Malvern Concert Club: New London Chamber Ensemble: Wind Quintet

Robert Manasse flute
Melanie Ragge oboe
Neyire Ashworth clarinet
Stephen Stirling horn
Fraser Gordon bassoon
with Michael Dussek piano

Beethoven Quintet in E flat, Op. 16

Nielsen Wind Quintet, Op. 43

Poulenc Flute Sonata, FP164

Mozart Quintet in E flat, K.452

For almost two decades, the New London Chamber Ensemble has challenged traditional ideas of chamber music with its innovative programmes, combining classic repertoire with semi-staged works incorporating drama, speech and action.

Concert appearances have taken NLCE all over the world. Highlights include: King’s Place, London; premieres at the Cheltenham Festival, 2011 and 2014; Courthouse Music, Sweden; Banff Festival, Canada; collaborating with pianist Angela Hewitt at the Trasimeno Festival, Perugia and Wigmore Hall, London; Two Moors Festival, performing Walton’s Façade with Prunella Scales and Timothy West; collaborating with the Dante String Quartet at the Swaledale Festival and Wigmore Hall; The Forge, London with pianist Michael Dussek; Leeds International Concert Season; and Hull City of Culture with Simon Callow.

NLCE is passionately dedicated to new music, and regularly commissions new works: composers include Edward Longstaff, John Woolrich, Philip Cashian, Martin Butler, Julian Philips and Sally Beamish. Their critically acclaimed recording of the chamber music of John Woolrich includes a new commission to celebrate the composer’s 50th birthday.

NLCE is committed to outreach and education. They are Ensemble in Residence to the National Youth Chamber Orchestra, and give masterclasses and coaching for music colleges, schools and youth music groups. In 2012 they commissioned a new dectet Settala’s Machine by Philip Cashian, as a side-by-side project to be performed with young musicians.

“Winning charm and a strong sense of coherence” – BBC Music Magazine