St Martin’s Church presents tribute concert to Scarborough legend Max Jaffa
The pre-Raphaelite interior of St Martin’s Church is to be the setting for a number of forthcoming events over the summer.
A programme of lunchtime concerts has been organised by former English National Opera singer and South Cliff resident Harry Henderson, in collaboration with the new priest and classical music aficionado Father James Kenny.
One such event this month titled ‘Escape to Happiness! A Musical Tribute to Max Jaffa’ features the virtuoso violinist Andy Long accompanied by pianist Ian Buckle who will be playing the newly installed grand piano donated by a congregation member, with a selection of light classics.
Formerly of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and Opera North, Andy Long recently performed with the Scarborough Symphony Orchestra as the guest soloist to a packed Queen Street Methodist Hall with a spectacular All-Russian-themed repertoire of the country’s orchestral masterpieces.
The duo will perform pieces including ‘Melodie’ by Gluck, ‘Love is Like a Violin’, the ‘Ladies in Lavender’ theme, the intermezzo from ‘Escape to Happiness’ and ‘Gypsy Carnival’.
The late Max Jaffa OBE led Scarborough Spa Orchestra from 1956-86.
Other St. Martin’s concerts in the itinerary include ‘The English Clarinet’ with Jonathan Sage and pianist Paul Feehan on Thursday July 2 and ‘A Musical Journey to the Orient with Rebecca Smith and her Palm Court Trio on Thursday August 6.
St. Martin’s is also the venue this month for one of the current Big Ideas By The Sea classical music concerts with the debut festival appearance of opera singer Anna Dias on Friday May 22 at 7.30pm.
Soprano Miss Dias, who is also the Head of Prep School Music at Scarborough College, will be accompanied by pianist David Murray in this the latest in a series of solo recitals.
Escape to Happiness! A Musical Tribute to Max Jaffa is on Thursday May 28 from 11am-12.30pm at St Martin on the Hill Church, Albion Road, Scarborough.
Tickets are available from Record Revivals in Northway or on the door priced £15.
Details of all forthcoming events are available on the church website at friendsofstmartins.co.uk
More information about Big Ideas By The Sea can be found at bigideasbythesea.com