Fantasy & Design
A digital video recital for one recorder player alone in three episodes
Anna Stegmann
July, August, September 2020

Shorn of live performance opportunities, many musicians are taking to the internet to display their wares. One such in the German-born but Amsterdam-based recorder player Anna Stegmann, a regular teacher at in the UK at the Royal Academy of Music and the Royal Northern College of Music. She released the three episodes of Series One, Fantasy and Design, during July, August and September 2020. It is the first of a continuing programme of short (15/20′) recitals, with Series Two following monthly from October to December. The videos can be previewed and seen in full for “a small financial contribution” with the option to add donation after each episode.

Anna Stegmann writes that Fantasy and Design represents “two seemingly opposing concepts (that) musically unite and challenge each other”, reflected in music from 1400 to the 21st century. The first episode, The Rules of Freedom, includes music from Van Eyck’s Der Fluyten Lust-Hof, a Telemann Fantasia and Isang Yun’s, The Hermit at the Water. Episode Two, Breaking Loose features Dorothée Hahne’s 2000 Commentari III (for soprano recorder and live electronics) alongside music by De Dia and Fumiharu Yoshimine’s 1999 Mudai. Episode Three, Another Day include music by Van Eyck, Bach and Berio.

The playing, the choice of music, and the imaginative video presentations are outstanding. The short length is ideal for these times for home viewing for those without the time or inclination for a full-length concert.

Season Two, La Suave Melodia, is appearing in three monthly episodes from 15 October to December. It includes two additional musicians, Inga Maria Klaucke, dulcian, and Alexandra Nepomnyashchaya, harpsichord & organ, in music from 17th-century Italy. A preview of the first episode, Adoration & Contemplation can be viewed here.

The videos were produced in collaboration with Andrea Friggi who provided the impressive audiovisual realisations. 

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