BREMF – Fine Companion – Ayres Extemporae
Ayres Extemporae are very accomplished and they have unearthed a fabulous treasure trove of early 18th century music for their unusual ensemble. They produced some lovely musical effects, particularly in the very first piece with the violin away up in the gallery and the two continuo bass instruments establishing the harmonies in the nave. However, it is their programming or our expectations that needs adjusting. Much of the first half of the concert would have gone very well with food, wine and dancing, as suggested by the publicity. Indeed, we had the wine and tables but sat, apart from a fretting child, settled in a silence more suited to a chamber concert. For a concert of dance music it was rather academic and John Playford’s Dancing Master would probably have felt out of place.
Ayres Extemporae
Now it’s not the audience’s fault if they start to applaud before an unfamiliar work has finished – the musicians need to give off the correct signs. Folk playing extemporary music are unlikely to have their eyes buried in the score, and these talented players looked as if they didn’t really need their music stands at all. If only they had been able to turn their attention a bit more to the audience. They appeared to be playing to themselves, very beautifully but not quite sharing. Even their introductions didn’t tell us much more than was already printed in the program. These very talented and experienced musicians played superbly but could have performed a bit more.
St George’s Church,
11 October 2024
Rating:
Andrew Connal
Ayres Extemporae
Xenia Gogu Mensenin (violin)
Víctor García García (piccolo cello)
Teresa Madeira (cello)
Programme
Nicola Matteis
Suite in G major from Book I of Ayres for the Violin
Giovanni Stefano Carbonelli
Sonata da Camera a Violino, e Violine o Cembalo No. 10 in G minor
John Playford
John Come Kiss me from The Division Violin
Dances from The Dancing Master
Francesco Geminiani
Sonata for violin and basso continuo Op. 4 No. 5 in A minor
Matteis
Suite in D minor from Book I of Ayres for the Violin
Carbonelli
Sonata da Camera a Violino, e Violone o Cembalo No. 11 in A major
John Playford
Dances from The Dancing Master
Geminiani (attrib.)
Chaconne upon the Sarabande Theme from Corelli’s Violin Sonata Op. 5 No. 7
