Dance with the Devil: CantiaQuorum evening concert to feature guest narrators

After a sizzling lunchtime concert on Wednesday from three members of CantiaQuorum, our new ensemble-in-residence launches formally on Friday 14 November with Stravinsky’s The Soldier’s Tale and Walton’s Façade – and some very special guests.

Wednesday’s curtain-raising lunchtime concert saw trumpeter Alex Caldon, violinist Alexandra Reid and pianist Matthew King in a dynamic programme, including the little-known Trio by Eric Ewazen which combined elements of rustic Copland with the energetic drive of Bernstein. Violinist Alexandra Reid demonstrated an almost balletic grace and poise in a chiaroscuro instrumental rendition of Bach’s Erbarme Dich, matched by peerless lyricism from Alex on trumpet. Matthew King then turned composer in an encore written especially for the occasion, Tango, which swaggered and sashayed in dazzling and robust twists and turns around the players in a bewitching take on the Argentinian dance, which(quite rightly) brought the house down.

Click to view
Click to view

The evening concert on 14th November brings devilish entertainment as the full ensemble will unfold Stravinsky’s pin-sharp morality tale of a soldier who sells his violin to the Devil in return for a book that offers visions of the future and lavish riches – but there’s a catch… And there’s a special element to the Walton, as the narrators for Façade are drawn from the local and the University community, including Director of Music at Canterbury Cathedral, David Flood, the Chief Executive of Canterbury City Council, Colin Carmichael, fourth-year Drama student and Music Scholar, Emma Murton and Professor Keith Mander; and whom would one ask to deliver the ‘Scotch Rhapsody ?’ Why, none other than our lovely Music Administrator, Sophie Meikle, whose dulcet Glaswegian tones will lend extra relish to Sitwell’s verse…

If Wednesday’s lunchtime concert was anything to go by, the evening concert on the 14th is going to be unforgettable; and there’s even a glass of wine afterwards and an opportunity to meet the players. Make sure you’re there…

To whet your appetites, here’s the fleet-footed Devil’s Dance.

Tickets and further details about the concert here: and read an interview with Alex Caldon about the formation of CantiaQuorum here.

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