Tim Thurston's music choices for the week of May 11th

MONDAY - There is uncertainty as to why anyone should muddle him with the Pope!! But no doubt that CLEMENS NON PAPA was a fine composer from early 16th century Flanders. The Brabant Ensemble recordings are lovely.
EVENING JAZZ - Trumpeter Laura Jurd has become a major figure on today's London jazz scene. Her group "Dinosaur" with Eliot Galvin on keyboards is first class.

TUESDAY  - Guillaume de Machaut was born in Reims around 1300 and was the first known composer to have set the complete ordinary of the Mass. The Messe de Nostre Dame is strangely beautiful. The Orlando Consort have recorded many of his lovely songs. He was a fine poet - a direct influence on Chaucer.
EVENING JAZZ - I had the very great pleasure of hearing Craig Taborn play in Ronnie Scotts and then Whelan's the following week (with tenor Chris Potter - they much preferred Whelan's!!). He is as interesting a contemporary pianist as any.

WEDNESDAY - Do I sense that Elgar's music is a little unfashionable nowadays. I have long loved - and often sung - his 3 early Latin motets - especially Ave Maris Stella.
EVENING JAZZ - John Abercrombie was one of my favourite guitar players. His early recordings on ECM - up to 50 with many of the greatest names - were all stamped with the highest quality - lyrical yet swinging.

THURSDAY - CHANT - CANTATE DOMINO - Psalm 98 - "Sing unto the Lord a new song" is - understandably  one of the most frequently set by composers from Monteverdi - to contemporary Irish composer Rhona Clarke. Many were based on this chant.
EVENING JAZZ - Not many jazz musicians make it to No 1 in the hit parade as Bobby McFerrin did in 1988 with Don't Worry, be Happy. He has one of the most amazing voices in any field. He has worked with Yo Yo Ma and many other "names" - but his favourite duets are with - the audience - nobody will ever forget a concert of his.

FRIDAY - JOSEPH HAYDN was so prolific - helped by his long working life. His String Quartets and Symphonies are central to the repertoire but I am very fond of his Masses - the last 6 - of 14 - are full of his finest music - try his Nelson Mass composed in 1798 - it got the name after Haydn met Nelson after his victory against Napoleon at the Battle of the Nile - the Viennese were much relieved.
EVENING JAZZ - Polish trumpeter TOMASZ STANKO was a unique jazz voice. His death just 2 years ago robbed the rich Polish jazz scene of a universally respected leader. He is associated with the avant-garde but is often most lyrical.

SATURDAY - Tenor ROBIN TRITSCHLER is originally from Wicklow and has quickly become a leading voice on the London scene. His sweet-toned tenor has featured in a number of excellent recent recordings including the latest in Hyperion's mammoth cycle of 19th century songs - by Brahms - it is a great pleasure.
EVENING JAZZ - Brad Mehldau, one of the finest improvising pianists, has played to full houses in Dublin a number of times. I particularly love his work in "The Art of the Trio" series and with the Joshua Redman Quartet and his tribute to Bach was wonderful. Lets hope he can keep his 1st November date in our NCH.

SUNDAY - BRITTEN WAR REQUIEM. I believe this to be the most inspiring and thrilling work of the 20th Century. I have been listening to his music since childhood and attended, I think, the 3rd ever performance in St Patrick's Cathedral - and in the Proms and have sung in it in the NCH - so - it is very special.
EVENING JAZZ  - I sadly never heard Canadian Oscar Peterson live but his recordings have also delighted me since schooldays. There is a lovely story of him and Nat King Cole - both could sing and play piano and they agreed to leave the singing to Nat and the piano to Oscar - both pretty splendid!!