The Castle, Hay-on-Wye, HR3 5DG. Doors open 7.00. Bar.
International recorder player and Red Priest frontman Piers Adams - described in the Washington Post as “the leading recorder virtuoso in the world today” - joins forces with multi-talented keyboardist Lyndy Mayle in this extraordinary ‘electro-baroque fusion’ duo.
Tickets: tba
Programme
By replacing the familiar sound of the harpsichord with the universe of possibilities offered by the modern-day keyboard, Piers and Lyndy expand upon the dreams of composers of the past, re-imagining music from mediaeval and baroque masters to modern day tango and jazz. The wizardry of the keyboard - a plethora of instruments in one - is balanced by the natural expressive power of Piers' recorders, creating a perfect blend of ancient and modern in a dazzling and moving performance.
The programme will include:
Johann Sebastian Bach: Suite from the Goldberg Variations
Tomaso Albinoni: Adagio from Concerto in D minor
Georg Philipp Telemann: Andante and Danse Rustique
Jean-Baptiste Forqueray: La Boisson
Giovani Antonio Pandolfi Mealli: La Biancuccia
Ian Clarke: Hypnosis
Isaac Albeniz: Asturias
Astor Piazzolla: Café 1930
Piers Adams is widely regarded as one of the greatest recorder players of our time. Over his 40-year career he has recorded numerous CDs and given thousands of concerts and broadcasts across the world with his iconic baroque ensemble Red Priest and as soloist in many other contexts, attracting the highest acclaim for his bold and creative musicianship. He has long held a dream to combine the simplicity of the recorder with the universe of possibilities offered by modern-day synth technology, and this led to the release of his ground-breaking album Bach Side of the Moon in 2018 (which reached no. 5 in the international New Age charts) and - since fortuitously crossing paths with Lyndy - to the formation of Baroque Alchemy.
Lyndy Mayle studied piano and harpsichord at Chetham’s School of Music and the Royal College of Music, where she was a multiple prizewinning student. On graduating, she worked as the music director of several productions at the National Theatre in London and as a recording artist on film and TV soundtracks. Moving away from the performing world she practised for many years as a music therapist before developing her reputation as a highly respected piano teacher. Baroque Alchemy marks her return to the concert platform - and to her early music roots - and she brings a wealth of musical experience, passion and spirit to this joyful musical collaboration.
Baroque Alchemy gave its debut concert in the Lewes Baroquefest in July 2022, and since that time has given several sellout performances for festivals, music clubs and theatres throughout the UK. In 2023 the duo travelled to Germany to give the closing concert at the Blockflöten Festtage, the world's premier recorder festival, to high critical acclaim. Their London debut took place at the World Heart Beat concert hall in March 2024, at which they launched their groundbreaking album Breaking Free. Baroque Alchemy's reputation as a truly unique concert experience continues to grow amongst audience and promoters, resulting in a burgeoning schedule for 2025.