George Ross

The Four Seasons for Percussion & Strings

~ Andrew Benson-Wilson

The Rhythm of the Seasons
Vivaldi’s Four Seasons for Percussion & Strings
Figure Ensemble, James Larter, Frederick Waxman
The Great Hall, Barts North Wing. 25 June 2026

This was Vivaldi, but not as you know it – an arrangement by James Larter and Frederick Waxman for a small Baroque orchestra and an impressive array of percussion instruments. It was first performed last year and has been recorded for release next year. As well as the music, I was also attracted by the chance to see the newly restored Great Hall of Barts North Wing and its spectacular Hogarth staircase, part of a 1730 redesign by architect James Gibbs.

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Handel: Aminta e Fillide

~ Andrew Benson-Wilson

Handel: Aminta e Fillide
Fair Oriana
Opera Settecento, Leo Duarte
The Handel Friends
St George’s, Hanover Square, 28 November 2019

It was entirely appropriate that this concert, given under the auspices of The Handel Friends, should take place in Handel’s own church of St George’s, Hanover Square, just round the corner from his surviving home. After 30-minutes of instrumental music and sumptuous interval refreshments (all part of the deal) came an inspirational performance of Handel’s pastoral cantata Aminta e Fillide, performed with the soprano duo Fair Oriana (Angela Hicks & Penelope Appleyard).

Aminta 4.jpegPenelope Appleyard & Angela Hicks (Fair Oriana) Continue reading →