Tobacco?

Music, mud, and a dash of 17th-century wit + October concerts

This witty and once-popular tune is perhaps Hume’s (ca 1569-1645) most famous piece, though its subject may raise some eyebrows today. Still, it’s a perfect fit for our Mudlark! programme, inspired by the forgotten stories hidden in the riverbanks. After all, clay pipe fragments are among the most common finds unearthed by mudlarks along the Thames at low tide.

We must give a shout-out to our multi-talented keyboard player, Oliver John Ruthven, here reciting and singing with such warmth. True to the early music tradition, he slips effortlessly between roles, just as musicians of the 16th and 17th centuries often did. In Hume’s day, such versatility was the norm: players might move from the viol to the flute to the harpsichord within the same evening, sing a verse themselves, or direct the ensemble while playing a keyboard.

Perhaps you’d like to join us in uncovering a few more musical treasures? Along the way, you’ll also discover some remarkable local venues and music societies, each offering fantastic arts programmes close to home, with easy access, less travel, and settings that inspire.

From the leafy charm of Amersham (a historic market town in Buckinghamshire, with its tempting restaurants and wine bars en route to the concert), to the unique design of Leighton House (once the studio-home of a leading Victorian artist), and the industrial-chic setting of Rocketvan Studios (a converted early 20th-century steelworks in south London), each place has its own story to tell, adding another distinct layer to the concert experience.

19 October, 5pm & 7pm Rocketvan Studio

22 October 7.30pm, Kensington & Chelsea Music Society at Leighton House

25 October 7.30pm, Amersham Concert Club

We look forward to seeing you soon.

Rebecca, Jan and Oliver John