyarts website and Booking Link


Helmsley Arts Centre
Barnes Music Society - scroll to November 3rd
Thursday, 03 November 2016, 19:30
Barnes Music Society, The Old Sorting Office, London SW13: GHOST VARIATIONS

The Concert of the Novel, with David Le Page (violin), Viv McLean (piano)
and Jessica Duchen (narrator).

Barnes Music Society information for this concert (scroll down to 3 November)

 

Saturday, 29 October 2016, 14:30
Artrix, Bromsgrove Beethoven Quartetfest
,

Pre-concert talk re the women in Beethoven's life. Late morning event

More information about the Beethoven Quartetfest



  Saturday, 08 October 2016, 19:30 at St. Andrew's Church, Aysgarth
Alicia’s Gift: the concert of the novel

The Concert of the Novel, with Alicja Fiderkiewicz (piano) and Jessica Duchen (narrator). For this occasion, it's really Alicja's Gif

Wensleydale Concert Series website Link incl. Ticket information
Alicja Fiderkiewicz (piano) | Jessica Duchen
 

Tuesday, 04 October 2016, 19:30, Music at 22 Mansfield Street
Ghost Variations – The concert of the novel

Jessica Duchen – narrator, David Le Page – violin Viv Maclean – piano

To celebrate the launch of Jessica’s book about the life of the great Hungarian violinist Jelly d’Aranyi, her discovery of Schumann’s violin concerto and including works written for her

Booking information:

Book by email – boas22m@btinternet.com
If you do not have email then phone 020 7436 0344 or write to 22 Mansfield Street, London W1G 9NR.
We do not issue tickets but you should get confirmation of your booking


...Tickets:


 

Sunday, 25 September 2016, 18:00,
Wigmore Hall: Pre-Concert Talk with Angela Hewitt


Jessica interviews Angela Hewitt before the first concert in her new series The Bach Odyssey

Book Tickets for the Pre-Concert Talk here



Wednesday, 7 September 2016, 19:30
St Mary's, Perivale: GHOST VARIATIONS

The Concert of the Novel, with David Le Page (violin), Viv McLean (piano) and Jessica Duchen (narrator).

LINK to Music at St Mary's Website with more information.

 
CBSO website

Saturday, 23 April 2016, Symphony Hall Birmingham, 5.45pm
Pre-concert talk: It’s Shakespeare’s birthday!


I’ll be looking at the different ways composers have responded to the same Shakespeare story, none other than Romeo and Juliet. In the concert, Lahav Shani conducts the CBSO in Romeo and Juliets by Tchaikovsky and Prokofiev plus the Symphonic Dances from Bernstein’s West Side Story.

More information from the CBSO website
 

Saturday, 20 February 2016, 2pm, Wigmore Hall
Alicia’s Gift: the concert of the novel

Viv McLean (piano) and I join forces at the mighty Wigmore Hall to explore the world of the child prodigy pianist attempting to grow up, through the narrative of my novel and fabulous piano music from Viv, with repertoire including music by Chopin, Debussy, Ravel, Granados and Gershwin. The performance will be followed at 3.30pm by a panel discussion, which I’ll chair, on the subject of child prodigies. Speakers include Guy Johnston (cellist), Murray McLachan (head of piano at Chetham’s School of Music) and Michelle Castelletti (artistic director of the Royal Northern College of Music).
Tickets for the concert are £10 for adults and £8 for children (the performance is suitable for children over the age of about 9).

Booking Link for the concert at Wigmore Hall

Tickets for the panel discussion at 3.30pm are £4 each:
Link Here


 

Tuesday, 9 February 2016, 7.30pm, Hampton Court House
Alicia’s Gift: the concert of the novel


Viv McLean and I are delighted to present Alicia’s Gift in the historical surroundings of this exciting venue across the road from Hampton Court Palace. The performance will be followed by a discussion on the topic of gifted children, in which speakers include Guy Holloway, headmaster of the independent school at Hampton Court House.

More information from Hampton Court House
 


Sunday, 7 February 2016, 3pm, St Mary’s Perivale
Alicia’s Gift: the concert of the novel


The one-hour version of our narrated concert exploring the challenges facing a child prodigy trying to grow up is to feature as part of a performance by Viv McLean (piano) and friends. We’re looking forward to revisiting this gorgeous and atmospheric 12th-century church. Admission free, with retiring collection.

