MUDlark!
Zarek Trio (violin, viola da gamba, harpsicord)
Rebecca Harris – violin
Jan Zahourek – viola de gamba
Oliver John Ruthven - harpsicord
The concert is at 7:30pm on Saturday 25th October 2025 at Amersham Free Church. Tickets can be bought on-line here or on the door.
Our Baroque concert given by Ensemble Hesperi in 2024 was very popular, and we return to the Baroque again with ZAREKtrio.
MUDlark! is a cabinet of curiosities, thieveries, and musical mysteries from the English Baroque and beyond, with music by Purcell, Playford, Hume, Handel, Coprario, Gibbins, Byrd and other treasures from the banks of the Thames.
ZAREKtrio capture the joy and thrill of live chamber music. They cherish the process as much as the result, connecting with the music, each other, the audience, places, people and ideas.
Performing on period instruments is at the heart of it all, and ZAREKtrio are keen to share this sound with connoisseurs and the curious alike, bringing the rich catalogue for violin, viola da gamba and keyboard to diverse audiences. Although the majority of the trio’s repertoire is music written before 1770, they perform new music and works written specifically for them. Arranging and adapting works originally written for larger instrumental forces is also central to the trio’s programming.
ZAREKtrio prioritise a chamber music practice grounded in respectful, unhurried rehearsal, which, as experienced performers, they recognise to be irreplaceable in the pursuit of musical excellence.
ZAREKtrio kicked off 2025 with the first performances of their new project Mudlark! at Brasenose College, University of Oxford for the Platnauer Series, and St Nicolas Church, Guildford. This year also brings further performances of Bs & Bees at the Thüringer Bachwochen in Germany, a partnership with If Opera in a staged presentation of works by Carissimi and Monteverdi, and a coaching residency at Benslow Music, and of course a visit to Amersham Concert Club amongst other engagements.
In 2024, the trio performed at an eclectic mix of venues, including Kino-Teatr in St Leonards-on-Sea, Rocket Van in Lambeth, St John's in Upper Norwood, Beer Lab in Brixton, Handel&Hendrix House in London, Heath Street Baptist Church in Hampstead, and the Stroud Arts Festival. Playing for new audiences and seasoned concert-goers in such a diverse range of spaces—from churches to breweries, from barns to community hubs and colleges - is central to their mission and identity.
Rebecca Harris – violin
Violinist Rebecca Harris performs on period and modern instruments. Her career is a love letter to the rich history of the violin, from work with leading early music ensembles in both the United States and Europe to collaborations on new repertoire.
Jan Zahourek – viola de gamba
Like his two fellow musicians, Jan has performed and recorded with many of the UK's leading early music ensembles. Being part of a trio offers him the luxury and freedom of a deep dive into his chosen repertoire with his friends and colleagues.
Oliver John Ruthven – harpsichord
Oliver John is an early keyboards specialist and conductor. Equally at home at the harpsichord, chamber organ or conducting, he is making a name for himself as a versatile and dynamic interpreter of early music.
Zarek Trio (violin, viola da gamba, harpsicord)
Rebecca Harris – violin
Jan Zahourek – viola de gamba
Oliver John Ruthven - harpsicord
The concert is at 7:30pm on Saturday 25th October 2025 at Amersham Free Church. Tickets can be bought on-line here or on the door.
Our Baroque concert given by Ensemble Hesperi in 2024 was very popular, and we return to the Baroque again with ZAREKtrio.
MUDlark! is a cabinet of curiosities, thieveries, and musical mysteries from the English Baroque and beyond, with music by Purcell, Playford, Hume, Handel, Coprario, Gibbins, Byrd and other treasures from the banks of the Thames.
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"An intimate, atmospheric evening with ZAREKtrio - a rare blend of relaxed ambience, unique sound, and masterful musicianship" an amalgamation of audience feedback at Stroud Arts Festival
********
"An intimate, atmospheric evening with ZAREKtrio - a rare blend of relaxed ambience, unique sound, and masterful musicianship" an amalgamation of audience feedback at Stroud Arts Festival
********
ZAREKtrio capture the joy and thrill of live chamber music. They cherish the process as much as the result, connecting with the music, each other, the audience, places, people and ideas.
Performing on period instruments is at the heart of it all, and ZAREKtrio are keen to share this sound with connoisseurs and the curious alike, bringing the rich catalogue for violin, viola da gamba and keyboard to diverse audiences. Although the majority of the trio’s repertoire is music written before 1770, they perform new music and works written specifically for them. Arranging and adapting works originally written for larger instrumental forces is also central to the trio’s programming.
ZAREKtrio prioritise a chamber music practice grounded in respectful, unhurried rehearsal, which, as experienced performers, they recognise to be irreplaceable in the pursuit of musical excellence.
ZAREKtrio kicked off 2025 with the first performances of their new project Mudlark! at Brasenose College, University of Oxford for the Platnauer Series, and St Nicolas Church, Guildford. This year also brings further performances of Bs & Bees at the Thüringer Bachwochen in Germany, a partnership with If Opera in a staged presentation of works by Carissimi and Monteverdi, and a coaching residency at Benslow Music, and of course a visit to Amersham Concert Club amongst other engagements.
In 2024, the trio performed at an eclectic mix of venues, including Kino-Teatr in St Leonards-on-Sea, Rocket Van in Lambeth, St John's in Upper Norwood, Beer Lab in Brixton, Handel&Hendrix House in London, Heath Street Baptist Church in Hampstead, and the Stroud Arts Festival. Playing for new audiences and seasoned concert-goers in such a diverse range of spaces—from churches to breweries, from barns to community hubs and colleges - is central to their mission and identity.
Rebecca Harris – violin
Violinist Rebecca Harris performs on period and modern instruments. Her career is a love letter to the rich history of the violin, from work with leading early music ensembles in both the United States and Europe to collaborations on new repertoire.
Jan Zahourek – viola de gamba
Like his two fellow musicians, Jan has performed and recorded with many of the UK's leading early music ensembles. Being part of a trio offers him the luxury and freedom of a deep dive into his chosen repertoire with his friends and colleagues.
Oliver John Ruthven – harpsichord
Oliver John is an early keyboards specialist and conductor. Equally at home at the harpsichord, chamber organ or conducting, he is making a name for himself as a versatile and dynamic interpreter of early music.
