The heart stops beating


Twentieth century music for flute and piano in today's lunchtime concert at the King of Hearts in Norwich was overshadowed by news of the venue's impending closure. For the past twenty years founder Aude Gotto and her dedicated team have been presenting leading artists in recitals of early and contemporary music in the lovingly restored Tudor building. But the money has run out and a looming £60,000 anuual deficit is forcing the unique centre for the people and arts to close at the end of the year.

Over the years music making at the King of Hearts has inspired On An Overgrown Path posts about Martinu, Messiaen, Ligeti, Bach and many others, and Aude Gotto herself has contributed articles on topics ranging from India to the film Into Great Silence. Sadly, soon the magnificent Tudor music room, seen in the centre of my montage above, will be as silent as La Grand Chartreuse. For those who still think that reports of the end of Western civilisation are exaggerated here is the programme for today's recital by Anna Hopkins flute and David Morgan piano:

Sonatine - Henri Dutilleux b. 1916
Divertimento - Jean Françaix 1912-97
'Le Merle Noir' - Olivier Messiaen 1908-92
Sonata - Francis Poulenc 1899-1963

There is nothing else I can say.

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