About Riverside Winds:
Riverside Winds is a London-based wind quintet known for performing both well-known and lesser-known works in the wind quintet repertoire. They have performed at various venues, including churches and festivals. Riverside Winds are a regular performer here at St John’s, where they are enjoying introducing the audience to the varied chamber music repertoire for wind and piano.
Richard Austen Flute
Miles Chapman Bassoon
Laura Wallace Oboe
Helen Cass Horn
Roy Simpson Clarinet
With Mikhail Dubov Piano
Programme:
August Klughardt (1847-1902)
Wind Quintet, Op. 79
August Klughardt belonged to the generation of German composers influenced by both Romantic lyricism and Wagnerian drama. His Wind Quintet, Op. 79, composed in 1898, is widely considered one of the gems of the wind chamber repertoire. Written late in his career, the quintet combines lyrical warmth with structural clarity, giving each instrument a distinctive voice while weaving them into a rich, balanced ensemble texture. The music moves between expressive lyricism, playful dialogue, and moments of grandeur, showcasing both virtuosity and sensitivity.
Allegro non Troppo ~ Allegro Vivace ~ Andante Grazioso ~ Adagio - Allegro Molto ~ Vivace
Vincent d’Indy (1851-1931)
Sarabande et Menuet, Op. 72
Vincent d’Indy, a pupil of César Franck and co-founder of the Schola Cantorum in Paris, was both a respected teacher and composer. His Sarabande et Menuet, written in 1907 for wind sextet, reflects his fascination with older dance forms revitalized through modern harmonic language. The Sarabande unfolds with noble restraint, its slow, stately character enriched by lush chromaticism. The Menuet, by contrast, is sprightly and rhythmically pointed, a gracious echo of the 18th century refracted through d’Indy’s refined orchestration.
Alexander Scriabin (1871-1915)
Prelude for Left Hand, Op. 9
Composed in 1894 after an injury to his right hand, Scriabin’s Prelude for Left Hand displays remarkable virtuosity and poetic depth. Its flowing lyricism and harmonic richness belie the one-handed limitation, creating the impression of two hands. The piece demonstrates Scriabin’s early romantic style infused with expressive intensity.
Frank Bridge (1879-1941)
A Vigil for Left Hand
Frank Bridge, a versatile English composer, wrote A Vigil for the pianist Douglas Fox, who lost his right arm in World War I. Meditative and restrained, the piece conveys dignity and quiet resilience. With its subtle harmonies and spacious textures, it transforms limitation into poignant expressive power.
Theodor Blumer (1881-1964)
Sextett, Op. 45
The German composer Theodor Blumer (1881–1964) is best remembered for his chamber works, which often display a warm romanticism tempered by clarity of texture. His Sextett, scored for wind quintet and piano, exemplifies his gift for blending lush harmonies with lively counterpoint. Written in the interwar years, this theme and variations balances playful lightness with lyrical expansiveness, offering each instrument moments of character and voice. The music reflects Blumer’s stylistic roots in late Romantic tradition, yet hints at a neoclassical precision.
Thema ~ Improvisation ~ Capriccio ~ Pastorale ~ Skavischer Tanz ~ Romanze ~ Humoreske ~ Finale
Your donations:
Thanks to the generosity of our performers, our audiences, and not to forget our cake-makers, we are able to maintain the life of this parish and the fabric of the building, we hope, for generations to come. Thank you to everyone for your continued support in attending and performing for these concerts. There is much to do to secure the future of St John’s, its building and its community life but we are hugely optimistic because of the backing for events such as today’s concert.
Find our Church:
St John the Evangelist, Upper Norwood
Sylvan Road, SE19 2RX, London
Free Parking
Available on Auckland Road, Sylvan Road, and the surrounding areas.
Public Transport
Bus Routes: 249, 410, SL6, N68, 196
Closest Train Station: Crystal Palace (approximately 0.6 miles away)
Contact Us
Any questions? Please visit our Contact Page or email us at office@sjun.org.uk.