Last Thursday’s concert was resounding evidence that the ‘two centuries of obscurity and anachronism’ of the recorder, referred to in the programme notes, are truly over. The audience enjoyed an imaginative and creative programme that showcased this instrument and proved that size does not matter.
Mika Curson (Year 11) performed two works from the turn of the 17th century and two modern works, interspersed by Bach arias. Opening with a Ricercata for solo recorder, by Giovanni Bassano (of the Bassano dynasty of musicians, whose descendants are still prominent musicians in Britain), Mika drew the listeners into her fascinating inner musical world. She was then joined by Mr Heighway on harpsichord and piano, in a sonata by Dario Castello, and the Scottish Suite by Norman Fulton. To finish Mika delighted the audience as she transformed the recorder into a baboon, mimicking its sound with extended techniques aplenty.
The arias were performed by an instrumental ensemble including fellow Year 11s Amelia Ross and Jess Downton. The soloists were Eleanor Petry and Grace Hall, who brought sheer joy and freshness to familiar repertoire including ‘Sheep may safely graze’.
Carl Dolmetsch, the father of the early music revival and the banishing of the obscurity of recorder playing, would surely be pleased with the scholarly music-making that was in evidence.
Tau Wey
