BRIDGERTON’S BRITISH BLEND FROM BAROQUE TO BEATLES & BEYOND

Performers:

• Jonathan Storer, Emma Welton and Gosia Kosmaczewska, Violins
• Cathryn McCracken Viola
• Jane Pirie ‘Cello
• Daniel Storer Double Bass

Composers:

• Henry Purcell (1659-1695) The greatest English composer of the Baroque period, Henry Purcell remains an enduring influence on musicians to the present day. His harmonic skill and invention is unique and remains fresh and direct, even 350 years later. The Three Parts on a Ground is a perfect example of his musical alchemy, transforming a simple and constant bass line (the Ground) from serene to jocular, tragic to ebullient. Still at the height of his powers, he succumbed to Tuberculosis aged 36.
• Edward Elgar (1857-1934) With perhaps the most easily recognisable musical language of any British composer, Edward Elgar’s music epitomises the romantic stoicism of Victorian England, leaving us with treasures such as the Enigma Variations (each variation was dedicated to one of his friends), and of course, Pomp and Circumstance, originally performed at the London Proms in 1902.
• Elton John (b.1947) A titan of the music world, Sir Elton, with his beautiful, organic melodies and spectacular stage antics, left an indelible mark on the musical landscape. Awarded a Junior scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music, he has recorded 32 studio albums, won 5 Academy Awards, Emmy’s Oscars, Olivier award, 5 Grammys and many more.
• The Beatles: From 1960-1970, the Fab 4 took the entire world by storm. Developing from lively skiffle to sophisticated, psychedelic music in the late 60’s (Sgt Pepper, White Album, etc) the blossoming of their art was extraordinary — and their success, meteoric. The Beatles are credited with being the best selling act in History, with more than 600 million albums sold worldwide.
• Benjamin Britten (1913-1976) was a leading English composer, conductor, and pianist of the 20th century. Known for his lyrical and expressive style, he composed numerous powerful operas like Peter Grimes and The Turn of the Screw, as well as many works for children (The Little Sweep, St Nicholas, etc), encouraging a new generation of English musicians to blossom.
• Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958) An English composer, profoundly shaped 20th-Century music. Known for his symphonies, choral works and The Lark Ascending, he drew inspiration from English folk music and Tudor traditions. His lush pastoral style and innovative harmonies bridged Romanticism and modernism, leaving a lasting legacy in British music.
• Muse is an English rock band formed in 1994 in Teignmouth, Devon, consisting of Matthew Bellamy (vocals, guitar, piano), Chris Wolstenholme (bass, vocals), and Dominic Howard (drums). Since 1999 they have explored numerous styles of music, from stadium rock to electro pop, selling 30 million albums and winning them two Grammy awards.
• Queen, formed in London in 1970, is an iconic British rock band featuring Freddie Mercury (vocals), Brian May (guitar), Roger Taylor (drums), and John Deacon (bass). Known for their genre-defying music, they produced hits like “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “We Will Rock You,” and “Somebody to Love”. Their theatrical live performances and Mercury’s charismatic presence made them global legends, with over 300 million records sold.
• Coldplay, formed in London in 1996, is a British rock band led by Chris Martin (vocals), with Jonny Buckland (guitar), Guy Berryman (bass), and Will Champion (drums). Known for melodic pop-rock, hits like “Yellow,” “Viva La Vida,” and “Fix You” propelled their global fame. With nine studio albums, they’ve sold over 100 million records, blending introspective lyrics with anthemic soundscapes.