Fantastic! That’s how I felt about the concerts of Salzedo music I attended in June.

Viola Concerto in Greenwich

Richard Crabtree, violist, and Irina Lyakhovskaya, pianist, played the Viola Concerto in the stunning venue of the Old Royal Chapel, Greenwich. Richard, for whom the Concerto was written, is a longtime friend and supporter of Leonard Salzedo’s music and both he and Irina are on the teaching staff at Trinity Laban.

Tour de Force

The new version of the Concerto, with viola and piano instead of viola and a small string and percussion ensemble, worked superbly, and the performance was a tour de force. It also makes the piece more accessible. Email me if you are interested in a copy of the score.

Thanks to all my London friends who joined me at the concert.

Harpsichord Concerto in California

The following week, I was in California for concerts with Jonathan Salzedo and the Albany Consort which included Leonard’s Harpsichord Concerto conducted by David Milnes. Here is a snippet of the beginning, middle and end of the Concerto, prepared by Jonathan.

In the programme he described the Concerto as ‘arresting, full of unusual scales or scale combinations, with strident and beautiful sounds, delicious string writing and keyboard virtuosity.’ And may I add that he and the whole Consort played it brilliantly.

50 Years

It was wonderful to hear the piece – just over 50 years since it was last performed at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London. Jonathan found a listing for that concert, harpsichord played by Valda Aveling his teacher at Trinity College now Trinity Laban.

Albany Consort

It was also the 50^th anniversary of the Albany Consort’s first concert in London, which took place at a church on Albany Street hence the name.

Berkeley and Palo Alto

I spoke at both California concerts. At the first one in Berkeley an audience member filmed me and posted it onto Facebook.

The second concert in Palo Alto was filmed and that film will be available in the future. Watch this space!

Third cousins

Jonathan and I are third cousins; our great grandfathers Jacob and Isaac were brothers. I hadn’t seen him for over 50 years so it was delightful to see him again, meet his wife Marion Rubinstein, recorder and organ player, with whom he set up the Albany Consort, their daughter Laura Jeannin, a violinist with the Consort, and their son Simon Rubinstein-Salzedo.

I hope to visit again.

Scores available

The score and parts for the Viola Concerto (larger version and piano version) and the Harpsichord Concerto are available from the Leonard Salzedo Society. Email me if you are interested.

Here is where you can join the Leonard Salzedo Society; £15 pa.