Our first two Baroque & Beyond concerts were a huge success, with packed audiences, a lovely atmosphere and some excellent cake and conversation! Audiences were treated to a variety of instruments in our Brilliant Baroque and Colourful Classics programmes, with music by composers such as Bach, Vivaldi and Scarlatti as well as less well-known composers such as Nicolas Chédeville.
Here is a review from our Castleton concert (Colourful Classics), with thanks to John Loveless:
“On Sunday 19th June we were treated to a dashing and inspired performance of eighteenth- century music in Castleton Church by Baroque in The North, a Manchester-based ensemble consisting of Amanda Babington on violin, recorder and musette, Claire Babington on baroque cello and David Francis on harpsichord. Whilst the six composers whose music was featured were all born within 27 years of each other and were in their prime 300 years ago, there was plenty of variety in the music which included two short pieces for solo harpsichord, La Poule by Rameau and Le Coucou by Daquin, in both of which the harpsichord was used to imitate the sounds made by these birds. The other pieces were a cello sonata by Vivaldi, a violin sonata by Boismortier, a recorder sonata by Telemann and a suite featuring the musette, or French bagpipes by Chedeville. In the pieces featuring the violin, recorder and bagpipes, the cello and harpsichord played a supporting “continuo” role, pointing out the harmony and rhythm of the music underneath the solo instrument.
The performers played beautifully and expressively together and showed a deep appreciation and sensitivity for this music which can be dazzling in its intense fast movements and full of quiet contemplation and yearning in the slow movements.
The trio talked with refreshing interest about their instruments and also brought cakes, and the ticket included a piece of cake and a cup of tea. This was the second of six concerts they are performing locally over the summer, alternating three different programmes of music across the six concerts. Tea and cake however will be featured at all the concerts. If you are new to this type of music, give it a go. If you are a seasoned listener, I am sure you will find it a treat.
And you can catch our third programme, Magnificent Music, on 16 July, at 2.30p.m in St Matthew’s Church, Hayfield, SK22 2JE. Tickets can be bought in advance here, or on the door. See you there! 🙂
