Fair Play, It's Not Tom Jones, Bach; But We Love It!

Country music in the United States has the Carters as its first family. But even they pale into insignificance compared to the Bach family and its influence on baroque music in 18th century Europe.

The Bachs were baroque and baroque was Bachs! And Rye Arts Festival is going to enjoy a fantastic evening of music by the Bach family on Thursday 19th September at 7.30pm with the truly lovely St Michael's Church in Playden as the venue.

At the time the term 'Stylus Fantasticus' was coined to describe the style of music that is synonymous with the Bach family and their followers. Also, they were called Der Zauberkries (or The Magic Circle) in recognition of their preeminence.

And it is in homage to these masters that the Netherlands-based trio that make up Fantasticus take their name as well as the title of their concert.

On Thursday evening Guillermo Brachetta (harpsichord), Rie Kimura (baroque violin) & Robert Smith (viola da gamba & baroque violincello) will provide a real treat with a programme of Baroque music. Of course the scion of the family, Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750), will feature heavily - with his sonata in G major for viola and continuo starting the evening.

Then follows the sonata in D major for viola da gamba and basso continuo by Carl Philipp Emmanuel (right), with Wilhelm Friedemann Bach's (left) fugue No 5 in E flat major following.

And to show the influence of the Bach family, Fantasticus will play music by Carl Freidrich Abel (1723-1787), including his sonata for violin, viola da gamba and continuo.

Some tickets are still available - contact the Box Office on 01797 224442 or call in between 9.30am and 1pm at Phillips & Stubbs in Cinque Ports Street Rye. Otherwise go to the website to find out details about this and all the other events in  a packed fortnight until 29th September. Click HERE