Programme
Francesco Geminiani: Concerto Grosso in D Major, Op.7 No.1
George Friedric Handel: Concerto Grosso in B-Flat Major, Op.6 No.7
——INTERVAL——
William Hayes: Concerto Grosso in G Minor, (W)6:004
Charles Avison: Concerto Grosso in D Major, Op.3 No.1
Charles Avison: Concerto Grosso in G Major, Op.4 No.6
About
Musical tastes in mid-eighteenth-century Britain can be defined by two notoriously controversial pieces of music criticism, the first of their kind in the English language. On the one side stood Charles Avison and his Essay on Musical Expression published in 1752, offering what at the time were the novel views of admiring foreign composers such as his teacher Francesco Geminiani, as well as looking forward to a modern aesthetic in composition. On the other side stood William Hayes, committed to preserving and defending the ‘ancient’ style as well as venerating his idol George Friedric Handel, and a year after Avison’s essay he anonymously published a scathing reaction, criticising not only his views on music but his credit as a composer.
While both men have fallen into obscurity as composers, this series of essays was a pivotal turning point in British musical culture, and you can join Vocatio:Responsio as we kick off our second season examining this quarrel, in the very room where all four featured composers heard their own music. Not to mention, you can also find out why on earth this relates to the EURO 2020 final between Italy and England…!
Also check out other Concerts in Oxford, Music events in Oxford.
