Concerts

Join us for 'Spain Inside a Piano': an eclectic musical journey through Spain from the 18th to 21st centuries with renowned Spanish concert pianist, composer, music critic and writer, Luis Agius. Premiered at the Casa Granada in Madrid in July 2018, this programme includes fundamental pieces by composers from Spain (or with strong connections to Spain) alongside music by Agius himself. The geographical-musical route that Agius presents covers the entire Spanish territory, from Cádiz to Finisterre, passing through Córdoba, Jaén, Granada, Barcelona, Toledo, Aranjuez, Madrid, Valencia and Mallorca.

Luis Agius piano

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Organised by the Iberian & Latin American Music Society (ILAMS) as part of Echoes Festival 2024 in collaboration with The Instituto Cervantes Manchester and the Consulate of Spain in the United Kingdom

TICKETS £20 | £15 Concessions

BOOKINGS eventbrite.co.uk

'An outstanding performance. ...La Guirlande make this beautiful music shine.' Scherzo Magazine

Spanish Baroque ensemble, La Guirlande, perform as part of their UK debut tour at London's newest classical music venue, Unit 24, with a virtuosic programme of Spanish 18th-century works. The cosmopolitan zeitgeist of the Enlightenment compelled aristocrats, intellectuals and artists to travel freely across Europe, giving rise to the figure of the touring virtuoso. These musicians exploited the rise of the public concert phenomenon, spending part of the season touring different cities performing their own music. Whilst Spain is not considered one of Europe's principal 18th-century music centres, neither was it was lacking in illustrious virtuosi: the oboist brothers Josep and Joan Baptista Pla; the violinist Joaquín Nicolás Ximénez Brufal; the flautist Felipe Lluch; the cellist Giacomo Facco, and the organist Joan Cabanilles all enjoyed international touring careers. London was an important post on the European concert circuit and thus played a crucial part in promoting the careers of these Spanish composer-performers. This delightful programme shines an important light on the close historical cultural relations between Spain and Great Britain at a time when Europe was musically united and musicians were able to easily cross borders. A special opportunity to enjoy the music of Spanish composers rarely heard here since their original presentations in the 18th century!

La Guirlande Ensemble

Since their foundation in 2016, La Guirlande have established a reputation as one of the leading and most versatile ensembles specialising in historically informed performance of 18th and 19th century music where the flute plays a central role. The use of original period instruments or their replicas, as well as thorough historical research on performance practices, underpin La Guirlande’s main purpose: to achieve a performance of the repertoire as near to the original idea of each composer as possible. La Guirlande is formed by renowned musicians in the field of historically-informed performance, all graduates of Europe's pre-eminent schools for Early Music and performers in Europe's top ensembles and orchestras. La Guirlande take their name from the iconic Apollonian laurel wreath, symbolising wisdom, honour and achievement.

SNEAK PEEK! Video Clip

Organised by the Iberian & Latin American Music Society (ILAMS) as part of Echoes Festival 2024 in collaboration with the Instituto Cervantes London and Pixaudio, with the kind support of Acción Cultural Española and the Spanish Embassy

TICKETS £25 | £17.50 | £12.50 ILAMS Members | Free admission to Friends of Echoes Festival (email info@ilams.org.uk to join)

BOOKINGS eventbrite.co.uk

'An outstanding performance. ...La Guirlande make this beautiful music shine.' Scherzo Magazine

Spanish Baroque ensemble, La Guirlande, perform on their UK debut tour at London's newest classical music venue, Unit 24, with a virtuosic programme of Spanish 18th-century works. The cosmopolitan zeitgeist of the Enlightenment compelled aristocrats, intellectuals and artists to travel freely across Europe, giving rise to the figure of the touring virtuoso. These musicians exploited the rise of the public concert phenomenon, spending part of the season touring different cities performing their own music. Whilst Spain is not considered one of Europe's principal 18th-century music centres, neither was it was lacking in illustrious virtuosi: the oboist brothers Josep and Joan Baptista Pla; the violinist Joaquín Nicolás Ximénez Brufal; the flautist Felipe Lluch; the cellist Giacomo Facco, and the organist Joan Cabanilles all enjoyed international touring careers. London was an important post on the European concert circuit and thus played a crucial part in promoting the careers of these Spanish composer-performers. This delightful programme shines an important light on the close historical cultural relations between Spain and Great Britain at a time when Europe was musically united and musicians were able to easily cross borders. A special opportunity to enjoy the music of Spanish composers rarely heard here since their original presentations in the 18th century!

La Guirlande Ensemble

Since their foundation in 2016, La Guirlande have established a reputation as one of the leading and most versatile ensembles specialising in historically informed performance of 18th and 19th century music where the flute plays a central role. The use of original period instruments or their replicas, as well as thorough historical research on performance practices underpin La Guirlande’s main purpose: to achieve a performance of the repertoire as near to the original idea of each composer as possible. La Guirlande is formed by renowned musicians in the field of historically-informed performance, all graduates of Europe's pre-eminent schools for Early Music and performers in Europe's top ensembles and orchestras. La Guirlande take their name from the iconic Apollonian laurel wreath, symbolising wisdom, honour and achievement.

