Music Club

FOR some the label ‘early music’ can be offputting, suggesting content that may be remote or even academic. In fact such music tends to be lively and readily accessible, and this was certainly the case in the recital given by four-piece ensemble Galliarda in Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor on Friday 18 March, in a programme entitled The Mediterranean Temperament. Annabel Knight added brightness with her various flutes and recorders (plus solo spots in sonatas by Vivaldi and Cima). Ibi Aziz supplied depth with his bass viol (a viol da gamba or ‘leg viol’, held between the knees), popular as late as the 1750s (and returned to in the 20th century). Describing his baroque guitar as the ‘beat-box’, Matthew Spring alternated its use with the wonderful theorbo (or chitarrone, ‘big guitar’), a 13-stringed creature mainly of the 17th cen-tury whose long neck and extra bass strings allow provision of a continuo part. Sara Stowe’s agile soprano completed the mix with sparkling delivery of lyrics in French, Italian and Spanish, and judicious use of tambourine to enhance dance rhythms as they occurred..All four musicians showed themselves to be experts in their specialties, yet combined to achieve a blend that was well balanced, varied, and full of momentum. Each of the vocal or instrumental sets had its own character and point of interest. There were carols, love songs, folksongs, lullabies, ‘ballets’, jigs, chaconnes and pavans. Printed translations enabled the audience to keep up at every step. Thanks were given to all sponsors and supporters. Another programme has been arranged, and will begin on Friday, 7 October, with a visit from Côr Rhuthun under Robat Arwyn.