Music for the Queen of Scots (percussion optional)
Mary, Queen of Scots received her education in France and in
1559 she became Queen Consort of France. On returning to
Scotland to assume the throne, she brought her own musicians
with her from the French court. This programme illustrates her
dramatic life in music demonstrating the important connection
between these two countries in the 16th century with exquisite
gems from the Scottish Wode Part books contrasted with lively
French dances from publications by Attaignant. The music is
interspersed with the poetry and words of the ill-fated queen,
her cousin Elizabeth I and other characters from 16th Century
Scotland.
Phantasies, Ayres and Chaconys (theorbo optional)
Theatre and Fantasy in 17th century London featuring music by
the great Henry Purcell and contemporary Matthew Locke.
Recorders and theorbo combine to play chaconnes and dance
numbers from the theatre works Abdelazer, King Arthur, Dido and
Aeneas, Psyche and Dioclesian. Purcell's wonderfully rich
Fantazias with their astonishing chromaticisms feature alongside
Locke's Consort Suites performed on recorders, whilst 17th
century gems for guitar by the Italian musician Corbetta dazzle
the listener.
De la Salle
A programme of contemporary music from around the globe ranging
from exotic Japanese repertoire by Ryohei Hirose and Maki Ishii,
minimalism by British composer Laurence Crane, Viktor
Ekimowskij's amazing Kites Flying and Terry Riley's iconic work
In C rarely heard on recorders. Works written specifically for
the quartet include Bavardage by David Murphy, De la Salle by
Leo Chadburn and Fee, Fie, Foe, Fum by Caroline Lucas, and new
pieces are currently in the pipeline!
Flauti di camera (harpsichord and/or cello/bassoon)
A programme of virtuosic music from the high baroque era when
the recorder was at the height of its popularity. Featuring
fugues by J. S. Bach, dazzling concerti by Telemann and Vivaldi,
exquisite chamber works by Händel and Loeillet and sonatas by
the prolific woodwind composer Schickhardt, all performed on
recorders and continuo.
The King's Musick (soprano voice and/or dulcian optional)
Tune-in to the Tudors with music for recorders from the time of
the Bassano brothers, a family of musicians who came to England
from Venice in the 16th century, bringing with them a fine
tradition in consort playing. Lively instrumental dances and
polyphonic masterpieces selected from the Henry VIII manuscript
illustrate the rich musical legacy of the Tudor court. With the
addition of a singer this programmes focuses on the beautiful
renaissance consort songs by William Byrd and Richard Nicholson
with instrumental works by Giles Farnaby, Anthony Holborne and
John Dowland.
Northern Lights
Ancient and modern music from the most northerly reaches of
Europe. In this programme contemporary works are juxtaposed with
inspirational music from the medieval and renaissance periods.
Music by the Estonian composer Arvo Pärt, Denmark's Bo Andersen
and Scottish composers Stuart McCrae and Alastair Stout is
performed alongside early works from Iceland, Scotland and
Scandinavia.
Pipes a-plenty
A family concert featuring the Flautadors most popular
repertoire. Spanning eight centuries this programmes includes a
bit of jazz, folk, medieval, Bach and Tudor tunes played on the
full range of recorders from the huge contra bass to the tiny
garklein.
