House music comes to Radio 3

As part of its upcoming Baroque Spring season, Radio 3 has announced that it is to stage six concerts in National Trust properties.

Between 3 and 31 March, audiences will have the chance to hear Baroque music played in venues that either date from the period itself or have significant links to it. For instance, on 10 March, chamber ensemble Le Jardin Secret will perform a recital at Powis Castle in Welshpool that celebrates the building's links to James II; or, on 24 March, the Magdalena Consort will be appearing at Ham House in Surrey, one of the finest country houses of the Stuart era.

‘We are delighted that these historic houses will be the settings for some of the most inspiring Baroque music,’ says Sarah Staniforth, museums and collections director at the National Trust. ‘Audiences will be able to enjoy learning more about the Baroque stories connected to these special places as what promises to be an exciting BBC music season.’

The full list of concerts, all of which will be presented by Katie Derham plus Lars Tharp from the Antiques Roadshow, is as follows:

Sunday 3 March
The Stone Gallery, The Vyne, Hampshire
BBC Singers, St James’s Baroque/David Hill

Wednesday 6 March
The Cobbe Collection, Hatchlands Park, Surrey
Carole Cerasi (harpsichord)

Sunday 10 March
The Ballroom, Powis Castle, Welshpool
Le Jardin Secret

Sunday 17 March
Marble Hall, Clandon Park, Surrey
Yetzabel Arias Fernandez (soprano), La Risonanza/Fabio Bonizzoni

Sunday 24 March
The Long Gallery, Ham House, Surrey
Magdalena Consort/Peter Harvey

Sunday 31 March
The Riding Stables, Tredegar House, South Wales
Brecon Baroque/Rachel Podger

Full details of the complete Baroque Spring series have yet to be announced. Watch this space…