Jack Campbell

Archived events – 2022

The American Song with May and Eyra

We’re so lucky that Lydia Brown, head of collaborative piano at the Juilliard School of Music, is visiting RCM to give masterclasses. Sopranos May Abercrombie and Eyra Norman, and myself will be performing together with many duos for the culmination of her visit. Enjoy the soothing expanse of Copland’s “Nature, the gentlest mother,” performed by May and I. Emily Dickinson’s gorgeous poem conjures up a countryside of peace and joy. Eyra and I shall dish up Leonard Bernstein’s deliciously witty “Plum pudding,” a bizarre and “rather grim” setting of his French recipe book. It might leave a bitter taste in your mouth, since Bernstein has tampered with the recipe for musical purposes!

one day in retrospect – premiere

“one day, in retrospect, the years of struggle will strike you as the most beautiful.” (Sigmund Freud) My composition One day in retrospect will premiere as part of an exciting evening of vibrant and sparkling pieces by RCM composers. The composition was developed in collaboration with my wonderful performers: Ruby Barber, trumpet; Dorothea Delbrück, oboe/cor anglais; and Mila Ferramosca, violin. It's inspired by paintings of the sea, traditionally a symbol of the soul, eternity, and nature. I was fascinated by how the sea can stand for diverse psychological states. On top of the music, there is a “thought–stream” of voices reading quotes about suffering and recovery. Includes voice recordings by: Ruby Barber George Campbell Olivia Carstairs Dafydd Jones

regrowth (graduation recital)

Someone, I can’t remember whom, said that Beethoven wrote joyful music when he was miserable. It was as if the musical world was an emotional inversion of the real world, and a way for him to cope. That’s exactly what comes to my mind about George Enescu’s Piano Sonata no. 3 in D major. Enescu wrote this sparkling, touching bundle of vivacious energy while he was cooped up in a gloomy flat with his partner, who sadly had dire mental health issues. The Sonata combines the spacious colour of Debussy and Ravel, the poignance of folksong, and delightful harpsichord-like touches. This concert is free and forms my graduation recital from the Royal College of Music, London. It’s open to the RCM community and the general public. The RCM may withdraw public access in exceptional circumstances, but it’s very likely to be public. The whole recital will be about moving from darkness into light, and regrowth after a harsh, desolate, metaphorical winter. It should be a quasi-theatrical musical experience with colourful lighting and some through-composed interludes by myself. Programme Expected start at 16:50, running for 55 minutes Svitlana Azarova: Chronometer Franz Schubert, arranged by Franz Liszt: Frühlingsglaube, Ständchen von Shakespeare, Am Meer Frédéric Chopin: Scherzo no. 4 in E major George Enescu: Sonata no. 3 in D major, op. 21 no. 3 Estimated finish time: 17:45

1936: Fishing – world premiere

One day on Brighton pier, a shy teenager makes an unlikely friend – the consequences of which haunt him for the rest of his life. I'm proud to be music director and pianist for '1936: Fishing', a cutting-edge LGBTQ+ chamber opera. It's one of an epic cycle of 17 operas, 'A Gay Century,' by Robert Ely and Peter Scott–Presland. The opera is produced by Homo Promos UK, one of the UK's oldest LGBTQ+ theatre companies.

1936: Fishing – concert performance

Our world premiere production of 'Fishing' visits London's vibrant LGBTQ+ community, for an intimate semi-staged performance in the peaceful surroundings of St. Anne's church. One day on Brighton pier, a shy teenager makes an unlikely friend – the consequences of which haunt him for the rest of his life. I'm proud to be music director and pianist for '1936: Fishing', a cutting-edge LGBTQ+ chamber opera. It's one of an epic cycle of 17 operas, 'A Gay Century,' by Robert Ely and Peter Scott–Presland. The opera is produced by Homo Promos UK, one of the UK's oldest LGBTQ+ theatre companies. Although this performance will not include scenery or theatrical lighting, the drama and passion of the music will shine through just as brightly. Tickets: £15 / £10 concessions

1936: Fishing – Lewisham Borough of Culture

Our third performance of Fishing is in the atmospheric, cathedral-like setting of All Saints' Hatcham Community Centre, an underappreciated, hidden gem of a hall. This performance is part of the Lewisham Borough of Culture 2022.* One day on Brighton pier, a shy teenager makes an unlikely friend – the consequences of which haunt him for the rest of his life. I'm proud to be music director and pianist for '1936: Fishing', a cutting-edge LGBTQ+ chamber opera. It's one of an epic cycle of 17 operas, 'A Gay Century,' by Robert Ely and Peter Scott–Presland. The opera is produced by Homo Promos UK, one of the UK's oldest LGBTQ+ theatre companies. Tickets: £15 / £10 concessions * we are proud to be part of the Lewisham Borough of Culture but we are not affiliated with the organising committee

