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IN THIS UPDATE:
3. WELCOMING A NEW TRUSTEE
4. CONTINUO JOINS REMA
7. NEW ALBUM ALERT
IMPACT - FEEDBACK AND FIGURES
In January, nine grantee ensembles presented a total of nine concerts in six different locations across the country. In addition, Spiritato made a new recording of music by Pietro Castrucci (more below), and Lux Musicae London launched their new album The Secrets of Andalusia.
We were delighted to hear from the Chair of Fiori Musicali about the positive impact their Continuo grant has had for both the ensemble and the wider audience community in Northamptonshire, where the ensemble is based. She commented:
"Many thanks for your recent support which has enabled us to provide an exciting programme of concerts including the joyous Bach Christmas Oratorio. It is helping us to rebuild audiences and reach new ones. We have been able to increase the number of musicians for repertoire requiring larger forces, which has been hugely enjoyed by those attending, as many had never experienced this repertoire live before. Thank you for ensuring beautiful music reaches audiences in more remote rural areas."
Continuo Foundation's impact since inception:
£850,000 awarded to 102 ensembles
1,120 freelance musician beneficiaries
260,700 audience beneficiaries
25 CD recordings released so far
FUNDRAISING - 2025 GRANTS
A message from Tina Vadaneaux, Founder and CEO:
In January, Continuo Foundation launched its ninth round of grants, offering another £100,0000 to enable artists to unleash their creativity for the benefit of thousands of people across the country. Applications are being accepted until midnight on Monday 10 February.
When the new grant awards are announced on 21 March, our total grant support to the UK early music sector will reach £950,000. We are enormously grateful to each of you who has supported our work over the past four years - this simply would not have been possible without you.
Looking ahead, we are making excellent progress toward our objective of securing donations and commitments for the majority of Continuo's funding requirement for the period 2025-2027. With two Principal Supporters each donating £80k per year for three years, and many other generous 3-year commitments ranging from £500 to £30k per year, we have secured almost 70% of our goal.
We will be working hard over the coming months to reach our target, and to close the final gap of £300k over the period, essentially £100k per year. This funding will cover £200k annually in grants, supporting over 50 projects each year, plus the operations and growth of Continuo Connect.
If you would like to discuss our future plans, or to make a commitment at any level, I would be delighted to speak with you. Email info@continuofoundation.co.uk.
WELCOME TO OUR NEW TRUSTEE
We are thrilled to announce that bassoonist and orchestra manager Philip Turbett has joined Continuo as a trustee. Originally from Northern Ireland, Philip has a lifetime of experience in the early music sector, playing with many of the world’s leading period instrument orchestras. Read more about Philip in his interview with Continuo Connect. Commenting on his appointment, Philip said: "Through the work of the Foundation, I am looking forward to helping the next generation of musicians share their love and inspiration of historical performance."
CONTINUO JOINS REMA
In January, Continuo Foundation was officially welcomed as a member of the European Early Music Network (REMA), following a rigorous application process. According to REMA, being selected to join the network is recognition of 'organisations bringing exceptional expertise, creativity and passion for early music to our growing network.’ This also opens up potential opportunities for exchanging ideas and collaborating with colleagues from across Europe. Check out the Continuo Foundation profile on the REMA website.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT
with Catriona McDermid
Catriona McDermid enjoys a varied career as a modern and period bassoonist. She performs with leading period instrument ensembles such as The English Concert, the English Baroque Soloists, Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique and Academy of Ancient Music. Catriona is also in demand as a modern orchestral bassoonist, playing as guest principal with orchestras including the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra and the RTÉ Symphony Orchestra. As a chamber musician, Catriona is a member of Ensemble Molière, the first-ever BBC New Generation Baroque Ensemble.
How has Continuo impacted your day-to-day life? Simply put, I know that Continuo Foundation helps fund a huge amount of my work, not just my work with Ensemble Molière. I have Continuo to thank for a lot of my career stability and I’m hugely grateful for the consequent peace of mind and brain space to think about the more interesting parts of being a musician!
