Beautiful and devotional music from 17th century Germany played upon authentic instruments.
Affetto
Sopranos: Jayne Tankersley & Nicola Holt
Cornetto Muto: Peter Reid
Viola da Gamba: Polly Sussex
Organ & Harpsichord: Rachael Griffiths-Hughes
Featuring Lord Ponsonby’s Consort of Viols:
Polly Sussex, Carol Buckton, Heather Gummer, Rachel Grimwood, Adam McCoy, Darija Andzakovic.
Auckland’s well-loved early music ensemble Affetto presents its newest and most ambitious project to date. Described by Metro Magazine as “inspired programmers”, Affetto present “Vom Himmel Hoch”: music from 17th century Germany. In order to fully explore some of the best repertoire of this era, the group needed to expand, and so Polly Sussex has formed a 6 piece viol consort for this concert to play some of the works by German masters Buxtehude, Tunder, Schűtz and Schein.
The earthy breaths of the viol consort and organ will be perfectly complimented by the haunting plaints of the ancient cornetto. Add to that two incredible sopranos of matched clarity and ability and we know it’s going to be a concert that should not be missed.
These are sounds & colours that are rarely heard throughout the world, and the dialogue between the voices and instruments speaks the essence this music’s spirtuality and history that cannot be replicated with modern instruments.
Affetto is fast making a name for breathing new life into the glorious and beautiful music from the 17th century, and for their joyful and sincere performances.
Lord Ponsonby's Viol Consort:
Polly Sussex, treble viol: the group leader, studied viola da gamba at Bremen und Basel, teaches viol at University of Auckland, yoga nut, www.pollysussex.com
Carol Buckton, treble viol: the player who has known viols for longest as she started playing in the first wave of viol playing in the '80's. Carol teaches violin in the Auckland area, and is pleased to have viol mates again.
Heather Gummer, tenor: Heather took up the tenor viol several years ago. Her day job is looking after the Royal Schools of Music as the Auckland area representative.
Rachel Grimwood, tenor: As a viola player Rachel already knows the middle area of string playing well and has chosen to take up the tenor viol especially for this concert. She is studying at the University of Auckland.
Adam McCoy, bass: Adam works for Westpac Bank and plays the bass viol in his spare time. He studied double bass and bass viol at the University of Auckland.
Darija Andzakovic, bass: Another double-bass player, and student of bass viol, Darija has specialised in the works of the late eighteenth century double-bass virtuoso Sperger. She is working part-time for the University of Auckland and continues her research.
