About us
Sociall Musick
'The next partition of musicall enterteinement is the Sociall or what is called
musica di camera. This hath two respects: 1. to the Performers, and 2. the Auiditors...'
from 'Musick to Various Intents'; an essay by Roger North (c. 1651-1734)
Since 1999 when the ensemble formed, Sociall Musick have grown in strength and popularity. As a group under the direction of Owen Morse-Brown, they research and are resolved to deliver a variety of themed programmes 'performed with a real sense of time, place and style' involving audiences in a whole musical experience. Embracing music from the theatres, playhouses and taverns, their repertoire incorporates lively dance-tunes, sonatas, grounds and divisions with improvisation in the various styles of baroque music being a key element.
Sociall Musick were finalists in the Early Music Network International Young Artists Competition 2003.
Our current programmes focus on the various styles present in London around 1700, including those of Italy and France. Our performances to date have taken us to a number of venues since our formation, including the National Centre for Early Music in York, St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Bishopsgate Hall, Music in the Church at Aust, Bath Spa University Colleges concert series at the Michael Tippet Centre in Bath, the Welsh College of Music and Drama, the Wombourne Early Music Weekend, the Norwegian Church Arts Centre in Cardiff, St. Anne & St. Agnes Lutheren Church London and St. John's Waterloo. In 2000 we completed a recording of dance tunes by Thomas Bray (1699) to accompany a book of dance instructions by Diana Cruickshank.
'…an exciting virtuosity blended with musicianship and a refreshing repertoire.'
Andrew Wilson-Dickson, Head of Early Music at the Welsh College of Music and Drama.
