Another concert at St. George's Bloomsbury - with music provided this time by just three people, Malcolm Pearce on the harpisichord, Tricia McLoughlin on the viola da gamba and baroque guitar, and Adrian Bookman, a countertenor. Small numbers, however, did not detrtact from the quality of the performance.
"The Musical Banqueting Menu", an A3 sheet folded in three just like a real memu, listed the works to be savoured, starting with Henry Purcell's "If music be the food of love" at an Appetiser, followed by several short pieces under "Royal Roast", then "Puddings", "Haggis, Neeps 'n' Tatties", "Tapas" and finishing with the "Wine List".
The "Haggis, Neeps 'n' Tatties" naturally featured Scottish pieces, including "Comin' through the rye", "Ye Banks and Braes" and "A red, red rose" by Robert Burns, three dances and ending with lady Nairne's "Wi' a hundred pipers". All very jolly.
"Tapas" went Spanish, and the "Wine List" ranged from German Wine to Digestif Liqueur.
Earlier in the year, when the pavements were covered in snow and ice, the church was packed; this time, when the weather was still very cold, but there was no snow or ice, there was a reasonable audience, but when I arrived just a couple of minutes before it stated, there were still plenty of seats available, even at the front.
Malcolm Pearce is an organist and took the opportunity to plug his CD which he is selling in aid of a men's cancer charity, whose name I have forgotten. Perhaps it will come to me later.
No comments:
Post a Comment