The Snowman Stage Show is planning to run its third season in South Korea in Spring 2012. The creation of the complete new Korean production by impresario Jae Och Chong  resulted from the succesful 3-week run in the Seoul Opera House in March-April 2009. Howard flew over to rehearse the musicians and oversee the first night.  A huge ovation greeted it and went on for so long that finally Howard was dragged up from his seat and persuaded to dance with the 'Korean Snow-woman' (a new character in traditional Korean costume and a special Korean musical 'signature' - both added specially for this splendid occasion.) The 2010 season was staged with all-Korean cast and musicians at the Hoam Art Hall in Seoul. Current plans suggest that the 2012 season will return to the splendid Seoul Opera House. (tbc)

Ronald Corp will conduct the New London Orchestra and The London Chorus in the second London performance of 'The Passion of Mary' at St Alban's the Martyr, Holborn on 15th March at 7.30 with two of the soloists featured on the memorable Naxos recording issued in 2010: the soprano Patricia Rozario, and the tenor Richard Edgar Wilson. The role of Prophet and Satan will be taken by bass Sam Evans and the concert will include a performance of Bach's Magnificat.

The Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra and Cantata Choir will perform Howard Blake's Passion of Mary oratorio at The Medina Theatre, Newport,Cowes on 17th March 2012

Soloists, choir and orchestra of Salisbury Music Society will be conducted by David Halls, Director of Music for the cathedral.

A performance of Howard Blake's dramatic oratorio 'The Passion of Mary' at Snape Maltings Concert Hall in Aldeburgh, Suffolk is planned for 16th March 2013, which is the year of Benjamin Britten's centenary and the work will be coupled with a performance of his large-scale'Spring Symphony', both works featuring The Woodbridge Choral Society and Ipswich School Chapel Choir conducted by Andrew Leech. The tenor in both works will be Richard Edgar Wilson who sang the solo role in the 2010 Naxos recording, (A Naxos recording of the year). Other soloists yet to be announced. Woodbridge Choral Society have performed at Snape three times over the last five years with Verdi's Requiem, Elgar's 'Dream of Gerontius and Brahms's 'Deutsches Requiem'.

Kloeckner and Gallardo play 'Diversions' again - Howard's virtuosic work for cello and piano that qualified them as finalists in the EBU youth music prize 2010 and led to the winning of the first prize. The programme couples the work with a Brahms sonata.

Boxing Day 8.00am Ch.4 TV: A showing of the original animated film of The Bear

Snowmen will be a regular sight in London's West End for the next decade.  Not the result of climate change, but thanks to a new 10-year deal to stage the critically-acclaimed live version of the much-loved children’s classic, THE SNOWMAN, at the Peacock Theatre. The Snowman has been staged every Christmas at the Peacock Theatre in London’s West End for the last twelve years, having started life at Birmingham Repertory Theatre in 1993. This new deal means the show will continue to delight audiences at the Peacock Theatre for many Christmases to come.  THE SNOWMAN first appeared as a beautifully illustrated picture book by Raymond Briggs in 1978. It subsequently inspired the classic Oscar Nominated, BAFTA Award winning animated film produced by John Coates and directed by Dianne Jackson, first transmitted by Channel 4 on Christmas Eve, 1982. The film’s signature song Walking In The Air, by Howard Blake, reached number 3 in the UK charts when sung by choirboy Aled Jones in 1985, and the song was voted number 2 in a poll conducted by Classic FM to find out children’s favourite pieces of classical music, beating Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf and Tchaikovsky’s Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.

 In 2011 THE SNOWMAN will tour to: 

The Lowry, Salford (22 – 26 Nov),

Tampere Opera House, Finland (8 – 11 Dec)

International Conference Centre (ICC)Birmingham (16 – 31 Dec).

The City of Hong Kong Chamber Orchestra will be giving 3 all-Howard Blake concerts before Christmas conducted by Colin Touchin with narrators Jacqueline Gourley and Henry Coombs. Programme will be The Snowman and The Bear, both with projected film 2.30 and 5.00 on 10.12.11 at Hong Kong City Hall Concert Hall 2.30 on 11.12.11 at Tsuen Wan Town Hall Auditorium

Rockingham Choral Society Christmas concert feature the American premiere of Four Songs of the Nativity by Howard Blake, which combines ancient texts with 21st century music. New Hampshire, USA

This year's run of the Snowman Stage Show is scheduled to open at Sadler's Wells Peacock Theatre in London's West End on December 1st and is scheduled to run till January 9th, about 66 performances. This will be its fourteenth successive Christmas season.

