In the 44th of a series of articles, David Bird discusses the work of Redbridge Music Society and introduces flautist Daniel Shao and pianist Simon Callaghan, who will perform in Wanstead this month
Two aims of Redbridge Music Society are to bring high-quality live chamber recitals to the people of Redbridge and to promote and support new generations of musicians. This month, Daniel Shao and Simon Callaghan will perform a diverse programme of music in Wanstead, including works by Mozart, Debussy and Bizet/Borne (Carmen Fantasy).
Daniel Shao is a versatile British-Chinese flautist. He regularly performs with orchestras, ensembles and as a soloist and was praised by The Telegraph for his “virtuosity, charm and charisma in abundance.”
Daniel studied at the Purcell School, Oxford University and the Royal Academy of Music, graduating with first-class honours and an honorary DipRAM. He has performed with many major orchestras and his awards and recognition include winning the Royal Over-Seas League Competition Wind Prize 2024, being featured as a Classic FM Rising Star 2023 and being televised as a BBC Young Musician Wind Finalist in 2014. As a concerto soloist, Daniel has performed with the Royal Scottish National, Oxford Philharmonic and Czech National Symphony Orchestras. He is passionate about contemporary music and has worked with the London Sinfonietta and the contemporary collective Tangram (Associate Artists at LSO St Luke’s). He also regularly records scores for film and television.
Simon Callaghan is an internationally respected soloist, chamber musician and recording artist. He performs regularly in the UK’s major concert halls and on tours to Asia, North America and Europe; at a recent Husum Festival of Piano Rarities in Germany, his sell-out concert received rave reviews for “technical brilliance.”
As concerto soloist, Simon has collaborated with prestigious orchestras such as the BBC Philharmonic, Ulster Orchestra and Royal Northern Sinfonia. Simon’s broad repertoire encompasses the standard works of the 19th and 20th centuries and he is increasingly concentrating on little-known music by composers such as Rheinberger and Reinecke. Simon is deeply committed to British music and is currently recording a series of world premieres of British concertos with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. He has also made the first recordings of the complete piano music of Rebecca Clarke, George Dyson and William Busch. Simon is currently Artistic Director at London’s Conway Hall, Professor of Piano at the Royal Northern College of Music and an elected Steinway Artist.
Please do not miss this opportunity to hear these two outstanding musicians perform locally this month.
The recital will take place at Wanstead Library on 18 March from 8pm (tickets on the door; visitors: £12; members: £9). Call 07380 606 767. Redbridge Music Society is affiliated to Making Music.
