The University has been involved in several celebrations to mark the 60th birthday of Jonathan Harvey. Jonathan is an honorary Professor of Music here at Sussex and one of the most imaginative and innovative composers in Europe today. Sussex sponsored his opera, Passion and Resurrection, performed last week as part of the Brighton Festival. The opera is based on an anonymous 12th century Latin Passion Play and was staged using local and professional singers in the fine acoustic of St Martin's Church.
Also in honour of Jonathan's birthday, a lunchtime recital was performed last month by the Trio Fibonacci, as part of their debut season in England. The Canadian group were formed in the spring of 1998 by violinist Julie-Ann Derome who brought together pianist Andre Ristic and cellist Gabriel Prynn. Taking its name from the celebrated thirteenth century mathematician, Leonardo Fibonacci, whose theories and discoveries so much influenced compositional techniques, the trio is dedicated to the performance of twentieth century repertoire. The group chose to play two pieces by Jonathan Harvey for their England tour and also a piece by Michael Finnissy - a prolific composer of contemporary music who currently teaches composition at Sussex. As a consequence Sussex seemed the obvious choice as the venue for the trio's first concert in England.
The recital was recorded by MSU and more details can be obtained from Terry Bryan in Essex House or visit the trio's website on http://www.bcity.com/fibonacci/.
