Sounds Historical – What A Wonderful World!

Music from the 16th, 17th & 18th Century inspired by Awe and Wonder
Presented by the multi-grant-winning early music ensemble Sounds Historical

From mythology to mathematics, from astrology to astronomy, inexplicable weather to a lost whale and love both romantic and religious, this programme explores aspects of life which humans have consistently found wonderful and awe-inspiring. Themes which are as resonant today as they were for our ancestors.

Highlights include rarely heard pieces composed by the famous astronomers Galileo and William Herschel. Rigorously crafted yet emotionally charged music by J S Bach and Henry Purcell. We travel to the underworld with Charpentier, celebrate classical mythology with Telemann, meet a rare instrument – the Orpharion and hear a humorous tale about ‘Chester’s Monstrous Fish’. Even the inimical British weather has its place in this programme!

Do come & join us as we celebrate Our Wonderful World!

Sounds Historical are a specialist early music ensemble who perform on an exciting array of beautifully crafted copies of period instruments. Heidi Fardell (recorders, flutes & percussion), Alison Kinder (viols & recorders), Lynda Sayce (lutes, theorbo, recorders & flutes) and Mary Tyers (recorders, flutes & voice) love to chat to their audiences, introducing the music & their instruments as the programme unfolds.

Each member of the group also perform and record with other early music groups, including La Serenissima, Chelys, Fiori Musicali, The Linarol Consort and various period music orchestras. They are also very proud of their work in music education.

Sounds Historical are thrilled to have been selected again for the prestigious Continuo Foundation grant who are supporting this programme.

Running time: approx. 1 hour.