Newsletter: Bach by Candlelight

It is so good to be bringing live music to our community once again. The recital given by Helena Paish on Saturday, September 11 was at once superbly executed, very moving, and immensely satisfying.

Our next event takes place over the weekend October 30/31 when we welcome one of the country’s most distinguished ‘cellists, Nigel Blomiley, to play all six of the unaccompanied Bach Cello Suites. This is a rare opportunity to hear all six of the Cello Suites at one go - as far as I can tell, for the first time ever in Cornwall. For lovers of Bach (and the ‘cello) it is an opportunity not to be missed.

A former principal cellist of the BBC Concert Orchestra​

Nigel started performing at an early age. By the time he was twenty, he was playing professionally, and soon, he had established himself as a principal player in the BBC Northern Symphony Orchestra. In 1981 he was appointed principal cellist of the BBC Concert Orchestra with whom we toured globally. He worked with the broadest spectrum of artists from the likes of Sir Charles Mackerras and Yehudi Menuhin to Sir Cliff Richard and Dionne Warwick. He also featured regularly as a soloist with the Orchestra in many major UK venues for both radio and television. The celebrated Pierre Fournier, with whom he studied, described his playing as “very musical” and “creating a marvellous atmosphere”. Bernard Greenhouse described him simply as "a damn fine cellist".

Our first concert at the new Flushing Sailing Club building

Saturday’s concert will be performed in the wonderful ambience of the brand-new and architecturally exciting Sailing Club building on the New Quay at Flushing. At this time of year, there should be plenty of parking leading up from the clubhouse along Trefusis Road.

This concert will feature Suites 1, 5 and 3 while the remaining suites (2,4 and 6) will be performed by candlelight at All Saints Church, Mylor Bridge on the following evening.

Tickets for the concerts will be priced at £10 each or £15 for a combined ticket for both events. (Students and young people under 19, half price in each case).

Tickets are now available online, by phone from Carrick Concerts at 01326 374237, or from our usual outlets in Mylor and Flushing. While tickets may be purchased at the door, we will attempt to arrange socially-distanced seating in accordance with the numbers who book online or by phone.

Bringing great music to Cornwall though your support

Bringing such talent to our community at an affordable price is not easy. So far, we have capped our ticket prices at £10 per concert – far less than other venues in Cornwall feel compelled to charge for performers of this calibre.

This is only made possible by the generosity of our patrons and sponsors and by those among you who wish to donate to our mission which is 'to bring first class chamber-music within reach of all in our community, and to give our own aspiring musicians an opportunity to listen and perform at the highest level.'

We would ask any of you who may feel so inclined, to consider becoming a Patron of Carrick Concerts so that we may continue to further the making and teaching of music in the community. Patrons are entitled to two free tickets for all concerts this year and throughout 2022. There are also opportunities to meet our performers and hopefully to hear them sing and play at an annual Patrons supper. Please talk to David at the concert or by phone (01326 374237) if you are interested.

​Alternatively, you can make a donation by pressing the donate button on our website or simply putting something in our collection box at the end of the concert. Any such contributions are, of course, entirely voluntary.

No refreshments for the moment

Finally, it is with regret that we will not be serving food in the interval at either of these concerts. However, the Sailing Club bar will be open from 7pm on the Saturday as well as in the interval and, if required, after the concert. There will be no wine or soft drinks served on Sunday at All Saints, but please feel free to bring your own (plus glasses) if you so wish.

Best wishes,

David Eastburn (Artistic Director)