Every musical performance takes us on some sort of journey. This newsletter explores a few of these journeys, both in the music and behind its creation. We highlight upcoming early music concerts inspired by the geographical travels of composers and musicians, historical journeys through the centuries, and the passage of time through the night - the theme of our January playlist.
The Gesualdo Six lead us on a journey into the music of the night with Fading. Taking the service of Compline as inspiration, they explore how the hours of darkness can bring anxiety or a chance for reflection. Sung by candlelight in the nocturnal atmosphere of St Martin-in-the-Fields’ ancient crypt, there are still a few seats left to catch the award-winning vocal ensemble in this famous London church on Tuesday 7 January at 9:15pm.
Contrasting with the travels through time, the up-and-coming Azur Ensemble offer something more geographical in A Journey to London. This exciting launch concert, supported by Continuo Foundation, explores routes to London, through music by composers from each of the group members’ home countries - France, Spain, the Czech Republic and England. Enjoy this meeting of musical minds at Fidelio Cafe in London on 14 January.
Londinium Consort are also exploring the theme of journeys in their upcoming programme, Crossing Paths. Blending repertoire from Elizabethan London with contemporary composition, the group explores moments of liminality where the two worlds meet, are reimagined, and become something altogether new. Enjoy works by John Dowland and William Brade, whose careers were shaped by their time abroad, and a new work by the ensemble, on 24 January at St Saviour’s Church, Wimbledon.
Looking ahead to February, the Dunedin Consort will take their audiences Through the Night on a tour of Henry Purcell’s catalogue of endless wonders - starting at sunset and running until morning. Join this outstanding ensemble and acclaimed tenor Nicholas Mulroy for works by Purcell and his contemporaries in London in the final decades of the 17th century, in locations across Scotland from 5-9 February.
Our January playlist, Journey through the Night, traces the passage of time through the dark hours, inspired by the upcoming concerts from The Gesualdo Six and Dunedin Consort.
We hope you are able to enjoy some of our concert picks, or others listed on Continuo Connect. Alternatively, delve into your own journeys of exploration by immersing yourself in the many features and playlists the site has to offer.
Browse previous newsletters on the Continuo Connect Substack page.