Continuing a season of recitals entitled ‘Live Music in Ayr’, members and friends of Ayr Music Club were hosts at Alloway Church Hall to the Aesop Ensemble.
Directed by Andy McTaggart, the Aesop Ensemble, Catriona Hewitson – Soprano, Jonathan Kennedy – Baritone, Will Conway – ’Cello and Hebba Benyaghla – Piano, presented a most varied programme from the classical repertoire on December 7.
The opening bars of the music, ‘Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring’ sung as a duet, left the audience in no doubt that they were about to be entertained by musicians of the highest calibre.
The first half continued with arias from Handel’s ‘Messiah’, further works by Bach, including a solo ’cello ‘Allemande’ before culminating with Bach-Gounod’s ‘Ave Maria’ and the ‘Sandman’ duet from ‘Hansel and Gretel’.
After a break for festive fare, the concert continued in lighter vein with duets from ‘Die Fledermaus’ and ‘The Merry Widow’ interspersed with solos from ‘La Boheme’ and ‘Don Giovanni’ before moving to a selection of well-loved Christmas Classics.
These included a new version of ‘In the Bleak Midwinter’ by the modern composer Bob Chilcott and a wonderful rendering of ‘O Holy Night’ sung as a duet with piano and ‘cello accompanying.
A spokesperson from Ayr Music Club said: “Throughout the evening, both singers demonstrated outstanding breath-control and clarity of diction, their performances being much enhanced by the ‘cello and piano accompaniments skilfully and sensitively played.
“This was very much an ensemble of ‘equal partners’ who performed as a cohesive unit – and provided a most impressive and enjoyable contribution to the festive season.”
The next recital in the ‘Live Music in Ayr’ series will be on January 18, 2025, in Alloway Church Hall and will feature Simon Mayor and Hilary James from the Mandolinquents.
For further details, please visit here.
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