A harpsichordist often works with other musicians. In my case this has been both with single artists (for example, the Danish singer and violinist Jette Rosendal), and as continuo player with choirs and orchestras, such as the European Union Chamber Orchestra, and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. As for solo work, below is a selection of the programmes I have developed over the years, and some of the concerts I have given.
English Music from the 17th century. Composers include Byrd and Purcell, and pieces concentrate on the use of the Ground Bass. This delightful and deceptively simple musical form was very popular in England, and has been used by many later composers too, including Vaughan Williams.
This memorable programme, often scheduled for the late evening, was first performed at Dartington in 1995, and much of the original music has been retained. It also became one of my most popular CDs. A continuous sequence of pieces ancient and modern, it sustains a mood of intense, mostly dark character. Composers include Couperin, Bach, Louis Andriessen and Liz Lane.
A programme concentrating upon Fantasias. Music by François Couperin, Handel, Liz Lane, Peter Philips, and including Bach’s famous Chromatic Fantasia and Fugue.
Wells Cathedral, Somerset, November 2015
St. Cecilia Concert by Candlelight, for Early Music Wells
The Attraction of the Ground
Purbeck Art Weeks, Dorset, May 2015
The Fantastic Harpsichord
Dillington House, Somerset, February 2015
The Attraction of the Ground
Dillington House, Somerset, March 2015
Two harpsichords on the Grand Tour: with Steven Devine
Sligo Early Music Festival (2014)
Two-harpsichord concert: Bach, Handel,
Buxtehude, with Yonit Lea Kosovske
St. Michael’s Church, part of the
St. Alban’s Organ Festival
Dark Harpsichord Music
Dartington International Summer School
The Attraction of the Grounde
The Lord Mayor’s Chapel, Bristol
English Music for Voice and Harpsichord, with
Paul Bambrough, tenor
Masterworks by Purcell and other English composers
St. Finnbarr’s Church, part of the
Fowey Summer Festival, Cornwall
The Fantastic Harpsichord
Sligo Early Music Festival (2013)
The Attraction of the Grounde
Click here to explore recordings on the Soundboard CDs label.
Click here to explore “Did Bach Really Mean That?”
Photographs of performing and teaching, courtesy of Joe McHugh, Studio 5, Renmore, Galway
© 2013-2020 Colin Booth, harpsichordist and harpsichord maker