A happy 2011 from the BMF.

Two great events to start the year off and both not to be missed.

Friday 21st January at 7.30pm at the very wonderful St Georges in Bristol:

Charles Hazlewood and the Army of Generals

In the first concert of a new residency at St George’s Bristol, conductor Charles Hazlewood and his extraordinary period instrument orchestra Army of Generals take the audience right to the heart of some of the greatest music ever written by the twin gods of the musical Enlightenment: Haydn’s lyrical ‘Mercury’ Symphony and Mozart’s delightfully boisterous A Major Symphony. Refracting Mozart’s Music for Pantomime through a contemporary musical voice, the Russian composer Alfred Schnittke’s uniquely beautiful Moz-Art honours the exuberance of both Mozart and Haydn.

‘Magnificent!’ The Daily Telegraph

Introducing each work from the stage, Charles Hazlewood’s engaging insights act as a fascinating guide for the musically shy and, for those with more established knowledge, a chance to delve deeper into the music. Creating a visual counterpoint to the music, cult ‘cloud man’ Gavin Pretor-Pinney (author of ‘The Cloudspotters Guide’) will project amazing images onto the walls and ceiling of the concert hall; a gorgeous dreamscape in which to open your mind and all your senses to the music.

Win two tickets through the BMF.

Send the answer to the following question to events@bristolmusicfoundation.com

Was Mozart fond of Haydn? Or couldn’t he stand him?

And on Wed 26th January at 7pm American songwriter and guitarist Kristin Hersh, who founded the seminal art-punk band Throwing Muses, will be performing at the Arnolfini in Bristol as part of the Festival of Ideas.

Her memoir, Paradoxical Undressing, chronicles the unravelling of a woman’s personality. Playful, vivid, and wonderfully warm, this is a visceral and brave memoir by a truly original performer, told in a truly original voice. In this special show, Kristin will perform words and music from her memoir.

Find out full details by clicking here

We will be announcing a competition for two tickets to see Kristin Hersh soon.