Howard Blake contributed a special arrangement for voice and organ of the treble solo from his oratorio 'The Passion of Mary' (issued by Naxos in 2010) as a contribution to an all-night vigil held in Westminster Abbey on October 21/22

The Edinburgh Quartet celebrated its 50th anniversary by commissioning a quartet with the title 'Spieltrieb' ("the urge to play"), given its first performance in the Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh on February 19th 2010 and since recorded on Naxos along with four other new works. On Monday 17th October they will be playing on BBC Radio 3's 'In Tune' programme.

Programme • Howard Blake: Serenade for Wind Octet | • Beethoven: Octet in E flat, Op 103 | • Mozart: Serenade in E flat (K375) | • Dvořák: Serenade in D minor, Op 44 (B 77) for wind instruments |

A complete concert of works for cello and piano, including 'Pennillion', 'Diversions' and 'Jazz Dances'

Benedict Kloeckner spielt Howard Blake - werke des beruhmten britischen Komponisten fur cello und Klavier

Opening concert of the Young European Music Festival 2010

'Spieltrieb' was played in a special additional 'pre-concert' performance. The main concert at 7.30 was given by the Kelvin Ensemble who also played a work of Howard Blake, the 'Diversions for marimba and orchestra' played magnificently by soloist Heather Corbett.

The premiere of this work commissioned by the quartet to celebrate their 50th anniversary. (In 1960 Howard gave a chamber music recital at the Leith Hall in Edinburgh with violinist Miles Baster who was then asked to form the quartet and become its founder and leader.)

A recording for future broadcast

With the support of the Worshipful Company of Musicians

Acts Two and Three of the ballet by Robert North/Howard Blake performed with full orchestra, solo violin and SATB chorus (20 performances scheduled over 5 seasons)

First London concert perfomance of the Violin Sonata

Preview performance

For the occasion Howard created a 'Korean Snowman' in a traditional costume specially designed by Rory Murchison and Howard specially arranged a Korean musical 'signature' for the new character. Plans for futher performances in different theatres in Korea are being scheduled through to December 2010

Russian premiere

Concert including 'The Snowman' concert work. 3 perfs 5th Dec 7.30, 6th Dec 3.00 & 7.30

Featuring the song 'Walking in the Air' and the full 90-minute hit score by Howard Blake played by a live orchestra. 'An essential part of London's Christmas calendar. A captivating mix of dance, stagecraft and music.' TIME OUT

Following their success in Bath last Christmas at the Theatre Royal, The Bath Philharmonia are performing Howard Blake's 'The Bear' and 'The Snowman' as a 2008 winter tour. The narrator will be Russell Boulter and the conductor will again be Jason Thornton: Friday 28th Nov, Octagon Theatre, Yeovil; Sunday 30th Nov. Hall for Cornwall, Truro; Sunday 21st Dec. Colston Hall, Bristol; Monday 22nd Dec. Town Hall, Cheltenham. A popular feature of the event last year was the presence of the composer who at the end of the concert talked about his works and answered questions, which he will be doing this year again for the Bristol concert.

As part of an all-Howard Blake festival birthday programme including Symphony in one movement, The Duellists, The Riddle of the Sands, Heartbeat, Suite from Flash Gordon, The Bear (new German translation) etc

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra have scheduled a major concert of Howard Blake's music as part of their Cadogan Hall Season to celebrate his 70th birthday on October 28th 2008. The programme will be conducted by the composer and include the concert version of 'The Snowman' for treble (Robert William Blake), narrator (Nigel Havers) and orchestra, The Piano Concerto (originally commissioned for the 30th birthday of Princess Diana) played by William Chen, the brilliant Shanghai-based pianist who so memorably recorded Howard Blake's monumental work 'Lifecycle', and the London premiere of 'The Passion of Mary', a major new work for soloists, choir and orchestra, featuring soprano Patricia Rozario, tenor Martyn Hill, Swedish bass Lars Avidson and the chamber choir of London Voices, directed by Terry Edwards. Booking from 1st May www.cadoganhall.com 020 7730 4500

Concert of Modern British Music for two pianos (Arnold, McCabe,Blake, Davies, Bennett)

(selected works)

'Windy Nights' only - Music for Youth National Festival

A programme of English music (Vaughan Williams, Ireland, Jenkins) in celebration of Howard Blake's 70th Birthday

5 performances,June 12,11am;june 13 11am and 5pm;June 14;2 and 6pm

The concert also features a performance of THE BEAR for girl sopano, tenor, bass, narrator and orchestra

Children's Day Concert-My world of fairytales

A programme of Howard's music in his great-grandfather's Suffolk chapel - Quay Chapel,Woodbridge, including: Pennillion, Walking in the Air, To Sleep, Dances for Piano Duet, A Toccata of Galuppi's, Faith Alone, Holy Mary,Mother Mild, The Duellists Theme (for flute), Dirge for Fidele, Farewell My Gentle Harp, Winterdream, Make-believe. Directed by Helen Burrows.

