Surrey, UK
info@passacaglia.com
Programmes
Passacaglia offers a wide range of attractive, popular programmes to suit different audiences, performance conditions, and budgets. The line-up can include core group members and regular guest artists (see right), scaling up from a flexible trio, through the usual trio sonata grouping, to a larger ensemble suitable for chamber concerto repertoire.
To find out more about each of the programmes, click on its name:
One of Passacaglia’s most popular and
entertaining programmes, Coffee House Music
is a celebration of the lively eighteenth
century coffee club culture which prevailed
in cities across northern Europe, from
Leipzig to London. Featuring famous music
performed in the Coffee Houses, and
celebrating the power and potency of this
newly popular beverage, our programme
presents pieces by Telemann, Handel, Marais
and, with soprano soloist Julia Gooding, JS
Bach’s famous aria Ei! wie schmeckt
from the Coffee Cantata.
Passacaglia offers a wide range of attractive, popular programmes to suit different audiences, performance conditions, and budgets. The line-up can include core group members and regular guest artists (see right), scaling up from a flexible trio, through the usual trio sonata grouping, to a larger ensemble suitable for chamber concerto repertoire.
To find out more about each of the programmes, click on its name:
Coffee House Music
The Grand Tour
In this most extravagant of baroque programmes,
Passacaglia re-traces the cultural route of the
traditional Grand Tour. Beginning in the
theatres of Handel’s London, we travel via the
Royal Palace at Versailles into the coffee
houses known by Bach and Telemann, crossing the
alps to Vivaldi’s Venice and finally to Rome,
home of baroque master Corelli. An elegant
collection of some of the best instrumental
solos, trios and quartets of the baroque era.
Available as an instrumental programme, or with
soprano Julia Gooding.
La Bergamasca
Our inspiration for this programme is the
wealth of instrumental music built on popular
tunes and themes of the sixteenth to eighteenth
centuries. The programme features classic
variations on La Follia by Vivaldi and
Marais, on La Bergamasca by Uccellini,
and works built on a ground bass from The
Division Flute. A really colourful and
entertaining programme with plenty of memorable
melodies and instrumental variety.
Grande Amore, Grande Dolore!
Featuring songs of life and love (and lust!) by
baroque masters Purcell, Handel and Scarlatti,
this enticing programme presents top soprano
Julia Gooding in partnership with Passacaglia.
Flutes and recorders have long been used by
composers to illustrate affairs of the heart,
and our wonderfully engaging programme includes
the famous aria Lascia ch'io Pianga
from Handel’s Rinaldo, as well as some
imaginative chamber music by Couperin and
Telemann with an amorous theme!
Parisian Chic
The first public concerts in Paris - known as
the Concert Spirituel - took place away from
the Royal Court, in the Tuileries, where more
daring and eclectic tastes could prevail.
Featuring instrumental music in the highly
fashionable and controversial Italian virtuoso
style, our programme includes music by Leclair,
Royer, Rameau, Dornel and members of the
illustrious Philidor family. A treat of French
eighteenth century splendour and decadence,
with more than a hint of Italian extravagance!
Celebrating the release of Passacaglia’s new CD
recording of instrumental music by
Louis-Antoine Dornel.
The Musical Offering
In this special programme, premiered in 2006
with guest violinist Oliver Webber, Passacaglia
performs extracts from JS Bach’s monumental
Musical Offering, interspersed with
entertaining trio sonatas by Bach’s famed
compatriots, Telemann and Handel. Performed by
some of the UK’s best baroque instrumentalists,
this is a programme not to be missed!
Musicians
Annabel Knight (recorder and flute) is one of Britain's most respected recorder players. She teaches at Birmingham Conservatoire and founded the Woodhouse Recorder Week summer school.
Louise Bradbury (recorder) is a regular member of Passacaglia and Fontanella recorder quintet. As well as wide-ranging performing experience she runs an acclaimed community music programme in the South East of England.
Oliver Webber (violin) is one of the most sought-after baroque violinists today. Performing regularly with most of the major period instrument orchestras in the UK he is also an expert on historical stringing.
Reiko Ichise (viola da gamba) regularly plays with orchestras and ensembles such as Concordia and Florilegium, in the UK and abroad.
Robin Bigwood (harpsichord, organ) is a hugely experienced player of historical keyboard instruments as well as modern piano. He combines a performing career with recording and producing.
Regular guests
Dan Laurin's status as a recorder player is truly global. His extensive discography includes baroque favourites alongside contemporary works. He is renowned as a charismatic and characterful performer.
Julia Gooding is one of the UK's finest sopranos working in the field of historically-informed performance. An international performing schedule is matched by a significant recorded output.
Annabel Knight (recorder and flute) is one of Britain's most respected recorder players. She teaches at Birmingham Conservatoire and founded the Woodhouse Recorder Week summer school.
Louise Bradbury (recorder) is a regular member of Passacaglia and Fontanella recorder quintet. As well as wide-ranging performing experience she runs an acclaimed community music programme in the South East of England.
Oliver Webber (violin) is one of the most sought-after baroque violinists today. Performing regularly with most of the major period instrument orchestras in the UK he is also an expert on historical stringing.
Reiko Ichise (viola da gamba) regularly plays with orchestras and ensembles such as Concordia and Florilegium, in the UK and abroad.
Robin Bigwood (harpsichord, organ) is a hugely experienced player of historical keyboard instruments as well as modern piano. He combines a performing career with recording and producing.
Regular guests
Dan Laurin's status as a recorder player is truly global. His extensive discography includes baroque favourites alongside contemporary works. He is renowned as a charismatic and characterful performer.
Julia Gooding is one of the UK's finest sopranos working in the field of historically-informed performance. An international performing schedule is matched by a significant recorded output.