On Wednesday we had the first of our lunchtime concerts with the Philharmonia’s MMSF young orchestral musicians programme – featuring, on this occasion, violist Carys Barnes and her Slate Quartet.
It was a lovely sunny day and their programme was delightful – Haydn’s String Quartet in C Major, Op. 20, Beethoven’s String Quartet Op.18 No. 4 and a virtually unknown, but rather lovely, early piece by Imogen Holst – her Phantasy String Quartet. While I am sure most of you will know both the Haydn and the Beethoven – I am sure that none of you will have heard the Holst so here it is for you to sample. And apologies for the quartet’s somewhat bleached appearance – the sun was shining brightly through the window and was more than even an iPhone could cope with.
Next Philharmonia MMSF lunchtime concert – 25th June – harpist Aisha Palmer. You can book here – £15 to include a glass of wine.
Purcell at the Pub
The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment has been doing a series of gigs in pubs – the Night Shift they call it – playing Purcell! And why not?
Their latest was on Tuesday at the Fiddlers Elbow in Chalk Farm – more used to heavy metal than to Purcell’s dulcet tones. But the pub was packed – standing room only by the time I got there – and Purcell went down a treat. Next beer stop – 3rd June in York at the National Centre for Early Music for Bach by Arrangement.
Not only do they take Purcell to the pub but they also pair him with a pizza van at Acland Burghley School in Kentish town where they have had a residency since 2020. I have not managed to get to a Live at the Hex performance yet, choreographed and directed by the ‘young producers’ at the school – but I gather it is quite an evening! How brilliant to see groups like the OAE reaching out into the community in this way.
Don’t forget our new Upcoming Events page
Concerts here at Hampstead Lane but including other performances by artists who have played for us or which have some local relevance.
Is the Slate Quartet playing at the Issigeac International Music Academy in September 2025?
As participants or coaches?
I am afraid I have no idea…. I suggest that you message them om Instagram