Welcome to my news page! Here you will find updates on forthcoming concerts, recordings, master classes and other collaborations of interest.

February 2010:

Some very exciting concerts in February and March. On 2nd March I will be performing Austro by Giorgio Tedde, Gesti by Luciano Berio and 21st century works by Elizabeth Winters (SPNM composer), Edward Southall and Poulenc's famous flute sonata on my new 'modern' alto, made by Mollenhauer. This concert will take place in the Adrian Boult Hall, Birmingham Conservatoire.

On 24th March I am giving the world premiere of Edward Gregson's new work for recorder, 'Aztec Dances'. Having worked on the sketches with the composer, I am very excited about this new piece for recorder and piano, which will use Marten Helder tenor and alto recorders. This piece, along with others by Sarasate, Lennox Berkerley and Claude Debussy will be performed in my debut recital at the Bridgewater Hall main stage, Manchester.

Both of these concerts are billed as the 'Orton-Nasidlak Duo' with my longstanding friend and concert pianist, Magda Nasidlak. www.magdalenanasidlak.com

I am also delighted to have been elected a Freeman, by redemption, to the Worshipful Company of Musicians, as of February 2010. I hope to contribute to the charitable work of the Company towards young musicians, having benefited hugely from the Company myself upon graduation and thereafter.

July 2009:

MANCHESTER MIDDAY CONCERT: Christopher is delighted to have been awarded a highly prestigious recital at the famous Manchester Midday Concert Series at the Bridgewater Hall, Manchester. The recital will be at 12:00 on MARCH 24th, 2010. The programme will include old favourites by Lennox Berkeley, Claude Debussy, G. Ph. Telemann and an exciting new work and world premiere by the internationally acclaimed composer, Professor Edward Gregson. This work has been composed and dedicated to Chris, and funded by the BBC Performing Arts Fund.

Christopher has two new teaching positions. He will be teaching recorder and chamber music at the world famous Chetham's School of Music from September 2009, and also contemporary recorder to all 4th year undergraduates at his alma mater, Birmingham Conservatoire, also from September 2009.


January 2009:

NEW MYSPACE PAGE! Check out www.myspace.com/christopherorton to hear some recordings...

Chris has begun a series of collaborations with the exciting young Baroque ensemble, 'Consort 1700'. These concerts will explore the repertoire of the high Baroque and 17th Century Italy. See the Agenda page for concert details!

November 2008:

2009 Looks like a busy year. Various projects including new commissions and performances are in the pipeline, as well as further teaching engagements on a freelance basis at Chetham's school of Music in Manchester, and a master class for composers at the University of York. More news will be posted here as soon as developments are confirmed.

Christopher has also been invited to record a short demo for Kung Blockfloetenbau to demonstrate their new great bass (superio) range. he will be joining Maurice Steger, Piers Adams and QNG on a CD demonstrating the fantastic instruments made by kung.

Christopher is collaborating with the internationally recognised composer and conductor, Edward Gregson, to present a new work for recorder and piano. This virtuosic work will be premiered and dedicated to Chris and his long standing piano duo partner, Magdalena Nasidlak.

Christopher gave the World Premiere of two new works in November, in the same concert: Soliloquy V 'flauto acerbo' by Albanian composer Thomas Simaku, and 'Run Towards one Another' by the Bulgarian/Hungarian composer Georgi Sztojanov. Both pieces were a fantastic success and will no doubt become staple pieces in the recorder repertoire of the 21st century.