Sunday 25 September 2016

Classical Transmission at Antenna Studios

Contributing to the buzz on market day on Haynes Lane, is the ever popular Antenna Cafe, which featured on this blog quite some time ago. However, I'd never ventured up the fire escape to the studio space above, until local singer and musician, Nick Mulroy contacted me a few months ago, to invite me to a rehearsal and performance of 16th century choral music.
Antenna Studios has been running since 2002, and serves as a venue for both music recording and performance, as well as photography, filming and classes in yoga and dance.
Nick had put together a quintet for this one off performance of music by Thomas Tallis and William Byrd, as part of an occasional series of performances of music across the genres.
Listening to the rehearsal from the back of the empty studio was both a privilege and an utter surprise. This type of choral music is not something I'm terribly familiar with, and many might feel it's not their thing, but I defy anyone not to be moved by the power and emotion in these voices.
After a break for the summer, while Nick got back to his busy schedule of performances which takes him all over the world, he is now planning a series of concerts through the autumn. Currently  scheduled is a performance of The Goldberg Variations on October 30th, with Hannah Dawson on violin, Triona Milne on viola, and Sarah McMahon on cello. This is followed on November 27th with music by C F Abel performed by Reiko Ichise. Performances start at 8pm. And a third performance, yet to be confirmed will hopefully take place on December 11th.
It's great to have found this surprising little venue on our doorstep. Do go and support this  venture, it's quite an ear opener!

The Rehearsal




Nick Mulroy

The Performance






The performers, from left: Robert MacDonald - Bass, James Geidt - Baritone, Peter Harris & Nick Mulroy - Tenors, and James Hall - Countertenor

Bowyers Yard
Haynes Lane
020 8653 5200

You can find out more about Classical Transmission from their Facebook page, and you can also find them on Twitter @ClassicalSE19