Classical Music Concerts
Combining his long career as a lecturer with performing, Stephen has specialised in themed concerts where the background to the music is as important as the music itself. Since 2017, Stephen has been on the panel of lecturers of the Arts Society presenting programmes on Chopin, Poulenc songs, Mozart. He is available for concert bookings and home concerts. For prices please email: baronshouse2000@yahoo.com
​
He is currently offering the following concerts:
Piano Duet Lecture Recitals
Stephen Baron and Yvette Karolyi
The Hilarious History of the Piano Duet
There is no other musical form which starts from a basis of light-hearted banter. The piano duet began when Mozart’s skills were being paraded around Europe by his father, Leopold. The 8 year old Mozart, with his irrepressible humour, decided he would perform together with his older sister, Maria on one piano. Thus the piano duet was born, and because of the extreme discomfort of two persons tightly packed together on a small instrument, the music immediately began exploiting the comic potential with hands closely intertwined and the music tending to the lighter side. Many composers followed Mozart in writing duets,including Beethoven, Schubert, Brahms, Faure, Debussy. But there were several surprising developments which we will investigate…
Wolfgand Amadeus Mozart
In his short life, Mozart was unique among composers, excelling in every form, be it instrumental or vocal music, This live recital presents the little known, but musically rewarding piano duets, which Mozart wrote for himself and his equally talented sister to play. We will discover the richness of Mozart's musical style, starting with the bright simplicity he learnt from J.C.Bach, the Sturm und Drang of the middle years, and then the considerable sophistication of the mature works which were criticized by contemporaries (Emperor Joseph II famously remarking 'Too many notes my dear Mozart)! We also look at Mozart's colourful life from child prodigy in London, his fastidious employer in Salzburg, the Archbishop Colloredo, and his final Viennese years, dogged by financial insecurity but crowned by some of his greatest music.
'Joanna The Piana': A survey of the instrument from its modest C18 beginnings to the present day
How much do we really know about this most popular of instruments? This lecture will trace the instrument from its beginnings and the competition it faced from the harpsichord and clavichord to times when the piano was the rage and Camden Town boasted six piano factories. We will also look at Mozart, one of the first great pianists and see how the piano took a quantum leap forward during his lifetime. This is a lecture recital with live piano music. We can bring our own keyboard if needed.
Lecture Recitals
Stephen Baron (piano)
Narrated by Marguerite Duncan-Sutherland
Chopin: An intimate portrait in music and words
​
This entertainment offers an insight into Chopin’s life and times with particular reference to his two ladyfriends the writer George Sand, and the less well known Scottish amateur pianist Jane Stirling, who was later to become his amanuensis. As well as a rich fount of music which will include Nocturnes, Waltzes, Mazurkas, Polonaises Preludes and the dramatic third ballade, there will be readings from Chopin’s letters and many biographical and historical details.
​