Outstanding talent at St Mary’s lunchtime concerts
NOVEMBER brought another assortment of instrumental and vocal lunchtime gems to St Mary’s in the Baum.
On November 7, there was a delightful recital on the theme of Nostalgia from Angela Rowley, soprano, who is also a conductor and adjudicator, and flautist Ann Durnford, who trained at the Royal Academy of Music in solos and attractive arrangements of soprano ‘duets’ with the flute taking the second part.
They were expertly accompanied by Tim Kennedy, piano, who is a staff accompanist at the RNCM.
On November 14, the Telemann Baroque Ensemble made a welcome return, this time with Alistair Roberts flute, Alfred Pollard oboe, Elaine Turnock and Despina Reid violins, Roger Bisby cello, and Peter Collier harpsichord.
Their enchanting programme featured concertos, for flute by Telemann and Pergolesi and oboe by Fasch and Handel.
On November 21, multi-talented Tim Kennedy appeared for the second time this month, this time forsaking the keyboard for the vocal role of tenor soloist.
His training began as a treble at St George’s Chapel, Windsor before Winchester College and Cambridge University.
His recital included songs by English composers Coates, Moeran, Bainton and Gurney and Beethoven’s song cycle An die ferne Geliebte (To the distant beloved).
He concluded with lighter songs by Ivor Novello. He was accompanied by staff colleague John Gough, a senior tutor in piano at the RNCM.
On November 28, a double recital by cellist Catherine Strachan and pianist David Hamond was held.
First, a glorious unaccompanied cello suite by J. S. Bach from Catherine, who studied at the Royal Scottish Academy and York University, then fellow York graduate, David played Fantasia in D minor for solo piano by Mozart.
The two came together beautifully in Seven Variations by Beethoven and the magical Sonata for cello and piano by Debussy.
These were all first-rate performances that would have graced any of the UK’s main concert halls.
They are pictured in a Grade I-listed building with a superb acoustic in the centre of Rochdale!
Music at lunchtime is held from 12.30pm to 1.30pm on Wednesdays with a £4 admission at St Mary’s in the Baum, Rochdale, OL16 1DZ. December 19: Margaret Ferguson soprano (Ghana, RNCM and Poland) and Jonathan Ellis piano (RNCM and Manchester Univ)