After the performance by Ensemble Hesperi on Friday 3 June, BAMS noticed they had one very young person in the concert audience for the first time. Hazel was brought by her mother, Bryony, specially to hear the recorder being played. In fact Mary-Jannet used three of different pitches. Her quartet companions were Magdalena playing Baroque violin, Florence on Baroque cello and Thomas with harpsichord.
Who are Ensemble Hesperi?
Ensemble Hesperi were the performers for the concert titled From Caledonia to the Capital. They are a group of young musicians who met during their time at the Royal College of Music in London and specialise in Baroque music.
Concert programme
The programme was mostly of Scottish origin from the 18th century though taken to be performed in England at that time. Newcastle would have been the most northerly part of the circuit for musicians then so it was interesting to hear one Trio Sonata written by Charles Avison, organist of Newcastle Cathedral and an influential concert promoter in the area.
As well as captivating the audience, it was obvious that the Ensemble Hesperi took huge delight in playing together. They engaged with each other throughout, producing wonderfully thoughtful and precise sounds.
BAMS have their next concert on 15 July. Find more information here.
Bishop Auckland's local community newspaper.
