Concert Series

Set between the Gunpowder Plot and the English Civil War, ZAREKtrio explores the turbulent spirit of the 17th century - a time of great faith, upheaval, dissent, and artistic defiance. The concert opens with Coprario, Lawes and Jenkins Fantasia Suites, followed by ‘A Pavane for These Sad, Distracted Times’ (1649) by Thomas Tomkins, and ends with consort music in 4 parts by Matthew Locke and Henry Purcell.

In the second concert we take an unexpected turn as the kanun - a plucked instrument of West Asia and North Africa - takes centre stage. Guest artist Konstantinos Glynos brings the sounds of the Eastern Mediterranean to RocketVan Studios in an intimate and distinctive solo performance that blurs boundaries and reminds us how close all our worlds really are.

The series closes with the elegance and wit of the Paris Quartets by Telemann, featuring guest flautist Jonathan Slade. Written during Telemann's celebrated visit to Paris in 1737–38, these works weave together Italian concerto writing, German sonata craft, and French dance - a cosmopolitan fusion or Goût réuni - that was subtly provocative in its day, and Telemann was an undisputed master. The Querelle des Bouffons - fools, arguing over which one was better, was one of the great amusements at that time.