Weston Park Cello Music Recording

About the Music

In 2014 the music collection belonging to the family of Sir Henry Bridgeman, 1st Baron Bradford, was rediscovered after lying hidden for over 200 years at his ancestral home of Weston Park.  Hundreds of pieces, both printed and in manuscript, make up the collection and show just how important music was to this family in the 18th century. Particularly exciting is the discovery of 25 pieces for cello (solos and duets), which belonged to Sir Henry's eldest son, Henry Simpson Bridgeman.  All but three of the pieces are by anonymous composers, and all are unique works, representing a significant contribution to the early cello repertoire and offering an eclectic window onto the tastes of the time.  

To find out more about the pieces, please visit our website: www.amicables.co.uk.

What are we fundraising for?
We have committed to making a professional recording of these wonderful works, so they can be shared more widely.  We have been lucky to receive support from Birmingham Conservatoire, Birmingham City University, and from Weston Park Foundation who are hosting the recording - letting us record in the very same space where the Bridgeman family heard and performed this music 250 years ago!
We have already secured enough funding to cover artist and engineer fees, but we need additional support to fund the recording production costs. Even the smallest contribution toward our project will make a difference. 

Be a part of the project!
We are offering backers who donate £20 or more the chance to have their names included in the 'List of Subscribers'. Just as composers did in the 18th century, we'll acknowledge the support of our patrons permanently, adding their names to the CD booklet. Supporters can opt out of this - see Rewards for more details.

About the Performers.

Henrik Persson - baroque cello.
Born in Stockholm, Henrik moved to England to study cello at the Birmingham Conservatoire with Andrew Fuller and viola da gamba with William Hunt. After completing his BMus Hons degree, he undertook a postgraduate performance degree at the Royal Academy of Music in London where he studied baroque and classical cello with Jennifer Ward-Clarke and viola da gamba with the late Richard Campbell. Henrik currently enjoys a rich and varied freelance career, most notably as first continuo player for Philip Pickett’s two groups New London Consort and Musicians of the Globe. He is also a regular with Florilegium, the Musical and Amicable Society, and for the Blackdowns Early Music Projects. Henrik was first cellist for La Nuova Musica from 2007 to 2010 and a member of the European Union Baroque Orchestra 2002-03. 

Jonathan Rees - baroque cello.
Originally from Bristol, Jonathan read German and French in Cambridge before moving to London to study cello and viol at the Royal Academy of Music.  He plays cello and viol with many different groups and enjoys a varied musical life. He has been a guest principal and viol soloist with the Academy of Ancient Music and Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, continuo gambist / bass violinist with ENO in Indian Queen, and performed with the viol consorts Fretwork and Phantasm.  He is also the principal cellist of La Nuova Musica and the Faust Chamber Orchestra and is a founder member of exciting new viol consort Newe Vialles.

Martin Perkins - harpsichord.
After tuneful beginnings as a brass-bander in rural Norfolk, Martin started his formal music studies at Birmingham Conservatoire initially as a composer and French horn player. However, his interest in Early Music soon led him to the harpsichord and he graduated with an MA degree in 1998 after studying with Lucy Carolan. He subsequently completed an MPhil at the University of Birmingham studying late 17th century Italian chamber music and he is currently studying for a PhD in music-making in 18th century Britain. As a harpsichordist Martin is active in the Midlands and London performing with many different groups, including locally the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and English Symphony Orchestra and is often called upon for his skills as a continuo player. As a director, he has performed music from Gabrieli to Poulenc, including staged operas by Handel, Mozart and Purcell.  Martin is Head of Early Music and the Instrument Curator at Birmingham Conservatoire.