This was the second concert given by the Vancouver-based recorder group Bergamasca in Point Roberts, an “international” gig.
Concerts are held throughout the year in the Trinity Community Lutheran Church in Point Roberts. The audience contributes donations to a charitable fund sponsored by the church, (this year it was for an emergency generator). Last year there was almost a full house but only half the number this year (the beautiful weather may have been the reason.)
The church is a more than 100 years old, having been originally built by Icelandic settlers in the area. It is a small building holding about sixty people, but for some unknown reason the acoustics in the church are fantastically good, and it is a pleasure to play in because each player can hear every other player and for group performance this is an enormous benefit. Undoubtedly the group play of all amateur recorder players would benefit enormously from such acoustics. The church also has a beautiful original organ with many square wooden pipes.
Bergamasca performed the same basic repertoire that they played earlier in the month at the Nikkei Centre, mainly five and four part works from standard Renaissance composers such as Sweelinck, Arcadelt, Canali, Maschera and Tye. A piece that worked particularly well in the fine acoustic was the five-part Bergamasca by Samuel Scheidt, because the piece is designed for repetition of similar themes across the five parts, and this echoing effect was very effective. The modern chromatic set The Planets' Feet (Eccles) also resonated well in the room.
Some new additions to the programme were some well-known springtime pieces; Rufty Tufty, Garden Green (Playford) and Month of Maying (Morley). Also a couple of medieval trios (Alle Psallite Cum Laya and A Ma Damme Playsant) played on low instruments (tenor, bass, C-bass) worked well in the church. Another new addition was the Telemann Fantasia Number 1 in C major, a solo played beautifully by Michèle Desponts.
It was an afternoon concert and the weather was sunny and the audience and organizer seemed to have a good time and were appreciative of the performance.
© Tony Griffiths
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