Broken Consort

A 'broken consort' is an ensemble made up of instruments from more than one family, for example, a group featuring both string and wind instruments.

Saturday 6 December 2014

Concert - 4th December

Despite the freezing temperature (both outside and inside the Church!), our Christmas concert was well attended, by regulars and some new audience members.

Here's what we played:

Programme

'Sinfonia' & 'Choral' from 'Christmas Oratorio' by J. S. Bach (Arr. H. Brammer)
The Broken Consort


'Maya' by Ian Clarke
Heather Loebl, Helen Brammer (Flutes) & Angela Ayton (Piano)


'Adagio, Vivace & Allegro' from Trio Sonata in G Minor by Gottfried Finger
Maureen Snell (Treble Recorder); Lucy Devereux (Flute) & Imogen Locke (Piano)


'Andante in C' by W. A. Mozart (Arr. H. Brammer)
Heather Loebl (Flute); Emily Johnson, Kath Russell, Rod Lackey (Violins); Polly Kaufmann (Viola); John Marshall ('Cello) & Diana Locke (Double Bass)


'Ain't Misbehavin'' by Thomas “Fats” Waller
Nicola Thompson, Helen Brammer, Theresa Hitching (Clarinets) & Mike Winterburn (Bassoon)


'Flutation' by Clare Grundman
&
'The Little Red Monkey' by Jack Jordan
Penny Layland, Judy Skelton, Alison Shaw (Flutes) & Angela Ayton (Piano)

'Troika' from 'Lieutenant Kije' by Prokofiev (Arr. H. Brammer)
The Broken Consort featuring:
Theresa Hitching (Sleigh Bells & Tambourine)


'The Toy Symphony' by L. Mozart (Arr. H. Brammer)
The Broken Consort featuring:
Imogen Locke (Toy Trumpet); Angela Ayton (Cuckoo); Judy Skelton (Bird Whistle); Nicola Thompson (Triangle) & Emily Johnson (Rattle & Chime Bar)


As is traditional, we enjoyed a post-concert gathering wonderfully hosted by Mike & Angela, with lots of delicious food & drink, and fabulous company. Videos of all of the performances from the concert can be seen here on our YouTube Channel.

Saturday 29 November 2014

Class - 27th November

We had a run-through of our concert programme this evening...the running is as follows:

  • 'Sinfonia' and 'Choral' from 'Christmas Oratorio' by J. S. Bach (Arr. H. Brammer)
  • 'Maya' by Ian Clarke - Heather, Helen & Angela
  • 'Adagio, Allegro & Vivace' from 'Trio Sonata in G Minor' by Gottfried Finger - Maureen, Lucy & Imogen
  • 'Andante in C' by Mozart (Arr. H. Brammer) - Heather, Emily, Kath, Rod, Polly, John & Diana
  • 'Ain't Misbehavin'' by Thomas "Fats" Waller - Nicola, Helen, Theresa & Mike
  • 'Flutation' by Clare Grundman & 'Little Red Monkey' by Jack Jordan - Alison, Penny, Judy & Angela
  • 'Troika' from 'Lieutenant Kije' by Prokofiev (Arr. H. Brammer)
  • 'The Toy Symphony' by Leopold Mozart (Arr. H. Brammer)

Saturday 22 November 2014

Class - 20th November

Large ensemble pieces:
  • 'Toy Symphony' by Leopold Mozart
  • ''Sinfonia' & 'Chorale' from 'Christmas Oratorio' by J. S. Bach
  • 'Troika' from 'Lieutenant Kije' by Prokofiev
Small group items:

  • 'Maya' by Ian Clarke - Heather, Helen & Angela
  • 'Ain't Misbehavin'' by Thomas "Fats" Waller - Nicola, Helen, Theresa & Mike
  • 'Trio Sonata in G Minor' by Finger - Maureen, Lucy & Imogen
  • 'Allegretto' by J. C. Bach (Arr. H. Brammer) - Alison, Emily, Penny, Kath, Judy, Rod, Polly, John & Diana

Saturday 15 November 2014

Class - 13th November

Large ensemble pieces:
  • 'Toy Symphony' by Leopold Mozart
  • ''Sinfonia' & 'Chorale' from 'Christmas Oratorio' by J. S. Bach
  • 'Troika' from 'Lieutenant Kije' by Prokofiev
Small group items:

