The Chapel of Christ of Alleyn’s College of God’s Gift
Gallery Road, Dulwich, SE21 7AD
Sunday 24 March 2024, 7:45
AFTER BACH
Andrew Benson-Wilson
Andrew’s annual Early Music Day concerts usually include music by JS Bach, reflecting the fact that Early Music Day is on 21 March, the date of Bach’s birth under the current calendar. This year Andrew is giving two Early Music recitals, with the titles of BEFORE BACH and AFTER BACH. As well as focussing on music from England, Germany and France (John Stanley, CPE Bach and Michel Corrette) published in the years immediately following Bach’s death in 1750, the AFTER BACH recital also reflects the date of the 1760 George England organ and the rather unusual concert time of 7:45 in the evening.
AFTER BACH and AFTER DARK!
The 1760 George England organ was restored in 2009 by William Drake.
Organ details can be found here.
A link to the programme notes will eventually be posted here.
The Chapel of Christ and Alleyn’s College of God’s Gift adjoin the Dulwich Art Gallery.
Free street parking.
Admission is free, with a generous retiring collection.
Post-concert refreshments.
The first of the two linked Early Music Day recitals has the title BEFORE BACH and is on Tuesday 19 March at 1:10 in The Grosvenor Chapel.
Christ’s Chapel of Alleyn’s College of God’s Gift in Dulwich was consecrated 400 years ago, in 1616. The chapel and adjoining almshouses were the first of the charity foundations set up by the wealthy actor, Edward Alleyn, owner of the manor of Dulwich. Shortly afterwards, the foundation’s status as a educational college was confirmed, leading to the present day Dulwich College.
time the Chapel’s first organ was installed. In 1760 it was replaced by a new organ by George England which, despite the usual additions and alterations over the years, still survives with a considerable amount of mid- 18th century pipework and a fine Gothick case. In 2009 it was restored back to its 1760 state (with modest additions) by the UK’s leading specialist on historic organs, William Drake. The original pitch (A430) and modified fifth-comma meantone temperament was restored. It is now one of the most important historic instruments in the UK.
Andrew Benson-Wilson : Early Music Reviews + 