"Audience in awe at magical lyricism"

Respectable Groove

The Lion Hotel, Shrewsbury

Tuesday 23 March 2007, 7.30pm

Shropshire Star, 29 Mar 2007

Harpsichord player and composer David Gordon leads Respectable Grove, a quartet of superb musicians including percussionist Tom Hooper, double-bassist Oli Hayhurst and recorder virtuoso Evelyn Nallen.

Their programme revolved around " Dido and Aeneas" by David Gordon after Henry Purcell.

This is not simply a classical masterpiece given a jazz makeover but a sincere appreciation from a group of players with a true understanding of many genres.

Gordon himself talks of the music - which he calls "opera without the singing" - as having a magical, mysterious quality. How true!

To create an atmosphere they started by performing medieval melodies from Italy. All four musicians showed the subtlety of their playing instantly.

There was a cohesion, a tautness within the group with a remarkable empathy between the players.

Recorder player Evelyn Nallen was a revelation. Her playing ranged between a sublime lyricism and a rasping irony.

The final section of the Purcell was the well known lament by Dido - "When I am laid in earth to rest".

This virtually straight rendition of Purcell's music left the audience awestruck. So Respectable Grove, presented by Shropshire Music Trust on Sunday, have recorded this beautiful music - hear it if you can.

Andrew Petch

Last Updated : 03/04/2007