The Ashford Baroque Ensemble is a mainly modern
instrument ensemble made up of professional,
semi-professional and good amateur players.(Keywords:
baroque orchestra / London / group / amateur / early music group / Surrey / Berkshire / South
East England, / South West London, / UK)
Players who are grade 8
standard or above are invited to apply. We are
looking for players with enthusiasm for the style, good
intonation and musicality. Good sight reading helps!
Currently we have vacancies for the following
instruments: Violin, Double Bass/Violone.
We are always pleased to hear from other instrumentalists
as well, as extras are needed from time to time. We would be
particularly interested to hear from players with Baroque wind
instruments.
We rehearse at St Matthew's
Church, Ashford, Middlesex, fortnightly on Monday
evenings from 7.30 - 9.30. Although the ABE aims
for an authentic playing style, for practical reasons
modern instruments are also accepted, and therefore we play mostly at modern pitch.
Many of our string players do have
baroque bows, though. We play music from about
1575-1775, with players’ suggestions welcome. The
repertoire can include anything from unaccompanied solos
to concertos and early symphonies, giving members the
opportunity to shine individually or blend with the
ensemble as desired. There are no fees to join. We would
also be interested to hear from experienced players who could not
promise a regular commitment, but would be prepared to play from time to
time. Please note that we cannot normally offer fees.
Concerts are given in St Matthew's and other venues. One of the features of our concerts is
variety of texture. In most concerts we perform trio sonatas and other
smaller scale works along with concertos and sinfonias. We also stretch the Baroque period as far as it
will go, sometimes including late Renaissance pieces at
one end and early Classical at the other.
About our Director: Philip Buckmaster
gained an honours degree at the Colchester Institute
School of Music, where Peter Holman (of The Parley of
Instruments) was the resident early music lecturer. He
studied the organ, piano, harpsichord, violin, singing,
composing and conducting. He then followed a specialist
course for music teachers at Kingston University, and now
enjoys a varied career in and around London, playing,
teaching, directing, composing and arranging. He has
always had a keen interest in Baroque music and its
performance. Well known locally, he is also Director of
Music at St Matthew's, and Conductor of Feltham
Choral Society.
Note: If clicking these links doesn't work on your computer,
you can right click, choose "Save Target As...", select a folder
to save in, and download the file. You will then be able to play it. (You
can then delete the file after use.)
Please e-mailinfo@ashfordbaroque.org.uk
or phone 020 8751 5315 if you are
interested in joining us.
Please note that we do not normally employ
soloists from outside the ensemble.
Click hereto download a publicity leaflet (in pdf
format) including directions on how to get to rehearsals.
Forthcoming Performances
Saturday 26th January, 2008, 7.30 Tickets - in advance: £8,
concessions £6, under 16s £3 on the door: £9, concessions £7, under
16s £4 at St Matthew's Church,
Church Road, Ashford, Middlesex.
Thomas Linley was hailed
as 'the English Mozart'. A prodigious violinist, and born in the same
year as Wolfgang Amadeus, he struck up an instant friendship with the
young Mozart as a kindred spirit. Although he wasn't as prolific a
composer as his friend, he has left us some very beautiful, well crafted
and original works.
His death in a boating accident at the age of 22 was a tragic loss to
English music, for if he had lived he would almost certainly have
become one of this country's best composers.
Come and hear a
selection of his all too rarely performed music at this concert.
You will not be disappointed!
Programme:
William Boyce
Symphony No.5 in D
Bach
Unaccompanied Cello Suite No.1 in G (Soloist: Tatsuya Shirai)
Handel
Organ Concerto The Cuckoo
and the Nightingale (Soloist: Philip Buckmaster)
Thomas Linley the younger
Overture to The Duenna Cantata - Ye Nymphs of Albion's Beauty-blooming Isle (Soprano
solo: Rachel Major)
Arise! Ye Spirits of the Storm from The Tempest Overture, Minuetto and 1st Chorus from A Lyric Ode
Wine &
soft drinks available during the interval
Click here for a map showing the
location of St Matthew's Church.
St Matthew's is at the bottom of the top centre square, with the church hall
just above, at the end of Muncaster close, as shown by the arrrow.
This link takes you to
streetmap.co.uk - press the back button on your browser to return to ABE.
Would you like us to come and perform
in your church or other venue?
We have our own music stands and
harpsichord. All we require is chairs (without arms) and space
for about 15-20 players to be seated, and a fee of £250.
Occasionally this amount is exceeded if extra players need to be
brought in for any large works you might want us to play, or if
your venue is far away. Any amount you raise above this you can
use how you wish. We suggest a ticket price of £8-10 for a
concert, which means that after the first 25-30 people, you make
a profit!
Do you need an
accompaniment for your choir?
We are also available to choirs seeking
an historically informed Baroque accompaniment at modern or Baroque pitch. Fees are negotiable. (We have also been known to play a
bit of Mozart!)
We can play for your Wedding or other
function!
Usually a small section
of the ensemble will play. Minimum 3 players, but 4 or more is recommended for
variety. Competitive rates!
