NWEMF’s last workshop of 2024 was a recorders workshop in Hoole, Chester on 16 November 2024. Grace Barton, Michael Piraner and Simone Reid of the Polyphonica Recorder Trio led 18 players in a full programme of Renaissance music, each taken a turn to lead the group. After an initial warm up followed by a first session for all players, the group split into two smaller ones to focus on different pieces. Just before lunch, Polyphonica treated us to a short recital, and the afternoon session included a tutorial on alternative fingerings. The full workshop report will be published in a future Newsletter.
Listen to uncut recordings made on the day:
Clip 1 – Hassler – Canzona duodecimi toni (full group)
Clip 2 – Scheidt – Canzona Bergamasca (small group)
Clip 3 – Edward Blankes – Fantasie VI (Polyphonica recital)
Information about the day
This is a recorder workshop exploring the choral and instrumental music of Gabrieli and his European contemporaries. The day will also incorporate a warm-up and technique session on using alternative fingerings, as well as a short recital by Polyphonica. Players are encouraged to bring more than one instrument if they wish.
The tutors are the Polyphonic Recorder Trio whose member are: Grace Barton (Wirral based), Simone Reid (Northamptonshire based), Michael Piraner (Gwynedd based). Full biographical details are available on their website. They are all experienced recorder teachers and conductors, in addition to being performers.
Venue: All Saints Church Parish Centre, Vicarage Road, Hoole, Chester CH2 3HZ
The Tutors
Polyphonica Recorder Trio was formed in 2006 and has since performed at venues across the UK and Europe. Three gifted musicians come together in this trio to show the recorder at its best, delighting audiences with performances of the instruments’ rich repertoire from medieval through to the present day. The Trio is committed to historically informed performance as well as advancing the recorder as a modern instrument though collaboration with composers from the UK, France and Australia.
Polyphonica released their self-titled debut album in August 2010, which features music from 14th century monody and music by Henry VIII, Susato, Holborne, Genzmer, Allworth, Matheson and Sieg. Their second CD, Music for Countertenor and Recorders featuring the renowned countertenor, Robert Cross, will be released soon.
Polyphonica is dedicated to providing workshops on recorder playing and performance practice to people of all ages through festivals, summer schools and other workshops including the annual recorder weekend at Knuston Hall, Northamptonshire. The members of Polyphonica all teach recorder privately and welcome contact from people seeking tuition or workshops. For more information about the individual members, visit the website.
