For those of you who were not able to make the Highgate Society’s lunchtime concert a couple of week’s ago – all is not lost as here are Declan and Sophie playing Lough Allen by Ciaran Farrell with which they opened their concert.
And for those who like the sound of Declan’s guitar, he will be treating us to a wonderful selection of solo guitar pieces on the evening of May 16th – from the height of the ‘Great Vogue’ guitar craze which swept through Europe in the early 19th century through 20th century classics from Heitor Villa Lobos or Jorge Morel to contemporary works by the Cuban composer Leo Brouwer.
If you would like to know more about Declan check in to his website – or go here on You Tube to hear him play.
The concert will start, as usual, with a glass of wine at 6.30 and end with supper, weather permitting, in the garden. Cost – £30 to include wine and supper.
Book here for the concert and supper.
John Taverner – The Protecting Veil
I first heard this extrardinary piece a few weeks ago played by cellist Guy Johnston and the Britten Sinfonia. It takes the form of a meditation inspired by the miraculous appearance of the Virgin Mary who spread her ‘protecting veil’ over a church in Constantinople in the early 10th century to shield it from attack.
Supported by sighing and occasional jabbing strings, Guy Johnston’s cello ‘unfurls endless melodic lines’, pausing betimes for long meditative breaths, ‘as though lifting its voice, and the audience, in prayer.‘ Guy Johnston is one of the few cellists to have actually worked with Taverner on the piece and, to quote Taverner’s wife Maryanna, ‘he was able to absorb John’s vision by this personal contact bringing that depth and experience with his exquisite playing.’.
If you have never heard it, Radio 3 broadcast the concert a few nights ago and it will be on iPlayer here for another 25 days – do listen. Also part of the concert, Beethoven’s Grosse Fuge and Béla Bartók Divertimento.
Colin Currie Group – Reich and Turnage
Do you like percussion? I find it hugely exciting so was blown away by a concert at the QEH on Thursday with the amazing Colin Currie and his group.
Currie is the leading exponent of music by Steve Reich and the programme included Reich’s Music for Pieces of Wood and his Drumming Part 1 (manic bongo drums that had you thundering across the plains in the midst of a herd of wild horses). Also in the programme were Julia Wolfe’s Dark Full Ride for percussion quartet, Norwegian composer Rolf Wallin‘s Twine for xylophone and marimba and the UK premiere of Mark-Anthony Turnage‘s New England Etudes.
Sadly, this concert was not recorded so I cannot direct you to it – but…. The Colin Currie Quartet will be playing at King’s Place next December, if you cannot find them sooner. I have already booked.
Upcoming Salon Music concerts
Monday April 8th
Bassett Horn Ladies of the Vauxhall Band.
This concert is now sold out but we have a waiting list in case we get any returns.
Go here to get on the waiting list.
Thursday 16th May
Declan Hickey – solo guitar recital. For more details see this post and to book, go here.
Sunday 26th May – Highgate Society lunchtime concert
Anna Scott sings and plays Americana classics. For more details and to book go here.
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