Info Dodici Corde Guitar Duo was formed in 2008 and joins together the talents of musicians Danielle Saxon Reeves and Mark Willetts. They seek to promote the duo repertoire of the era of the Early Romantic Guitar (c1780-1880) with a contemporary yet historically informed approach. They enjoy exploring the little played duet works of composers such as Giuliani, Sor, Carulli, Diabelli, Mertz, Coste and L’Hoyer, giving audiences a rare opportunity to hear these neglected works on period instruments; Mark owns an 1832 Panormo and Danielle plays a Terz Guitar by Lamy and a French Guitar made c1840.
With over forty five years playing experience between them, they have appeared in performances all over the UK; including appearances for Worcester Classical Guitar Society New Artist's Scheme; at Birmingham Town Hall; in the Panelled Saloon at Hartlebury Castle, Worcestershire; in the Guildhall, Bath for The Jane Austen Festival; at Great Witley Church,Worcestershire; in The Guildhall,Worcester for Worcester Early Music Festival and on BBC Radio &Television.
Sample Concert programmes :
Programme One
Sor : "L'Encouragement" Fantaisie Opus 34
Diabelli : Serenade Opus 63
de Lhoyer : Duo Concertant Opus 31 no 3
Coste : Scherzo & Pastorale
Programme Two
Carulli : Nocturne 3 Opus 143
Coste : Scherzo & Pastorale
Giuliani : Gran Pot Pourri Op 67
Sor : Fantaisie Op 54
Calendar 2010
Sunday 12th September 2010, 3.00pm
Artsfest,
Gallery 22, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery,
Chamberlain Square, Birmingham B3 3DH
http://www.bmag.org.uk/
Saturday 18th September 2010, 12 noon
Jane Austen Festival,Performance for the Promenaders,
The Guildhall, High Street, Bath, BA1 5AW
http://www.janeausten.co.uk/festival/events.ihtml
http://www.bathvenues.co.uk/guildhall/banqueting_room.aspx
Friday 22nd October 2010, 1.00pm
Lunchtime Concert
Friends Meeting House, 65 Linden Road,
Bournville, Birmingham, B30 1JT
http://www.flickr.com/photos/flickrjrt/3222555065/
Wednesday 15th December 2010,10.30am
Halesowen Branch, University of the Third Age
Members only
http://www.u3a.org.uk/component/content/article/79/630-
halesowen-u3a.html
2011
Saturday 11th June 2011, 7.00pm
Lumby Recital Room, Elgar School of Music,
16-20 Deansway, Worcester, WR1 2ES
Tickets £7.50/£5.00
01905 28613
2011
Sunday 7th August 2011, 5.00pm
Great Witley Concert Series,
Great Witley Church,Worcestershire, WR6 6JT
http://www.greatwitleymusic.com/
Saturday 10th September 2011, 1.00pm
artsfest!
Waterstones, High Street (Indoors), Birmingham City Centre
www.artsfest.org.uk
Sunday 11th September 2011, 1.00pm
artsfest!
HMS Daring Room, Birmingham Council House,
Victoria Square,Birmingham, B1 1BB
www.artsfest.org.uk
Saturday 17th September 2011, 1.30pm
Jane Austen Festival
The Guildhall, High Street, Bath, BA1 5AW
http://www.janeausten.co.uk/festival/events.ihtml
http://www.bathvenues.co.uk/guildhall/banqueting_room.aspx
Sunday 18th December 2011, 2.00pm & 3.00pm
The Round Room, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery,
Chamberlain Square, Birmingham. B3 3DH
http://www.bmag.org.uk/birmingham-museum
Monday 19th December 2011, 3.00pm & 7.15pm
Special Guests of Midlands Hospitals Choir Association
Birmingham Town Hall
Victoria Square
Birmingham
UK
B3 3DQ
Ticket Hotline 0121 780 3333 www.thsh.co.uk
2012
Wednesday 15th February 2012
Worcester Early Music Festival
Guildhall,High St, Worcester, WR1 2EY
6.30pm Workshop age 8 and up £2 (free with concert admission)
7.30pm Concert ‘ £10
Tickets http://www.earlymusica.org/wemw
Monday 5th March 2012, 7.30pm
specia l guests of Midlands Fretted Orchestra & MONS
mac,Cannon Hill Park,Birmingham,B12 9QH
Tickets £8.50/7.50 from 0121 446 3232
Saturday 14th July, 7.30pm
St Thomas' Church Concert Series
St Thomas' Church, Market St, Stourbridge, DY8 1AL
Tickets £8/7/6 from http://www.etickets.to/buy/?e=7875
Reviews Margaret Rose Abri 26th March 2010
"To a candlelit backdrop, the music was beautiful, well played and interspersed with fascinating anecdotes. The rare guitars they both played inevitably had a rich and varied history....Musicians Mark and Danielle won many new fans in a setting that was perfect for their brand of musicianship, and promised a return visit in the near future. " Stuart Zola
New Artist's Scheme, Worcester Classical Guitar Society 24th April 2010
"...It requires a new approach to performance in order to pull off this kind of performance convincingly, and with an innate sensitivity to the musical demands of this music coupled with an extraordinary understanding of the cultural and social mores of the time, Dodici Corde rise to the task with characteristic vim and vigour. Theirs, is an immersive performance - part musical recital, part performance art - and they go to great pains to achieve authenticity in their production even down to the clothes they wear... Recommended" Stephen Begley
(read the full review at http://www.worcesterguitar.co.uk/acts/nas06/dodici.corde.php)
The Panelled Saloon, Hartlebury Castle, Worcestershire 29th May 2010
"You really enjoy what you are doing and it comes through in your music.A big thank you to you both for a most enjoyable evening which everyone enjoyed" David Parker, Concert Organiser
"The performance was perfect for the setting and was a delightful programme. Absolutely wonderful." Sue Beeson, Chair Hartlebury Castle Trust
The Jane Austen Festival, The Guildhall, Bath.18th September 2010
"Dodici Corde performed the most wonderful music on their superb early 19th Century Guitars on the opening day of the 10th Jane Austen Festival in September 2010. The sound produced by Danielle and Mark from these exquisite instruments was rich, rounded and beautiful and perfect for the 18th Century grandeur of Bath’s magnificent Banqueting Room in the Guildhall. We look forward to welcoming them again very soon."
Jackie Herring, Festival Director
University of the Third Age, Halesowen Branch.15th December 2010
"For the Christmas event this year Halesowen U3A were entertained by Dodici Corde. Danielle & Mark, who dressed in appropriate costume for the period, played two sets of a variety of music contemporary with their early / mid 19th century guitars and were well received by a packed Hasbury Methodist Church. Many members commented on the suitability of the music for the occasion and of their appreciation for the performance!"
Jan Woolley, Secretary Halesowen Branch U3A
www.earlyromanticguitar.com
"The CD... is well worth getting as the duets are pieces which are not often or ever recorded, and are played brilliantly. Often appearing in 19th century period clothing as well, this duo is entertaining to watch."
Len Verrett, Editor
