Lunchtime concert to bring American composers to Frome

A lunchtimes concert at Christ Church, Frome, next month will combine familiar works with music by lesser-known American composers.

The concert on Saturday 5th September at 1pm, will be given by violinist Helena Todd and Frome pianist Paul Eyre and will feature familiar works by Bartók, Gershwin, Chopin and Debussy alongside a little-heard work by William Grant Still and Amy Beach’s Romance.

William Still was an important American composer whose Afro-American Symphony was premiered by the Rochester Philharmonic in 1931, while Amy Beach’s Romance was first performed in 1893 by violinist Maud Powell, with the composer at the piano.

Describing Still’s music, Helena said: “It oozes life, twisting and turning through motifs, one minute jagged or groovily syncopated, the next gorgeously dreamy. I’m really interested to see how the audience responds to it. We’re having a lot of fun getting to know it. Amy Beach’s Romance too, will hopefully make your heart dance. I wonder how the world is seemingly so asleep to these two incredible composers.”

The performers plan to end with a lively encore by American composer William Kroll.

“The concert is open all and there’s hopefully something for everyone to enjoy,” added Helena.

The Cardiff-based musician works as a nurse, having previously studied violin performance at music college and trained as a primary school teacher specialising in music. She also leads the City of Newport Symphony Orchestra, with which she will perform Saint-Saëns’ Violin Concerto in March 2027.

The concert at Christ Church is open to all, with the organisers hoping the programme will offer something for both regular classical music audiences and those discovering the music for the first time.

Tickets are £8 with 50% proceeds to Christ Church and are available on the door. Refreshments will be available.