Nobody really knows what instrument J S Bach wrote his 48 Preludes and Fugues for. So over a day, we will present them on four different instruments. Starting at St Mary the Virgin, Linda Nicholson, one of the foremost keyboard players specialising in the performance of baroque, classical and early music, plays her selection on the clavichord and the harpsichord. After the performance the audience will then have lunch in the Star Inn.
After refuelling, the Festival Bus will transport the audience to St Leonard’s Church, Hythe, where Daniel Cook, Master of the Choristers and Organist of Durham Cathedral, will continue this fascinating musical journey. His selection will be played on the piano and the organ. After this concert tea and cake will be on sale in St Leonard’s Church before the Festival Bus returns the audience to their cars at St Mary in the Marsh.
At the beginning of each concerts there will be a short talk about the church, as well as, throughout each concert the performers will explain their choices of both music and instruments.
Linda Nicholson is one of the foremost keyboard players specialising in the performance of baroque, classical and early romantic music on instruments of the period. After studying at London University (B Mus.) and the Royal College of Music (piano with Kendall Taylor, harpsichord with Ruth Dyson) she won the first two international competitions held for the fortepiano, namely the Concours International du Pianoforte in Paris and the Festival of Flanders Competition in Bruges. Since then she has gained an international reputation, performing in major festivals and concert series throughout Europe and the Far East. Her broad repertoire encompasses solo works, chamber music and concertos.
Linda is able to offer an unmatched combination of musical experience and historical knowledge of keyboard instruments.
Daniel Cook is Master of the Choristers and Organist of Durham Cathedral and is recognised internationally as a liturgical and concert organist of the highest order. In addition he is Artistic Director of Mousai, Curator of JAM on the Marsh, Musical Director of Durham University Choral Society, and maintains a busy schedule of recitals, concerts and recordings, both as performer and producer, as well as being in demand as a conductor, teacher and singer.
Prior to this Daniel spent four years as Sub-Organist of Westminster Abbey where he was the principal organist to the Abbey Choir and Assistant Director of Music to James O’Donnell. He accompanied the Abbey Choir for all major services, performed with them in concerts and on tours in Europe and the USA, as well as appearing in their famous series of recordings for Hyperion Records. He also performed with the Abbey Choir in several concerts in London, notably in Buckingham Palace and at the Royal Albert Hall, and was the organist for all of the broadcast services and concerts between 2013 and 2017.