Special City Lit Workshop: Play the Strings with James Marshall and Gerald Finzi

City Lit are announcing a special opportunity for orchestral string players to join our brand-new String Workshop this March.

You'll have the chance to rehearse and perform with professional wind soloists, culminating in a performance featuring the UK premiere of Divertimento by renowned US composer James Marshall.

Designed for players of Grade 4 standard and higher, this workshop promises to be a unique experience.

In this two-day course, participants will have the chance to study and rehearse two exciting works: the UK premiere of Divertimento for clarinet, bassoon and strings by James Marshall, and Gerald Finzi's Five Bagatelles Op. 23 for clarinet and strings.

The course will be held at City Lit on Sunday 16th and 23rd March.  

James Marshall shared his enthusiasm for this collaboration: "I'm grateful to Robert Puzy for including the premiere of 'Divertimento' in the City Lit course performed by Alison Eales and Debbie Barnes. Alison has commissioned and premiered several of my pieces, and it’s an honour to have my work featured in this workshop." 

Marshall, who resides in Texas, is looking forward to his trip to London: "Travel to the UK needs to be planned well in advance, so this trip will be a special treat. I long to be there and experience the hustle and bustle of this international city." 

The course promises to be an enriching experience for all participants, offering the chance to work closely with seasoned professionals and the composer himself.

Alison Eales and Debbie Barnes, who have collaborated with Marshall before, bring their expertise and passion to this unique learning opportunity.

Marshall highlights the inspiration behind Divertimento: "The 'Divertimento' came to mind since Alison has been performing with Debbie Barnes (bassoon). They have programmed the Richard Strauss 'Duo Concertino' for Clarinet, Bassoon and String Orchestra. I chose the same scoring and a piece of moderately lighter fare. A divertimento is concert music, but not serious or ponderous." 

Reflecting on the outer movements of the piece, he adds: "The outer movements reflect the excitement and elation I feel traveling to London and experiencing the hustle and bustle of this international city. The second movement is very transcendent in mood. 'Make it like the mountains,' Alison once remarked." 

City Lit has a history of hosting premieres by James Marshall, including the Zoom premiere of his "Enchanted London" during the pandemic.

Marshall fondly recalls: "I composed 'Enchanted London' after my visit in 2019, and I am so honoured to have a third premiere hosted by City Lit." 

Music courses at City Lit

Explore playing with accompaniment or with a group on our ensemble courses for wind and string instruments.