Musical Notes

Extravagant music

GLASTONBURY Festival's annual Extravaganza at the town's Abbey Ruins is next weekend, 7th and 8th August, and there's a varied programme for lovers of pop and light classics.

On Saturday it's time to come up and see Michael Eavis and make him smile, when Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel open the proceedings for headline band Madness, turning the ancient ruins into a house of fun.

But the mood might be a little more serious on Sunday, when the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra return to Glastonbury, this time with violinist Nicola Benedetti, Blackpool-born soprano Jo Appleby and Welsh tenor Andrew Rees (the Young Welsh Singer of the Year 2000) as well as support from string quartet Raven – Stephanie (sister of Nicola) Benedetti, Kirsty Mangan, Natalie Holt and Rachael Lan.

For more details, log onto the website, www.glastonbury extravaganza.co.uk

Cowboys sing in Wells Cathedral

COWBOYS from the Texas rodeo are among more than 60 choristers from Houston on tour of the UK and coming to Wells Cathedral for a concert next Friday, 6th August, starting at 1pm.

They will be joined by accountants, federal judges, artists, computer experts, couture fashion and jewellry makers, oil and gas geologists, engineers, surgeons and a doctor of aerospace medicine in the lunchtime concert by the choir of St Martin's Episcopal Church. The full congregation has more than 8,000 members, making it the largest episcopal church in the United States.

The 61 choristers on the summer tour, with 20 others from the congregation, are following up a meeting with former Archbishop of Canterbury and previous Bishop of Bath and Wells, the Rt Revd Lord George Carey of Clifton, who confirmed more than 150 people in Houston at St Martin's last autumn.

The Archbishop was so full of praise for the choir, which is made up of a mixture of professional singers and amateurs, that the idea for the trip was formed.

The concert, called Songs of Praise and Devotion, has a varied programme which includes music from two continents and ranges in style from ancient to modern.

The choir will be directed by its newly-appointed choirmaster Kevin Riehle, and accompanied by director of music and parish organist Dr David Henning.

The choir will also sing Choral Evensong in Westminster Abbey next Tuesday 3rd August, with lunchtime concerts in Canterbury Cathedral on Wednesday and at St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle on Thursday.

King on tour

THE One Night of Elvis show, starring Lee Memphis King, makes four local stops on its nationwide tour.

Lee, who describes the show as a "serious tribute" is both producer and performer. The first half is devoted to the rock'n'roll years of the 50s, and after the interval the audience is taken to Las Vegas in The King's later years.

Costumes are authentic, and the band plays just like Presley's own Jordanaires and the big bands of the Vegas nights.

See it at Weymouth Pavilion on 4th and again on 26th August, at Yeovil's Octagon Theatre on 2nd September, and at Wimborne's Tivoli on 15th October.

Western swing

ST George's brings Texan band The Quebe (say kwaybee) Sisters to Bristol next Thursday, 5th August.

The hot Western swing from Fort Worth-based Grace, Sophia and Hulda Quebe brings the newest generation in a tradition that goes back to when Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys mixed country roots and classic jazz.

They play bluegrass, country and jazz standards, sing like an updated Andrews Sisters, and have performed at the Grand Ole Opry. The St George's gig is a cabaret-seated, sister-themed show, because the Quebes are supported by Laura and Charlotte Carrivick, the bluegrass-pickin', fiddlin' and singin' twins from south Devon.

Matthew's recital

WELLS Cathedral organist Matthew Owens gives the next recital in the Summer Organ Festival series, next Thursday, 5th August at 7.30.

Matthew, who is Master of Choristers as well as the cathedral's organist, has chosen a programme of works by JS Bach, Pachelbel, Kelly, Franck and Dupre.