Why don't we play in normal concert halls or churches?

Experiencing music in appropriate spaces

A major part of Realm of Music philosophy is concerned with experiencing music in appropriate spaces. This is particularly relevant when it comes to baroque music, as this repertory is especially sensitive to the acoustical environment.

The music we play was mainly written with a view to performance in beautiful halls, saloons or rooms in the grand houses and palaces of the 17th and 18th century upper classes and aristocracy. These places were not carpeted, but often with wooden or marble floors and walls, providing natural amplification.

The whole experience a sumptuous one for both ears and eyes

Not only did these places sound amazing, but they were beautiful; thus the whole experience was a sumptuous one for both ears and eyes. In addition, food and wine would often have been served during the music, creating a feast for all the senses.

Re-thinking the concert experience

In our re-thinking of the concert experience, we realized that these days, this vital factor is almost always totally overlooked. We find baroque trios and quartets, designed to be played in intimate and beautiful surroundings, being performed in sterile, 20th century concrete concert halls to a crowd of 500 or more people packed uncomfortably into rows of fold-down seats. Too bad for those people in the last 10 rows who can't even hear, let alone see properly! Similarly, huge and unappetizingly cold churches with hard pews greet many an ardent concert goer lured to an evening of baroque music with candlelight; a pity that so much of the detail of the music is simply lost or drowned in the all-too-often bellowing over-acoustic. One finds little satisfaction with this scenario either, even if one manages to stick it out to the end.

Consummately suited to the music and easy to get to

When you come to a Realm of Music event, we hope you can feel assured that you will be getting the utmost from the experience, and it starts with the choice of venue. Not only are our venues aesthetically fulfilling and consummately suited to the music, but they are all easy to find and to get to.

To learn more about any of our venues, please select from the menu at the left.