  • 'Andante in C' by Mozart (Arr. H. Brammer) - Heather, Emily, Kath, Rod, Polly, John & Diana
  • 'Ain't Misbehavin'' by Thomas "Fats" Waller - Nicola, Helen, Theresa & Mike
  • 'Flutation' by Clare Grundman & 'Little Red Monkey' by Jack Jordan - Penny, Alison, Judy & Angela

Friday 7 November 2014

Class - 6th November

Large ensemble pieces:
  • 'Toy Symphony' by Leopold Mozart
  • ''Sinfonia' & 'Chorale' from 'Christmas Oratorio' by J. S. Bach
  • 'Troika' from 'Lieutenant Kije' by Prokofiev
Small group items:

  • 'Trio Sonata in G Minor' by Finger - Maureen, Lucy & Imogen
  • 'Flutation' by Clare Grundman - Penny, Alison, Judy & Angela
  • 'Salut d'Amour' by Elgar - Heather, Theresa & Mike
  • 'Minuet' from 'Divertimento No. 2' by Mozart (Arr. H. Brammer) - Kath, Polly, John & Diana

Friday 24 October 2014

Class - 23rd October

Large ensemble pieces:
  • 'Toy Symphony' by Leopold Mozart
  • ''Sinfonia' & 'Chorale' from 'Christmas Oratorio' by J. S. Bach
  • 'Troika' from 'Lieutenant Kije' by Prokofiev
Our AGM was also held this evening - the minutes can be found on the Committee Page of the blog.

Friday 17 October 2014

Class - 16th October

Large ensemble pieces:
  • 'Toy Symphony' by Leopold Mozart
  • ''Sinfonia' & 'Chorale' from 'Christmas Oratorio' by J. S. Bach
  • 'Troika' from 'Lieutenant Kije' by Prokofiev
Small group items:

  • 'Maya' by Ian Clarke - Heather, Helen & Angela
  • 'Trio Op. 87' by Beethoven - Emily, Kath & Polly
  • 'Dance Suite' by Michael Regan - Alison, Penny, Judy & Diana
  • 'Summertime' from 'Porgy & Bess' by Gershwin (Arr. H. Brammer) - Annabel, Edward, Theresa, Nicola, John, Mike & Imogen

Friday 10 October 2014

Class - 9th October

Large ensemble pieces:
  • 'Toy Symphony' by Leopold Mozart
  • ''Sinfonia' & 'Chorale' from 'Christmas Oratorio' by J. S. Bach
  • 'Troika' from 'Lieutenant Kije' by Prokofiev
Small group items:
  • 'A Spring Rondo' by Mozart (Arr. A Collins) - Penny, Judy & Imogen
  • 'Andante in C' by Mozart (Arr. H. Brammer) - Heather, Emily, Kath, Polly, Rod, John & Diana
  • 'Allegro molto' by Beethoven (Arr. H. Brammer) - Lucy, Edward, Theresa, Nicola, Mike & Angela

Friday 3 October 2014

Class - 2nd October

Large ensemble pieces:
  • 'Toy Symphony' by Leopold Mozart
  • ''Sinfonia' & 'Chorale' from 'Christmas Oratorio' by J. S. Bach
  • 'Troika' from 'Lieutenant Kije' by Prokofiev
Small group items:
  • 'Serenade for Seven' by Ronald Hanmer - Alison, Lucy, Annabel, Helen, Theresa, Nicola & Mike
  • Trio Op. 87 by Beethoven - Emily, Kath & Polly
  • Sonata in D minor by Boismortier - Heather, Diana, Rod, Edward, John & Angela
  • 'A Spring Rondo' by Mozart (Arr. A. Collins) - Penny, Judy & Imogen

Friday 26 September 2014

Class - 25th September

Large ensemble pieces:
  • 'Toy Symphony' by Leopold Mozart
  • ''Sinfonia' & 'Chorale' from 'Christmas Oratorio' by J. S. Bach
  • 'Troika' from 'Lieutenant Kije' by Prokofiev
Small group items:
  • 'Andante in C' by Mozart (Arr. H. Brammer) - Heather, Emily, Kath, Rod, Polly, John & Diana
  • 'Three Pieces' by Bizet - Alison, Annabel, Theresa, Mike & Angela
  • 'Sonata in D Minor' by Schickhardt - Penny, Judy, Edward, Helen & Imogen

Friday 19 September 2014

Class - 18th September

Large ensemble pieces:

  • 'Toy Symphony' by Leopold Mozart
  • 'Sinfonia' and 'Choral' from 'Christmas Oratorio' by J. S. Bach
Small group items:
  • 'Maya' by Ian Clarke - Heather, Helen & Angela
  • 'Concerto in A Minor' by Telemann - Penny, Judy, Annabel, Edward, Diana, Kath, Rod, David, John & Imogen
  • 'Sarabande' & 'Gavotte' from 'Holberg's Time by Grieg (Arr. H. Brammer) - Alison, Emily, Theresa, Polly & Mike

Sunday 7 September 2014

Summer Music @ Maureen's

Our final summer music session of the year was hosted by Maureen...here's what we played:

  • 'Scottish Dance No. 3' by Malcolm Arnold
  • 'Elizabethan Serenade' by Ronald Binge
  • 'Alla Hornpipe' from 'The Water Music' by Handel
  • 'Allegro assai' from 'Brandenburg Concerto No. 2' by J. S. Bach
  • Overture to 'The Mastersingers of Nurenburg' by Wagner
  • 'Mack the Knife' from 'The Threepenny Opera' by Kurt Weill
  • 'Toccata' from 'Pulcinella' by Stravinsky
  • 'Serenade' by Derek Bourgeios
  • 'Crown Imperial' by William Walton
  • 'The Old Castle' from 'Pictures at an Exhibition' by Mussorgsky
  • 'Overture Miniature' from 'The Nutcracker' by Tchaikovsky
Once again we enjoyed some delicious food (and drinks) after our exertions...many thanks to Maureen for having us!

Friday 29 August 2014

Summer Music @ Judy's

At our second summer music gathering of the season, we had a marathon music-making session...here's what we played:

  • 'Tahiti- Trot (Tea for Two)' by Shostakovich
  • 'Marche Militaire' by Schubert
  • 'Alle Hornpipe' from 'The Water Music' by Handel
  • 'Sinfonia' from 'Pulcinella' by Stravinsky
  • 'Rondo' from the 'Suite in B Minor' by J. S. Bach
  • 'Sicilienne' by Faure
  • 'I Feel Pretty' from 'West Side Story' by Bernstein
  • 'Bouree' from 'The Water Music' by Handel
  • Overture to 'The Mastersingers of Nurenberg' by Wagner
  • 'Allegro moderato' from Brandenburg Concerto No. 3' by J. S. Bach
  • 'Elizabethan Serenade' by Ronald Binge
Thanks to everyone for the delicious food, and to Judy for being a wonderful host.



Wednesday 20 August 2014

Summer Music @ Polly's

We had our summer music of the holidays a couple of weeks ago, hosted by Polly. There was quite a large group of us, and using our usual 'lucky dip' method of selecting the music for the evening, this is what we played:
  • Theme from Blackadder' by Howard Goodall
  • 'Tango Ballad' from 'The Threepenny Opera' by Kurt Weill
  • 'Polka' from 'Jazz Suite No. 1' by Shostakovich
  • 'English Dance No. IV' by Malcolm Arnold
  • 'Crown Imperial' by William Walton
  • 'Elizabethan Serenade' by Ronald Binge
  • 'Scottish Dance No. 3' by Malcolm Arnold
  • 'Sinfonia' from 'Pulcinella' by Stravinsky
  • 'Cantique de Jean Racine' by Faure
  • 'Overture Miniature' from 'The Nutcracker' by Tchaikovsky
  • 'Menuetto' from 'Eine Kleine Nachtmusik' by Mozart
  • 'Shepherd's Hey' by Percy Grainger
Phew! Once we'd played that lot we had really earned our feast! Thanks to Polly for a wonderful evening...next up is Judy!

Friday 11 July 2014

Concert - 10th July

Our summer concert was attended by a 'select' audience, but they enjoyed a wonderful evening of music making. Here's what we played:

Programme

'Andante' from 'The Surprise Symphony' by Haydn (Arr. H. Brammer) – The Broken Consort

'Waltz' by Shostakovich (Arr. H. Brammer) – The Broken Consort

'The Maple Leaf Rag' & 'Marie Antoinette' by Scott Joplin (Arr. H. Brammer) – Penny Layland & Judy Skelton (Flutes); Theresa Hitching & Nicola Thompson (Clarinets)

'Allegro' from Concerto in D Minor by J. S. Bach (Arr. Jasmine Choi) – Heather Loebl & Helen Brammer (Flutes); & Angela Ayton (Piano)

'Air' from 'Sacred Songs & Airs' by J. S. Bach (Arr. H. Brammer) – Imogen Locke, Maureen Snell & Helen Brammer (Treble Recorders); Polly Kaufmann, Rod Lackey & John Marshall (Violins); Diana Locke (Double Bass); & Emily Johnson (Piano)

