Handel - La Resurrezione - The English Concert - Sage Gateshead

21 April 2021, 10:00

After last month’s abridged video recording (for television broadcast), The English Concert made an unabridged audio recording of Handel’s ‘La Resurrezione’ [HWV 47] at the Sage Gateshead. The orchestra and vocal soloists were conducted by Harry Bicket.

In light of the improving pandemic situation, musicians were able to travel to the UK to play in the project (having followed the restrictions and quarantine etc.). It was wonderful to see colleagues from near and far (well... far, considering the ongoing social distancing!). I played second trumpet under Mark Bennett, who had travelled from Norway, who I had not met before. La Resurrezione has no timpani part, but a trombone part had been specially prepared for this recording (played by Adrian France); apparently the research had indicated that a trombone had been used in one of Handel’s performances.

After so much time spent in lockdown, with orders to ‘stay local’ for so much of the past year, I took the opportunity to see the coast before the session on Tuesday. I was running a few hours early, so I took a diversion via Souter Lighthouse and Sandhaven Beach, in South Shields (south of the River Tyne’s estuary). I took a walk on the sandy beach and paddled therapeutically in the North Sea before our first session on Tuesday 20st April 2021. Our remaining tutti was recorded in the first session on Wednesday 21st April 2021. We stayed near the Tyne Bridge, which was magnificently illuminated by night.

It was great to play at the Sage, and I even (metaphorically) bumped into an old friend from the Royal Northern College of Music who lives nearby. It’s remarkable that we recognised each other after almost a decade, from two metres away, and while partially disguised by a face mask.

It was fantastic to work with The English Concert again after such a short time. The group makes a fantastic sound, which was enhanced by the splendid acoustic of the Sage.

Russell Gilmour

writing on music, photography, engraving, travel and life as a freelance professional musician.

Russell Gilmour's innovative new book, 'Just' Natural Trumpet, is now available: please click here for more information.