Elizabeth Walker, baroque flute
Rachel Beckett, baroque flute and recorder
Sebastian Comberti, baroque cello
Michael Overbury, harpsichord
Programme
François Couperin (1668–1733)
from Les Nations
La Françoise — Prelude
William Byrd (c.1540–1623)
La Volta
Callino Casturame
Pavane and Galliard: The Earl of Salisbury
Johann Joachim Quantz (1697–1773)
Sonata in C major
I. Affettuoso
II. Alla breve
III. Larghetto
IV. Vivace
Jean-Marie Leclair (1697–1764)
Chaconne from Deuxième recreation de musique, op 8
Wilhelm Friedemann Bach (1710–1784)
Duet no. 5 for two flutes in E-flat major, F59
Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach (1714–1788)
Trio Sonata in D major Wq 151
I. Allegro un poco
II. Largo
III. Allegro
Biographies
Elizabeth Walker (flute) recorded her first solo CD of Telemann Fantasias in 2008 to critical acclaim, “if you like her sound as much as I do, you will want to listen to them over and over again” BFS. She has also recorded the Flute Sonatas by J.S. Bach with Continuum and recorded a CD of Schubert’s works for flute and piano for ‘Devine Music’ using a Louis Lot flute, no 435 coupled with Chopin's original Ignace Pleyel piano from 1848. She has given solo recitals in London, Holland, Toronto, Chicago and most recently, Orlando. She ran seven online flute courses in lockdown for Benslow Music and presented a solo recital for them in December 2020, which was highlighted live on BBC Radio 3’s drive-time show, In Tune. Elizabeth taught at the specialist music school in Wells for thirteen years, runs an established and popular summer course ‘Flutes in Tuscany’ and is a Pearl Flute artist. Elizabeth has published two award winning study books, ‘Baroque Flute Studies’ and ‘Baroque Studies for Modern Flute’ (Best Flute Method NFA 2015/17). Find out more at www.lizwalker.co.uk.
Rachel Beckett (flute and recorder) plays regularly with some of the most distinguished orchestras in the period instrument world. As principal flute and recorder with the English Baroque Soloists, conducted by Sir John Eliot Gardiner, she features prominently in their series of Bach Cantatas recordings which have met with great critical acclaim. She is also principal recorder for the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. Recent recordings include Monteverdi’s opera, Il Ritorno d’Ulisse, Bach B Minor Mass, St Matthew Passion, Magnificat and Cantata 151 Süsser Trost. Future concerts include the Cartagena Festival in Columbia playing Bach’s Suite in B minor, seasons of Handel’s Rinaldo at Glyndebourne Festival Opera and Agrippina at the Royal Opera House. She also has a thriving teaching practice in her hometown of Chesham.
Born in London, Sebastian Comberti (violoncello) studied in Italy with Amedeo Baldovino and later with Derek Simpson and Sidney Griller at the Royal Academy of Music. He was a founder member of the Bochmann Quartet until 1983 when he became principal cello with the London Mozart Players. A keen interest in historically informed performance has resulted in participation with a great many of London’s period instrument groups, appearing as principal cello and soloist with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and the Hanover Band. As a member of several chamber groups, he has recorded for CRD, EMI, Harmonia Mundi, Hyperion, Meridian, Phoenix and RCA and CPO. In April 2001 he founded the Cd label Cello Classics, devoted to recordings of rare repertoire and artists, himself releasing several CDs of sonatas by Boccherini, Stephen Paxton and early 19th Century works with fortepiano, and concertos by Haydn and Zumsteeg with the OAE.
Michael Overbury (harpsichord) has been an assisting organ scholar at King’s College, Cambridge, Assistant Organist at New College, Oxford, a deputy organist and choir master at St Alban’s Abbey, Director of Music at Eagle House Prep School, Master of the Song School at Newark, Nottinghamshire, and, for 25 years, Director of Music of Nottingham Boys Choir. He has appeared twice as soloist at the Royal Festival Hall, and in countless other cathedrals and concert venues, has played with numerous choirs and orchestras, and has featured on several recordings, including five solo discs. Michael was for 15 years Director of Music of the Priory Church of Our Lady and St Cuthbert, Worksop, is currently a founder member of Mvsica Donvm Dei, and harpsichordist for the chamber quartet Continuum. Michael plays his own Flemish-type harpsichord built in 1984 in the style of instruments by Andries Ruckers. He lives in Newark.