IN a programme of Music for Advent, Arborea Musica - Gerry McDonald (woodwind), Philippa Hyde (soprano) and Helen Rogers (harpsichord) - an attractive group, specialising in baroque music, performed on authentic reproductions of 17th Century instruments.
Bach's aria Erfullet, ihr himmlichen gottlichen Flammen from Cantata No.1, was accompanied by a lively oboe da caccia and continuo.
Benedictus, from Mass in B minor used a baroque flute, limpid and gentle, while lovely long, legato lines emanated from the singer.
Again, in Telemann's Cantata's for 2nd & 4th Sundays in Advent the trio united, using an oboe, then a treble recorder.
The second of the two cantatas was very cheerful and 'shouts of joy' were heard through jerky rhythms of singer and recorder player.
Elegant placing of the voice in a recitative for the second movement,and depictions of laughter, brought vividly to life by the musicians expert repetitions of staccato monotones, in the last.
Air & Variations: The Harmonious Blacksmith, by Handel, was a splendidly executed solo by the harpsichordist.
Variations of triplets, danced precisely and the last variation of rapid virtuoso scale passages, were all executed with accuracy.
In Bach's Trio Sonata in F major treble recorder and harpsichordist joined in an equal partnership. The first movement was one of speedy playing, the middle one was slower and consisted of many shared arpeggio figures, leading to a flowing close, wherein the recorder player supported his long phrases with ample breath, and the agile harpsichordist's finger-work was impressive.
The next concert is on Tuesday, January 18, at 7.30pm with El Ultimo Tango.
JILL HOPKINS
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