Welcome to the world of Linden Baroque!
We like categories and music is no exception. There is ‘Baroque’ – which Linden plays, obviously - and then ‘Classical’ – which our name seems to preclude.
Of course, Baroque music did not suddenly end in 1750 when classical music muscled in. Some composers were progressive and pushed and twisted the forms and others more conservative. Fashions varied according to place. In 1759, the year Handel died, Haydn was writing his first symphony, whilst CPE Bach was finishing a sonata for the archaic Viola da Gamba, Telemann still had 8 years of active life and continued using the baroque form of Overture-Suites and Mozart was being potty trained.
In the mid to late 18th century, early symphonies started to arise from the Baroque Overtures and Suites. In this concert we play some rarely heard works indicating the sound world and structures that would develop into the great classical symphonies on Haydn, Mozart and their contemporaries. The music varies between visceral and thrilling and elegant and poised.
Franz Beck was an important member of the second Mannheim school studying with Johann Stamitz, the leader of the famously brilliant orchestra, before fleeing Mannheim to Italy when he thought he had killed someone in a duel. He spent the second half of his life in Bordeaux. He left us 24 innovative and highly regarded symphonies.
Duchess Anna Amalia was a great patron of the arts and collected poets, playwrights and musicians in her court. She composed her opera, said to be the first proper ‘German’ opera, Erwin und Elmire, in 1776 to a text by her friend Goethe.
Ignaz Holzbauer, a Viennese, became Kapellmeister at the Mannheim Court after positions in Vienna, Milan and Venice whose most famous student was Carl Stamitz’s, Johann’s son. He wrote 196 symphonies, an adherent of the ‘Sturm und Drang’ (Storm and Stress) movement (1760s-80s) associated with heightened emotions, turbulence and shocks. Its aim was to replace the supposed superficiality of much baroque music. These compositional techniques and the associated intellectual ideas informed much of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven’s music.
Carl Philip Emanuel Bach alongside his contemporaries Graun, Weiss, Quantz and Benda developed a rather different style at the court of Frederick the Great in Berlin, more rooted in baroque traditions and the rigour of daddy JS Bach’s basso continuo and counterpoint. 'CPE' never lost his strongly individual voice, dramatic, mercurial and complex, also often employing Sturm und Drang as well as Empfindsamkeit (Sensitive style) principles. His pedagogic writings, particularly for the keyboard, formed an essential bedrock for Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven.
Luigi Boccherini’s music speaks of the sun of Italy and Spain, where he settled and is elegant and refined with a mix of baroque and ‘galante’ styles.
Of course, Baroque music did not suddenly end in 1750 when classical music muscled in. Some composers were progressive and pushed and twisted the forms and others more conservative. Fashions varied according to place. In 1759, the year Handel died, Haydn was writing his first symphony, whilst CPE Bach was finishing a sonata for the archaic Viola da Gamba, Telemann still had 8 years of active life and continued using the baroque form of Overture-Suites and Mozart was being potty trained.
In the mid to late 18th century, early symphonies started to arise from the Baroque Overtures and Suites. In this concert we play some rarely heard works indicating the sound world and structures that would develop into the great classical symphonies on Haydn, Mozart and their contemporaries. The music varies between visceral and thrilling and elegant and poised.
Franz Beck was an important member of the second Mannheim school studying with Johann Stamitz, the leader of the famously brilliant orchestra, before fleeing Mannheim to Italy when he thought he had killed someone in a duel. He spent the second half of his life in Bordeaux. He left us 24 innovative and highly regarded symphonies.
Duchess Anna Amalia was a great patron of the arts and collected poets, playwrights and musicians in her court. She composed her opera, said to be the first proper ‘German’ opera, Erwin und Elmire, in 1776 to a text by her friend Goethe.
Ignaz Holzbauer, a Viennese, became Kapellmeister at the Mannheim Court after positions in Vienna, Milan and Venice whose most famous student was Carl Stamitz’s, Johann’s son. He wrote 196 symphonies, an adherent of the ‘Sturm und Drang’ (Storm and Stress) movement (1760s-80s) associated with heightened emotions, turbulence and shocks. Its aim was to replace the supposed superficiality of much baroque music. These compositional techniques and the associated intellectual ideas informed much of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven’s music.
Carl Philip Emanuel Bach alongside his contemporaries Graun, Weiss, Quantz and Benda developed a rather different style at the court of Frederick the Great in Berlin, more rooted in baroque traditions and the rigour of daddy JS Bach’s basso continuo and counterpoint. 'CPE' never lost his strongly individual voice, dramatic, mercurial and complex, also often employing Sturm und Drang as well as Empfindsamkeit (Sensitive style) principles. His pedagogic writings, particularly for the keyboard, formed an essential bedrock for Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven.
Luigi Boccherini’s music speaks of the sun of Italy and Spain, where he settled and is elegant and refined with a mix of baroque and ‘galante’ styles.
