Première performance by a new flute trio 'Flute Cake' = Ruth Molins, Sophie Brewer & Jennifer Campbell Charity concert for Luca at Courtlands House Exmouth Friday 6 September 2013

Flute Cake
Ruth Molins, Sophie Brewer, Jen Campbell

Raising funds 'For Luca'

Last night at the remote and beautiful Courtlands House, there was a musical evening to raise funds for Luca Williams. Luca will need extensive surgery and many sets of prosthetic limbs following a devastating meningitis infection.

The Cut Purse Rascals

The evening had a serious purpose, and much money was raised, and also the guests had a lot of fun. Organisers Simon and Jenny Reed had arranged a sumptious party in lavish surroundings with plenty of live music.

There was a lively blues set by the 'Cut Purse Rascals' (who will be at the Phoenix for 'Acoustica 2013' next Friday).

The evening started with a delightful programme of music for flute trio. Sophie Brewer (Programmes Manager at South West Music School) has got together with Ruth Molins and Jennifer Campbell to form a new group, 'Flute Cake'. Their usual animation as solo players was multiplied by three - and then some. After an opening fanfare by Clark Kimberling they changed the mood with the allegro moderato from Peter Tchaikovsky's 'Dance of the Swans' (Swan Lake), now affectionately known as the 'Danse des petits cygnes'. Gabriel Fauré's 'Pavanne' took us from St Petersburg to Spain, and was followed by five Parisian miniatures by Erik Satie.

Each piece had been transcribed for three flutes, and a unique musical sound. Best of all was the sonata in B flat minor written expressly for three flutes by Joseph Bodin de Boismortier. This baroque masterpiece was published by Boismortier as one of a set of six flute trios in 1725 shortly after he moved with his family to Paris. He had only started composing the year before after working for ten years in the south of France (controlling the import and marketing of tobacco!)

Boismortier's debut work for flute trio was perfect for the debut performance by 'Flute Cake'. The four movements (as Sophie explained very simply in advance) were alternately 'slow' and 'fast'. The slow movements were refined and restful, while the two fast movements were full of life and vigour. The players became increasingly animated, and the energy was non-stop, ending with a sudden and perfectly time chord.

As a perfect ending to their recital, complementing the other pieces and introducing an element of frivolity, the group played a transcription of Claude Debussy's piano bagatelle 'Le Petit Negre' (if you'll pardon my French!) The tune sounds like a bit of Scott Joplin, or even a musical movie score - very intriquing and very enjoyable.

Many thanks to Sophie, Ruth and Jennifer for bringing their inaugural performance to Courtlands House. The audience were perfectly entertained, and inspired to support Simon and Jenny Reed's efforts to ensure a happy future for Luca Williams.

Let's hope there will be more concerts involving 'Flute Cake' in the future.

(Anyone interested in engaging the flute trio for their event
- contact Sophie: sophiembrewer@gmail.com)


Ruth Molins has planned three more flute-themed concerts for us at Lympstone:

ONE FLUTE MANY VOICES

Susie Hodder-Williams

Ruth Molins at Lympstone

Parish Church Lympstone

(Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary)

Sunday 22 September 4pm

FLUTES & STRINGS

Flutes: Ruth Molins, Susie Hodder-Williams

Violin: Emma Welton

'Cello: Hilary Boxer

Johann Sebastian Bach

Georg Philipp Telemann

Joseph Bodin de Boismortier

Tickets: £7 (u16 £5)

All 3 concerts: £16 (U16 £10)

(22 Sept, 20 Orct, 10 Nov)

John Welton: 01395 271915

johnwelton68@gmail.com

Full details of all concerts in

Lympstone 'Drumbeat' Newsletter 

Ruth Molins

Ruth Molins at Lympstone

Parish Church Lympstone

(Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary)

Sunday 20 October 4pm

ONE FLUTE, MANY VOICES

Flutes: Ruth Molins

Music, old and new, for flute,

alto flute, piccolo and electronics

Tickets: £7 (U16 £5)
All 3 concerts: £16 (U16 £10)
(22 Sept, 20 Oct, 10 Nov)
John Welton: 01395 271915
johnwelton68@gmail.com
Full details of all concerts in
Lympstone 'Drumbeat' Newsletter 

David Cottam

Ruth Molins at Lympstone

Parish Church Lympstone

(Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary)

Sunday 10 November 4pm

FLUTE BACHIANAS

Flutes: Ruth Molins

Guitar: David Cottam

'Cello: Hilary Boxer

Johann Sebastian Bach

Ástor Piazzolla

Heitor Villa-Lobos

Tickets: £7 (U16 £5)
All 3 concerts: £16 (U16 £10)
(22 Sept, 20 Oct, 10 Nov)
John Welton: 01395 271915
johnwelton68@gmail.com
Full details of all concerts in
Lympstone 'Drumbeat' Newsletter