Music @ St Mary’s Balham
St Mary and St John the Divine is a wonderfully welcoming place, led by its friendly vicar, Wilma Roest. I’m delighted to have arranged a series of monthly concerts at the church, running from June to October this year. Admittance is free and open to all – everyone is welcome.
The concerts are held on Saturdays from 6 to 7pm. Refreshments are available beforehand (the audience are encouraged to relax with a glass of wine during the concert!) and also afterwards, when the musicians and audience can mingle.
Sat 6 June Claire Bessent (soprano) & Elspeth Wyllie
A programme of songs to celebrate the newly-restored Chancel, including music by Mozart, Purcell, Handel, Bridge, Quilter and Gershwin.
Sat 11 July Metier Ensemble
Dramatic, passionate music for flute and piano, including a sonata by York Bowen – often called the ‘English Rachmaninoff’.
Sat 15 August Catherine Backhouse (mezzo), Alexa Beattie (viola) and Elspeth Wyllie
Gorgeous music for a beautiful blend of instruments, including trios by Brahms and Loeffler, and a setting of two medieval sonnets by Rubbra.
Sat 26 September Metier Ensemble (flute, cello, piano)
Varied duos and trios, from Bach to Piazzolla.