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King’s Lynn’s Charles Burney Early Music Festival was an ‘enjoyable experience’, say reviewer




Andy Tyler shares his thoughts on the King’s Lynn’s Festival’s Charles Burney Early Music Festival...

From my early teenage years, I’ve been a lover of Baroque and early music, and my interest in Dr Charles Burney and his role in the musical life of England and his work as a musical historian, writer, composer, and musician has always fascinated me.

I read about his life in Lynn (he lived and worked here for nine years from 1751), and little did I know at the time I’d also come to live in Lynn and learn more about him!

Steven Devine played the fortepiano and Kate Semmens did the soprano
Steven Devine played the fortepiano and Kate Semmens did the soprano

He was, of course, part of Dr Johnson’s circle which included such prominent eighteenth century figures as Sir Joshua Reynolds, David Garrick, Oliver Goldsmith, James Boswell and Edmund Burke.

He wrote one of the very first serious music histories, travelled widely, and met many famous musicians of his time including Handel, Arne, C.P.E. Bach, Haydn, and Mozart.

Charles Burney was appointed organist at what was then The Priory Church of St Margaret’s in 1751. Its title now is The Minster. Dr Burney was responsible for the installation of a grand Snetzler organ there in 1754.

CSP’s historic trumpets.
CSP’s historic trumpets.

His daughter, Frances Burney, also known as Fanny, was born in Lynn in 1752 and became one of the first famous women novelists; she was also a playwright and diarist.

Naturally, I’m keen that the Burney family and its Lynn connections are promoted enthusiastically and so I’m delighted that The Charles Burney Early Music Festival has recently been held over three days successfully and hope it will continue to do so in the future.

The festival enabled those who attended to enjoy quality music-making in historic venues and learn more about the Burneys’ and their life in Lynn.

Ian LeGrice is a organist and Crispian Steele Perkins is a trumpeter
Ian LeGrice is a organist and Crispian Steele Perkins is a trumpeter

Dr Paul Richards’ enlightening Burney Walk featured places and people associated with the family, and historians Andrew and Rachel Knowles concentrated their talk on Fanny Burney’s life in the late Georgian and Regency periods. The talk was sponsored by The Guella Trust.

During the festival, we were treated to many musical delights! Famous trumpeter Crispian Steele Perkins, joined by Ian LeGrice at the organ gave a well-attended concert at All Saints’ Church consisting of music by Boyce, Handel, Mozart, Haydn, Stanley, Hook, Bishop and Arne.

Crispian also shared with the audience anecdotes about his musical life and information about the history of the trumpet and things brass.

Stephen Devine and Friends also performed at All Saints in a programme of music by Storace, Haydn, CPE Bach, Charles Burney, and Beethoven.

Stephen was at the fortepiano and his friends were Caroline Balding, violin, and Sarah McMahon, cello. Another highly successful recital!

All good things come to an end, regrettably, and the last Burney Festival event this time was a recital given by Kate Semmens, soprano, and Steven Devine, fortepiano.

The programme celebrated the links between some of the great German composers of the time and Burney.

Works by Mozart, Gluck, CPE Bach, Salomon and Haydn’s dramatic cantata Arianna a Naxos were performed, the Haydn work written shortly after his second trip to London.

Kate is highly experienced in performing opera and oratorio, she teaches and enjoys collaborating with musical colleagues, regularly engaging in duos with Steven Devine.

Thanks to all concerned for making the Charles Burney Early Music Festival such an enjoyable experience and adding to our knowledge of The Burney Family.

I look forward to more Burney Business in the future!



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