Psappha: Lyric Suite at St Michael’s

Johnny James, Managing Editor

Book now

Psappha: Lyric Suite

St Michael's, Ancoats
26 September 2019

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

Chris Payne
Book now

Performed across Manchester by some of the North West’s best musicians, Psappha’s 2019-20 programme is a thrilling one. It ranges from cutting edge contemporary classical music to radical works from the 20th Century’s leading visionaries. Falling into the latter category, Anton Webern and Alban Berg lie at the heart of this exciting concert at St Michael’s, which also features three world premieres.

One of Anton Webern’s earliest works, Langsamer Satz (1905) is a little masterpiece. Its impetus was a moment of unclouded joy, experienced by the composer whilst hiking through the Austrian forest with his future wife. Deeply romantic, this string quartet takes its listener on an emotionally-charged journey, from yearning to turmoil to tranquility. It will make a wonderful opener in the hands of Psappha’s excellent musicians.

Bookended by the dizzying musical and cultural revolution of turn-of-the-century Vienna, and featuring three exciting world premieres from contemporary composers, this Psappha concert is set to thrill.

At the other end of the concert, we have another string quartet from turn-of-the-century Vienna. Radically different from Webern’s work, Alban Berg’s Lyric Suite (1926) is intense, modernist and utterly thrilling. Blending technical skill with rich expression, it’s one of Berg’s first works to employ his former teacher Arnold Schoenberg’s 12-tone technique. Revealing the composer’s tortured inner world, this passionate, tragic and terrifying piece will provide a gripping finale.

In between these 20th Century works, Psappha will present four new pieces by contemporary composers, including three world premieres. We look forward to the latest output from Scottish composer George Stevenson, who is the recipient of the 2019/20 Peter Maxwell Davies Commission. We also eagerly await Charlotte Bray’s Upflight of Butterflies, which will take us on an evocative journey into nature. And lastly, created for Psappha’s Composing For scheme, we’ll be treated to new works by young composers Ninfea Cruttwell-Reade and Nina Danon.

Bookended by the dizzying musical and cultural revolution of turn-of-the-century Vienna, and featuring three exciting world premieres from contemporary composers, this Psappha concert is set to thrill.

Where to go near Psappha: Lyric Suite at St Michael’s

Hern Food
Leeds
Restaurant
Hern

This produce-driven bistro in Chapel Allerton, Leeds, prides itself on cooking with the only finest ingredients and his headed up by Cordon Bleu-trained chef Rab Adams.

Indie Makers
Leeds
Shop
Indie Makers

Indie Makers, located in Leads’ corn exchange, trades in art and gifts from independent makers across the UK.

Plant Point
Leeds
Shop
Plant Point

Plant Point is designed to help you bring the jungle into your urban or suburban space. The home of beautiful plants in Leeds.

Leeds
Restaurant
Eat Your Greens

Eat Your Greens is a vibrant, organic restaurant bringing a hint of European flair to the city’s plant-based dining scene.

Sela opened in 2004 with an idea to provide quality imported beers from around the world, fun cocktails to compliment the beer selections and a stage for the region’s finest and most talented musicians to play on.Over ten years later, we’re still all about the beer, cocktails, live music and pizza!We carry over a selection of over thirty different beers spanning the globe from Pickering with The Great Yorkshire Brewery’s Yorkshire Blackout, to New York with a selection from Brooklyn Brewery, and Belgium with longtime Sela favourite, Vedett.Our cocktails change regularly too. Our best-sellers are joined by fun, new offerings and our pizza menu is regarded as one of the best the city of Leeds has to offer.As for the live music, Sela has had not only the great and the good from the region. Local funksters, The New Mastersounds are regular visitors and we stage the amazing Mojah Reggae Band for their weekly Wednesday residency.  Our other long running programming incl
Leeds
Restaurant
Sela Bar & Pizzeria

Sela Bar is a cosy Leeds basement spot with live music, great drinks, and a cool, laid-back, atmospheric vibe.

Leeds Beckett SU
Leeds
Restaurant
Leeds Beckett Student Union

Leeds Beckett Student Union hosts big-name artists and supports students through events, live music, and a vibrant campus venue.

Located on Cardigan Fields Leisure Park, Vue Leeds Kirkstall is a nine screen cinema with almost 2000 seats. There's ample parking and the cinema is surrounded by various restaurants and entertainment facilities, making for a great evening out!

Watch the latest film releases and enjoy the industry-leading Sony 4K Digital screens, boasting spectacular picture quality, along with enhanced audio quality courtesy of Dolby 'Profound Sound'. Stepped SuperVue seating means you will never miss a second of the action while VIP seating guarantees you an extra touch of luxury whenever you want to upgrade.

Three of the nine screens showcase the newest 3D releases while Vue Classical brings the latest stage sensations to the big screen, and parents can save as they go with Family Tickets and Kids AM screenings offering great value for money.
Leeds
Cinema
Vue Cinema – Leeds Kirkstall Road

Located on Cardigan Fields Leisure Park, Vue Leeds Kirkstall is a nine screen cinema with almost 2000 seats. There’s ample parking and the cinema is surrounded by various restaurants and

Restaurant 2
Leeds
Café or Coffee Shop
Empire Café

Empire Café is located in Leeds’ ‘home of day dining’- Fish street!

Restaurant
Leeds
Restaurant
Phranakhon

Phranakhon Thai Tapas is a revolutionised Thai dining restaurant with a combination of European indulgence and authentic Thai tastes.

Restaurant
Leeds
Restaurant
Wen’s

Wen’s is a family owned Chinese restaurant specialising in authentic, home cooked cuisine.

What's on: Music

Culture Guides

Star Nhà Ease
Cinema in the North

July's cinema highlights include spotlights on international cinema, a new cult classic, plus a visit from one of our favourite directors.

Exhibitions in the North

Captivating, urgent and intimate - we bring you our top exhibition picks, with even more art festivals, artist-led shows and new venues.

Theatre in Manchester
Theatre in the North

Summer signals theatre festivals, world premieres and open-air spectacle - from MIF25 to comedy, outdoor circus and beyond, here’s what we’re looking forward to.

European Poetry Festival European Camarade
Literature Events in the North

From tongue-twisters to twisty page-turners, we have all kinds of spoken word surprises in the latest literature round-up.