STOP PRESS!!!
Listen to the Band launch its latest CD live on Radio 3’s IN TUNE programme. 5.30pm on WEDNESDAY 23rd October
Traditionally, August is often a quieter time of year, with fewer concerts and Festivals, and this year the fantastic summer provided some much needed family time, rest and recuperation for the members of The Brook Street Band. The first half of the year saw the Band complete two recordings, which can be a pretty draining process. Plus, Rachel and her family celebrated the arrival of baby Noah in early May. In matters gardening-related, Carolyn, Farran and Rachel all have small-holdings and grow vast amounts of fruit and veg. Summer is also a good time to dream up future projects and programmes, and rehearse without the deadline of a concert, although the extreme temperatures made for some slippery fingerboards!
Tatty oversaw the artwork and booklet design for the Band’s newest CD Handel Opus 2 Trio Sonatas.
5 years ago, this would have meant sitting in front of a desk computer somewhere, but the proliferation of tablets and wifi meant that this task could be completed in the glorious Lake District, in fact mostly at Tarn Hows, one of Tatty’s favourite places. Sadly, there’s nothing to tie Handel to the place, but it is certainly an inspiring place to work.
The Opus 2 disc is out now on the AVIE label and here’s what they had to say about it:
‘The Brook Street Band has easily earned its reputation as “the smartest new baroque band around (The Times, London). Among today’s most notable Handel specialists, the all-girl group follow their ear-opening recording debut, the world-premiere chamber version of Handel’s ‘Oxford’ Water Music (AV 0028) which earned the ensemble an Editor’s Choice from Gramophone, and a sparkling rendition of the Op. 5 Trio Sonatas (AV 2068), with the composer’s other great set of Trio Sonatas, Op. 2. An utterly memorable collection of works that features Handel’s imaginative “re-heating” of his own popular tunes, the recording once again brings forth the Band’s sheer pleasure in sharing the composer’s wonderful music.’
Our other recording of the year,
Dixit Dominus, was released in the summer to critical acclaim.
'...an absolutely superb performance here from the Brook Street Band and the Choir of Queen's College, Oxford. ...everything about this album represents British Baroque performance at its best.'
James Manheim, AllMusic.com, July 2013, 5-star Rating
‘The playing of the Brook street Band is mouth-watering in its simple quality of musicianship, a standard that is upheal throughout the disc. A disc of unusually high calibre.’
Early Music Review
See more at:http://www.avie-records.com/releases
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Next Wigmore Hall concert
Sunday 20th July 2014 will see the Band return to Wigmore Hall, this time with trumpeter Simon Desbruslais and soprano Nicki Kennedy for a thrilling and virtuosic programme.
‘Triumph over Tragedy’ explores depths of emotion, from despair and adversity through to pure celebratory joy, featuring Handel’s La Lucrezia, Trio sonata g minor Op.2. No.6 and ‘Let the Bright Seraphim’. Also on the programme is Bach’s Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen, Trio sonata d minor and Telemann’s Trumpet concerto D Major.
In the pipeline for 2014 onwards
The Brook Street Band has a new project under development with a major London venue, choir and conductor. This will see the Band explore many of Handel’s wonderful oratorios over the coming years, together with notable soloists. This is a subject close to Tatty’s heart; some of you might know that her two sons are named after Handel oratorios, and it was in fact hearing a performance of Solomon in 1985 that is responsible for Tatty’s passion for all things Handelian.
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Getting a Handle on Handel
June saw the final part of the pilot phase of the Band’s education project Getting a Handle on Handel. Farran and Tatty returned to Bealings and Rhodes Avenue schools, ably assisted by Nicki Kennedy (soprano).This time the focus was Handel’s London, contrasting the grim and dirty London street life with the beauty and escapism of the London pleasure gardens. The children played their instruments in chamber groups, sang Handel songs and created a whole drama with mime, acrobatics, poetry and music, contrasting the two different environments.
We are delighted to report a successful Arts Council application, with an award for the next year of the project. In addition we have now secured grants from 3 more charitable trusts along with money from the schools themselves. This means we have enough money to fund Year 1 and will be returning to both schools this term. Next summer will see the children visiting the Handel House Museum and performing at Wigmore Hall. We will shortly start raising the money needed for the final year of the project.
If you would like to know more about this project or even consider participating please email Farran at brookstreetbandtrust@gmail.com
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Selected diary dates:
2013
21-23rd October
Rhodes Avenue Primary School, London
23rd October
BBC Radio 3 In Tune
26th October
Halesworth Festival - Louis de Bernières'
Mr Handel
3rd November
Turner Sims Concert Hall, Southampton
18-19th November
Bealings Primary School, Suffolk
22nd December
The Chapel, Norwich
2014
19th June tbc
Israel in Egypt, St John’s Smith Square
20th July
Wigmore Hall
Programme and booking information available at www.brookstreetband.co.uk
