Phil joins Istante Collective as Baritone Soloist for MUSIC OF THE SPHERES at Baroquestock Festival 2026.
GRAND OPENING: Music of the Spheres
Bach Brandenburg 1 and music by Telemann, Lully & Fasch
Once upon a time the Earth was at the centre. The planets rotated above it – each one anchored to a transparent sphere. Above everything, the ‘fixed stars’ acted as the supposed limit of the entire universe, overseeing everything below. The celestial music created by these rotating spheres was harmony – and only our souls were able to hear that music.
The philosophical implications of this ancient theory are still with us. We often place ourselves at the centre, using our experience and our cultural background to interpret our environment – but what we see isn’t necessarily true or historically correct.
Telemann, Graupner and Bach competed for the same position of Thomaskantor in Leipzig. Telemann and Graupner refused the offer because they could get more money elsewhere. That left Bach to take up the position. (Ultimately, of course, history was on Bach’s side, with hundreds of performances of his passions, meanwhille Telemnan’s Brockes passion is rarely performed today).
Lully and Molière’s risqué humour likely tested the tolerance of French court – and if we don’t put the music in a historical context today, it doesn’t make much sense.
Corelli’s influence has permeated western classical music through the centuries and still does today.
Our understanding of the world, the universe and everything has of course changed over the years and there is still much to discover. We may moved on from the idea of a ‘fixed earth’, but the harmony of the spheres is still with us – and in this concert we aim to move your soul to discover it once again!
Programme and more info
-G. Ph. Telemann – from Brockes Passion TWV 5:1
Sinfonia || aria “Mein Vater” – Jesus || aria ‘Er weg’ – Gläubige Seele
-G. Graupner – Suite in E minor for 2 Oboes da caccia, Strings & continuo GWV 442
(overture – air -gavotte – gigue)
-A. Corelli – Concerto Grosso op.6 n.11 in b flat major
– Interval –
-J. C. Fasch – Trio sonata b flat for 2 oboes, bassoon continuo
-J. B. Lully – Quatrième intermedie “la Ceremonie des Turcs” from le Bourgeois Gentilhomme
–J. S. Bach – Brandenburg concerto n.1 BWV 1046
ISTANTE COLLECTIVE
Baritone || Phil Wilcox
Violins || Beatrice Scaldini , Ellen Bundy , Rebecca Harris, Abel Balasz
Viola || Joanne Miller
Cello || Martyna Jankowska
Double Bass || John-Henry Baker
Oboes || Nicola Barbagli & Yanina Yacubsohn
Horns || Peter Moutoussis & Sam Middleton
Bassoon || Inga Maria Klaucke
Theorbo || Johan Lofving
Harpsichord || Matthew Brown
Baroquestock Pantry will be serving homemade focaccia and biscuits & drinks before and after the concert!
Heath Street Baptist Church, 84 Heath St, London NW3 1DN