'PUTTING THE PUFF BACK INTO THE PIPES'

A review of Jane Wisely's concert at St. Mary’s Ashford
on Sunday 16 January. By Bryan Gipps.

In the first Sunday concert, aiming to raise money and further public awareness of the newly initiated fund, desperately needed to restore the instruments in St. Mary’s Parish Church Ashford, pianist, Jane Wisely, showed us her remarkable talent and musical ability, with four works from the ‘classical’ repertoire, starting with one of Beethoven’s most popular Sonatas known as “Pathetique”.

From the opening C minor chord right through to the final showy descending flourish, Jane was able to demonstrate her ability to create the power, cantabilie (song like) and almost reckless demands needed within this one piece.

The next works, three of Schubert’s ‘Impromptus’, again showed Jane’s ability to effetely play demanding works and give all three the ‘song’ like quality demanded by much of Schubert’s piano music. In the following piece, Jane cleverly linked the ‘classical’ with the late ‘romantic’ in Liszt’s arrangement of Schubert’s ‘Ave Maria’. It would be interesting to know what Schubert would have thought of this ‘arrangement’ – possibly something unprintable? For we are lead from the celestial image of the virgin Mary, to the almost crazy gymnasts demanded by Liszt on the performer, and this something Jane appeared to do with ease and humours charm.

After well deserved applause, Jane transported us into the twentieth century with an ‘encore’ by ‘Shostakovich’  - a little mysterious & rather playful prelude, which kept us guessing as to how the music would finally end!

Thanks to Jane, her page turner, and the free refreshments served beforehand, a very enjoyable way to spend a Sunday afternoon in the impressive nave of our lovely Parish Church here in Ashford.

The next concert in this series is on Sunday 20 February, with Helen Bailey, Soprano, and James Clements, Baritone. Doors open at 3.00pm. 
 

 

12 February 2022 (& Every Second Saturday) – Game Morning – 10 am – 12 Noon – St Mary’s Willesborough – Bring your favourite board game for others to share.

19 February 2022 – Bettle Drive – 5 pm – 7 pm – St Mary’s Willesborough – For more details please contact the parish office - email info@ashfordchurches.co.uk or call 01233 620433

20 February 2022 – St Mary’s Ashford – “Putting the Puff Back in the Pipes” – Third Sunday Concerts – 3.30 pm – Helen Bailey, Soprano and James Clements, Baritone – Admission £5.00 minimum – Doors Open at 3.00 pm for a cup of tea. – This concert helps to raise vital funds for the refurbishment of the organ. For More details and a flyer for this concert series, please contact the parish office at info@ashfordchurches.co.uk or call 01233 620433

Every Saturday – 10 am – 12 noon – Community Cafe, St Mary’s Ashford.

Every Monday to Friday 9.00 am – 1.00 pm – inSpire Café, St Mary’s Willesborough.
 

MARCH

18 March 2022 – St Mary’s Willesborough – Film Night – For more details please contact the parish office - email info@ashfordchurches.co.uk or call 01233 620433

20 March 2022 – St Mary’s Ashford – Putting the Puff Back in the Pipes; Third Sunday Concerts – 3.30 pm – Invicta Singers, Ashford – Admission £5.00 minimum – Doors Open at 3.00 pm for a cup of tea – This concert helps to raise vital funds for the refurbishment of the organ. For More details and a flyer for this concert series, please contact the parish office - email  info@ashfordchurches.co.uk  or call 01233 620433

Every Saturday – 10 am – 12 noon – Community Cafe, St Mary’s Ashford.

Every Monday to Friday 9.00 am – 1.00 pm – inSpire Café, St Mary’s Willesborough.

For more dates, click on the button below:

PRAY TOGETHER

For Parish and Diocese:
 

Prayer request written by Revd Canon Andrew Dodd - Canon Treasurer Canterbury Cathedral
 

For the Anglican Communion:  

The Church of Ireland