Toad Lane Concerts: Richard Haslam - Guitar

Richard Haslam

The audience braved the downpours on Wednesday 20 October to enjoy the rare treat of a live classical guitar concert. In the generous acoustics of St Mary in the Baum any damp discomfort was soon forgotten as the Derbyshire-born guitarist Richard Haslam played a mesmerising programme.

Having graduated from the University of Hull he completed a post-graduate degree in performance at the Royal Northern College of Music with Australian guitarist Craig Ogden in 2017. Basing himself in Manchester he has given recitals as both a soloist and within a variety of ensembles whilst also working for Trafford Music Service as an instrumental tutor.

Richard began with the sophisticated and elegant classical lines of Introduction and Variations on a Theme by Mozart by Fernando Sor. More atmospheric was La Catedral, a descriptive work that conjures up the inner peace of the building compared to the hustle and bustle of the city outside, by Augustin Barrios Mangore.

Following the technical brilliance and bravura passages in Etudes 1, 3 and 8 by Villa-Lobos, we had a sparkling modern piece, Benga Beat by contemporary composer Gary Ryan. Extraneous percussive sounds from striking different parts of the instrument and even using the voice produced a kaleidoscopic work, full of colour. There were even rumbles of thunder outside to add to the palette.

Finally, we entered the graceful world of Renaissance lutenist John Dowand with Mrs White's Nothing, Queen Elizabeth's Galliard and Forlorn Hope Fancy. The sun was streaming through the huge side windows of St Mary’s by this time, echoing the brightened mood of the audience in all too brief a musical interlude.

Rochdale’s weekly midday music – the Toad Lane Concerts happen every Wednesday at 12.30pm at St Mary in the Baum, Toad Lane, Rochdale, OL16 1DZ. Entrance fee is £6. No refreshments available at the moment, but the venue is Covid-19 secure. Contact 01706 648872 for further information.

Details of future concerts are listed in the Events section of Rochdale Online:

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/

Dr Joe Dawson