More information from St. Mary's


 
2015
 
July 2015
Tuesday 28 July 2015,
(afternoon Performance)

Fishguard Festival, Wales

I’m teaming up with the distinguished British pianist Peter Donohoe, artistic director of the Fishguard Festival, for a special performance of Alicia’s Gift, the concert of the novel.
Link to Festival Website

Fishguard Music Festival 2015
 
photo Sussie Ahlburg
 
 
June 2015
Ulverston International Music Festival

Friday, 12 June 2015, 6.15pm

Ulverston International Music Festival

Pre-concert talk with violinist Tasmin Little and pianist Martin Roscoe before their recital on the opening night of one of the Lake District’s most beautiful festivals.

More information here.


 


Monday, 22 - Friday, 26 June 2015
Istanbul Music Festival

It’s a tough job, but someone’s got to do it: I am giving a series of four pre-concert talks for the Istanbul International Festival, to be held in the garden of the Hagia Eirene Museum in the historic centre of this great and vibrant city…
.

Event information: http://muzik.iksv.org/en/events/229


22 June
The Young Chopin. Focusing on the Piano Concerto No.1, a look at the formative influences that shaped the youthful composer's style, and the qualities that made his work a landmark in the history of the piano. This evening Daniil Trifonov performs the concerto.


23 June
The Fantastical World of the French Baroque. An introduction to the way that the great French composers of this era reflected the imaginative glories of Louis XIV's court. Preceding a concert of glories featuring Magdalena Kožena (mezzo) and Emmanuelle Haïm (conductor)

24 June
Brahms, Schumann, Clara Schumann and Joseph Joachim: The Indivisibles. A look at the close connections between Brahms's music and these three vital figures in his life: his short-lived mentor, his lifelong muse and his most cantankerous friend, the violinist for whom he wrote his violin concerto. In the concert Christian Tetzlaff performs the concerto with the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen with conductor Paavo Järvi, and the Symphony No.1 completes the programme.

26 June
Mozart and the Violin. An exploration of Mozart's relationship with the figures who to him most represented the violin: his father, the violinist and teacher Leopold Mozart; and his later mentor, Joseph Haydn. Arabella Steinbacher and Maxim Rysanov feature with the Lausanne Chamber Orchestra in two of Mozart’s violin concertos and the Sinfonia Concertante.
 
May 2015
Thursday, 21 May 2015, 3.30pm
Classical:NEXT, De Doelen, Rotterdam

At the vibrant annual classical music trade fair Classical:NEXT
I’m chairing a networking meeting entitled ‘Music to Our Ears –
Creative Networking towards Gender Equality in the Music World’.

Our distinguished panel of speakers includes Gillian Moore, head of music at the Southbank Centre, Vanessa Reed, executive director of the PRS for Music Foundation, and Susanna Eastburn, chief executive of Sound and Music.


More information here
 
March 2015
 

 



Sunday, 29 March 2015
The Amati Exhibition at The Langham, London - 19:00

The great Hungarian virtuoso Roby Lakatos and his Gypsy fusion ensemble are giving a special cabaret-style performance as part of the Amati Exhibition at the Langham. As editor of The Amati Magazine, I’m introducing them.

Tickets are £24 and can be booked here:
http://magazine.amati.com/152-news/lakatos-play-amati-exhibition.html


Roby Lakatos and his Ensemble
 
January 2015
Wednesday, 28 January 2015 at 6.15pm
Symphony Hall, Birmingham

KORNGOLD SYMPHONY
Pre-Concert Talk at the CBSO: I revisit the life of Erich Wolfgang Korngold and explore his last great orchestral work, his Symphony in F sharp, which will enjoy a rare hearing in this concert by the CBSO and conductor Michael Seal.

 

 



Saturday, 24 January 2015
Richmondshire Subscription Concerts, North Yorkshire at Time: TBC


HUNGARIAN DANCES, the Concert of the Novel
Bradley Creswick (violin), Margaret Fingerhut (piano), Jessica Duchen (narrator).



Margaret Fingerhut-Jessica Duchen-Bradley Creswick
 

 
Melanie Spanswick met up with classical music journalist and author Jessica Duchen at Steinway Hall recently and they chatted about her career and forthcoming work. The third movement of Ravel's Sonatine which is featured at the beginning and end of this interview is an extract from a live concert given by pianist Viv McLean, who performs in Alicia's Gift with Jessica.
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PHILIPPE GRAFFIN biography CLAIRE DESERT information in French The Voice of Russia, English edition Download David le Page Viv McLean