What new doors have opened for you since becoming a grantee?
Continuo’s funding has enabled Ensemble Molière as a group to really follow our passion projects, which would otherwise have been unfeasible, for example in our cross-arts piece Good Soup! The support of our first two disc recordings has also been invaluable. Our first disc The King’s Playlist has been played extensively internationally and is helping us to make connections abroad. We hope that we will also reach new audiences with our next disc Hidden Gems and we’re hugely grateful for the chance to record this lesser known music!
What do you love about being a musician? Fortunately there are many things! I think one thing that has always drawn me to music making is the fun of storytelling through music - I genuinely love the challenge of bringing music to life for audiences, as this is also the joy of music for me! I also love both the presentness of music-making and the social aspect - there are very few things in life that offer such an amazing space to be totally present in the moment whilst working in a collective space with wonderful colleagues!
Where did you encounter the most receptive audience? This is a tricky one! Some of the most openly receptive ones have been audiences of really little ones in early years concerts and workshops - I’m all for an audience that is up for dancing along! This maybe says more about the rigidity of some concert-going culture though - I’m sure there are many adults that would love to dance along too!
No.1 listening recommendation? Rameau: Une Symphonie Imaginaire - Musiciens du Louvre & Marc Minkowski
It’s perhaps not to everyone’s taste given it pulls together snippets from across Rameau’s works, but I think it’s the most wonderful celebration of the extraordinary range and colour of Rameau’s orchestral writing! I may also be biased by the choice of some of the best plaintive bassoon moments: Castor et Pollux 'Scène funèbre' and Les Boréades 'Entrée de Polimine' to name a couple!
More about Catriona McDermid is available in her Continuo Connect Interview.
JANUARY PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
Players of the Hampstead Collective - Schubert: The Trout Quintet
We wished to share this wonderful photo from the Players of the Hampstead Collective Schubert concert. At the interval, Steven Devine was surrounded by fascinated audience members looking at the fortepiano and asking questions. Christine Buras (soprano) joined Steven and the ensemble to perform The Trout Quintet and songs including: Auf dem Strom, Auf dem Wasser Zou Singen, Meeres Stille. The ensemble commented: Expanding into this repertoire using period instruments was personally very rewarding for the musicians involved, and appreciated by the audience. We saw lots of new faces there and attribute that to Continuo's association with us.
London Obbligato Collective - From Gainsborough's Salon
London Obbligato Collective gave the first of a series of concerts inspired by the intimate musical gatherings hosted by the 18th century painter Thomas Gainsborough. Performed to a packed crowd in the beautiful setting of the National Gallery in London, the concert included works by JC Bach and Carl Friedrich Abel (both of whom Gainsborough painted), and Felice Giardini. There is still time to catch this programme in Devon and Bath.
Spiritato - Pietro Castrucci: Complete Concerti Grossi
In January, Spiritato completed the recording sessions for their latest album - the complete Concerti Grossi of Italian violinist and composer, Pietro Castrucci. Following their debut album on the Delphian label, this latest recording sees a return to the vibrant sound-world of 18th century London. Castrucci is believed to be the 'Enraged Musician' in William Hogarth's famous engraving, and was a a champion of the Italian concerto style in London, often performing his works alongside those of Corelli and Geminiani. Castrucci's concerti grossi illustrate both his debt to Corelli, and a bold personal style. Listen to an extract from one of the recording sessions in the video below.
NEW ALBUM ALERT
Lux Musicae - The Secrets of Andalusia
In January, Lux Musicae London released their latest album, The Secrets of Andalusia, on First Hand Records. In collaboration with guest artists Victoria Couper (soprano), kanun player Konstantinos Glynos, and flamenco guitarist/oud player Ignacio Lusardi Monteverde, the group explores the origins of Flamenco, tracing its influences through Arabic music, Sephardic song and works by 16th - 18th century Spanish composers. The ensemble launched their album at a sold-out concert at The London Sketch Club in January. The album is available to purchase, or to stream. Watch the album trailer video below.