Would Leonard Cohen have been a lutenist?

In the 16th century, long before mp3 files and that now old fashioned  medium the CD (or in my house the LP!) people wrote and sang songs, about  deep feelings of life and mortality and matters of the heart and accompanied them on the lute.

Nowadays we often talk of singer songwriters. The death last week of Leonard Cohen  reminds us strongly of this tradition.  Yes, I think that if he had lived in an earlier time he would have been a lute song writer.

On Sunday afternoon we have a chance to hear music from  this time. Mary Morgan, soprano and Steve Graham, lutes,  return with a short programme of music, for solo lute and songs. Music by Thomas Campion,,  Morley and many others.       Come and hear them, you wont regret it.

4.00 pm Sunday 20th November. Cannington Parish Church. admission £8.00 students and children free.  Tea and home made cake for all!

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IT'S NOVEMBER AND S.CECILIA

What a simply splendid concert we had last month with the Phoenix Singers! It was gratifying also to have a good sized audience. It would help me to build numbers if you could spread the word, maybe a bring a friend?

November brings us to our annual St Cecilia tide concert. This time we welcome Mary Morgan, soprano and Steve Graham, lute for another of their evocative concerts. They last came three years ago and generously gave their talents to raise money for the renovation of the organ. It should be a really good afternoon. Yes, I did type afternoon as we shall meet on a Sunday afternoon and enjoy tea afterwards.

As soon as I have details of the programme I will publish it here and on the Facebook page

PROGRAMME FOR 2016

Cannington Music - Programme for 2016 The Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin, Cannington, near Bridgwater

February  9th. Those of you came know what a wonderful concert of Ragtime and early jazz we had with Original Rags. We must book them again!

April   30th Saturday 7.30 pm  Somerset Songsters. “And her mother came too” A light-hearted musical entertainment by a successful and talented Somerset group. This is the same weekend as the Flower Festival in church so why not indulge yourself with both? £7.00

May   Sunday  29, in the afternoon, I will play the concert postponed from last year.  Piano, organ and singing,  “1892, a good year?"  explanations on the day!

June  Friday  24th 7.30 pm The day after that referendum I will give a organ concert, not all of it entirely serious! I may have to slip in something to do with Europe and gloom/joy depending on your preference!

September  Friday  9th  7.30 pm       Zephyr, a  wonderful flute and harp duo. More details of the programme later.
http://www.ruthmolins.com/zephyr-duo.html  

October  Saturday 15th 7.30 pm The Phoenix Singers, director Andrew Maddocks, are one of the West Countries most proficient choirs and are making a very welcome return visit.  The Deer's Cry. Including music by Arvo Part, Thomas Tallis, William Byrd and Palestrina   http://www.thephoenixsingers.co.uk/

November  Sunday 20th in the afternoon. St Cecilia Concert with Mary Morgan, soprano  and Steve Graham lute

How to keep in touch with your computer, tablet or smart phone
 We have a Facebook page  and also a Group on Facebook. If you use Facebook just type Cannington Music into the search bar at the top and both should appear in the list.  If you “like” the page or join the group you will be able to see all the postings.

I have also started  writing a Blog on the music in the church. This gives notice of all upcoming concerts and often lists the whole of the programme details.  Happy reading. http://canningtonmusic.blogspot.co.uk/

Lastly, we keep an email publicity list and I send emails before every concert.  The trouble is you must remember to inform me if you change your address. It happens a lot that people forget  and it is hard to keep it up to date. It depends on you!

If you send an email  to   Cannington.Music@gmail.com   I will add you to this list . It would help me no end if you make the subject “ Mailing list”  
Please note this is NOT my personal address.

Michael Martin, Director of Music      01278 422895  

OCTOBER CONCERT

The next event is, by way of a change, on a Sunday afternoon.

Ayres & Graces.

4.00pm Sunday 20th October 2013

I have been looking forward to this concert for a long time.

Mary Morgan , soprano and Steve Graham, lute are to give a recital of 16C and 17C music.

Mary is well known in Cannington . An American , she moved to England some years ago.  

She teaches singing in several Somerset schools and colleges and sings professionally in many European countries.

As well as magically playing his lutes Steve is a jazz enthusiast and fine cornet player and band leader.

They will be presenting music by John Dowland, Thomas Campion, William Lawes, Philip Rossiter, Michael Cavendish and Henry Purcell. Instead of a glass of wine in the interval you will have afternoon tea. Very civilised?

We are in for a real treat.

The concert starts at 4.00pm and it will cost you £8.00, payable at the door

All profits will go to the fund for restoring the church organ

PLANS FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR

As many of you are aware, we are undertaking, next year, a long overdue renovation of the church organ. Needless to say it is an expensive venture and all our concerts this year are dedicated to raising money for this. We have four more events for you this season.

The first, quite soon now, on Sunday October 20, is an experiment to see how you would like an afternoon concert for a change. As I promised, Mary Morgan , soprano, is returning, this time with Steve Graham and his lute, for a concert of 16thC and 17thC English music entitled Ayres & Graces. Mary will sing works by John Dowland,Thomas Campion, William Lawes, Philip Rossiter, Michael Cavendish and Henry Purcell. Instead of a glass of wine you will have afternoon tea. Very civilised?

The second will take place , as long planned, on St Cecilia's Day, November 22. It is also , of course, the 100th birthday of the great English composer Benjamin Britten. Cecilia is the Patron Saint of music and musicians and it is an honourable English tradition to mark the day with special music. Purcell, Handel and many others wrote for the celebrations. This time we will have a different sort of concert, a mix of a recital and Songs of Praise. I will play British music on piano and organ, and you will sing. A cheap entry of £5 to encourage lots of you to come and, yes, you will get a glass of wine.

A few weeks later on Saturday 14th December we once again welcome The J Singers, the well known local choir. They have kindly agreed to help us in our fundraising efforts. The occasion is Christmas is coming; a feast of carols and Christmas music and harp and flute playing. There will be a chance for you to sing.

That only leaves one thing more to which to look forward; our annual service of readings and Christmas music, Carols by candlelight on the Sunday in Christmas week, December 29th at 6.00pm. The church choir will, as usual, be augmented by guest singers and instrumentalists.