https://www.richarddurrant.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/unnamed-11.jpg8591200adminhttps://www.richarddurrant.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/unnamed-11-296x300.jpgadmin2024-12-12 13:33:502024-12-12 13:35:25Songs and Pictures of the Solstice
Richard has been busy getting ready for this year’s Christmas tour:Songs of the Solstice.
Come along to one of the eight shows to enjoy the growing collection of stunning original material contributed by every member of this remarkable six piece band performed alongside numbers such as Johnny Flyn’s The Burial Blessing, Fleet Foxes White Winter Hymnal and Ubi Caritas by Ola Gjeilo.
The inspiration for these shows came in 1994 when Richard was living in the 11th century Priory next door to the church of St Mary & St Peters in Wilmington, Sussex. On one quiet midwinter’s afternoon somebody knocked on the door…
‘I was asked if I could pop into the church to share some music with a group of toddlers. I happily grabbed a guitar and met the children sat around the Christmas tree. I played a few tunes and we began to sing together and as we sang the winter sun managed to peep over the top of Windover Hill to shine through the church window. The sense of shared magic was complete.’
Says Richard
Richard will be joined by his long-term Christmas collaborator, the singer, songwriter and actress Amy Kakoura. You can also hear three Durrant siblings Rooney, Daisy and Django.
The sixth voice joining this year is the internationally renowned keyboardist Howard Beach with whom Richard collaborated for their 2014 album Harpsichord & Guitar.
https://www.richarddurrant.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/unnamed-6-e1732614995904.jpg4981200adminhttps://www.richarddurrant.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/unnamed-11-296x300.jpgadmin2024-11-26 09:52:362024-11-26 09:58:23Lose Yourself in the Music of Midwinter
Announcing Richard Durrant’s 2024 Midwinter Shows with guest musicians: Amy Kakoura, Howard Beach, Daisy Durrant, Django Durrant & Rooney Durrant-Davies.
‘With six of us singing there will be an extra richness to this year’s shows – not to mention a certain Howard Beach on keys. Expect some Vivaldi and Bach amongst the Pagan dancing.’
Says Richard
Richard and friends are pleased to include shows in St John the Baptist Church, Coventry and Scopwick Village Hall, Lincolnshire.
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And what a tour it was as Richard Durrant shared his love of Paraguayan music, in particular that of the great Mangoré with audiences in England, Wales and Scotland.
‘I reconnected with many special people including lots of friends from my rural touring days. Some of the venues also felt like old friends. The two new dates on the tour, Alnwick Playhouse and The Acorn Penzance, were magical. Thanks one and all for your support and hard work.‘
Says Richard
The Guitar in Paraguay
Saturday 26 October, 2pm to 6pm
There will be one last chance to experience some of the music from the tour and get to talk about Agustin Barrios with Richard in his studio.
Richard will perform highlights of the show and then lead a discussion. You do not need to be a guitarist to attend as all are welcome to come and visit Richard’s musical HQ. Limited numbers available.
Three runners up will receive a copy of Richard’s book The Number 26 Bus to Paraguay containing stories, pictures and guitar music from his travels in South America.
Photo credits: Alnwick Playhouse, Dr Christopher Roberts (NCEM) and Louise & Richard Durrant.
https://www.richarddurrant.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/unnamed-2.jpg7491200adminhttps://www.richarddurrant.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/unnamed-11-296x300.jpgadmin2024-10-16 11:43:002024-10-16 11:44:33The No. 26 Bus Reaches its Destination
And to celebrate at the end of the tour Richard is hosting a special event at his PluckPlankStudio in Shoreham, Sussex.
The Guitar in Paraguay
Private audience and after show discussion
Saturday 26 October 2024 2pm to 6pm
Experience elements of Richard Durrant’s Autumn touring show The Number 26 Bus to Paraguay as part of a small private audience in the guitarist’s own PluckPlankStudio in Shoreham, Sussex. This informal, intimate gathering will include an opportunity to chat about Agustín Barrios and related guitar matters with one of the world’s leading performers of this repertoire.
“It is so wonderful to be able to host guitar events at the new studio. The discussions at the first event back in July were fascinating so this should be an interesting and entertaining tour finale.“
Says Richard
Guitar Technique Day
Saturday 9 November 2024 9.30am to 5pm
If you are a classical player keen to progress in an exciting and productive new direction then this is for you. Guided by Richard the day will be spent studying the benefits of playing standing up using a strap. You will also explore playing scales in conjunction with gentle breathing techniques to both stabilise and strengthen your technique whilst giving you a whole new understanding of your instrument.
https://www.richarddurrant.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/unnamed-6-e1726490496422.jpg7321200adminhttps://www.richarddurrant.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/unnamed-11-296x300.jpgadmin2024-09-14 15:32:122024-09-16 12:42:05Let the Tour Commence!
During the gig Richard explores the mysteries of La Ruta Mangoreana, uncovering the beauty of Paraguayan music, sharing stories from the central southern cone of South America and explaining how all this began for him on a number 26 Brighton corporation bus.
