It was highly fitting and poignant that the final concert in the Brighton Early Music Festival was on he centenary of Armistice Day and was entitled Peace in Europe. The spread of sacred music – mostly from the 18th century – was suitably sombre to match the mood of November 11.
This evening’s music was superb, it’s almost as if the BREMF was saving the best till last but this year’s programme has excelled in the quality of its music and tonight was no exception. John Hancorn conducted with a florid grace which kept the music tight and graceful while allowing the complex interactions of Bach’s melodies to entwine and entice us. The orchestra were on top form with premier performances from each and every one of the players, the trumpeters excelled.