1936: Fishing – Final Performance

Your last chance to see our world premiere production of 1936: Fishing in the grand theatrical setting of the Tower Theatre, Hackney. One day on Brighton pier, a shy teenager makes an unlikely friend – the consequences of which haunt him for the rest of his life. I'm proud to be music director and pianist for '1936: Fishing', a cutting-edge LGBTQ+ chamber opera. It's one of an epic cycle of 17 operas, 'A Gay Century,' by Robert Ely and Peter Scott–Presland. The opera is produced by Homo Promos UK, one of the UK's oldest LGBTQ+ theatre companies. Tickets: £15 / £10 concessions

1936: Fishing – The Watch Party

Join us online for an exclusive, free screening of our new opera on a true gay story, 1936: Fishing, with a special Q+A with performers and crew, including me! One day on Brighton pier, a shy teenager makes an unlikely friend – the consequences of which haunt him for the rest of his life. I'm proud to be music director and pianist for '1936: Fishing', a cutting-edge LGBTQ+ chamber opera. It's one of an epic cycle of 17 operas, 'A Gay Century,' by Robert Ely and Peter Scott–Presland. The opera is produced by Homo Promos UK, one of the UK's oldest LGBTQ+ theatre companies. This screening is free but you will need internet access and a computer, tablet, or phone that can join Zoom meetings. You can install the Zoom app from your app store or Zoom's website.

Music of the Earth – live premiere

A live premiere of my new electronic soundscape composition for Imperial College London's Music of the Earth project. Sign up for free now! This work is related to the theme of 'recycling and filtration' – repeating samples with gradually increasing effects (like layers of rock filtering water). The idea of recycling is to make something new out of existing things. The idea came to me when I was working with a noise reduction tool, and if you ‘misuse’ it then it generates a strange resonant ‘shadow’ of the sound. My piece is not 'didactic' – it's not telling you what to think. I wanted to play with sound and technology, alert you to the beauty of the world around you, and make you think for yourself.

Karlskrona Piano Festival: Rebel of the Keys & Jack Campbell

This event begins with a film screening about André Tchaikowsky, a mysterious, modest, musical genius. He is most famous for donating his skull to the Royal Shakespeare Company after his death but his music is deserving of fame on its own strengths. Following the film, I'll perform Tchaikowsky’s Inventions op.2 and Chopin's soul-searching Fantasie in F minor.

Karlskrona Piano Festival: in memoriam David Ferré

This concert is in memory of David Ferré, journalist and musicologist who devoted himself to the work of André Tchaikowsky. I'll premiere Prelude for David by composer Călin Humă.

Karlskrona Piano Festival: Finale

I'll be playing as a two piano duo with the wonderful international artist Peter Jablonski, my former teacher. We'll perform Grażnya Bacewicz’s Concerto for Piano (Peter is playing the solo part), and Lutosławski’s rabble-rousing Paganini Variations. Image by Hulki Okan Tabak / Unsplash.

in silent dreams @ Music and Ideas | reimagining early instruments

My composition 'in silent dreams' is performed with ghostly live electronics as part of Music and Ideas. Consort 21 founder Jane Chapman and I discuss how 'old' instruments meet 'new' ideas with Ingrid Pearson. The room for this talk has changed. It will now be in the Performance Hall, sub-basement. Please speak to RCM reception if you need step-free access. Baroque flute: Maria Filippova Chamber organ: Dominika Maszczyńska Live electronics: Jack Campbell

Windows looking inwards📍 Birmingham

A sneak preview of my concert on 19 November in Bushey, for a small invited audience. I’ll also be bringing some goodies from my concert in Sweden including reindeer - I mean Chopin and an improvisation on Lili Boulanger.

Windows looking inwards📍 Bushey

Alternative title: ‘how music stops me totally losing it’ Including the world premiere of 4 Humoresques by Robert Ely and the world premiere of my piece ‘song splinters‘. I’ll also be bringing some goodies from my concert in Sweden including reindeer - I mean Chopin and an improvisation on Lili Boulanger. As well as playing, I‘m probably going to talk about some of the music in the way of ‘what it means to me’ and how it stops me completely ‘losing it’ Entry is free; no ticket required; donations to the church are welcomed Programme: L. Boulanger~Jack Campbell: improvisation on “vous m’avez regardé avec toute votre âme” Schubert~Liszt: Am Meer, Ständchen von Shakespeare, Frühlingsglaube Jack Campbell: song splinters (world premiere)* Chopin: Fantasie in F Minor Robert Ely: Humoresques (world premiere)* * these pieces will have been performed once before at a private, invitation only event.