About Us

WHAT WE ARE ABOUT, WHAT’S ON

Our principal home is at Blackheath Halls whose site is

www.blackheathhalls.com/whats-on/

Many of us have been devotees of classical music lectures given by

MATTHEW TAYLOR in the Blackheath Halls on Mondays during term
time. Matthew has been one time the composer in residence at the Halls
and is a prolific pianist and a fine conductor. His lectures take the form of
anecdotal history and musical illustration. He demonstrates at the piano
reproducing whole scores and then we listen to the CD.

Each term is devoted to a separate subject. It may be devoted to one

composer or a group of composers. Some series have been built around
particular genres of work such as Beethoven symphonies and more
recently Mozart concertos – Sometimes a series is built round a particular
period such as British Music 1920-1940

IS THIS FOR ME?

These lectures are devised so that one doesn’t need technical knowledge
to begin with and yet at the same time the experienced aficionado will
always finds something new to learn. It is the gift which Matthew has
that we can all enjoy our music in our own way and always learn
something new.

The programmes take place between 10 am and midday on a Monday

with an interval. It is a place where friendships can be made. We have
retired people and those still at work which makes Mondays something to
look forward to.

Our regulars come largely from Blackheath but so long as you are in
striking distance you are always welcome. During the pandemic our
programmes were continued on Teams to allow all to zoom in. This kept
us going but thankfully we meet again in the flesh.

DIP YOUR TOE IN THE WATER.

If you are not quite certain that this is for you, then you can dip your toe
in the water first of all by coming free of charge to a taster. For those who
cannot manage to come for the whole term we can usually make a special
arrangement. Fees are normally paid on the first day of term. (Do contact
Lionel on any question on these arrangements)

Can I attend individual lectures? Yes. The lectures are designed as a

course for which there is a course fee, currently £13 per lecture and a
discounted sum for the whole course. If you know in advance that you
cannot manage all the lectures we can make suitable arrangements to
agree a reduced fee.

ABOUT MATTHEW TAYLOR

Matthew started this class over 30 years ago as an ILEA music

appreciation class. This class is unique in our being blessed with such a
talented musician and performer who has a devoted following. Such is
our enthusiasm and esteem that the class clubbed together to commission
for a flute concerto from Matthew.

On some occasions we have a guest visitor arranged by Matthew who we

are happy to make honorary members. One is the composer, David
Matthews, who was an assistant composer for the Derryk Cooke
performing version of Mahler’s tenth symphony. David brought along
some facsimile pages of the score and also gave a talk to us on Mahler’s
choral and vocal works.

Each term Matthew looks to invite some players to get together with us
live.

Some of our other events have taken place at Charlton House, our second
home, a fine Jacobean manor in Charlton where some of our series have
taken place. In Spring 2022 our lectures will be hosted more or less
alternately between Blackheath Halls and All Saints Church on Blackheath