Magnificent May is the final month in the Braidwood Autumn Concert Series, heralding two fantastic concerts. The first event on Thursday 9 May, part of the Canberra International Music Festival, leaves the ACT behind for a number of historic locations in Bungendore and Braidwood districts. The historic St Andrews Anglican Church in Braidwood forms the setting for a trumpet and organ recital, featuring the British trumpeter Richard Fomison and the young Canberra-based organist Jonathan Lee. Whilst Richard has performed with the world’s greatest period ensembles, Jonathan is at the cusp of his own international exploration. The program is specifically designed to fit the church and its remarkable pipe organ built by Mr W G Rendell (1853-1934). Music on this occasion will include Clark’s famous Prince of Denmark voluntary (yes, a favourite for royal weddings), organ music by Bach and glorious trumpet music from the classical period.
This will be short concert from 11-11.25am. Tickets will be on sale on the door from 10.30am and are a very reasonable $15. Morning Tea will follow in the Parish Centre behind the church.
Jonathan Lee is an 18 year old organist from Canberra, a Wesley Organ Scholar who sprang to prominence winning the Under 18 Section of the 2015 and 2016 Sydney Organ Competition. Jonathan has been a student of Philip Swanton and Christopher Wrench and held an Organ Music Scholarship at Canberra Grammar School. He has already performed on the grand organs of Sydney Town Hall and St Mary’s Cathedral. In 2019 he takes up the much coveted Organ Scholar position at Hereford Cathedral in UK. On Easter Saturday he came to St Andrews to rehearse, his beautiful playing drawing people in to listen and enjoy.
Richard Fomison is a specialist of both modern and natural 18th century trumpet. He has perfomed with all leading early music groups such as Gabrieli Consort, Florilegium, Ex Cathedra, Academy of Ancient Music,Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Drottingholm Baroque, Australian Chamber Orchestra and Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen. Since moving to Australia from England, he is a much in demand player with the most prominent baroque orchestras such as Bach Akademie Australia and Australian Brandenburg Orchestra.
On Sunday 26 May Limestone Consort returns to the Braidwood Uniting Church celebrating the trio sonata, one of the most popular forms of chamber music in the Baroque era. Limestone Consort will explore sonatas for oboe and violin, including works by Handel, Zelenka, Brescianello and others. The concert will start at 2pm; tickets will be on sale at the door from 1.30pm, $25 adults, $20 concessions and children under 15 years old, free.
