Folkestone Early Music – Folkestone Music

Folkestone has so many musical events on offer.  A programme of Early music concerts happen regularly throughout the year at The Green Room in The Grand. Originally set up by Asako Morikawa, and now run by Baroque violinist Walter Reiter, the concerts draw musicians from all over the country to play in Folkestone. Folkelife met up with Walter as a rainbow danced over the harbour.

“Asako Morikawa was a member of Fretwork, one of the finest viol consorts on the planet, and when she was based in Folkestone, she created Folkestone Early Music to reach a wider audience across the South East.  I knew Asako, and when I moved down to Folkestone, I can remember walking along the harbour and this little dog came up to greet me.  It was Asako’s dog, Diego.  We had a chat, as Asako was there too, and she was thinking of returning to Japan.  The next time we met Diego, and Asako, she had a leaving date, and asked if I would take over Folkestone Early Music.  

“I thought that was a nice prospect, as I could set up a little group, the Folkestone Baroque Ensemble and put on a few concerts.”

world-class musicians in folkestone

“You start off with a couple of concerts, and then you find you’re organising a whole season.  Mark Padmore, the tenor, is someone I’ve known since he and in the Sixteen as a choir member, and he’s originally from Canterbury.  He has been down to sing for us.

“The idea of coming away from London to go to a concert is a little upside-down, but I’ve now created the next season of concerts, and we’re thinking of doing an Early Music course too.  The Grand has just put on a very successful Tosti Festival, and we all need to build on the foundations that are being laid here in Folkestone.”

Early music festival

“Building on these foundations, I have in mind an Early Music Festival that will be put on in various venues in town.  We can share between The Grand and St Mary and St Eanswythe’s Church and Holy Trinity Church, all of which are wonderful places to play.  We’re building an audience here, as it does seem that those who go to classical music concerts don’t necessarily go to early music concerts.  But we shall build a following and share to as many people as possible.

“We will have four concerts on the run up to Christmas 2026, and then more next year.  I hope to span around 200 years in music using everything from Renaissance viols to Beethoven on period instruments.  Mark Padmore will come again to sing, which will be wonderful.”

music for all

“It is a concern that from the work I have done in schools it’s clear that many young people don’t hear musical instruments played live very often.  They might come across a guitar or piano, or electric keyboard, but not much else.  There’s such a connection with music, and you can’t help but be moved by it. Reactions are visceral when you play semitone intervals and then transpose to a tone interval when all becomes calm again.  It’s a huge tragedy and I would love to reverse this.  We have free tickets for all under 18 year olds, and I know that’s not going to change the world, but it does something to make music accessible to all.

“Music has everything you need to be a decent human being.  Psychologists will tell you that it has all the elements to develop motor coordination, spiritual and social connections.  We need to nurture the next generation of musicians from across the country by making lessons more accessible.  It makes me quite angry that a whole generation has been denied music due to the lack of opportunity in schools.  Yet we know that if we have music in our lives, we are calmer, happier and more willing to learn, so to have access to music in school would only be a good thing.”

The Kaleidoscope Band plays on Sunday 27th Sept at 3pm at The Grand.  On 11th October, The Linarol Consort of Renaissance Viols play at 3pm at The Grand. On November 8th Cordaria play, and 29th November there is a performance by Henrik Persson playing Bach cello suites.  Tickets are available here.