Review
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La
Réjouissance: Music for their Majesties The trumpet often seems to be overlooked in the field of early music performance, despite the instrument's long and noble heritage, so the series of evening concerts of baroque trumpet music performed by the ensemble La Réjouissance at Christ Church Cathedral is a particularly rare treat. Trumpeters Allen Handy, John King and Roger Payne manage to appeal to early music aficionados and less choosy music lovers alike, with two alternating programmes that feature both well-known and less familiar repertoire. Saturday's Music for their Majesties concert featured suites by Lully, Rameau and Handel, conveying much of the elegance and splendour of the seventeenth and eighteenth century courts as well as taking full advantage of the cathedral's organ, acoustic and unique atmosphere. Playing on modern instruments, the consort produced a strident and rousing sound that blended well with that of the organ and which seemed ideal for the performance of music composed for Louis XIV's Versailles. The programme, which also included a stirring performance of Handel's Water Music and an exquisitely-blended Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring arranged for trumpets and organ, was further enhanced by contrasting interludes provided by organist David Ponsford and flautist Christopher Britton. The sheer panache of the musicians made the evening one that was impossible not to enjoy, and for those members of the audience whose seats commanded a view of the trumpeters, who performed from the organ loft, the players' visible enthusiasm was all the more infectious. The evening was crowned by an encore performance of a recently-discovered fanfare, originally written for Prussian army trumpeters and based on melodies from Il Seraglio. Never performed before in England, this was a rousing finale, and one that promised further such uplifting performances from this ensemble in the future. Olivia Rowland, 18 / 8 / 01 La Réjouissance give two more performances of
their Music for Their Majesties programme in
Christ Church Cathedral, on Wednesday 22nd and Saturday 25th August,
both at 8pm. Tickets are available from 798600 |