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What an enjoyable evening!  Watching the sun set over Kitsilano while being serenaded by lovely music from our favourite instruments – recorders. The choice of the Masonic Centre seemed to have been successful as there was plenty of space, the acoustics were quite good, and of course there was – the View! 

The choice of music and the general level of play were good.  The Novice group (they really should find themselves a more interesting name!) got the ball rolling with a very secure rendition of Morley’s La Volta. A new group, the Roundhouse Sparrows, did several pretty duets of which (for me) the most memorable was Satie’s Ogive. The Screaming Susatos started their set with a spirited rendition of a Bergamasca dance. The Jupiter Players were right on with their performance of Dowland’s Mr George Whitehead; His Almand. The Pastime Consort led us into the break with Holborne’s nifty Fairie Round ringing in our ears. 

During the break there were refreshments (thanks to all who provided these), and a silent auction of pre-owned recorders, with proceeds from some of them going directly into the BCRS coffers. Thanks to the bidders – one can never have too many recorders. 

In the second half, just as the heavens were turning red in the west, we were treated (appropriately) to a glorious and moving rendition of Byrd’s Agnus Dei by Childe’s Play. Then Merrie Accord did a convincing job of the rhythmically tricky Vergene Bella by Dufay. Bergamasca took on The Planets’ Feet by modern composer Eccles, a suite dripping with chromatic passages, and reminiscent of a score from a Harry Potter movie. Last up for the evening, Venerdi finished with an unusual sextet for basses, Di Sei Bassi by Ferrabosco the Elder, producing some impressive low-pitched chords. 

Many thanks to all the players who put in the considerable number of rehearsal hours needed to produce a performance. It worked! Well done. Thanks also to Lynne Taylor for organizing such an enjoyable evening with no glitches. 

The grande finale was a tutti rendition of Morley's Now is the Month of Maying, conducted by Lynne. It
sounded very lively and was crisply played -
people had been practising! A nice ending for this Spring season.

All players who enjoyed the evening should consider attending the BCRS workshop Renaissance Splendour on May 29, if they have not already registered.  


Tony Griffiths