'Moderato, Grave & Vivace' from Quartet in G Major by Telemann – Heather Loebl (Flute); Annabel Crowe (Oboe); Emily Johnson (Violin); Mike Winterburn (Bassoon); Angela Ayton (Piano)

'Andantino & Allegro Assai' from Quintet in D Major by J. C. Bach – Heather Loebl (Flute); Diana Locke (Tenor Recorder); Polly Kaufmann (Viola); Mike Winterburn (Bassoon); & Angela Ayton (Piano)

'Overture to Egmont' by Beethoven (Arr. H. Brammer) – The Broken Consort

Our 'dress rehearsal/run-through' at the last class helped to ensure that everything ran smoothly...the evidence has been uploaded to our YouTube Channel...although I'm afraid that I missed the end of the 'Overture to Egmont' (I can assure you that it was fabulous though!) We then enjoyed a traditional 'after-party' at Mike & Angela's - thank you for being wonderful hosts again!

Friday 4 July 2014

Class - 3rd July

In a bid to look more 'polished' at our concert next week, we had a 'dress rehearsal/run'through' for our concert next week...so here's what we played:
  • 'Andante' from 'The Surprise Symphony' by Haydn (Arr. H. Brammer) 
  • 'Waltz' by Shostakovich (Arr. H. Brammer) 
  • 'The Maple Leaf Rag' & 'Marie Antoinette' by Scott Joplin (Arr. H. Brammer) 
  • 'Allegro' from Concerto in D Minor by J. S. Bach (Arr. Jasmine Choi) 
  • 'Air' from 'Sacred Songs & Airs' by J. S. Bach (Arr. H. Brammer) 
  • 'Moderato, Grave & Vivace' from Quartet in G Major by Telemann 
  • 'Andantino & Allegro Assai' from Quintet in D Major by J. C. Bach 
  • 'Overture to Egmont' by Beethoven (Arr. H. Brammer)

Sunday 30 March 2014

Concert - 27th March

We had a jam-packed programme at our Spring concert...there was a little bit of everything. Here's what we played:

Programme:

The Broken Consort - directed by Helen Brammer:
'Eyjafjallajökull' - Andrew Toovey
A world premiere performance of a new work commissioned by, and dedicated to, the performers of The Broken Consort

The Songbyrds – directed by Ben Cox:
'The Bare Necessities' (from Disney's 'The Jungle Book') - Terry Gilkyson
'Will Ye Go, Lassie, Go?' - Scottish trad., Anon.
'The Salley Gardens' - Trad. (Arr. Benjamin Britten)
'Danny Boy' - Trad. (Arr. Alan Simmons)
'Feelin' Groovy' - Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel
'Ave Maria' - Franz Schubert
'I Know Him So Well' (from the musical 'Chess') - Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus
'Thank You For The Music' – ABBA


The Broken Consort & The Songbyrds - directed by Ben Cox:
'Stabat mater dolorosa' from 'Stabat mater' – Pergolesi (Arr. H. Brammer)

'Largo & Allegro' from Sonata in G minor – J. Loeillet of London
George Goodall & Imogen Locke (Treble Recorders); and Joan Goodall (Harpsichord)

'Largo, ma non tanto' from Concerto in D minor – J. S. Bach (Arr. Jasmine Choi)
Heather Loebl & Helen Brammer Flutes; and Angela Ayton (Piano)

'Affettuoso & Allegro Vivace' from Concerto in A minor – Telemann
George Goodall, Imogen Locke, Maureen Snell (Treble Recorders); Penny Layland, Judy Skelton (Flutes); Annabel Crowe (Oboe); and Joan Goodall (Harpsichord)

'Che soave zeffiretto' & 'Voi che sapete' from 'The Marriage of Figaro' – Mozart (Arr. H. Brammer)
Heather Loebl (Flute; Theresa Hitching, Nicola Thompson (Clarinets); Mike Winterburn (Bassoon); Kath Russell, Rod Lackey, John Marshall (Violins); Polly Kaufmann (Viola); Diana Locke (Bass)

The Broken Consort:
'English Folk Song Suite' – Vaughan Williams (Arr. H. Brammer)
I – 'March: Seventeen Come Sunday'
II – 'Intermezzo: My Bonny Boy'
III – 'March: Folk Songs from Somerset'


The videos have all been uploaded to our YouTube Channel...although my camera switched itself off before the end of a couple of the pieces...not a indication on our performances - I promise!
Once again we enjoyed a lovely post-concert party hosted by Angela & Mike - thank you!