
Andrew Benson-Wilson : Early Music Reviews +
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Andrew Benson-Wilson is an organ recitalist based in England, specializing in early music. In addition to his organ performances, writing has always been an important part of his musical activities. Andrew Benson-Wilson has written several articles on organ and early music topics, as well as a book titled 'The Performance of Early Organ Music'. He also engage in freelance writing and..
Andrew Benson-Wilson : Early Music Reviews +
4d ago
Mayfair Organ ConcertsSt George’s, Hanover SquareTuesday 11 March 2025, 1.10pm Audition for the first organiston the 300th anniversary of St George’s, Hanover Square The church of St George’s Hanover Square was consecrated by the Bishop of Londonon March 23rd, 1725. The three-manual organ was built by Gerard Smith, nephew and successor of the famous Father ..read more
Andrew Benson-Wilson : Early Music Reviews +
1M ago
Bach: Christmas OratorioPolyphony, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Stephen LaytonSt John’s, Smith Square. 22 December 2024 The Christmas Festival at St John’s, Smith Square (now rather boringly renamed as Smith Square Hall) has been a key part of London’s Christmas music season for nearly 40 years. The climax of these festivals has been the ..read more
Andrew Benson-Wilson : Early Music Reviews +
1M ago
Readers will know of the excellent Lyrebird Music editions of early keyboard music, many of which I have reviewed positively on this site. This small publisher is now under a legal threat which could affect its future. Please read the story and donate to help preserve this important early keyboard music publisher. https://www.gofundme.com/f/lyrebird-music-please-help-save-this-music-publisher?fbclid=IwY2xjawHPqrNleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHTCPyq3ZuAK4i040pFHhZ7G3fqoBWgiEM47n1GbRAXmrmYSbrCWYdguewQ_aem_PcUPgCtOLN7B5lDRbx_bFg ..read more
Andrew Benson-Wilson : Early Music Reviews +
1M ago
Handel: MessiahAcademy of Ancient Music, Laurence CummingsThe Barbican, 17 December 2024 Handel’s Messiah is a curious piece. Usually ritualistically churned out at Christmas and Easter, it was first performed at Easter in Dublin in 1742 after a mere 24 days of composition (a speed not unusual in Handel’s opera compositions), the autograph score bearing witness ..read more
Andrew Benson-Wilson : Early Music Reviews +
2M ago
Matthias Weckmann: Complete Organ WorksLéon Berben1637 Stellwagen organ, St. Jakobi, Lübeck1624 Hans Scherer organ, St. Stephanus, TangermündeAeolus. AE-11431. 2CDs 72’27+78’29 Matthias Weckmann (c1616-1674) is one of the most interesting and influential of the North German pre-Buxtehude organist composers. Unlike most of the other organists in Hamburg, he was not a pupil of Sweelinck but was ..read more
Andrew Benson-Wilson : Early Music Reviews +
2M ago
Ton Koopman 80th Birthday CelebrationsSoloists of the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra, Ton KoopmanWigmore Hall, 29 November 2024 Ton Koopman and a pocket-sized version of his Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra came to the Wigmore Hall as part of his extended 80th Birthday Celebrations. The main touring programme of the celebration year has been a new version of Handel’s ..read more
Andrew Benson-Wilson : Early Music Reviews +
2M ago
Viennese Virtuosity: Symphonies by Mozart, Haydn and friendsAcademy of Ancient Music, Laurence CummingsMilton Court, 14 November 2024 Wanhal: Symphony in D major, Bryan D17Mozart: Symphony No 36, LinzDittersdorf: Symphony No 4 from Symphonies after Ovid’s MetamorphosisHaydn: Symphony No 80 The Academy of Ancient Music (AAM) and Laurence Cummings continue their Transformation series of 2024/5 concerts with a concert of symphonies by ..read more
Andrew Benson-Wilson : Early Music Reviews +
2M ago
J S Bach: The Six Brandenburg ConcertosOrchestra of the Age of EnlightenmentThe Anvil, Basingstoke. 12 November 2024 Performing all six of Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos in a single concert is a relatively rare occurrence, so this was a very welcome event in Basingstoke’s Anvil concert hall, a favourite venue for the Orchestra of the Age of ..read more
Andrew Benson-Wilson : Early Music Reviews +
3M ago
Johann Ludwig Krebs (1713 – 1780)Keyboard Works Volume 3 & 4Steven Devine, harpsichordResonus Classics RES10329 (77’30) & RES10344 (63’50) Steven Devine continues his crustation-inspired (Krebs = crayfish or crab) series of recordings of Krebs’ keyboard works with Volumes 3 and 4. They follow the two earlier recordings reviewed here (Volume 1) and here (Volume 2 ..read more
Andrew Benson-Wilson : Early Music Reviews +
3M ago
‘Birch Tales‘The Picardy Players, James BattyArt Workers’ Guild, 19 October 2024 This fascinating “multi-sensory concert experience” from the Picardy Players ticked several boxes of musical and historical interest alongside the senses of sight, smell, taste and touch, represented by displays of birch bark, wafts of woodland smells, birch juice drinks from the bar, and a ..read more