Kenneth Woods
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kennethwoods.net
Kenneth Woods
@kennethwoods.net
Conductor, writer, cellist, guitarist, composer. Artistic Director English Symphony Orchestra, Elgar Festival, Colorado MahlerFest. Bandleader and songwriter. Views my own.
https://linktr.ee/kennethwoods
This is a wonderful piece - maybe Still's finest. It was a joy to do as part of last year's Colorado MahlerFest with the wonderful Leah Claiborne. Give it a listen. All too timely, but full of hard-won hope

youtu.be/PLp_AR5Pf2c
Dismal Swamp - William Grant Still - Leah Claiborne - MahlerFest 38 - Kenneth Woods
YouTube video by Colorado MahlerFest
youtu.be
January 12, 2026 at 11:55 PM
Had a lot of fun recording this conversation with cultural historian and author Joseph Horowitz. On the agenda is the music of the 1930s, and the Ur Musik phenomenon via Sibelius, Busoni, Wagner and John Luther Adams. Hope you enjoy!

youtu.be/a5Cl1S6U0PI
Joseph Horowitz and Kenneth Woods in conversation - Is this Ur kind of music?
YouTube video by Kenneth Woods
youtu.be
January 10, 2026 at 3:57 PM
Out now - Our new single, "Oh Denise". Get ready to shuffle and strut.

open.spotify.com/track/7FQu0G...
Oh Denise
open.spotify.com
January 9, 2026 at 8:23 AM
Back in '24, Joseph Horowitz and I released a podcast , planned to be monthly. Between heart attacks etc, it's taken longer than expected to produce ep 2, but I think it was worth the wait. Hope you enjoy - Joe is full of insight and wisdom, as always!
www.artsjournal.com/uq/2026/01/u...
“Ur Kind of Music?”
I cannot think of a better conversationalist about music, and about the state of things musical today, than the conductor Kenneth Woods. Ken is an American based in the UK, where he conducts the En…
www.artsjournal.com
January 8, 2026 at 12:50 PM
Reposted by Kenneth Woods
I love the fact that we can be eclectic @co_mahlerfest . This is some wicked work from our principal bassist, Craig Butterfield, and composer Jesse Jones. MahlerFest is in the midst of our year-end fundrive. Please give if you can!
mahlerfest.org/pages/donate

youtu.be/Jy2WpJhzcU8
Donate
Tradition is tending the flame, not worshipping the ashes. - Gustav MahlerYour gift tends the flame of Mahler's music, igniting passion in future generations. Thank you your support!
mahlerfest.org
December 11, 2025 at 9:20 AM
I love the fact that we can be eclectic @co_mahlerfest . This is some wicked work from our principal bassist, Craig Butterfield, and composer Jesse Jones. MahlerFest is in the midst of our year-end fundrive. Please give if you can!
mahlerfest.org/pages/donate

youtu.be/Jy2WpJhzcU8
Donate
Tradition is tending the flame, not worshipping the ashes. - Gustav MahlerYour gift tends the flame of Mahler's music, igniting passion in future generations. Thank you your support!
mahlerfest.org
December 11, 2025 at 9:20 AM
Reposted by Kenneth Woods
Spotify has laid off thousands in recent years, while reportedly paying artists $0.003 per stream.

Spotify profits rose 28% in Q3. Its CEO is worth $9.8 billion. It's making money off ICE recruitment ads.

Don't you think it's time put a wrap on corporate greed and exploitation?
December 4, 2025 at 5:10 PM
"Simon’s arr of Mahler’s 9th Symph is a…formidable achievement, no doubt about it, though the reason it works so well is due to two key aspects of the work, both of which Woods & the @EnglishSymphony brought to the fore in their revelatory performance…"
bachtrack.com/review-woods...
bachtrack.com
December 4, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Looking forward to this one!

Tuesday 2 December 2025 @ 7.30pm
TICKETS
cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk/event/englis...

Programme
Richard Strauss – Four Last Songs (chamber version by James Ledger) 26’
Mahler – Symphony No.9 (chamber version by Klaus Simon) 80’

youtu.be/GLxCIn1Hiy4
Strauss Four Last Songs//ESO Live in Cheltenham Town Hall//2 December
YouTube video by English Symphony Orchestra
youtu.be
November 27, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Some thoughts about next week's @EnglishSymphony gig at @CheltenhamTH . This one is going to be special!

Tues 2 Dec @ 7.30pm
cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk/event/englis...

Richard Strauss – Four Last Songs (arr.James Ledger)
Mahler – Symphony No.9 (arr. Klaus Simon)
youtu.be/DxZ-xmRHua4
English Symphony Orchestra Residency: Strauss & Mahler - Cheltenham Town Hall
Richard Strauss: Four Last Songs (chamber version by James Ledger) [...]
cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk
November 24, 2025 at 1:08 PM
A vlog about the delicate balance between self expression and service to music that all musicians have to maintain. What are you challenges and feelings on the subject?

youtu.be/FWs-HxD_6vM
Mood and expression
YouTube video by Ken Woods, guitarist
youtu.be
November 23, 2025 at 1:58 PM
It's NEW RELEASE FRIDAY and today @SignumRecords are releasing Christopher Gunning's magnificent 8th and 9th Syms with the @BBCNOW. This record was a joy to make. Chris was a master of the orchestra with a completely distinctive musical voice.
Listen:
tidal.com/album/460698...
BBC National Orchestra of Wales & Kenneth Woods - Gunning: Symphonies No. 8 & No. 9
Listen to Gunning: Symphonies No. 8 & No. 9 on TIDAL
tidal.com
November 21, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Reposted by Kenneth Woods
Listening this morning to the new recording of Christopher Gunning's 8th &9th symphonies from @kennethwoods.net and BBC National Orchestra of Wales. I really got to listen to the others more!!
November 21, 2025 at 9:11 AM
Our November rock newsletter!

