Ensemble Hesperi presents a new programme at this fantastic series of lunchtime recitals.

5.45pm: Highland Dance workshop for all levels (geared towards beginners!) with dancer Kathleen Gilbert

6.45pm: Pre-Concert talk on the fascinating world of Scottish Baroque Music - Mary-Jannet Leith

7.30pm: "The Pheasant's Eye: Dancing the Scottish Baroque" - Full Concert, showcasing the infectious charm and dazzling virtuosity of Scottish Baroque music linked to its roots in Highland dance. Distinctive for its folk influences, soaring melodies and catchy Celtic rhythms, the music of 18th century Scotland has timeless appeal, its ‘fusion’ style inspired both by Italian Baroque fashions and traditional music and dance. Bringing the dance elements to life, the ensemble is joined by Highland dancer Kathleen Gilbert with special new choreography.

Ensemble Hesperi is delighted to have been selected as Chiltern Arts Festival 'Take Note' artists for 2020. They will present their programme "The Temple of Apollo" as part of the festival's theme, "Passion Prevails". 

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Join Ensemble Hesperi in London in 1745, during the Jacobite Rebellion, where Scottish-born musicians fought and won against a culture of anti-Scottish sentiment to create beautiful works, bringing together traditional Scottish folk melodies with fashionable ‘Baroque’ style. Despite the risk of exile or worse, Scottish “expat” musicians in the capital – such as James Oswald, John Reid, and the eccentric Earl of Kellie, ‘Fiddler Tam’, secretly sided with the Jacobites, and expressed their support through their music. Oswald and his immediate circle of musicians formed a secret society, ‘The Temple of Apollo’, which was supported by Frederick, Prince of Wales, son of George II, who openly supported the rebellious Scots against his father. For musical Scots, foreigners in a hostile London, passion certainly prevailed – not only did they survive, but their music thrived and drew audiences from near and far to hear the sounds and soul of the Highlands!

English Music Festival - "Handel's Glorious Baroque"

We are delighted to be performing our programme 'Handel's Glorious Baroque'' at the English Music Festival Online, which will consist of recordings from some of our recent concerts, and some high quality home recordings as well - and even a new layered video recording with all four of us!  The concert will also feature spoken introductions to the pieces from us all, recorded remotely, as well as instrument demos from Tom and Mary-Jannet at their home in West London.

Join Ensemble Hesperi as we paint a picture of London’s vibrant musical scene in the early 1700s, through the lens of the extraordinary musical small-coal merchant Thomas Britton. For several decades until his death in 1714, Britton ran musical evenings, which he hosted in his small coal-loft in Clerkenwell, attracting the best performers of the day, including Handel himself on the chamber organ!  Britton’s successful business enabled him to purchase an impressive book collection, which featured a huge number of musical manuscripts. Our programme features music by several of the musicians who performed in Britton’s concert series, as well as some of the more unusual music featured in the catalogue of music listed by the historian John Hawkins at his death. Most of these composers were leading musicians in late seventeenth-century London: Johann Pepusch, William Babell, John Banister, Gottfried Finger and James Paisible were all celebrated court and theatre musicians, organists, and teachers. At this time, musicians were pouring into London from Europe to enjoy the rich opportunities for work and private patronage: many hailed from France or Germany, and later Italy – so Britton’s coal-loft would have been home to a cornucopia of musical styles and cultures.

English Music Festival - "Introducing Thomas Britton, London's Musical Coalman"

Join Mary-Jannet, Tom, and Magda as we paint a picture of London’s vibrant musical scene in the early 1700s, through the lens of the extraordinary musical small-coal merchant Thomas Britton. For several decades until his death in 1714, Britton ran musical evenings, which he hosted in his small coal-loft in Clerkenwell, attracting the best performers of the day, including Handel himself on the chamber organ!  Britton’s successful business enabled him to purchase an impressive book collection, which featured a huge number of musical manuscripts from sixteenth century England. Our programme features music by several of the musicians who performed in Britton’s concert series, all of whom were leading lights in late seventeenth-century London: alongside “honorary” English musicians such as Handel, Finger and Pepusch, we explore the music of native English composers William Babell, John Banister, and John Stanley, and Jane Savage. Although many of these are sadly forgotten today, in their time they were celebrated court and theatre musicians, city organists, and highly skilled teachers.  

"Full of the Highland Humours"

Ensemble Hesperi perform for this Music in New Radnor.

"The Pheasant's Eye"

Ensemble Hesperi perform their "Pheasant's Eye" programme for the German Early Music festival, with Kathleen Gilbert, Highland dancer.