Brothers go Bach in time

EAST CORK EARLY MUSIC FESTIVAL, Various venues, Co Cork Thurs-Sun 20th 021-4501673

EAST CORK EARLY MUSIC FESTIVAL, Various venues, Co Cork Thurs-Sun 20th 021-4501673

The Kuijken brothers, leaders in the field of period instruments performance, have been only occasional visitors to Ireland over the years. Their last scheduled appearance here appears to have been as long ago as 1991 (when Dublin was the European capital of culture).

Two members of the family – Barthold (below) on flute and Wieland on viola da gamba – will be back in Ireland for the East Cork Early Music Festival, teaming up with harpsichordist Bob van Asperen for an all-Bach programme at the CIT Cork School of Music on Saturday the 19th. The festival opens at the same venue on Thursday, when The Bach Players offer a “Rendezvous in Vienna”, exploring links between Haydn, Corelli and Vivaldi.

Other events include William Carter in a baroque guitar concert at St John’s Church, Midleton (Thursday); a programme by Joglaresa featuring Judaeo-Spanish and Judaeo-Arabic songs at Cloyne Cathedral (Friday 18th); a lunchtime programme of works for recorder by the Cork ensemble Ex Amino at the Sirius Arts Centre in Cobh (Saturday 19th); a lunchtime solo harpsichord recital by Bob van Asperen at Fota House (Sunday 20th); and The Play of Daniel reworked as a community pageant with “150 schoolchildren and adult amateur singers” at St Mary’s Church, Youghal (Sunday 20th, 5pm).

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Full details are on the festival’s website at eastcorkearlymusic.ie

Michael Dervan

Michael Dervan

Michael Dervan is a music critic and Irish Times contributor