Maestro Alexander Walker Presented with the Elgar Society Medal

14 October 2018 at 19:00
Cadogan Hall

Conductor Alexander Walker has been a champion of British music and Elgar in particular over many years, performing his music both in the UK and in places as far flung as Belarus, Russia, Poland and Turkey. The Elgar Society is delighted to recognize his contribution to the appreciation of Elgar’s music – The Elgar Society

LONDON, ENGLAND, 8 October 2018 – In an onstage presentation following Sunday, 14 October 2018 performance of Elgar’s Violin Concerto in B minor, Op. 61 with violinist Alda Dizdari and Southbank Sinfonia at the Cadogan Hall, conductor Alexander Walker will be presented with the Elgar Medal by the Elgar Society of Great Britain. Featured on the program is also Dvorak’s Symphony No. 8.

The Elgar Society Medal is awarded to those who have demonstrated continued dedication and passion to the advocacy of the life and works of Sir Edward Elgar. Previous recipients of the award include Sir Andrew Davies, Vladimir Ashkenazy and Daniel Barenboim. In response to receiving the award, Maestro Walker made the following statement:

“I am delighted to be awarded the Elgar Medal, which I understand to be the highest honour the Elgar Society can bestow. It is humbling to receive an award that has previously been given to so many distinguished musicians. Moreover, it is always a joy to conduct Elgar’s extraordinary music and it has been a privilege to introduce countless audiences and orchestras to it over the years. Musicians and public alike never fail to respond to the depth of expression and power of this music which continues to surprise, delight and nourish me spiritually.”

Since making his debut in Minsk, Belarus, conducting the Belarussian premiere of Enigma Variations with the Belarussian State Philharmonic Orchestra, the music of Elgar has remained a central focus and great passion in the life and work of Maestro Alexander Walker. He has championed the music of Edward Elgar to audiences internationally, including performances in Finland, Poland, Russia, Romania, Albania, and Turkey. These performances have included a number of national premieres. In addition to performances throughout the world, he has conducted Elgar’s music in his homeland of Great Britain, collaborating with British orchestras closely associated with the composer’s music. These have included the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, with whom highlights included a concert he conducted given in honour of Elgar’s Birthday in the composer’s home city of Malvern. In addition to performing the well-established works such as the symphonies, the cello and violin concertos, The Music Makers, Falstaff and In the South, he has also been an advocate for lesser known works such as Froissart, Polonia and The Spirit of England. Forthcoming engagements include Enigma Variations with the Albanian National Radio and Television Orchestra.

Maestro Walker’s current repertoire of special projects include the Alma Mahler Chamber Music Project, and the Waghalter Project which celebrates the life of Polish-Jewish composer and conductor Ignatz Waghalter, who with great vision, organized the first all African-American orchestra in New York City in 1938. His pioneering performances of the symphonies of Havergal Brian for Naxos have achieved both popular and critical acclaim.

CALENDAR LISTING

EVENT: Southbank Sinfonia with Maestro Alexander Walker and violinist Alda Dizdari
PROGRAMME: Maestro Alexander Walker Presented with the Elgar Society Medal. Southbank Sinfonia performs Elgar’s masterpiece – Violin Concerto in B minor, Op. 61 with a sensational violinist Alda Dizdari and Dvorak’s Symphony no. 8 in G major, op. 88

DATE: Sunday, 14 October
PLACE: 5 Sloane Terrace, London, Greater London, SW1X 9DQ, United Kingdom
TIME: 19:00
COST: £25, £20, £15

Students under 24: £10 off bottom price (available in person with valid student card)

TICKETS and INFORMATION: tel. 020 7730 4500, http://www.cadoganhall.com

PHOTOS: hi-res photos available for download

Blog post about Alexander Walker’s journey with Elgar

RECORDINGS:

REVIEWS: BRIAN Symphonies – Nos 8, 21 & 26, Gramophone; Latest Album Reviews

Contact:
Lena Khandros + 1 (347) 309-8288 lena@momentumartists.com
Ania Perzanowska ania@momentumartists.com