St Leonards Steam Ahead
VICTORIA KINGHAM
Though this may sound like the gratuitous praise of a faithful follower, in fact there are excellent reasons for Max Baillie’s centrality in our local music scene. First, you only have to listen to any of his casually superb renderings of Bach sonatas to realise that he is one of a select few who can transmit to their audience the eternity of Bach, in the same way that great actors convey the eternity of Shakespeare. It comes from more than just accurate rendition, difficult enough. It comes through years of study and a scholarly understanding of the age of the composition and the agelessness of the art.
Frank Moon with Oud
Second, like a number of gifted musicians living here, Baillie is committed to the idea of helping to make our locality well known as a premier musical hub. “I believe in this,” he says, addressing a crowded room. “It feels very special.” He has recently returned from a 40-day European tour with the composer Max Richter. This atmosphere of creative commitment in our local area to all of the arts, particularly music, helps to make the town an endlessly interesting place to live.
At the St Leonards Concerts social event at Crown House, there was a fine interval of music from Max and his Fritz Brothers associate Frank Moon, whose moon-pale, rather reticent appearance belies his multi-instrumental virtuosity. He gave an impeccable performance, on the oud, of a traditional Andalusian tune called Lamma Bada Yatathanna (When My Love Begins to Sway), then later equally impeccably transferred to a Django Rheinhardt style guitar together with Baillie on violin, Sweet Georgia Brown.
The event was a fundraiser that also gave Baillie the opportunity to thank those who have worked for St Leonards Concerts, and to announce some of the events he has planned for next year. Confirmed performers will include the glorious singer Alice Zawadzki, celebrated Ukrainian viola player Max Rysanov, and Kit Downes (well known on the jazz circuit), who will take part in a contemporary music program. There will also be a traditional chamber music evening, and a tribute to Rebecca Clarke, a neglected but gifted composer active during the 1920s. Paolo Pandolfo, who has been described as the ‘Paganini of the Viola da Gamba’ has also agreed to come down to Hastings later in the year.
We can therefore look forward to another year of first-class concerts here in Hastings and St Leonards, presented with pure joy.
If you aren’t already on the St Leonards Concerts email list for information about times and places in 2025, contact Max Baillie at [email protected]. For further details and up-to-date events listings see the web site at stlconcerts.co.uk A review of a previous concert featuring singer Alice Zawadzki can be seen at hastingsindependentpress.co.uk/articles/culture/arts/love-mania-transfiguration.
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