Fretwork: Take Five Viols

Five virtuoso viols play music by Byrd, Debussy, Purcell, Nyman, Bach and, of course, Dave Brubeck (well, actually, Dave Brubeck’s saxophonist Paul Desmond).

Fretwork are the world’s leading consort of viols. For almost 40 years they have been exploring the core repertory of great English consort music, from Taverner to Purcell, and making classic recordings against which others are judged. They are also pioneers of contemporary music for viols, having commissioned over 40 pieces from composers as varied as Michael Nyman, Elvis Costello, Sir John Tavener and Nico Muhly. Tonight, by way of an introduction to this remarkable consort who haven’t played at St George’s for 15 years, they present a glorious mix of old and somewhat less old, playing music by Byrd, Debussy, Purcell, Nyman, Bach and, of course, Dave Brubeck (well, actually, Dave Brubeck’s saxophonist Paul Desmond).