Jonathan Leibovitz clarinet
Jo Havlat piano

Programme

Claude Debussy Première Rhapsodie, L. 116 (1909-10)
Edison Denisov Sonata for solo clarinet (1972)
Johannes Brahms Clarinet Sonata in E-flat, Op. 120 No. 2 (1894)
Francis Poulenc Sonate pour clarinette et piano, FP. 184 (1962)

Jonathan Leibovitz is an award-winning clarinettist and, over the past two seasons, has been announced as a prize-winner at the Young Classical Artists Trust and Concert Artists Guild International Auditions, a 2022 Classic FM ‘Rising Star’, a winner of the prestigious Arthur Waser Foundation and Lucerne Symphony Orchestra Award, and was announced as a Borletti-Buitoni Trust Fellowship Artist 2024.

As well as recitals across Europe - including at the Alte Oper Frankfurt, Konzerthaus Berlin, Concertgebouw Amsterdam, and Wigmore Hall - Jonathan's debut album Eastern Reflections was released in August on Delphian Records.

His accompanist (both in the recording and in this programme) is pianist Joseph Havlat. Joseph is a pianist, composer, and leading interpreter of new music, having collaborated with such composers as Hans Abrahamsen, John Adams, Thomas Adès, Gerald Barry, Brett Dean, Sir Harrison Birtwistle, Michael Finnissy, and Thomas Larcher. He studied at the Royal Academy of Music, where he is now a tutor.

Recent highlights include playing Adès’ In Seven Days with the LSO under the baton of the composer, as well as the premiere of his Növények at Wigmore Hall. In late 2021 he appeared with the BBC Philharmonic giving the premiere of Robert Laidlow’s piano concerto Warp, broadcast on BBC Radio 3, and in 2023 he made his solo recital debuts at King’s Place and Wigmore Hall in London, where he appeared five times in last year's season.

We are also delighted to be offering a young artist spotlight performance to recorder player Hassan Marzban, who is currently studying at the Junior Royal Academy of Music. Winner of the First Prize at the North London Festival of Music, the Croydon Performing Arts Festival Concerto Prize, the Royal Academy of Music Senior Woodwind Prize, and Woodwind finalist of the Gregynog Young Musician Competition, Hassan is dedicated to showcasing the recorder as a compelling solo instrument, demonstrating its depth and versatility in both historical and contemporary contexts.

He already has extensive experience as both a soloist and ensemble performer. His concerto debut took place in January 2024 with the London Mozart Players, and he has since performed concertos with the Academy Baroque players and the Chiswick chamber orchestra. Other notable engagements include his collaboration with the English National Opera in their production of Noye’s Fludde and a recent solo recital at the London International Festival of Early Music. Hassan will be accompanied by Matthew Gearing on percussion.

Programme

Anonymous Tre Fontane: Italian Medieval Dance

Isang Yun Der Affenspieler

Paul Leenhouts Big Baboon

The doors will open at 6.30pm and drinks will be available beforehand.

The Commons Café

The Commons Cafe at will stay open until 7pm especially for members of our audience, serving a choice of two seasonal dishes inspired by local, organic produce sourced from Bennison Farm CSA as well as other local farms & growers.

Pre-booking required: please e-mail commongroundcolchester@gmail.com

Caribbean Curry with Organic Rice & Spelt Chapati: seasonal vegetable curry in a mild Caribbean coconut sauce (Ve) - £14

The Commons Seasonal Bowl: a selection of roasted seasonal vegetables, organic quinoa & beans, house-made hummus, seasonal salad & pickles served on a socca pancake (GF Ve) - £11

A selection of cakes & baked goods, as well as organic barista coffee, herbal tea, soft drinks & alcohol will also available until 7pm when the cafe will close.