The Pheasant's Eye: Dancing the Music of the Scottish Baroque

Ensemble Hesperi

Mary-Jannet Leith - Recorders

Magdalena Loth-Hill - Baroque Violin

Florence Petit - Baroque Cello

Thomas Allery - Harpsichord

with Kathleen Gilbert - Highland Dancer

Celebrating St Marylebone's many Scottish connections, Ensemble Hesperi explores the music of Baroque Scottish composers such as James Oswald, many of whom were regular visitors to the Pleasure Gardens of Old Marylebone in the 18th Century and composed music for the entertainments there. The music of eighteenth century Scotland has timeless appeal, with simple soaring melodies, and the characteristic fusion of traditional ‘Baroque’ music, with rhythms and styles inspired by Scottish dance. Inspired by the lyricism of the folk and traditional music that they heard around them, composers such as the James Oswald, John Reid, and the Earl of Kellie, wrote with an unmistakeable Scottish flavour. Scottish rhythms (most notably the Lombardic or ‘Scotch snap’) dominate melody lines, and airs, jigs and hornpipes take the place of traditional sonata movements. This fusion appealed to the sophisticated musical tastes of the members of eighteenth century London, where Scottish music was incredibly popular throughout the eighteenth century - London was a home to so many Scottish expats from the late 1600s onwards. Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England, Ensemble Hesperi is joined by Highland dancer Kathleen Gilbert, who will choreograph several parts of the programme, bringing the dance movements to life.

Supported by ARTS COUNCIL ENGLAND