Video of Vivaldi
'Nulla in mundo pax sincera', RV 630
recorded at our concert in June with soprano Josephine Shaw
and the orchestra directed by Ashley Solomon
(click image to start)
Dates for your diary -
December 6th Handel 'Messiah' , Heathfield, Sussex,
February 22nd 2026, with the choir of women's voices, Gloriana. St Stephen's, Hampstead
July 19th 2026 St Stephen's Hampstead
October 11th 2026 St Stephen's Hampstead
October 25th 2026 TBA
December 6th Handel 'Messiah' , Heathfield, Sussex,
February 22nd 2026, with the choir of women's voices, Gloriana. St Stephen's, Hampstead
July 19th 2026 St Stephen's Hampstead
October 11th 2026 St Stephen's Hampstead
October 25th 2026 TBA
"Linden Baroque Orchestra’s delightful Heroines in Opera concert last Sunday featured arias from Handel favourites, Giulio Cesare, Alcina and Semele sung exquisitely by young soprano Maryam Wocial. The orchestra’s elegant and sensitive accompaniments allowed Maryam’s glowing voice to bring life to Handel’s heroines in various states of frustration, despair and bliss. I was entranced. Offsetting the vocal offerings was the finely played Handel Concerto Grosso No. 6, which was unfamiliar but very engaging. And the January chill was mitigated with most welcome mulled wine. Altogether a treat. CK - Audience member, January 2025
Recently gone:
- June 22nd - 'Viva Barocco Italiano!' - The Italian influence on British Music of the 18th century - Veracini, Vivaldi, Geminiani, Avison, Sammartini with soloists Josephine Shaw (sop) and Ashley Solomon (recorder).
- March 16th - The Elements: Rebel's extraordinary Les Elemèns framed by Telemann's exuberant Water Music and a symphony and Aria by Hasse.
Details of all our past concerts in 'Performances'
- June 22nd - 'Viva Barocco Italiano!' - The Italian influence on British Music of the 18th century - Veracini, Vivaldi, Geminiani, Avison, Sammartini with soloists Josephine Shaw (sop) and Ashley Solomon (recorder).
- March 16th - The Elements: Rebel's extraordinary Les Elemèns framed by Telemann's exuberant Water Music and a symphony and Aria by Hasse.
Details of all our past concerts in 'Performances'
Our Musical Director
Our Musical Director is Ashley Solomon, the well-loved flautist and recorder player, director of Florilegium and Head of Historical Performance at the Royal College of Music, where he has been a Professor since 1994. He is both a Fellow of the Royal College of Music (FRCM) and Royal Academy of Music (FRAM) in recognition of his outstanding services to music.
We feel very honoured that Ashley has agreed to take this position, which will help us develop the orchestra over a longer period.
Here is a fascinating recent interview made with Continuo Connect
Reviews from a recent concert (Feb 2023):
5/5 This was a most delightful evening. This is a beautiful church which is now used for concerts and private events. Very welcoming staff. I was glad I arrived early as the church soon became full. Wonderful music played by an amazing orchestra which included 3 oboes and bassoon and a harpsichord. The 1st violin, Maxim del Mar, was brilliant, playing such difficult pieces in the Hellendaal Concerto. They all stood for the entire concert…no mean feat but it meant we could all watch them playing! One of the best things about this concert was the fabulous detailed programme notes. It was a great evening, especially as there was no interval to break the mood. I will definitely follow this orchestra and hope to attend the next concert (DB)
5/5 Another very enjoyable concert by the Linden Baroque Orchestra. I found a seat in the front row within almost inches of the violins. Great fun and good listening in such a big space. Do appreciate the programme. It is both pretty and full of valuable information. Looking forward to the next concert in May. (KC)
I take this opportunity to say the concert was so enjoyable, thank you so much. We will be there for the one in May! I wish i had known of your concerts earlier! The atmosphere was very relaxed which is welcoming, the program notes and Mr.Solomon’s words where fun and interesting, with details i have not come across before. The program choice was inspired and i enjoyed listening to all, particularly the absolutely marvellous sound of the first viola, the velvet quality of that sound was gorgeous. We will repeat. (MGS)
5/5 This was a very enjoyable concert held in a very interesting church, with excellent printed programme provided. Pleasant helpers and refreshments. (CS)
5/5 Beautiful music. Very talented musicians. Lovely graphic design advertising event and programme. (CH)
Great concert. Just moved in area
and from the previous concert:
5/5 "Beautiful high class music and singing.Wonderful evening."
4/5 "Beautiful early music, beautifully performed by dedicated musicians of the genre."
5/5 "Greatly enjoyed hearing and seeing the Linden Baroque Orchestra again at St Stephens church being it has been four years since I last attended one of their concerts there. It seemed wonderfully personal being that we, the audience were so close to the musicians and the Leader/Director spoke to us sharing information about planning the concert etc. The theme of the concert, Pastoral Pleasures, was enhanced by the singing of Philippa Hyde. Thanks too for all the information in the program about the composers and the musicians.”
4/5 "A varied programme beautifully performed by the Linden Baroque orchestra and soprano Phillippa Hyde.”
This was our last concert in the summer
The first time we'd met since March 2020, for a 'play-day', happily directed by our founder, Maestro Paul Goodwin, on a rare break (between Israel and the US) in his busy international conducting schedule. We were also delighted to welcome back Julia Bishop to lead.
Our current main venue, St Stephen's, Hampstead
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Ideal companions for a good evening out perhaps?
(a window from Islington's Union Chapel)
Ideal companions for a good evening out perhaps?
(a window from Islington's Union Chapel)
