Regency

Live performances of Regency concerts and dance music using authentic instruments.

Including the re-discovery of an English Regency instrument, the Harp-Lute or 'Dital harp', not heard for nearly 200 years.

The harp was the most popular instrument for ladies to play in the Regency era, it was able to play advanced solo pieces, to accompany singing, and also to join in with dance bands for Balls and dances. Harpist Sarah Deere-Jones, using her antique Erat pedal harp, and the very seldom seen Harp-Lute, has inherited some rarely heard music from the Regency period including both songs and dance tunes, and together with the more famous harp repertoire from this period has produced a unique concert experience featuring the kind of music that would have been enjoyed in the salons of the great houses across the country.

Sarah has rediscovered the harp-lute, a charming little instrument invented in 1798 and which became very fashionable until around 1840, it developed from a guitar like instrument into something much more like a harp over its lifespan. It appears that it's inventor Mr Edward Light, always had harpists in mind when advertising it, describing it as having 'the sweetness of tone and general effect of the pedal harp, with the portability of the guitar' adding that they were 'admirably adapted for persons travelling abroad'. After years of research, Sarah acquired several of these beautiful and neglected instruments, and found tutor books, studies and repertoire specially written for them, bringing the instrument to modern audiences for the first time in 200 years.

Right, Kitty Stephens, Countess of Essex, by George Henry Harlow.

for more information on the Harp-Lute and Dital harp go to www.harp-lute.co.uk

Sarah performs in costume with her antique harp, voice, and harp-lute, and is accompanied by her husband Mr.Philip Williams on early 19thc guitar, some sweet and sentimental songs, along with more foot tapping dance tunes, as well as the flamboyant solo harp repertoire of the period. The music may include:-

Remember, Remember - the celebrated ballad sung to universal applause by Miss Love, of the Theatre Royal, Covant Garden - the music composed by Mr W. T. Parke.

Go Forget Me - A ballad, sung by Mr Parry, junr, with the music of Philip Mortimer Esq.

O Lovely is the Summer Moon - A song written by Mss Anna Maria Porter, the music by Henry R. Bishop.

( Sound sample from CD below - Song 'Waly Waly' arranged for harp and harp-lute, from Jane Austen's own collection)

The Collection of Music books inherited by

Miss Deere-Jones from her Godmother, including

63 Quadrilles and many little known songs.

A selection of Quadrilles, from the eight sets performed by Mr James Paine and his band at the Argyll Rooms at Almack's, and the Carlton House Fete, as arranged for pianoforte or Harp by F.J Klose, including those dedicated by him to the Duke and Duchess of Wellington.

Born 1760 in Caslav, Bohemia. His parents were both musicians – the father Jan Josef Dussek (1738 - 1818) was organist and composer, the mother Veronika was a harpist. He married the singer, pianist and harpist Sofia, the daughter of the music publisher Domenico Corri. Haydn expressed his praise and admiration for Dussek in words previously used only in regard to Mozart as “a most upright man of integrity, culture and – concerning music – most excellent”.

Robert Nicolas-Charles Bochsa 1789 - 1856 was a musician and composer. After studying at the Paris Conservatory, Bochsa was appointed harpist to the Imperial orchestra in 1813 but in 1817 Bochsa was forced to flee France to avoid prosecution for counterfeiting, fraud and forgery. Settling in London, Bochsa was one of the founding members of the Royal Academy of music and became the Secretary of this organisation in 1821, as well as professor of Harp, teachingnotably Elias Parish Alvars.

Concerts

2 x 40 minute halves, featuring haunting songs, lively instrumentals and solo harp pieces, for pedal harp, voice, harp-lute, and romantic 19thc guitar, and where appropriate the Northumbrian pipes.

Dances

Using the album of quadrilles published in 1810 by James Paine at the Argyll rooms at Almacks (a popular social club in Kings Street, St James, London from 1765-1871) and a selection of the old country dances from the time, Mr Williams is able to call the dances while Miss Deere-Jones can perform them upon the harp, enabling all present to take part with no previous experience necessary!

By special permission of the Duke of Northumberland, his personal piper - Mr William Green - has been persuaded to provide Mr Williams with a certain education and not a small amount of information on the skills and repertoire of the ancient art of the Northumbrian smallpipes, and therefore after a great amount of the most diligent practise on Mr William's behalf, it may be possible for him to provide such services at very special and grand civic or state occasions, for use during public processions and receptions. Please enquire.

'Thy Trembling Strings'

New recording of Music and Songs from the Regency era, performed and arranged by Sarah Deere-Jones and Phil Williams. Featuring lively dance tunes from Paine of Almack's collection, haunting songs, harp solos and the rediscovered harp-lute, not heard since the 19th century!

For more information on this new CD please e mail us below.

Most of the photographs on this website are by kind permission of Mount Edgcumbe House, Torpoint Cornwall,