Richard Durrant: Songs of the Solstice

This delightful seasonal concert was performed four times by Richard Durrant (guitars, fife) with Howard Beach (harpsichord/organ), Daisy Durrant (fiddle, piano accordion), Django Durrant (percussion), Rooney Durrant-Davies (bass guitar), and the amazing soprano Amy Kakoura. It is a local tradition now that has a devoted audience who faithfully turn up with very high expectations and are never disappointed.

Barefoot and comfortably dressed, let’s face it, rather scruffy, Richard set off with a pretty Catalan carol, simple, endearing and exquisitely played, which is the standard for the whole event. We had no printed running order or programme but each item was individually introduced in Richard’s informal and entertaining way. When his concentration lapsed after an impromptu anecdote and he needed to start a piece of Bach again, it didn’t matter because he was just playing for friends – we knew and trusted that the whole work would be wonderful. He is such a master of the guitar whose brilliant technique holds his audience spellbound.

Richard Durrant and offspring

However, that’s not all. There are the others in this team: Howard, whose virtuosity is the equal of Richard’s and they obviously communicate through telepathy; there are Richard’s three very talented offspring, grown up with his ways and his music; and the statuesque and melodious Amy, whose voice has a rare range and power matched only by its sweetness and musicality.

Concerts as relaxed and casual as this demand a lot of planning, preparation and practice if they are to come across as natural. No doubt these experienced musician enjoyed their rehearsals just as much as the public performances, but we can be sure they put long hours in to be so good. I do wish I could remember all the music they played. I recognise only some of this wide-ranging programme – I’m sure the unfamiliar stuff and the new compositions will turn up again sometime soon, perhaps next year.

Ropetackle, Shoreham,
7 December 2024
Andrew Connal

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