DeNOTE’s programme of recorder sonatas by Handel and Bach at MiNM this afternoon went down really well with our large and appreciative audience. Performers: Jane Booth, James Brookmyre, John Irving. Today’s Charity was Music in Hospitals, for which we raised £350.

This was the first appearance in MiNM (and only the second in the UK!) of Jane Booth’s weird Basson de Chalumeau – a copy made by Jocken Seggelke three years ago of an original instrument dating from c.1710. This is effectively and early clarinet, though its lowest note is the same as the bassoon. It proved to be a really colourful and solid basso continuo instrument for two Handel recorder sonatas.

Afterwards, one of our audience members made a very generous observation that it was a real privilege to have the wonderful music-making of Music in New Malden ‘This is the sort of thing we’d normally have to go to the Wigmore Hall for’ he said. How nice! We like to bring interesting playing and repertoire to our High Street!