Lecture Recital

Any of my concert programmes may be performed as lecture recitals, with less music and more commentary. However, this programme was specifically designed to include a considerable amount of spoken material, including opportunities for questions and discussion.

Hold history in your hands - spend an evening with the lute!

A fascinating and engaging introduction to the lute family (as many of them as will fit into my car!), illustrated with live music on a huge variety of instruments, including Magno the two-metre theorbo, whose back is made from more than 100 pieces of wood. Please ask for an illustrated brochure.

Music and Art - illustrated talks

Lecture-recitals including slides, instruments and live music are available, focusing on the history of the lute as portrayed in the visual arts, or on the wider theme of musical instruments in art. These are especially popular with fine arts / history societies.

Concert Programmes

These are sample programmes suitable for full-length evening recitals with an interval. For lunchtime or teatime concerts, any programme can be modified to run without an interval. I am always interested in exploring new repertory and am happy to devise themed programmes to suit your requirements.

The Age of Gold

A voyage through the sixteenth century, beginning in the shadow of the gilded domes of San Marco, Venice, around 1500, and ending in London in the glory days of Elizabeth I. On the way we meet music from the burghers of 1530s Nürnberg, and the courtiers of 1550s Paris. The music ranges from the zestful brilliance of Joanambrosio Dalza's dances to the dark genius and tortured chromaticism of John Dowland. Performed on 6 and 7 course lutes, and (UK concerts only) bass lute. A CD of this programme, entitled 'Travels with my lute' is available.

Shakespeare's Musick

Music from Elizabethan and Jacobean England, including tunes mentioned in the plays, pieces dedicated to Shakespeare's patrons, and works written by his colleagues. Performed on 7- and 10-course lutes, this recital includes music by John Dowland, John and Robert Johnson, Ludovico Bassano and Thomas Morley. Also available as a lecture recital including an exploration of Shakespeare's musical language and imagery: this is particularly suitable for students of English literature. A duo version of this programme with Emma Murphy (soprano & recorders) is also available.

Dowland's Delight

An exploration of the life and times of the dark genius of the English lute. Music by the man himself, and also by his colleagues, his rivals, his son and his employer. Played on 7 and 10 course lutes.

Traveller's Joy

A tour of Europe, c.1620, with music from Scotland, England, France, Germany, Poland and Italy, interspersed with readings from Jacobean travel writings. From cuisine in Scotland to horse(!) couture in Poland, this is early seventeenth-century Europe in microcosm. Played on 10 course lute.

In Search of Lost Times

Very suitable for introducing the lute to a non-specialist audience, this programme includes music from two of the most important periods in the lute's long history, and some of its great masters. Music from the English 'Golden Age', by Danyel, Robinson and Dowland, and from the German high baroque, by Weiss and Straube. Played on 7 course renaissance lute and 13 course baroque lute.

Three Worlds: Lute music ancient, modern, and timeless

This programme juxtaposes the lute's finest traditional repertory with some of my favourite modern works, some inspired by historical idioms, and some certainly not! Very suitable for introducing the lute to mainstream or contemporary music audiences, this is definitely not an early music programme. Composers include Bartok, Chobanian, Maxwell Davies, Skempton, Wallace. Instruments variable; may include 7, 10 and 13 course lutes, and/or theorbo.

Tous les soirs du monde

Music of extraordinary intimacy and delicacy, from the court of the sybaritic Sun King Louis XIV of France, by his personal musicians and teachers Robert de Visée, Francesco Corbetta, Michelangelo Bartolotti, and Marin Marais. Performed on baroque guitar and French theorbos.

Bach and Friends

Bach's music is the pinnacle of many instruments' repertories and the lute is no exception. This programme pairs the master's music with works by his friend and colleague Sylvius Leopold Weiss, his student Rudolf Straube, and other lutenists who were close to the Bach family, Ernst-Gottlieb Baron, Johann Kropfganss and Adam Falckenhagen. Performed on 13 course baroque lute and mandora.

Concerto repertory

The following concerti are in my regular repertory; many are actually chamber pieces requiring only a handful of string players. I can recommend suitable partners for double concerti.

Albrechtsberger:

Concerto in D major for lute and jew's harp (with Michael Wright, jew's harp)

Vivaldi:

Lute concerto in D major

Concerto in D minor for lute and viola d'amore

Concerto in G major for mandolin

Concerto in C major for two mandolins