Music
At The Arts Institute
Beethoven's sketch for the third movement of Piano Sonata Op. 109, Artaria 195 sketchbook, p.53
From commissioning new music to cutting edge research, from open rehearsals and informal pre-concert talks to magnificent live performances, there are musical experiences for everyone at The Arts Institute.
By supporting new talent and bringing world-class musicians to Plymouth, and through our programmes of participatory community music partnership and educational activities, The Arts Institute is pivotal to the music scene across the South West.
The Arts Institute is pleased to also support musical talents of the student population by playing an active role in the University’s Music Week and other university/community musical organisations, as well as leading workshops and informal lectures for Children’s University.
Dr Robert Taub, Music Director, The Arts Institute
An acclaimed pianist known for his interpretations of Beethoven and new music, Bob has performed as guest soloist with many of the world’s foremost orchestras and conductors.
Bob oversees our music strand and using his expertise to contribute to Plymouth’s ever-evolving vibrant music scene.
Hear more from Bob in this short film as he discusses his illustrious career as an acclaimed concert pianist and his role here at the University.
The Arts Institute Music Director – Dr Robert Taub
The Musica Viva Concert Series brings internationally acclaimed performers to our Plymouth community to inspire, educate, challenge, and unite audiences by presenting world-class musicians in public concert performances, open rehearsals, and informal talks.
Musica Viva sets the highest standards of artistic excellence with compelling performances that enrich the lives of the widest possible audience – including students – and provide a contextual, comprehensive approach to programming that enables greater musical understanding and appreciation.
What's on this season
- Music: Music Forum with Robert Taub and British cellist Lionel Handy 6 November 2020 19:30 - 21:30
- Music: Music Forum with Robert Taub and harpist Elizabeth Bass 4 December 2020 19:30 - 21:30
- Music: A Seasonal Celebration 11 December 2020 19:30 - 21:30
- Music: University Carol Service 15 December 2020 19:30 - 21:30
- Music: Music Forum with Robert Taub and Mark Forkgen, Conductor of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra Kokoro ensemble 15 January 2021 19:30 - 21:30
Music Forums with Dr Robert Taub
Join us for a new addition to Musica Viva series: The Arts Institute’s Music Forums – live-streamed musical evenings featuring performances and informal conversations with Dr Robert Taub, Music Director at The Arts Institute and guests.
Upcoming Music Forum dates:
- 6 November 2020 | British cellist Lionel Handy performs excerpts and shares the impact Covid-19 has had on his touring schedule
- 4 December 2020 | London-based harpist Elizabeth Bass performs several works and demonstrates the workings of the harp
- 15 January 2021 | A behind-the-scenes conversation with Mark Forkgen conductor for Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
London-based harpist Elizabeth Bass
Upcoming performances
Some Call It Home (Trailer)
Some Call It Home
A provocative multi-media music drama, bringing to life conflicting perspectives of our uneasy relationship with the land - our home, our planet. A world premiere performed by the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra ensemble with leading international soloists.
Tracing a narrative through-line from the colonisation of North America to the current climate-change and geopolitics induced mass migration, Some Call It Home combines imagery, video, narration, song and a string orchestra over the course of its 75-minute runtime. Created, produced, and directed by Robert Taub, Music Director at The Arts Institute, as part of the Mayflower 400 commemorations. Find out more.
Currently postponed, premiere performance dates to be announced shortly.
Highlights from the archive
Contemporary Music Festival 2019: MULTIVERSE
MULTIVERSE is the theme of University of Plymouth Contemporary Music Festival (CMF) 2019, which celebrates the internationally renowned research combining music, engineering and the life sciences developed at the University of Plymouth’s Interdisciplinary Centre for Computer Music Research (ICCMR).
MULTIVERSE proposes a weekend of musical interpretations of the quantum world.The London Mozart Players
The first event in Musica Viva, a new concert programme bringing internationally acclaimed performers to Plymouth, was performed by The London Mozart Players, the UK’s longest-established chamber orchestra.
“The London Mozart Players are in a class of the very best London ensembles. Although there are about 25 musicians for this concert, they play without a conductor. That’s very unusual, but because they are so coherent and so cohesive in their approach, they can do it.”
Dr Robert Taub
Previously performed on Saturday 9 March 2019 at Minster Church of St Andrew.
London Mozart Players – © Sim Canetty-Clarke 2017
More from The Arts Institute
Contact The Arts Institute
The Arts Institute, Roland Levinsky Building, University of Plymouth, PL4 8AA
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