NOVEMBER 2016

KEEPSAKE

Sue Handscombe and Hans Montanana - KEEPSAKE

The excellent musical entertainment at the 24 November meeting of Chelmsford and District Welsh Society was provided by Keepsake, with Sue Handscombe  playing an amazing range of seven recorders accompanied by Hans Montanana on the piano. Having played the recorder during their school days, the audience and were truly amazed at the versatility of the instrument when played by a professional musician. First documented in  the Middle Ages and continuing in popularity through the Renaissance and Baroque periods, the recorder then languished until it was revived in the last century. Much of the music Sue played had originally been composed for other instruments, including the violin, harpsichord, flute and cornet. Included in the repertoire were compositions from the Middle Ages, Renaissance and Baroque, some jazz, enchanting pieces imitating the woodlark, starling and nightingale, and a medley of Welsh airs. The piano and recorder replaced the brass band and cornet, including double tonguing, in a Salvation Army composition, Deliverance. In an 11th century composition for a Pipe and Taber, a three holed pipe was played with one hand whilst the other played the tabor drum. At the conclusion Sue and Hans were congratulated by the Vice-president, Brian Farmer, to loud applause.

                          Hans Montanana

Vice President Brian Farmer thanks KEEPSAKE