Ashford Baroque Ensemble

We rehearse at St Matthew's Church, Ashford, MIDDLESEX, (ie. not Kent!) approximately fortnightly on Monday evenings from 7.30 - 9.30, with about 3-5 rehearsals per concert. Formed in 2005, we are a mainly modern instrument Baroque ensemble, although many of our string players have Baroque bows. We aim for an ‘authentic’ playing style, and we do sometimes tune down a semitone to Baroque pitch - for example when we have music for strings only, or when Baroque wind instruments are available. We generally play music from about 1600-1785, from late Renaissance pieces at one end to early Classical at the other, including music by Haydn & Mozart. In most concerts we perform trio sonatas or other smaller scale works as well as concertos and sinfonias, and from time to time include vocal and choral music, to provide our audiences - and players - with plenty of variety. Please note that we do not normally employ paid soloists from outside the ensemble.
About our Director: Philip Buckmaster gained an honours degree at the Colchester Institute School of Music, where Peter Holman (of The Parley of Instruments) was the resident early music lecturer. He studied the organ, piano, harpsichord, violin, singing, composing and conducting. He then followed a specialist course for music teachers at Kingston University, and now enjoys a varied career in and around London, playing, teaching, directing, composing and arranging. He has always had a keen interest in Baroque music and its performance. Well known locally, he is also Director of Music at St Matthew's, and Conductor of Feltham Choral Society.
Listen to excerpts taken from our concerts:
1.   Bach - excerpt from Suite in B minor - Badinerie
2.   Bach -excerpt from Suite in B minor - Ouverture
3.   Couperin - excerpt from Septieme Concert - Prelude
4.   Bach - excerpt from Brandenburg 2, 2nd Movement
5.   Handel - excerpt from Organ Concerto in G minor, 1st Movement
6.   Thomas Linley - Overture to the Duenna, 3rd Movement: Allegro (c.1.5Mb)
7.   Thomas Linley - excerpt from Cantata Ye Nymphs of Albion's Beauty-blooming Isle 1 (c.3Mb) Soprano soloist: Rachel Major
8.   Thomas Linley - excerpt from Cantata Ye Nymphs of Albion's Beauty-blooming Isle 2 (c.3.5Mb) Soprano soloist: Rachel Major

Vacancies:
We are always pleased to hear from instrumentalists, as extras are needed from time to time. We would be particularly interested to hear from players with Baroque wind instruments. Players who are at least grade 8 standard are invited to apply. We are looking for players with enthusiasm, good intonation, musicality and good sight reading. There are no fees to join.
Please e-mail info@ashfordbaroque.org.uk or phone 01932 783343 if you are interested in joining us.
Please note that we do not normally employ paid soloists from outside the ensemble.
Click here to download a publicity leaflet (in pdf format) including directions on how to get to rehearsals.

Have Baroque Ensemble, will travel!

Would you like us to come and perform in your church or other venue?

We have our own music stands and harpsichord. All we require is chairs (without arms) and space for about 15-20 players to be seated, and a fee of £300. Occasionally this amount is exceeded if extra players need to be brought in for any large works you might want us to play, or if your venue is far away. Any amount you raise above this you can use how you wish. We suggest a ticket price of £7-10 for a concert, which means that after the first 30-43 people, you make a profit!

Some of the works we have performed:

Albinoni	Oboe concerto in Dm, Op.2, No.9
Arne	Overture (Symphony) No.7 in D Overture (Symphony) No.1 in Em Overture (Symphony) No.5 in F
Bach	St John Passion Brandenburg concerto No.1 in F Brandenburg concerto No.2 in F Brandenburg concerto No.4 in G Orchestral suite in Bm Concerto in Cm for Violin & Oboe Cantata No.51: Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen Cantata No.82: Ich habe genug Cantata No.140: Wachet auf Unacc. Cello Suite No.1 in G
Boyce	Symphony No.3 in C Symphony No.5 in D Symphony No.7 in Bb Symphony No.8 in Dm
Couperin	Sixième & septième concerts from Les Gouts Réunis
Fasch	Sonata in G for flute, 2 recorders & continuo
G. Gabrieli	Various Canzons for brass
Handel	Organ concerto in Gm Op.4 No.1 HWV289 Organ concerto in F, HWV295 "The Cuckoo & the Nightingale" Overture from Rinaldo Water music suites in F & D Arrival of the Queen of Sheba Messiah Chandos Anthem: My song shall be alway
Haydn	Symphony No.6 - Le Matin
Thomas Linley the Younger	Arise! Ye spirits of the storm Overture to the Duenna Overture, Menuetto & 1st Chorus from A Lyric Ode Cantata Ye nymphs of Albion’s beauty-blooming isle
Locatelli	Introddutione (Concerto Grosso) in D, Op.4 No.1
Monteverdi	Toccata, Prologue Ritornello & Moresca from Orpheo (arr. PB)
Mozart	Piano Concerto No.19 in F Vesperae solennes de Dominica Vesperae solennes de Confessor Coronation mass in C Andante in C for Flute & Orchestra Per questa bella mano
Purcell	Chacony in Gm The Fairy Queen Fantazias & In Nomines
Quantz	Trio in C for 2 Flutes & Continuo
Telemann	Trio in G for Flute, Violin & Continuo Trio No.12 from Essercizzi Musici Quartet in Dm
Torelli	Sinfonia in D for Trumpet & Strings
Vivaldi	Concerto in Dm RV96 for Flute, Violin, Bassoon & Strings. Concerto grosso in Dm, Op.3, No.11
Zelenka	Ouverture-suite in F

Do you need an accompaniment for your choir?

We are also available to choirs seeking an historically informed Baroque accompaniment at modern or Baroque pitch. Fees are negotiable. (We have also been known to play a bit of Mozart & Haydn!)

We can play for your Wedding or other function!

Usually a small section of the ensemble will play. Minimum 3 players, but 4 or more is recommended for variety. Competitive rates!

Have Baroque Ensemble, will travel!

Would you like us to come and perform in your church or other venue?

Some of the works we have performed:

Do you need an accompaniment for your choir?

Related links: