THE South West’s foremost new Baroque ensemble, Bath Baroque, will perform at Ilminster Arts Centre next week.

The ensemble will play a delightful programme of music that, by happy chance, dates from the same era as the Arts Centre’s historic meeting house building (which celebrates its 300th anniversary this year).

Showcasing Bath Baroque’s lively performing style, the programme features JS Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos no.2 in F major and no.4 in G major with the Adagio from Albinoni’s Oboe Concerto in D minor, together with chamber works: JS Bach Cello Suite no.1 in G major and Handel Trio Sonata in C minor.

Bach composed his famous collection of six concertos between 1708 and 1721 and they are widely acclaimed as the some of the best compositions of the Baroque era.

The two concertos being performed at Ilminster Arts Centre are distinctive in their own right, with the trumpet part of Concerto no. 2 being considered one of the most difficult in the repertoire.

Bath Baroque members include Lisa Betteridge, Katalin Kertesz, Laurie Phippard (violins), Tim Robb (viola), Linda Stocks (cello), Bethan Foister (bass), Colin Bloch (trumpet and horn), James Watts (oboe and recorder), Neil Moore (recorder) and Jacquelyn Bevan (harpsichord).

All are professional musicians with wide orchestral experience.

Bath Baroque will be performing at Ilminster Arts Centre on Friday, September 20 at 8pm.

To book call 01460 54973 or visit themeetinghouse.org.uk