Raven Quartet (Original thread)

[grant]

Hi Roger and Graham

I am also anxious to get hold of a copy of Raven's album but I wonder if they are holding fire on releasing it until Hayley's "River of Dreams" tour gets underway again.

It was intended to have it available during the tour in November if I remember correctly but surely it would be good exposure for it if they wait until February when they can perhaps give it a bit of promotion.

I hope they do 'cos I've got several friends still waiting for their Christmas presents!

Best wishes
Grant

[Dean McCarten]

I also am looking forward to their CD, I also know of 2 others who would buy it

[gra7890]

Dec 27, 2008 0:21:50 GMT grant said:

...... if they are holding fire on releasing it until Hayley's "River of Dreams" tour gets underway again....... give it a bit of promotion.

Hi Grant,
That certainly would make sense if they had copies available to buy at the interval and the end of the concert.

Best Wishes,

Graham

[grant]

Dec 27, 2008 11:19:44 GMT gra7890 said:

That certainly would make sense if they had copies available to buy at the interval and the end of the concert.

That was certainly the plan had they managed to get it out before the end of the tour.

Best wishes
Grant

[drew]

Eastern Daily Press

Family links bring music for heroes

MARY RUDD

09 February 2009

When Richard and Andrea Middleton looked for a home after travelling throughout Britain and Europe for some 30 years they chose Norfolk because they had never lived anywhere they liked more.

They had moved because of Richard's RAF role. Andrea believes she must have made something like 25 house moves in that time, so she's been enjoying putting down some roots here over the last nine years.

Lately, they've been busy lately throwing their energy behind a fund raising concert in Attleborough which will feature four talented musicians on March 14 at 7.30pm in St Mary's Church.

The concert will be in aid of Help for Heroes and the church's own charity which directly supports a Ugandan orphanage fund.

The couple have two sons and one of them, David, who is serving with two Para has recently returned from six months in Afghanistan where his platoon, like many others, suffered casualties and fatalities and this prompted his parents to think how they might raise funds for a dedicated charity.

David, who had wanted to be in the Army since he was young, has served in Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan but it was during his university years at Newcastle, when studying geographical surveying and mapping sciences, that he met his girlfriend, professional violinist Stephanie Benedetti.

Stephanie has played the violin from an early age and even persuaded her family to buy a second violin for her award-winning sister Nicola so that they could play together.

The concert will feature Stephanie and the Raven Quartet who have appeared with Hayley Westenra, the BBC Maestro programme and the Electric Proms.

The programme will feature Mozart, Brahms, Shostakovich and film and gypsy music and there are just a few tickets left which cost £12, to include a glass of champagne and canapés.

Call 01953 451215.

[/size]

[grant]

Hello Dean and everyone

I purchased Raven's debut CD at the Reading concert on Sunday. It'a a 10 track promo and I've just played it.

It is superb!!

The 10 tracks are:-

Ritual Fire Dance from 'El amor brujo'
Gabriel's Oboe from 'The Mission'
Libertango
Danse Macabre
Mrs. Jamieson's Favourite
Romanian Folk Dances
Nimrod from the 'Enigma' Variations
Tango Jalousie
Adagio in G mineur
Foxtrot from Jazz Suite no.1

Most have been arranged by Natalie and her 'Adagio in G' is simply wonderful.

Best wishes
Grant

[Richard]

Hello Grant!

I make that only nine tracks.

Roger is going to set up a new sub-board for Raven in due course. When it appears, we could start a new thread specifically for their album.

Best Wishes,

Richard

[grant]

Feb 10, 2009 15:28:18 GMT Richard said:

I make that only nine tracks.

Quite right - silly me! I got carried away by the Adagio in G and forgot to type in the last track.

I've amended my post now.

Best wishes
Grant

[postscript]

Feb 10, 2009 14:28:16 GMT grant said:

Hello Dean and everyone

I purchased Raven's debut CD at the Reading concert on Sunday. It'a a 10 track promo and I've just played it.

It is superb!!

The 10 tracks are:-

Ritual Fire Dance from 'El amor brujo'
Gabriel's Oboe from 'The Mission'
Libertango
Danse Macabre
Mrs. Jamieson's Favourite
Romanian Folk Dances
Nimrod from the 'Enigma' Variations
Tango Jalousie
Adagio in G mineur
Foxtrot from Jazz Suite no.1

Most have been arranged by Natalie and her 'Adagio in G' is simply wonderful.

Best wishes
Grant

Let's hope they do the same at The Palladium. Must remember to do it in the interval in case it's a matter of external access afterwards instead of an official multiple signing.

Peter S.

[postscript]

Feb 10, 2009 15:28:18 GMT Richard said:

Hello Grant!

I make that only nine tracks.

Roger is going to set up a new sub-board for Raven in due course. When it appears, we could start a new thread specifically for their album.

Best Wishes,

Richard

Judging from what I heard on the River of Dreams tour and what I have heard of their CD, as well as the Valentine's Tour I hope we have Raven as a permanent part of the whole.

Hopefully they are maintaining the same sound team as I heard at RoD, which could go some way to explaining the ideal sound on which people are reporting.

Knowing how Hayley always surpasses herself I hesitate to say they are peaking but it sounds like a superbly balanced yeam that we want to see kept together if at all possible.

Peter S.

[roger]

Please note, the website to which a link appears in the opening post of this thread is nothing to do with "our" Raven Quartet. Stephanie, Natalie, Rachael and Kirsty will have a site of their own, the domain has been registered and a link will be given when it is launched.

Please also see the BBC2 Series - Maestro thread in which Raven are frequently mentioned.

Roger

[Martin]

The girls appeared in the detective series "Lewis" on ITV last Sunday. No, they weren't criminals but appeared as the quartet providing the background music at a "posh" party.

Very brief was their appearance but noneleless good exposure.

Martin

[larryhauck]

I think the Raven group is a very talented and attractive group of young ladies. I wish them all the best. I've had the pleasure of seeing them perform several times. They compliment Hayley well.

Larry

[nicola]

Is there any news on when their website will open?

[roger]

Hi Nicola,

In a word, no. If the opportunity arises, we will try to find out at Leamington tomorrow.

Roger