Ikon Arts Blog

Swingles past and present gathered in Islington on Thursday evening to bid a fond and very sad farewell to Kineret Erez, who left the group in July. After practicing their salsa dancing the group gave a localised premiere of Kineret's fabulous new vocal arrangement of 'Libertango' (Piazzolla), which features in the Swingle Singers' new programme 'Beauty and the Beatbox' from September. Later into the evening the group posed for a photo, joined by Holly and Costa. Beautiful. We'll miss you Kineret!

Classic FM Magazine has listed the Swingle Singers' forthcoming CD launch concert of Beauty and the Beatbox as 'Best A Cappella' in their September listings. The concert, on 26th September at the Bloomsbury Theatre, will feature special guest artists featured on the CD, as well as being a celebration of Ward Swingle's 80th birthday the week before. Click here to see the listing.ClassicFMListing.jpg. Also featured in the magazine is an interview with Ward Swingle, on his musical heroes - ranging from Bach to Mozart, Berio to Edith Piaf, Ward's history of how he formed the Swingle Singers is a fascinating read - read it here.ClassicFMHeroes_low.jpg

The new Swingle Singers' album has got an early review from the Evening Standard on 9th August. Norman Lebrecht gives an impressive 4 stars to 'Beauty and the Beatbox', due for release in early September. "The Swingle Singers are back", the reviewer triumphantly announces: "...a brand new line-up and mouthy beatboxer to boot...the whole sounds edgy and almost cool". We like it! Read the full review here. BatB.jpg

The Sixteen and its orchestra, the Symphony of Harmony and Invention, brought the 2007 Mostly Mozart festival to "an immaculate finale" on 4th August, with a performance including extracts of Mozart's Mitridate, Vivaldi's Gloria, and "a memorable performance" of Mozart's Requiem (The Observer, 12th August 2007).

Music critic Richard Morrison recommended Stile Antico's concert in Cambridge at the weekend in his Top 5 Classical concerts in The Times' weekend guide. Click here to see the listing.

Stile Antico's Ashby twins Kate and Helen will be appearing on BBC Radio 4's Women's Hour on Monday 13th August, where they will be talking about life as twins, and the group's involvement with Dartington Summer School. Extracts from Stile Antico's critically-acclaimed CD Music For Compline will also be featured on the programme. Click herev for the show's website to listen again.