About

Hamish McKeich Conductor
Anthony Ferner flute
Oleg Kotorovich violin
Jeremy Woodside harpsichord

J.S.Bach Brandenburg Concerto No 5 Lardelli From Grey
Brahms Serenade No 2

Bach is believed to have composed this concerto in 1719 to showcase a new harpsichord brought to the court at Cothen from Berlin. In another version, it was a competition piece for a contest in Dresden against the French composer and organist Louis Merchand. Bach won by default after Marchand decamped before the event, alarmed by his reputation. What is certain is that this work is admirably suited to displaying the sound of an outstanding instrument and the virtuosity of the soloist. The music elegantly swirls and eddies, allowing the soloist to engage in solo sections, especially a lengthy cadenza in the first movement. You can even feel sympathy for M.Merchand.

Dylan Lardelli’s From Grey is an exploration in string colours and textures. These range from muted smokey tones to stark granite blocks to more transparent powder like hues.

These various shades and their incumbent emotional associations touch on various aspects of memory with flashes from the faded past to the ongoing transfigurations of active memory.

This is early Brahms – the two earliest orchestral works composed in the 1850s. The second serenade was written in 1859 and dedicated to Brahms’ great love, Clara Schumann. Revised in 1875, it provides us with a glimpse of the young Brahms as he evolves his musical style. There are even glimpses of the fledgling genius which would eventually blossom. The serenade meanwhile contains a youthful ardour and energy which reflects Brahms’ feelings, soon to be dashed, for Clara.