Shining new light on an old treasure, this concert centres around A Beautiful Object: the harpsichord, with a new work of that same name by a rising figure onthe contemporary music scene, composer Héloïse Werner. Auspiciously absent at the start, the harpsichord is introduced with music of its main era, in an arrangement that links its celebrated past to the present. With Héloïse’s piece, then follows an exciting journey of discoveries. Stephen Dodgson’s Sonata has beautiful serenade-like character, with its last movement a nod to the harpsichord’s illustrious past, guiding us back in time again to one of the Unmeasured Preludes by French Baroque composer Élisabeth Claude Jacquet de La Guerre. The evening finishes with one of the most famous contemporary harpsichord concertos to date.

Bach Club is a concert curator, boutique label and home to Bach Club Soloists, an ensemble focusing on period instruments, new commissions, and remarkable collaborations. Bach Club founder and director Pawel Siwczak, is a Polish and British musician with a passion for historical keyboards, putting emphasis on the storytelling power of the language of music; the sheer ability to communicate expressively with the audience is key to him.

Contemporary composers are again attracted to the harpsichord, realizing the instrument’s potential, from unconventional approaches to leaving no parts unexplored. Bach Club has commissioned a new work from Héloïse Werner. Her piece, “A beautiful object”, will premiere together with a programme of contemporary music for the harpsichord and small ensemble of modern instruments, alongside works by Manuel de Falla, Purcell / Britten, Stephen Dodgson, and an improvisation upon a ground bass.

Teaming up with members of Britten Sinfonia, this will be an exploration of the interplay between old and new, the harpsichord and modern instruments, existing works and a piece created especially for us.

Henry Purcell / arr. Benjamin Britten / arr. Pawel Siwczak Chacony
Héloïse Werner A beautiful object, 2021, world premiere
Stephen Dodgson Sonata for Four, 1982
Unmeasured Prelude leading to
improvisation upon the ground bass, in a modern (inspired by baroque) style
Manuel de Falla Concerto for harpsichord, 1923-26

Werner’s new composition A Beautiful Object for harpsichord and an ensemble including Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Violin and Cello, is a result of composer’s first impression after seeing the instrument. Following a period of inspection Héloise offers her original take on of the harpsichord’s intricacies and sonoric potential, accompanied by a combination of instruments reflecting that of De Falla’s Concerto, at Pawel’s request.

De Falla‘s chamber concerto for Harpsichord with Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Violin and Cello was written between 1923-26 in collaboration with, and dedicated to Wanda Landowska who premiered the work. Pawel Siwczak, who will perform the harpsichord solo part, has a special affiliation with Wanda Landowska – through his Polish heritage and his educational path that can be traced directly to her and her closest collaborators.

Stephen Dodgson was a versatile and immensely prolific composer who, as well as writing large scale works, had a special affiliation with guitar, recorder, and contemporary harpsichord. In the past Pawel has recorded Stephen’s Dialogues for guitar and harpsichord, and in this concert we will take a look at his Chamber Sonata for Four.