SNEAK PEEK! Video Clip

Organised by the Iberian & Latin American Music Society (ILAMS) as part of Echoes Festival 2024 in collaboration with the Instituto Cervantes Manchester, with the kind support of Acción Cultural Española and the Spanish Embassy

TICKETS £20 | £15 | £10 ILAMS Members | Free admission to Friends of Echoes Festival (email info@ilams.org.uk to join)

BOOKINGS eventbrite.co.uk

‘Utterly mesmerising.’ Classical Unlocked

“A fabulous performer.” BBC Radio 3

Join us this December 13th for what promises to be a Christmas concert like no other. Ancient chants and toe-tapping rhythms collide in this unique event journeying through a millennium of early Latin and Hispanic sacred Christmas music treasures, including the UK premiere of a villancico by Cuban Baroque composer, Esteban Salas. Joined by a stellar line-up of pre-eminent Hispanic soloists, the groundbreaking Medieval specialist Idrîsî Ensemble join forces with the Monteverde Consort to celebrate vibrant, festive songs from Spain and Latin America, interlacing Amerindian and Afro styles with the entrancing, mystical sounds of the Roman world. Inspired by our historic c.1162 venue, the Temple Church, the group will also revive music from the site’s earliest days, including a 12th-century chant associated with the Knights Templar who established this place as their spiritual home.

Navidad nuestra: ‘Huida’ Ariel Ramírez (Argentina)
Introitus 'Hodie Scietis' Old Roman Chant
Hanacpachap cussicuinin Anonymous (Peru)
Conductus 'Congaudeant Catholici' Codex Calixtinus (Spain)
Marizápalos a lo Divino ‘Serafín que, con dulce harmonía’ Joan Cererols (Spain)
Gaudete Anonymous (UK)
Desvelado dueño mío Tomás de Torrejón y Velasco (Peru)
Offertorium 'Tollite Portas' Old Roman Chant
Convidando está la noche Juan García de Zéspedes (Mexico)
Vayan unas especies Esteban Salas (Cuba) UK PREMIERE
Antiphona 'Media Vita in Morte Sumus' Templar Chant
San Sabeya Gugurumbé Mateo Flecha ‘el Viejo’ (Spain)
Dennos lecencia Señores Martínez Compañón Codex (Peru)

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This event is presented by the Instituto Cervantes with the kind support of the Iberian & Latin American Music Society (ILAMS) and the Spanish Embassy

TICKETS £30, £20 Concessions, £10 ILAMS Members (email info@ilams.org.uk to join)

BOOKINGS navidadnuestra.eventbrite.co.uk

MORE INFORMATION londres.cervantes.es | ilams.org.uk | spainculturescience.co.uk | idrisiensemble.com | ignaciolusardimonteverde.co.uk | templechurch.com

Calling all record collectors! If you're trying to navigate your way through the dauntingly huge world of Latin Classical music, don't fear - our resident expert is here to guide you. Join classical music addict and weekend journalist, Ray Picot, in this special EF edition of the ILAMS podcast, Journeys Through the Labyrinth. 2024 offers the opportunity to explore the anniversaries of a host of Ibe/rican composers and artists whose lives spanned a period of two centuries, including: Reynaldo Hahn, Trinidad Huerta, Josep Anselm Clave, Julián Aguirre, Andrés Gaos, Jaime Nunó, Eduardo Sánchez de Fuentes, Vicente Emilio Sojo, Olallo Morales, Joaquín Rodrigo, Valdo Sciammarella and Lorenzo Palomo. This discographical whistle-stop tour through 2024's key celebrations offers an amazing kaleidoscope of styles and genres with plenty of variety to enjoy. Ray will highlight the key works, as well as revealing some lesser-known hidden gems in the Latin Classical catalogue. Plus, discover the seminal interpretations whilst learning about the music in context. Whether you're new to Latin Classical, or a seasoned aficionado, this podcast has something for everyone.​

Ray Picot is Chief CD and Concert Reviewer at the Iberian & Latin American Music Society, and currently writes a popular column for Echoes Magazine titled Ray's Round-Up. A regular guest speaker at recorded music societies around the country, Ray boasts an encyclopaedic knowledge of the field. Think of him as your go-to guide to Latin Classical discography!

​Ray Picot host

SNEAK PEEK! Listen to previous episodes

Organised by the Iberian & Latin American Music Society (ILAMS) as part of Echoes Festival 2024 in collaboration with the Instituto Cervantes

TICKETS Listening is free but please consider making a donation HERE to help us towards the event costs

BOOKINGS No booking required. Simply visit mixcloud.com to tune in from Dec 7th onwards.

MORE INFORMATION echoesfestival.co.uk | ilams.org.uk | londres.cervantes.es | mixcloud.com