Ilan is a British film composer who has established himself as an exciting young talent in the world of film music. Born in London into a musical family, Ilan grew up playing violin and later took up playing guitar in bands. He studied Music and English literature at Leeds University, during which time he also worked with film composer Ed Shearmur learning first-hand the technique of film composition. After graduating, he went on to work with other film composers such as Michael Kamen and Hans Zimmer. At this time Ilan began scoring his own projects, and his talent for creating cinematic music on a limited budget soon gained him recognition within the film industry.
Have we got lutes for you
An instrument of medieval provenance, maybe earlier, is enjoying a revival in the department with would-be players being encouraged to take up the lute One of the oldest and best-loved string instruments is experiencing a mini-revival in the School of Music.
Following the discovery of two lutes in the University’s instrumental collection, a local lutenist has now offered to provide lessons to any student who would like to give the instrument a try.
Says the School’s Concerts Administrator Jillian Johnson: ‘The lutes emerged in the Bretton Hall collection after merger with Leeds and the two of them were sitting there unplayed and rather unloved!’
Now Gill Knowles, who plays the lute and is also a member of the Leeds Guild of Singers, is encouraging anyone in the department who’d like a go on these to get in touch.
Jillian Johnson says she will happily help any aspiring lutenists to make contact with Gill and bring life back to these historical gems.
Comments Jillian: ‘This provides a unique opportunity for students to work on an exciting repertoire as soloists or as part of an ensemble, adding extra strings to our Historically-Informed Performance bow!’
Jillian, who also has strong links to the area’s Early Music community, adds: ‘We also have one of the country’s leading lutenists in Jacob Heringman living in Yorkshire so potential opportunities to work with a master are not far away for those who wish to take up this pursuit seriously.’
Date Published: 27 February 2010
Keywords: Lute, Early Music, Jillian Johnson, Gill Knowles, Jacob Heringman
Keywords: Lute, Early Music, Jillian Johnson, Gill Knowles, Jacob Heringman
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