Laudonia presents an exciting programme of baroque music inspired by Sir John Clerk of Penicuik’s Grand Tour in the 1690s. Following his route through Europe, we have devised an exciting and eclectic programme for soprano, trumpet, strings and bass continuo, based around the music he may have heard on his travels and written by composers he met, some of whom he studied with on his journey. This includes Clerk’s emotional cantata - Leo Scotiae Irritatus, Corelli’s passionate violin sonata in D minor - La Follia and the ethereal concerto for voice, trumpet and strings by Rosenmüller - O Felicissimus Paradysi.

Sir John, who is perhaps better known for his legal and political contributions to Scottish life, was also a significant composer in his own right. As a result of the fire that broke out in Penicuik House (1899) we may never know the full extent of his musical output. Thankfully his five vocal cantatas survived.