Penelope Cave solo harpsichord, virginals, early piano

Penelope Cave, prize-winning harpsichordist and experienced performer, has given numerous solo recitals in the Purcell Room, Wigmore Hall, music societies, festivals and broadcasts for BBC Radio 3, Belgian Radio and Classic FM. Her recent disc From Lisbon to Madrid with Scarlatti has been highly acclaimed by the critics, gaining 5 stars from BBC Music Magazine. Alongside solo and chamber recitals, she tutors workshops, courses and masterclasses in England and abroad. She was married to instrument maker, the late Michael Heale, owning his copies of Italian and Portuguese harpsichords and two-manual Goermans-Taskin harpsichord and English virginals.

Penelope Cave is known for her entertaining programmes with readings, which now includes some very well-received programmes of early piano duets with Helena Brown (see entry for For Two To Play). She is passionate in promoting her enthusiasm for the harpsichord and its music and believes that concerts should be a shared event for performer and listener.

Sample Programme:

Solo programmes include: Portraits of the life and times of the Virginalists, Scarlatti, Couperin and Bach; The Grand Tour with an audience-friendly performance of Bach’s Goldberg Variations, Music for a Country House, Made in England, Music for the Theatre and a Harpsichord Showcase.

Education:

An Introduction to the Harpsichord is a flexible programme for all ages with stories, explanations and audience involvement. It includes a handout of drawings and diagrams covering a breadth of styles, periods and nationalities, posing questions of why and for what the music was written.

Recordings:

From Lisbon to Madrid available from www.tutti.co.uk Also recordings with Camerata of London for Hyperion and with Martin Feinstein for Naxos and others.

Performances:

20 Jan 07 Workshop Concerts, Lewes
6 Feb 07 Riverhouse Barn, Walton-on-Thames
4 Aug 07 Music at St Peter’s, Wallingford

Contact:

Penelope Cave, Betteridge House,
2 St Omer Ridge

Guildford, Surrey, GU1 2DD

Tel/Fax: 01483 563096

Email: penelope@penelopecave.co.uk Website: www.impulse-music.co.uk/cave.html