What makes the Musicians of London Wall so special is their ability to share the limelight with each other in a very democratic fashion. All the member of this group are stars in their own way and the egalitarian approach of these musicians ensures that they all have a chance to shine in pieces that focus the spotlight on each of the performers in turn.

Catherine Hodgson, the founder and director of classical music charity Concerts in the West saw the Musicians of London Wall performing earlier this year in London at the Handel Festival (in her capacity as Festival Director) and knew that these were exactly the type of passionate, exuberant performers to come and play for Concerts in the West's audiences this October in Devon, Dorset and Somerset.

"Musicians of London Wall make use of popular 18th Century instruments and their performances give audiences a unique insight into the repertoire and style of playing of that era, which is tremendously exciting," said Catherine Hodgson. "It is rather thrilling to know that the music they are playing comprise original pieces that would have been approved of and heard of by these composers. In other words, the music we will be hearing is like an echo from the past."

The Musicians of London Wall were named after the old Roman city walls close to the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, which is where the group was formed. They specialise in the performance of music from the 16th to 18th centuries and play on either genuine period instruments or accurate contemporary copies.

The group comprises musicians whose individual research interests range from film music to mechanical clocks, and they see research as essential to the delivery of a great performance. Earlier this year the Musicians of London Wall gave a recital at the London Handel Festival, and in October and November they will be performing at the Brighton Early Music Festival, including a BBC Radio 3 broadcast on 22 October.


Musical Programme - Musicians of London Wall: Emily Baines recorder, Ivana Cetkovic violin; Alexis Bennett viola; Vladimir Waltham cello; Joseph Chesshyre harpsichord:

The Old Virtuosity Shop
Virtuosity has a number of different meanings, but chiefly it refers to the performance ability of a musician, who should be capable of displaying superior technique or the ability to execute music well above the average performer. This programme contains music written both by and for some of the great virtuosic players - Merula, Smeltzer, Hotteterre,
Handel, Telemann, Mancini, Vivaldi, Barrière, Corelli and Biber - of the 17th and 18th centuries and demonstrates the different styles of virtuosity admired by their audiences.

Performance and Box Office Details for Musicians of London Wall:

Thursday 1 October 2015 7.30pm, Lower Pulworthy, Highampton, Hatherleigh, Devon EX21 5LQ. Box Office: 01837 810940 (Salar Gallery, 18/20 Bridge Street, Hatherleigh EX20 3HY. 9am-5pm) Tickets: £15. Town parking available, interval drinks, disabled access.

Lower Pulworthy is an old rural farmhouse, approximately two miles out of Hatherleigh on the A3072. Take a right turn which is signposted to Legge Fisheries. Follow the road up the hill and take the right fork, which will lead you down a bumpy drive. You will see gate posts ahead of you and you will have arrived. There are several farm buildings, but they are no longer in use. The concert is in the house. Please park where you can find a space.