Toad Lane Concerts: Anne Butterworth, Stephen Taylor & Elaine Marsden

Stephen Taylor, Anne Butterworth & Elaine Marsden

We are fortunate in our area to have many performers of high calibre: singers, instrumentalists, ensembles, bands, choirs and amateur operatic and choral societies. They make a significant contribution to entertainment, culture and well-being in the borough.

Three such enthusiasts have served us well for several years: Anne Butterworth a peripatetic music teacher, singer and flautist. She has taken many leading roles and is musical director for Woodhouse’s Amateur Operatic Society.

Stephen Taylor, a retired telecommunications engineer has been musical director and leading baritone in amateur dramatic shows, plays saxophone in three concert bands and conducts Pendle Community Orchestra and The Hyndburn Singers. Last but not least, pianist Elaine Marsden who particularly enjoys accompanying. She says, ‘It’s SUCH good fun’.

This cheerful trio opened on Wednesday 18 September with a Gilbert & Sulivan set consisting of When All Night Long, from Steve, When He Is Here, from Anne and both together in None Shall Part Us. This set the pattern of the recital with alternating solo songs between them plus interspersed duets.

From Steve we went from Sea Fever to If Ever I Would Leave You, This Nearly Was Mine, and On A Clear Day. Anne had a similar menu of tasty morsels including The Cloths of Heaven by Karl Jenkins, Fair Robin I Love by Kirke Mechem accompanied by piano, and a dreamy Autumn Leaves accompanied by Stephen on guitar.

Further duets were 2 Foot, 3 Foot by Mozart and I’ve Never Been in Love Before by Frank Loesser where the two blended well.

An attractive diversion came with Ashokan Farewell by Jay Ungar a Trio for flute, red recorder and guitar, showing their versatility.

Accompanist Elaine also contributed an appealing solo interlude with Gershwin’s Let’s call the whole thing off. Thankfully, they didn’t call this thing off as they gave a thoroughly enjoyable and varied concert.

The Queen’s Award-winning Toad Lane Concerts are every Wednesday at 12.30pm at St Mary in the Baum, Toad Lane, Rochdale, OL16 1DZ. Entrance fee is £6. No refreshments available. Contact 01706 648872 for further information.

To see details of forthcoming Toad Lane Concerts, click here.

Dr Joe Dawson