Limestone transforming

I'd been asked to record an expanded Limestone Consort playing Vivaldi Nisi Dominus and more at St Paul's, Manuka.  Always happy to do it if I can and this was an opportunity for my multitrack option which is better but more tension-inducing and time-consuming.  So be it.  Limestone can vary quite radically these days for their concerts.  This one had harpsichord and organ from Ariana, baroque flute and viola d'amore from Jennifer and John and three female voices from Maartje, Veronica and Greta, so a fascinating and very period outing.  It started mild and it was never going to be loud in such a space.  John's viola d'amore is quiet (and demanding to tune!) and the organ and harpsichord are none too loud.  The female voices, though, were strong as were the other strings, so it was very much a matter of balance on the day.  Christoph Graupner (new to me, too) Concerto for flute and viola d'amore was very restrained despite a few vivace movements.  Then two Vivaldi songs with Maartje and Giovanni Battista Vitali Ciaccona op.7 (no, not that ciaconne and not that Vitali: Tomaso Antonio was GB's eldest son).  And then the main work of the day: Vivaldi Nisi Dominus.  Again, not the only one, apparently.  This demanded all performers, although in varied combinations.  Three singers at start and end, with solos and a duet totalling 8 movements.  Religious again, obviously but with an inviting lilting, four-feel top and bottom and three beautiful voices in such lovely harmony: Maartje as alto; Greta as soprano; Veronica as mezzo-soprano.  It was a tight and close harmony at a lovely female pitch and so very beautiful!  So this was not such a long concert and not such a loud or intrusive one, but it had some things of great baroque beauty and a huge please to hear again in my recordings.

Limestone Consort performed Vivaldi and others at St Paul's Manuka.  For this concert, LC comprised Jennifer Brian (flute), John Ma (viola d'amore, violin, viola), Lauren Davis and Michelle Higgs (violins), Clara Teniswood (cello) and Ariana Odermatt (harpsichord, organ) with singers Maartje Sevenster (alto), Veronica Thwaites-Brown (mezzo-soprano) and Greta Claringbould (soprano).