I can only think that Graham McDonald has not fully read the programme notes of the recent Salut Baroque concert. For this member of the audience they provided a very profound foundation on which to listen to the music with new ears.
Yes, the Scot’s wail for Neil Gow and the Toy Symphony were obvious and extreme examples of the Humours which transcend cultural change, but even they had more subtlety than poor Graham was aware of. The Struggle of Jane Downer to stop bursting into hysterical laughter as she had to keep repeating the Cuckoo element was clear to me and those around me. Sally Melhuish’s relentlessly determined poker face only enhanced the totally ridiculous combination of the superb bird whistle and footy rattle.
The Scots Wail for Neil Gow was, for this folk musician, pure folk. The violins were as far from classical as they could be and conveyed the profound grief of the Highlands in what was, for me, their own musical language. I was intensely drawn in to this one as an individual has studied Scots history and heard the Border Ballads frequently sung by such as Ewan McColl and Danny Spooner.
I’ve been watching this ensemble for several years now, and while they all maintain a professional decorum, it’s been a joy to me to watch the subtle interplays, brief eye contacts and half smiles that indicate musicians both fully concentrated on their work, but also sharing warm, quiet pleasure in it. I grant I have seen a number of the players dancing and moving to what they play, but if other players are not so obvious, that is no case to suggest they are not enjoying what they do,
After reading Tim’s notes, I listened very closely to all the works trying to imagine the sort of intent the original composer might have had in a certain harmonic structure, a certain movement of the bass line- always so competently delivered by Tim. Again, my efforts were rewarded by a deeper understanding.
As for the Csakan, apart from Hans-Dieter’s fiery expertise with which he plays all his armoury of whistles, for me it was a triumphant vindication of a relatively unknown historical instrument, and anybody who failed to see the twinkle in the master’s eye that is almost always there, was not looking.
Salut Baroque is not a group that flaunt their emotions. They are professional musicians focussed on playing fine Baroque music and helping us broaden our understanding of the people and the times that made it. In this task they have, for John Warner and Jenni Mc Allister, fully succeeded.
John Warner and Jenni McAllister,
Murrumbateman NSW.

Tim Sally and the team we are missing your wonderful concerts please advise date of next concert in Canberra Bowral NSW