First performance of the show at The Lowry 11 January 2008

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Concert of 'The Snowman'and 'The Bear' with pre-concert talk by Howard Blake with Jason Thornton

21st anniversary of the premiere of the revised version given in the cathedral in 1986. Also Vivaldi's 'Gloria'

Two perfomances at 3.00 and 7.30

Also featuring The Up and Down Man, Pennillion and Pas de Deux from the ballet music of 'The Snowman'

A performance coupled with Carl Orff's 'Carmina Burana'

Recording to be conducted by the composer

A concert of music by Howard Blake, including pieces from 'Lifecycle'

Prelude, Berceuse, Nocturne, Toccatina,Rag

To include 'Cradle Song' for boy & girl trebles and 'The Bear' with projected film and soloists (tbc)

Choreography by Robert North, Direction by Bill Alexander,lighting by Tim Mitchell, based on the Birmingham Rep/Peacock Theatre production

With The Snowman and both with projected film

Also featuring a performance of 'The Bear'

First performance

Programme to include works by Howard Blake (some pieces from 'Lifecycle'), Kosenko, Schumann & Rachmaninov

First complete Australian concert performance, with photography by Morgan Flemming

29-30 June 1-2 July

First performance

Selected pieces from 'Lifecycle' preceding a performance of 'Benedictus'

First performance

First performance

First performance

First recording for Meridian by Richard Hughes,produced by Susanne Stanzeleit

Following the concert the composer and Dame Janet Baker both gave speeches at the Festival Society lunch.

The Asian premiere of 'Lifecycle'. By royal command of HRH The Sultan of Selangor

Performed with both narration and projected DVD of the animated film

A concert with a birthday theme, with works by John Adams, Stravinsky, Handel and Howard Blake

A recital at the house of the Baron & Baroness Botzelaer; Marc Andre Hamelin in the audience.

First performance

An idea for a performance with each piece of the 24 played by a different player, conceived & organised by Alberto Portugheis

Funded by the Millenium Experience Company and relating the work to that of The Venerable Bede as part of a cultural programme for 2000

Millenium concert 2000 in Hove Town Hall including Robert Cohen playing 'Diversions'

A concert to celebrate the Millenium

Programmed with 'Carmina Burana' conducted by Christopher Bell

First performance

Walking in the air

After a song recital by Frederika von Stade the composer was persuaded to give an impromptu performance of the 12 pieces in the main hall lit by candles. The idea was proposed by Ilona von Ronay who afterwards suggested that if HB were to complete the cycle of 24 she would engage him to perform the complete cycle at Schloss Rosenegg as part of her annual music festival there. HB wrote the further 12 as planned, renaming the piece 'Lifecycle' and giving the first performance on August 6th 1996

An all-Howard Blake concert programme, unusually but succesfully combining 'Nursery Rhyme Overture'and 'The Snowman' with 'Benedictus' to a capacity family audience

As part of an all Howard Blake concert

Composer's note: This Hereford performance was given in a version for large orchestra (including 4 percussion) specially orchestrated by Larry Ashmore and published by Faber Music. However the somewhat bombastic result was unsuited to the gentle spirit of Saint Francis and I think for that reason the work was not taken up. In May 2003 I restored it to its original 'Mozartian' orchestration and it was succesfully revived in a splendid performance by Neil Jenkins and the Sussex Chorus

An all-Howard Blake concert programme including the Clarinet Concerto played by Emma Johnson

BBC broadcast 29th October 1991 as 'Symphony in one movement'

An all-Howard Blake programme including 'Diversons for cello & orchestra' played by Stephen Isserlis conducted by the composer (first London performance)

On the Feast of St Benedict

Broadcast on BBC Radio 3, 9 August 1987

World premiere of the revised work

Farewell performance by the PJBE attended by the great Harry Mortimer CBE who suggested the adaptation of the work for the British Brass Band Open and a new name 'Fusions'.

The composer visited Queensland University during September-October 1983 at the instigation of Michael Leighton-Jones, then professor of vocal studies, which gave the composer the opportunity to undertake major revision of both content and orchestration of the work

First performance (unrevised version) for the 1500th anniversary year of St. Benedict at the suggestion of Victor Farwell Abbot of Worth

Composer's note: This was the premiere of the work, which was performed along with 'The Mozart Requiem', the tenor role taken by the great Richard Lewis. After the performance the Abbot of Worth, Victor Farwell, said to me jokingly:'How dare you compose a work for the opposition, (meaning The Franciscans). Why don't you write a full-scale oratorio for Benedict whose 1500th birthday it is in 1980? Richard Lewis then said that if I would write one featuring a tenor he would perform it. I said I didn't know anything about Benedict, but the unstoppable Abbot then invited me to come and stay in the monastery and find out. I did so and there started work on 'Benedictus' (q.v.)

As part of an 'all-Howard Blake' concert with Jack Rothstein, Kenneth Essex and Helen Watts.