Richard’s regular visits to this fascinating and magical part of South America have earned him accolades and awards whilst his concerts and trilogy of Paraguayan albums have uncovered the richness of guitar music being written in the region today. He is now widely recognised as one of the world’s leading interpreters of the music of Agustín Barrios.
‘The public acclaimed [Richard] not only because he presented an all-Barrios program…but because of his passion and tenderness, qualities that he communicates through his magnificent playing of the classic guitar.’
Rico Stover. Barrios biographer and ethnomusicologist
‘In these masterworks, Durrant demonstrates his capacity as artist, making use of all guitaristic devices: one feels as if carried back to romantic periods reminiscent of a belle epoch in Latin America – mysterious, surreal, remote.’
Felipe Sosa, Founder of the Paraguayan Classical Guitar School
‘I have never heard anything like it. Durrant seems to be having fun with each measure, with each phrase and passage, each different, each delicate.’
Carlos Salcedo Author of ‘El Inalcanzable’ and authority on the life of Barrios
https://www.richarddurrant.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/No-26-to-Paraguay-e1613657052550.jpg300300adminhttps://www.richarddurrant.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/unnamed-11-296x300.jpgadmin2024-08-30 10:21:122024-08-30 10:38:34Number 26 Bus – Back on the Road
A big thank you to the venues and all who turned out for Richard’s Summer Concerts 2024…
Following his recent summer concerts Richard is now back at Pluck Plank Studio amongst his guitars. These were happy shows packed full of favourite classical guitar repertoire with all its exotic colours and vibrant textures.
The Guitar Whisperer also gave a nod to the English Folk Baroque of John Renbourn and Bert Jansch in his reworking of Purcell and Richard’s very own Book of Spells proved a popular opener to each gig.
CYCLING MUSIC Summer 2025 Tour booking is now open!
We are pleased to announce that Richard’s sixth Cycling Music tour is now booking for next year. The tour already includes several shows in late May when Richard pedals into Herefordshire as part of the Arts Alive rural touring scheme.
Now well past 7k miles on these tours Richard will be joined onstage each night by his bicycle and trailer to play beautiful guitar music, share tales from the road and gently focus on the climate change emergency.
If you are a venue or involved in gig booking pleaseemail us
Richard Durrant’s next concerts begin in September.
https://www.richarddurrant.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/92c50176-cb0b-cd93-09b1-7b2f83376f67.jpg12001200adminhttps://www.richarddurrant.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/unnamed-11-296x300.jpgadmin2024-07-31 11:08:162024-07-31 11:11:48Summer Update from Richard Durrant
Some of you will know that Richard spent several months away from his guitar earlier this year to work on his new studio.
We are now thrilled to announce that the newly completed Pluck Plank Studio will open its doors on 13 July for a fantastic event for guitarists and non guitarists:
Pluck Plank Studio
THE GUITAR: A New Way Forward
starting 13 July 2-5pm (with half hour break)
Pluck Plank Studios, Shoreham Beach, Sussex
‘Players and non-players will find this a most interesting occasion. At the opening event in this lovely new space I will give a presentation and lead a discussion for players and curious non-players. In the break we can wander down to The Pollinator Cafe for yet more chatting at the water’s edge.’
Says Richard
Join Richard Durrant for three hours of guitar enrichment and discussion in this lovely new space in Sussex.
Richard with colleagues at his annual French Guitar Adventurers holiday. FGA is a week long chance to talk about guitars, play a concert and practise for hours on end
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…for the Summer Solstice Gig at Wilmington Church, Sussex.
And continued all weekend as Richard returned to work after a long break away from recital work.
‘The combination of a return to playing live, these familiar venues, lovely crowds and the significant moment in the solar calendar was certainly energising. My little wooden box also responded and I was a happy boy!’
Says Richard
There are two more summer concerts approaching – first Sussex and then Wiltshire. Details below. The Ropetackle concert once again incudes Nick Pynn and Tom Arnold joining Richard for the show finale. These three have been playing folk music together for decades.
‘Whether it’s a Slip Jig a Reel or a Rucenitsa what you will hear is a clear expression of a very close musical friendship.’
Added Richard
“Nick, Dick & Tom” rehearsing in the garden with Nick and Tom patiently awaiting Richard’s downbeat
Richard then breaks to prepare for his 15-date autumn tour which includes concerts in Scotland, Wales, Lincolnshire and Yorkshire.
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Just a few days to go until the first of Richard Durrant’s concerts of Midsummer Music…
A solo concert of jaw-dropping musicianship from the man dubbed The Guitar Whisperer. Sit back and relax to the sound of Richard’s beautiful, acoustic music.
https://www.richarddurrant.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/unnamed-2-e1718615204553.jpg6781150adminhttps://www.richarddurrant.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/unnamed-11-296x300.jpgadmin2024-06-17 09:01:502024-06-17 09:07:12Just days ’til Midsummer Music
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