"If the audience took one memory home at the end of the evening, it could only have been the extraordinary sight of the artist James Mayhew painting his interpretation of Musorgsky’s Pictures in real time as the music was being performed… The result was effectively a Concerto for Artist… seldom could any artist expect to encounter such a storm of appreciative applause…” - Christopher Lambton ~ The Arts Desk
FORTHCOMING CONCERTS:
Click here to see up to date listings: https://www.jamesmayhew.co.uk/events
ABOUT JAMES'S ILLUSTRATED CONCERTS:
Music is a wonderful way to tell a story, and many of the great composers were inspired by myths and folktales. James’s unique classical concerts has him joining musicians and orchestras to present/narrate and illustrate live on stage during performances; the illustrations are projected onto a screen so the audience can watch the pictures grow in time to the music.
Whether it’s turning Mussorgsky’s Exhibition back into pictures, bringing The Carnival of the Animals to life, or telling the tales of Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade, James has captured the imaginations of thousands of children – and indeed adults too.
With his passion for music, vast knowledge of folklore, and 30 years of experience as a storyteller and children’s illustrator, James is perfectly placed to bring all these strands together. The concerts are highly educational, critically acclaimed and enormous fun.
In 2021-22 he created a series of films for the BBC National Orchestra of Wales called "Drawn to Music" including a film for the acclaimed Ten Pieces project, and in 2023 he toured Scotland with the RSNO, presenting core repertoire to thousands of school children, in concerts based upon his Carnegie Medal-nominated book, “Once Upon A Tune”. I 2024 another tour with Britten Sinfonia covered the East of England, ending with two sold out performances at Snape.
Other collaborations include concerts with RLPO, London Mozart Players, The Doric Quartet, Roger Eno and Tanita Tikaram!
”Its quite the tonic to watch Mayhew match colours, shapes and images to the orchestra's own sweet patterns." (BBC's Drawn to Music series) - SUNDAY TIMES 2021
"...his wondrous quicksilver illustrations were a captivating part of the performance and kept the children riveted." (Gaspard's Foxtrot; Peter and the Wolf, 3 Choirs Festival 2021) - Jonathan Dove (composer).
James enjoys developing programmes and collaborating with all kinds of musicians, from full symphony orchestras to quartets and soloists. To discuss possible projects, please get in touch here:
It was Mayhew’s artistry that really caught the attention… deeply impressive. It gave Rimsky-Korsakov’s music a new dash of colour.
