Dear Friends,
For over 50 years, legendary conductor Sir Roger Norrington led the way in the historically-informed performance movement, bringing a fresh and exciting perspective to baroque and classical repertoire. In a landmark interview with his friend and colleague, keyboard player Alastair Ross, Norrington reflects on the pioneering experiments of the 1960s, expresses opinions on everything from orchestral seating arrangements to the use of vibrato and, of course, Beethoven - and cautions that tradition can be dangerous. Read the full interview.
Celestial Music did the Gods Inspire, a concert film by Ensemble Hesperi and their new vocal group, the Hesperi Voices, is now available as a full-length concert film, bringing to life the extraordinary story of the Battle of the Organs, and performed in the very building where the action took place - London’s Temple Church. In the early 1680s, after the Great Fire of London and the refurbishment of its interior by none other than one of Britain's most distinguished architect, Sir Christopher Wren, a dispute arose between the Middle and Inner Temples as to which of two leading organ builders should furnish the church with a new instrument. The years-long battle which ensued is hard to believe. Thomas Allery and Mary-Jannet Leith take us behind the scenes. Read the fascinating story.
We have highlighted below a few concerts that caught our eye this month. Have a look and find many more on Continuo Connect. And don’t forget to check out our February playlist - it’s all about LOVE.
Tina & the Continuo Team
PS Please help us amplify the artists on Continuo Connect by sharing this newsletter.
Chelys Consort: 2 Feb - Presteigne, 10 Feb - Cambridge, 11 Feb - Nottingham
If musical output gives us an indication of the person, then who is this man who is devoutly Catholic yet clearly a favourite of the Protestant Queen who made his faith illegal, a serious character capable of weighty contemplation but also sharp wit and humour? Joined by mezzo soprano Helen Charlston, the Chelys Consort of Viols present a programme that explores the proud Englishman, devoted friend, loyal subject, and faithful servant - the Honour of William Byrd. Up next.
Valencia Baryton Trio: 13 February - Warwick
Part of the Leamington Early Music series, the Valencia Baryton Trio presents a concert offering a rare opportunity to see and hear the baryton, an extraordinary string instrument that was favoured and played by Prince Nicholas at the Court in Esterhazy. Haydn composed some 80 string quartets, 104 symphonies, but in a golden decade (1765-75), he wrote nearly 200 works featuring the baryton, including 123 Trios. Compositions by his friend Luigi Tomasini, leader of the orchestra at Esterhazy, and his colleague Andreas Lidl, the virtuoso gamba player, also feature in this programme. Full details.
Manchester Baroque: 17 February - Manchester
The Musick in Manchester 1744/45 series by Manchester Baroque recreates the first ever public concert series known to have been given in Manchester, prefiguring the remarkable musical tradition that was to accompany Manchester’s development into one of Europe’s leading industrial cities. Their February concert reproduces number 8 in the series of 16, originally performed on 19th February 1745, with music by Handel, Corelli, Quantz, Geminiani and others. Read about Artistic Director Dr. Pauline Nobes’ detective work on Continuo Connect.
Sounds Historical: 21 - 25 February (on tour)
Join Sounds Historical for an entertaining evening of music inspired by birdsong. Performing on 30 different instruments, the group explores a variety of bird-inspired works by composers across several centuries, including Byrd, Morley, Couperin, Arne, Poglietti, Monteclair, Orme, Simpson, Zahnhausen and Van Eyck. The programme tours to Grantham, Banbury, Bloxham, Chadlington and Bicester. Up next.