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The Review - classical music with JOEL TAYLOR
 

Bridget Cunningham is the real sound behind Elizabeth I

Hitting the notes for Virgin Queen

By JANE WILD

ANYONE who has seen the BBC’s lavish costume drama the Virgin Queen might have been struck by the enchanting music heard throughout the series.
Whenever actress Anne-Marie Duff, who portrays Elizabeth I, is seen playing the harpsichord, the sound is actually that of Irish musician Bridget Cunningham.
Bridget, 30, of Tufnell Park, explained how she came to be involved in the series.
She said: “I had played for a number of BBC radio programmes and they phoned me and asked if I was interested in playing for the Virgin Queen.
“The music was wonderful, I loved it. Having the chance to play it was fantastic.”
The haunting melodies were especially composed for the production by Martin Phipps.
The sought-after musician and fellow of the Royal College of Music also plays the organ, violin and piano.
She has won many prizes for her harpsichord, playing and performs in period costume with her ensembles at the Handel House Museum, Hampton Court and the National Gallery. Surrounded by stacks of music books in her living room, she demonstrates the harpsichord’s crisp and layered sound with a flourish of chords.
She points out that far from being an instrument confined to baro-que, the harpsichord has a versatile nature and a rhythmic quality that lends itself very well to jazz.
This summer she hopes to present concerts in Islington and is seeking poets, artists, actors and writers to be part of a collaboration.

 
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