Toad Lane Concerts: Telemann Baroque Ensemble

The Telemann Baroque Ensemble

Any thoughts that music from 300 years ago is fossilised or museum fodder, were soon dispelled when the Telemann Baroque Ensemble struck up on Wedneday 24 November. Flute, violin and viola and cello, underpinned by a real harpsichord, provided a splendid hour of live, timeless music.

Frequent players at the Toad Lane Concerts, they relish the acoustics at St Mary in the Baum, and it showcases their playing admirably.

Director and harpsichordist Peter Collier has recently been made Emeritus Director of the Baroque summer school that he has run for some 43 years; and he says that he is looking forward to the next 44. A graduate of Trinity College of Music and London University, he has appeared as harpsichordist with the Halle Orchestra, the Lancashire Chamber Orchestra, Cheshire Sinfonia, Northern Baroque Orchestra, etc. His brief introductions add flesh to the bones to make the context interesting and relevant.

His merry band of players have a wealth of experience and proven commitment to music in the North West.

Flautist Alastair Roberts studied at the RNCM and taught music in schools alongside a busy career as soloist, chamber music and orchestral player. Similarly, violinist Elaine Turnock studied at the Royal Academy of Music and has led groups and orchestras in the Northwest for 30 years. John Goodstadt studied viola at Birmingham Conservatoire and also branched out into computing. Cellist Roger Bisby has always enjoyed playing but additionally he read chemistry at university and is now a Professor Emeritus of the University of Salford.

The programme consisted not only of the eponymous Telemann with a quartet and a trio sonata but also a rare performance of a flute sonata by French virtuoso flautist Michel Blavet, who incidentally held his instrument to the left, the opposite of today’s norm.

Additionally, we had quartets by two sons of Johann Sebastian Bach. Firstly, Johann Christoff Friedrich Bach, the fifth son of JS. Secondly, Johann Christian Bach, 18th child, 11th son, who became known as the ‘London Bach’.

Another great concert… plus some useful material for trivia quizzes.

The award-winning Toad Lane Concerts are every Wednesday at 12.30pm at St Mary in the Baum, Toad Lane, Rochdale, OL16 1DZ. Entrance fee is £6. No refreshments available at the moment, but the venue is Covid-19 secure. Contact 01706 648872 for further information.

Dr Joe Dawson