Some thoughts from Ken on the 2 acoustic tracks on Silent Spike,
Appreciation for music of Aimee Mann, Joey Landreth and Imperial Triumphant.
Recent reviews and more...

conta.cc/47C3yBL
Ken Woods - Pairs and Mirrors. Two acoustic songs for dark November nights
Email from English Symphony Orchestra "...a haunting exploration of historical trauma cloaked in elegant musicianship." Euphony Stream it here on all major platforms A little home studio noodling we c
conta.cc
November 11, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Reposted by Kenneth Woods
@englishsymphony.bsky.social is featured in Malvern Gazette/Worcester News in anticipation of Wednesday's performance - the opening concert of their Malvern Theatres' Residency featuring works by Haydn, Weill, Schulhoff, Milhaud, conducted by @kennethwoods.net: malvern-theatres.co.uk/event/eso-th...
November 10, 2025 at 5:47 PM
JOIN US!Penarth Ex Servicemen's Club Friday 7 November admission!
Blues and jams with a little extra desert hot sauce
Doors at 730. Jams at 830.

youtu.be/1j6_Exl4kmE
JOIN US!Penarth Ex Servicemen's Club Friday 7 November
YouTube video by Ken Woods, guitarist
youtu.be
November 6, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Reposted by Kenneth Woods
Mahler 9 and Strauss's Four Last Songs with the
@englishsymphony.bsky.social in @Cheltenham Town Hall on the 2nd of December. This should be unforgettable. Make your plans today! TICKETS
cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk/event/englis...

youtu.be/h7czscP_gOM
Mahler's 9th Symphony//English Symphony Orchestra//Cheltenham Town Hall//2nd December 2025
YouTube video by English Symphony Orchestra
youtu.be
November 1, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Mahler 9 and Strauss's Four Last Songs with the
@englishsymphony.bsky.social in @Cheltenham Town Hall on the 2nd of December. This should be unforgettable. Make your plans today! TICKETS
cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk/event/englis...

youtu.be/h7czscP_gOM
Mahler's 9th Symphony//English Symphony Orchestra//Cheltenham Town Hall//2nd December 2025
YouTube video by English Symphony Orchestra
youtu.be
November 1, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Reposted by Kenneth Woods
New single from the very exciting forthcoming record of Symphonies 8 and 9 by Christopher Gunning with the @BBCNOW on @SignumRecords. Complete album released world wide in November

open.spotify.com/track/3EQdQL...
Symphony No. 8: III
open.spotify.com
October 29, 2025 at 4:50 AM
Tickets:
www.ticketsource.co.uk/west-malvern...

Join us for an evening of immersive Americana in one of the Midlands most intimate and acoustically excellent venues. West Malvern Social Club is treasured for it's fantastic atmosphere and it's great drinks selections.
October 31, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Friends in Malvern, Herefordshire & Worcestershire. Join us at West Malvern Social Club on the 8th of November for a night of American music with a spicy kick.

Tickets & details here
www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/mal...
More detail from the Malvern Gazette
www.malverngazette.co.uk/news/2556530...
English Symphony Orchestra conductor to play with rock band
Ken Woods, conductor of the English Symphony Orchestra (ESO), will perform with his blues rock band The Old Blue Gang at West Malvern Social Club.
www.malverngazette.co.uk
October 29, 2025 at 8:35 AM
New single from the very exciting forthcoming record of Symphonies 8 and 9 by Christopher Gunning with the @BBCNOW on @SignumRecords. Complete album released world wide in November

open.spotify.com/track/3EQdQL...
Symphony No. 8: III
open.spotify.com
October 29, 2025 at 4:50 AM
Reposted by Kenneth Woods
#NewConcertMc
12 November 2025 @MalvernTheatres
Great @kennethwoods.net @englishsymphony.bsky.social
present:
#Haydn Symphony No. 60 (Il Distratto)!
#Haydn in "The Joker’s Wild – Mischief in Music"!!!

eso.co.uk/eso-the-joke...
October 21, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Really looking forward to this fantastic programme at @MalvernTheatres with the @EnglishSymphony. Join us on 12 November!

malvern-theatres.co.uk/event/eso-th...

youtu.be/R38oeWWF-vk
ESO: The Joker’s Wild - Mischief in Music - Malvern Theatres
English Symphony Orchestra The renowned English Symphony Orchestra return to Malvern Theatres with a rollicking programme celebrating the adventurous spirit of the 1920s. Erwin Schulhoff’s suave Suite for Chamber Orchestra […]
malvern-theatres.co.uk
October 18, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Hi everyone
Do I know anyone who illustrates (or aspires to illustrate) graphic novels (or knows someone brilliant who does). In this case, it's a historic theme, so the aesthetic will be western with a bit of steam punk for fun
Please feel free to nominate yourself!
October 16, 2025 at 4:17 PM