Old and new

 

I was pleased to record Salut! Baroque.  S!B is a baroque ensemble, with gut and recorders and harpsichord and theorbo so I was surprised that the first tune was dated 1995 by Karl Jenkins.  He is around these days!  Then into the more expected dates, 1693, 1749, a later one at 1805 but that sounded quite modern being a lament that could be a current ballad to my ears.  And finally to JS Bach but he's a common feature in such company, and the final work, Concerto Dmin BWV1043.  I knew this one but from the first notes I was flustered.  Then I noticed "arr. Terry Bor" with movements Allegro brisko, Lager mit schmalz and Alla mode.  Wow, short and unexpected!  The first movement was swung, then schmaltzy as promised, and a final 12-bar with jazzy 2-feel.  But it was Bach, no doubt, as never heard before.  Otherwise, there were recorders with their period presence, gut strings, the theorbo and a period-looking guitar with, how many ... 10 tuners?  Wikipedia says 5 string pairs.  As for the theorbo...  But some capable  and convincing playing, certainly not least by John with his lengthy history in European and other ensembles.   But it's not just the tones of historical instruments.  This concert was entitled Baroque spirit and the 15 works investigated all manner of styles, dances, cultures, approaches through the era to dispel the interpretation of Baroque as bizarre.  The composers were Erlebach, de Murcia, Rameau, Gow, O'Carolan, Playford, Telemann, Cantemir, Orme, Anon, Pla, mostly somewhat lesser known than Bach, so this was a widespread investigation and even educational.  So, a deserving and fascinating and sometimes confounding musical outing.  Well done by both the musical directors and the performers.

Salut! Baroque performed Baroque spirit at Wesley Church.  The musicians were Sally Melhuish and Alana Blackburn (recorders), John Ma and Julia Russoniello (baroque violins), Brad Tham (baroque viola), Tim Blomfield (bass violin, cello piccolo), Jude Hill (baroque double bass), George Wills (baroque guitar, theorbo), Jack Peggie (percussion) and Monika Kornel (harpsichord).  Artistic directors are Sally Melhuish and Tim Blomfield.