Classical and Jazz: Preview - The London Octave collective at St Martin-in-the-Fields
Published: 23 December, 2010
by SEBASTIAN TAYLOR
THERE’S festive joy for Bach enthusiasts at St Martin-in-the-Fields next Thursday when crack baroque specialists London Octave will perform all six of his Brandenburg Concertos.
The concert has become something of an institution amid London’s musical festivities, having first been performed eight years ago.
The London Octave collective was formed more than 20 years ago. It aims to approach the baroque and classical repertoire in a fresh and vital way, often without a conductor.
Soloists at next Thursday’s concert include spellbinding violinist Lorraine McAslan, highly experienced flautist William Bennett (who played with Jimi Hendrix) and trumpeter Neil Brough.
Although the concert usually runs for two hours 15 minutes, Octave’s leader cellist Dietrich Bethge says it’s not a Bach marathon.
“That’s because each concerto is so completely different in character, calling for a variety of solo instruments,” he said. “Also, of course, Bach’s music is so inspiring and optimistic that tiredness or boredom is never an issue for us.
“Just before the penultimate concerto is No 6, scored only for violas, cellos and double bass. The sound worlds could not be more contrasting.”