London Underground
Music from the musical underground, where English composers created their own unique sound in the shadow of the great masters.
Opera houses and concert halls flourished, new stars were born, and a burgeoning middle class absorbed the music. But beneath the surface lay an almost forgotten musical underground—English composers who created their own distinctive sound world in the shadow of the great masters. Welcome tothe London Underground!
In the first half of the 18th century, music grew explosively in importance in England. With a new, affluent middle class, a thriving market for opera and entertainment emerged, where music became an integral part of the fashion and identity of the time.
Two "foreigners" set the tone: Italian violinist and composer Arcangelo Corelli and German immigrant Georg Friedrich Handel. Corelli's works shaped a musical style that characterized the entire century—even though he never set foot in England. Handel , became one of the country's greatest musical icons as a composer, performer, and entrepreneur.
But beneath the great masters was an overlooked group of English composers who not only imitated but developed their own musical language. This program lifts the veil on London's almost forgotten "musical underground" and explores a rich but unknown repertoire. The audience will have the opportunity to experience recorder sonatas and concertos by Andrew Parcham and William Babell, as well as ensemble works by Michael Festing, Charles Avison, and Richard Mudge—music that is still waiting to be rediscovered.
Music from the musical underground, where English composers created their own unique sound in the shadow of the great masters.
Opera houses and concert halls flourished, new stars were born, and a burgeoning middle class absorbed the music. But beneath the surface lay an almost forgotten musical underground—English composers who created their own distinctive sound world in the shadow of the great masters. Welcome tothe London Underground!
In the first half of the 18th century, music grew explosively in importance in England. With a new, affluent middle class, a thriving market for opera and entertainment emerged, where music became an integral part of the fashion and identity of the time.
Two "foreigners" set the tone: Italian violinist and composer Arcangelo Corelli and German immigrant Georg Friedrich Handel. Corelli's works shaped a musical style that characterized the entire century—even though he never set foot in England. Handel , became one of the country's greatest musical icons as a composer, performer, and entrepreneur.
But beneath the great masters was an overlooked group of English composers who not only imitated but developed their own musical language. This program lifts the veil on London's almost forgotten "musical underground" and explores a rich but unknown repertoire. The audience will have the opportunity to experience recorder sonatas and concertos by Andrew Parcham and William Babell, as well as ensemble works by Michael Festing, Charles Avison, and Richard Mudge—music that is still waiting to be rediscovered.
PROGRAM
G.F. Handel: Concerto Grosso in D minor, Op.6, No.10
William Babell: Prelude in E minor for harpsichord
William Babell: Concerto for Sixth Flute in E minor, Op.3, No.3
Charles Avison: Concerto No. 1 in G major after Geminiani's Violin Sonata Op. 1, No. 1
Michael C. Festing: Concerto in D major, Op.3, No.6
Break
Arcangelo Corelli: Sinfonia from the oratorio “Santa Beatrice d’Este”
Andrew Parcham: Solo in G major for recorder and continuo
Richard Mudge: Concerto No. 5 in B-flat major
Cast
Concerto Copenhagen conducted by Lars Ulrik Mortensen
CONCERTS
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