Music for Pleasure & Passion
Join us live on Facebook at 8pm on Wednesday 2nd September as classical musician Andrew Soulsby pays tribute to the Delaval's love of theatre and music with a programme of harpsichord music by some of the finest eighteenth century composers.
The Delaval family of Seaton Delaval Hall had a reputation as entertainers, hosts and people who appreciated the finer things in life. They were passionate about the theatre and great patrons of the arts. We know that no expense was spared in the acquisition of instruments for the house, including the purchase of the finest harpsichords from London.
Join us live on facebook on Wednesday 2nd September at 8pm as classical musician Andrew Soulsby performs Music for Pleasure & Passion, a programme of harpsichord music by some of the finest eighteenth century composers, including Bach, Couperin and Avison from the Central Hall.
Like Seaton Delaval Hall, harpsichord music is unusual, rich and highly decorated, bringing to mind images of the Royal courts and country houses of 18th century Europe. The programme explores the famous dual between Bach and Marchand, and the sumptuous preludes of Francois Couperin. Newcastle born composer Charles Avison could well have performed at the hall, and was a champion of the music of Rameau, so it’s not inconceivable that some of this music may already been heard in this building before.
So tune in and relax from home as this grand space is once again filled with a music and festivity.
About Andrew Soulsby
Andrew is a music graduate of the University of Huddersfield, where he studied piano and historical performance practice with George Pratt and John Bryan (The Rose Consort of Viols). He currently studies harpsichord with Sophie Yates. Like so many harpsichordists, he made the transition from piano to harpsichord in his first year of university.
Music for Pleasure & Passion - Programme
Jean Phillipe Rameau
Prelude & Gigue in A minor, Pieces de Clavecin book 1, 1705 & Book II, 1724
Francois Couperin
Prelude No.4 in F major, L’Art de Toucher le Clavecin, 1716
J S Bach
Fantasie & Fugue in A minor, BWV 904
Francois Couperin
Prelude No.1 in C major, L’Art de Toucher le Clavecin, 1716
Charles Avison
Sonata in C, Opus 5 No.3, Con Giubilo, Con Tenerezza
Thomas Arne
Sonata VIII in G, Minuet & 4 Variations
Francois Couperin
Prelude No.3 in G minor, L’Art de Toucher le Clavecin, 1716
Louis Marchand
Suite in D minor (excerpts), Prelude, Allemande, Courante I, Sarabande, Chaconne, Minuet I&II Pieces de Clavecin Book 1, 1702
Francoise Couperin
Les Baricades Mysterieuses, Pieces de Clavecin Book II. 1717