Worcestershire Early Music

Our next concert will be bringing the music from mechanical instruments (barrel-organs and organ-clocks) made in the Eighteenth Century to life.

On Sunday April 6th we welcome Emily Baines (recorder/director), Poppy Walshaw (cello) Arngeir Hauksson (theorbo/Baroque guitar) and Steven Devine (harpsichord) who will play works by Purcell, Handel and Geminiani, but maybe not as we’re used to hearing them. Emily’s research into performances found in mechanical instruments give us a unique glimpse into the performance style of this music two hundred years ago.

To find out more visit:

Feature | The Ghost in the Machine | Continuo Connect

https://www.continuoconnect.com/features/the-ghost-in-the-machine

What a great afternoon we had with Sounds Historical and their wonderful collection of instruments!  It was so good to see so many people there to welcome them…it certainly kept those of us on the committee on our toes, finding enough chairs, programmes and cups of tea. But judging by comments received a good time was had by all:

” what a great afternoon of glorious music!”

  “congratulations on organising an amazing concert!”

  “thank you all for your incredible work…you do a wonderful job…Worcester is lucky to have you!” 

“a Time Machine experience led by superb musicians…this is what great concerts are about!” 

And so we look forward now to Sunday April 6th when we hope to see a warm welcome extended to  Amyas who will perform their programme entitled “The Ghost in the Machine.”  Collecting recordings of music built into mechanical organs and clocks from the 18th Century, Emily Baines has found interesting interpretations of works still performed today, comparing for example ornamentation and other performance details not necessarily obvious in the written score.

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Happy New Year to you all! Our first concert of the new year takes place in a month’s time, on Sunday, 2nd February.

We’re delighted to be welcoming Sounds Historical to Worcester!

600 years! Hildegard to Haydn showcases a wide and exciting variety of instruments, composers and styles, (think rebec, gittern/Medieval lute/recorders /Medieval flutes/percussion/voice/theorbo/crumhorns/ renaissance lute/recorders, Renaissance & Baroque flutes/ viols) all carefully researched and arranged, to provide an accessible journey through the changes and developments of music and instruments across 600 years!

Sounds Historical is a wonderfully engaging group, who speak to the audiences, keeping the performances inclusive and interactive – including a game of ‘instrument’ bingo! Composers will include Hildegard von Bingen, Isaac, Alfonso X of Castile, Machaut, Dalza, Schlick, Attaignant, Susato, Cima, Simpson, de la Barre, Telemann, and Haydn.

Sounds Historical are:

Heidi Fardell recorders
Mary Tyers recorders and flute
Lynda Sayce flute and theorbo
Alison Kinder viols

Our November concert featuring Newe Vialles was a huge success

Take a look at this article published by Continuo Connect describing their programme

Feature | Old Spelling But Fresh Explorations | Continuo Connect

Henrik, Caroline and Lynda were well received……

Here are two views of the remarkable decoration on the Lewis viol of 1705, which Henrik played.