Telemann and his Friends in Paris – Ensemble Molière
St Mary’s Church, Totnes
April 28, 2018
While I live in a city with a population of some 260,000, it would be virtually impossible for an organisation like Totnes Early Music Society (TEMS) to get off the ground, let alone flourish since 1999.
TEMS presents a season of six or so early-music events from September to the following April each year.
During that time it has offered music from the medieval period up to late baroque (about 1750), contrasting both music of the streets with that of the royal courts, intimate ballads with rousing dance music, the sacred and the secular, instrumental and vocal, and music that crosses national boundaries – and generally provided by small ensembles.
Given that Totnes itself is essentially a small market town, in terms of music, art, and theatre, it punches way beyond its weight and its modest population of a mere 8,000 or so, at the last UK Census.
Of late TEMS has been most fortunate to enjoy the added support of The Arts at Dartington, and mount its events in joint association. But it is still a fantastic tribute to the support of TEMS’s rank-and-file membership, and the indefatigable input from its administration team, that it continues to function so successfully.
It was especially apt that TEMS had booked Ensemble Molière to close the current season, as the group was formed initially by participants at the Dartington International Summer School, which takes place annually about two miles up the road.
Ensemble Molière, who are as easy on the ear as on the eye, did a quite superb job, and rounded off the current season on a real high. Everyone present will surely be getting in quick buy their tickets for the 2018-19 season, which starts in September. Details will appear here nearer the time, but if you want to get in quick, and take advantage of any offers going, then simply visit Totnes Early Music Society for further details.
You can read my full review of the event here at Seen and Heard International.
Philip R Buttall
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