Interesting contrast of advanced technology
and music from another age. (Review by Michael Green)
Peter Medhurst is a multi-talented musician
from London. He plays the piano and the harpsichord, he sings, he directs
choirs and instrumental groups, and he lectures in many parts of the world.
He does all these things at a top
professional level. He has made several CDs on which he sings (baritone) and
plays the harpsichord, he is a duo player of distinction, he has broadcast
talks on many radio programmes, and he lectures at two British universities.
His background and training have equipped
him well for all these tasks. Born of English and German parents, he attended
the Royal College of Music in London, where he graduated in 1977, and later
studied in Austria and with the celebrated English harpsichordist Ruth Dyson. She
became his fellow duettist for many years before her death in 1997.
This remarkably versatile man has been on
his fourth visit to South Africa (he has also been as far afield as Australia
and New Zealand), and he totally beguiled an audience of more than 200 at a
meeting in Durban of the Decorative Arts Society (Darts). He gave a lecture
about music in the great art collections of Europe.
The presentation was an interesting
contrast of advanced technology (magnificent colour photographs taken by Peter
Medhurst himself and projected on to a big screen) and music from another age
(played on a harpsichord, a symbol of the 18th century); like the hymn book,
ancient and modern.
The scene was set at the outset with a
contemporary portrait of Queen Elizabeth I and a harpsichord piece from 1610 by
John Dowland. There followed pictures of stately homes, notably Burghley House,
home of the Cecil family, and various museums, the famous and the less well
known.
The lecturer discussed the art treasures in
these places and in particular those with musical connections. For example,
there was a large and splendidly detailed painting of members of the Sharp
family on board their barge, Apollo.
In the 1760s and 70s they made regular musical cruises on the Thames, playing
and singing to the populace (often performing Handel).
Peter Medhurst played and sang music by
Henry Purcell, Thomas Arne and others, giving great pleasure with a baritone
voice that is powerful and accurate; and
he played tape music.
He is an expert communicator with a
well-developed sense of humour and a delightfully informal approach to a
subject that could be all too serious in other hands. He delighted us all, and
in doing so he did a service to the cause of music and art. - Michael Green
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