British Harpsichord Society
January 2008 BHS Newsletter
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A Tapestry of English Harpsichord Music with Michael Maxwell Steer
A delightful evening in the spirit of a musical salon. Michael brought the music and the characters to life with a string of sometimes highly salacious anecdotes. We were promised in advance that all the ornaments would be played, if only to see what they sounded like!
The programme started with Tallis' Felix Namque II, followed by John Bull's In Nomine, a piece which according to Dr Pepusch, former owner of the Fitzwilliam Virginal Book "No finger could play" as it considerably challenged the four fingered style of its time. Byrd's Ut Re Mi was closely pergued by Ut Mi Re amid flamboyant rearrangement of scores. Lord Salisbury's Pavan and Galliard conveyed a few flourishes and courtesies of a doomed Carolingian world.
After Purcell's Suite II in G Minor, the ancient repertoire concluded with three untitled pieces from William Beckford, an area of special interest to Michael who has edited his musical works, and the subject of much anecdote. The transition into the 20th century came with Howells' Walton's Toye, and concluded with four inventions by Stephen Dodgson, about whom there were few anecdotes, but he was present in the room.
A thoroughly entertaining evening that conveyed enthusiasm and ideas as well as the music performed.Harpsichords, spinets and virginals are included. (Pianos, fortepianos and clavichords are not, but we are happy to point people to complementary organisations such as the British Clavichord Society.)
Our website is intended to complement existing harpsichord resources, with both original material and links to other sources of information.
We arrange meetings on the second Tuesday of each month, featuring an early-evening harpsichord recital, as well as more extended events on some Saturday afternoons. Most appropriately, they are held at the Handel House Museum.
Our recitals invariably sell out beforehand, so it is essential to make an early booking. The box-office is now open at Handel House with tickets available for the current series: 020 7399 1953.
We publish a Newsletter, to which are welcome.
Anyone with an interest or occupation related to the harpsichord is welcome: amateur or professional, music lover, performer, teacher, builder or collector. (The list is inclusive not exclusive.) The British Harpsichord Society membership list will not be published, but we will be pleased to be publicly associated with those members who so wish. Those on the brink of an interest in harpsichords are welcome, as are those with a lifetime of skill and experience, and all others in between. The focus is on Britain, but overseas members are welcomed where circumstances make membership of a UK organisation appropriate.
Click here to join. Joining the Society and continuing as a member cost nothing: there is no joining fee or annual subscription. The Society communicates via the internet: this costs very little. Arranging harpsichord concerts and visits involves some costs and some risks. Donations are very welcome to help make these possible, and to defray the expense of maintaining this website.
After joining, please do let us know if you change your email address.
Members can, if they are kind enough to do so, be most helpful in (for example) distributing our at events or mentioning the British Harpsichord Society in programme notes; sending contributions to the Newsletter; making suggestions for the website; letting us know of events; advising us of other relevant harpsichord information, weblinks, resources (harpsichord images without copyright or with permission are very much appreciated); and spreading the word to contacts with harpsichord interests. We are always grateful for
The British Harpsichord Society is not in a position to pay anybody, but voluntary help is highly valued and will be publicly acknowledged, or not as you wish.
Omissions are accidental not judgemental. Please let us know of any sites you think should be represented here, but please note that the main emphasis is on the UK. We are not responsible for the content of linked sites. Get your link on the British Harpsichord Society website.
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