Toad Lane Concerts: Tim Kennedy tenor and Roderick Barrand piano

Tim Kennedy and Roderick Barrand

Tim Kennedy began his musical career singing for the Late Queen, as a treble at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor. Then followed Winchester College, Truro Cathedral and Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge. But he has now been based in Manchester for more than fifteen years pursuing a varied freelance career. As a lyric tenor soloist, he specialises in oratorio and recitals, but he also works as a piano accompanist, organist and vocal coach, including work as a staff accompanist for singers at the RNCM. See www.tim-kennedy.co.uk

Roderick Barrand has been a staff accompanist at the RNCM for forty-three years. He formed particularly close partnerships with students of the late Barbara Robotham, and the violinist Yossi Zivoni up until his retirement in June 2022.

He has also been involved for some time with Sale and Salford Choral Societies, as accompanist, solo pianist, and concerto soloist. Since 1992, he has been the official pianist of the Kathleen Ferrier Bursary for Young Singers.

This proved to be a highly accomplished collaboration. Following the stately anthem ‘Non nobis domine’ (Not unto us O Lord) by Quilter, Tim’s penchant for English song became clear as he moved to Handel’s ‘Where'er you walk’ and three songs of tears by Dowland, Gurney and Coleridge-Taylor. His beautifully poised phrasing backed with sensitive accompaniment allows the text to flow eloquently and distinctly in the range of styles.

The traditional ‘Skye Boat Song’ was sung unaccompanied most effectively, sandwiched between the attractive ‘Twilight’ by Aubrey Beswick and poignant ‘Homeward Bound’ by Marta Keen.

The perennial ‘Roses of Picardy’ by Haydn Wood and other songs of roses by Roger Quilter and Florence Price led to popular and stage songs. Heneker’s ‘Long ago’, Rodger’s ‘Edelweiss’, and Charlie Chaplin’s ‘Smile’ closed an elegant and charming recital.

The Queen’s Award-winning Toad Lane Concerts are every Wednesday at 12.30pm at the Grade 1 listed church of St Mary in the Baum, Toad Lane, Rochdale, OL16 1DZ. Entrance fee is £6. No refreshments available now, but the venue is Covid-19 compliant. Contact 01706 648872 for further information.

To see details of forthcoming Toad Lane Concerts, click here.

Dr Joe Dawson