As part of our fundraiser for The Felix Project, Dr Bruno Bower, Teaching Fellow in Music at the University of Surrey, and Evening Class Lecturer at Imperial College London, presented a lecture on May 4th 2020: The Fluid Worlds of Victorian Arts and Sciences.
- Watch: Cellist-cum-baritone Matthew Sharp performs everything from Coldplay to Charlie Chaplin | LIVESTREAM FROM LOCKDOWN
- Watch: Roderick Williams sings Ol’ Man River | LIVESTREAM FROM LOCKDOWN
A doctor writes about wind instruments, a lawyer researches wrestlers on behalf of an African explorer, a hostess links everyone up, and music runs in the background throughout. This is the fervid intellectual climate of the Victorian era. Bringing together a diverse range of people we wouldn’t normally think to connect (if we remember them at all), this talk will show how freely ideas could circulate in a less disciplinary age.
Dr. Bruno Bower is a musicologist, performer, composer, and music editor, currently serving as a Teaching Fellow in Music at the University of Surrey. His academic journey includes studying Music at Oriel College, Oxford, followed by a Postgraduate Diploma in Performance (Oboe) at Birmingham Conservatoire, and an MMus in Musicology at King’s College London. He completed his PhD at the Royal College of Music, focusing on nineteenth-century programme notes for orchestral concerts, particularly those from the Crystal Palace Saturday Concerts. His research delved into how these notes reflected contemporary discourses on art, gender, morality, religion, and national identity, challenging conventional ideas about the abstraction of instrumental works during that era.
- Watch: Bass-baritone Bryn Terfel and Hannah Stone perform Welsh lullaby Suo Gan | LIVESTREAM FROM LOCKDOWN
- Watch: Violinist Thomas Gould plays Telemann and Nico Muhly | LIVESTREAM FROM LOCKDOWN
In addition to his academic roles, Dr. Bower is actively involved in adult education, teaching courses such as “Discovering Classical Music” at Imperial College London. This course is designed for individuals with or without prior knowledge of classical music. It explores the narratives within music, examining how composers convey stories, emotions, and historical contexts through their compositions. The course aims to demystify classical music, making it more accessible and engaging for a broader audience.
Dr. Bower also presented an online talk for the English Chamber Orchestra, discussing works by Offenbach, Mozart, and Haydn. These engagements reflect his commitment to bringing music history and appreciation to a wider audience.
If you have enjoyed his lecture feel free to express your appreciation by donating here: https://m.facebook.com/donate/841775816304627/?fundraiser_source=feed