GOLDEN CONSORT

ST LAURENCE’S CHURCH, DOWNTON

ON a recent Sunday afternoon in the golden glow of late summer light in St Laurence’s Church, Downton, we were treated to a splendid concert of early music on authentic and modern copies of baroque instruments.

Our performers were the Golden Consort directed by renowned harpsichordist Sharon Gould. Wearing an elegant golden outfit, she directed from the harpsichord pieces of music for one to six performers by composers including Purcell (his Golden Sonata), Handel, Telemann and Bach. The performers in this band are all eminent musicians, and between them they gave us a delightful programme, one of several they are devising and performing this season. All the music was from the 17th/18th centuries, and the ensembles possible with this line-up of harpsichord, violin, recorders, oboe, bassoon, cello and tenor voice were varied in instrumentation, charming and expressive, indeed wonderful examples of the best of baroque music.

This was chamber music – “the music of friends” – at its best, and we listeners were privileged to experience the interplay of melody, rhythm and harmony between these musicians, whose rapport and love for their music was so obvious. A highlight for me was the recorder playing of Louise Stewart, the oboe playing of Lysander Tennant, the singing of Colin Howard and the keyboard virtuosity of Sharon Gould. But all seven performers were on great form and the audience was gripped and appreciative throughout.

Ann Leggett