Matthew Wadsworth performs Stephen Goss' Theorbo Concerto

Matthew Wadsworth

The theorbo is a large lute which is generally heard in 17th and 18th century, often providing the continuo. But in 2018, lutenist Matthew Wadsworth commissioned a new theorbo concerto from composer Stephen Goss which was premiered at the third Altamira Hong Kong Guitar Symposium. The work's UK premiere was given by Wadsworth and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra at the North York Moors Chamber Music Festival in August 2018. 

This is not the first time that Goss has written for the theorbo, in 2017 he wrote a piece for solo theorbo The Miller's Tale, which Matthew Wadsworth premiered at the Wigmore Hall [see my review].

The first concerto ever written for theorbo, there is now another chance to hear the work as Matthew Wadsworth will be playing it with the Northern Chamber Orchestra at their concert on Saturday 9 February 2019, at Macclesfield Heritage Centre. The work will be performed alongside Bartok's Divertimento for Strings and Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 3.

Full details from the Northern Chamber Orchestra website.