Cecil Sharp and the soundscape of Somerset: a talk by David Sutcliffe with live music from Sirinu
In honour of the Ilminster Literary Society, Ilminster Arts Centre is delighted to host a captivating evening celebrating the life and legacy of folk collector Cecil Sharp through both insightful commentary and stirring music. This special event features a talk by David Sutcliffe and a concert by the acclaimed ensemble Sirinu, weaving together history and melody to bring Sharp’s work vividly to life.
The evening begins with a talk by David Sutcliffe, a Somerset-based freelance researcher with a passion for the county’s rich folk traditions. David embarked on the journey of writing a new biography of Cecil Sharp in September 2020, delving into archives, correspondence, and original sources to craft a compelling narrative of Sharp’s life.
Sharp’s journey as a struggling musician, his transformative travels in Australia and America, and his encounters with folk performers are recounted in this engaging biography, Cecil Sharp and the Quest for Folk Song and Dance, published by Ballad Partners in September 2023. The book explores Sharp’s contributions to the Edwardian Folk Revival and its limitations, blending social history with the personal story of a fascinating cultural figure.
The second part of the evening features a concert by Sirinu.
Sirinu perform songs and tunes collected by Cecil Sharp with an emphasis on his discoveries in Somerset from the towns and villages near Ilminster collected before the Great War. Some of the songs we perform in Sharp's own arrangements but for others we perform them as noted by Sharp directly from the source singers that he collected from. Others songs we have prepared in our own contemporary folk arrangements. We use a variety of instruments both traditional and modern - fiddle, concertina, banjo, keyboard, hurdy-gurdy, guitar - and explore Sharp's enduring legacy in the light of David Sutcliffe's recent research on Sharp.
Discover Cecil Sharp’s journey, immerse yourself in the music he championed, and celebrate the legacy of folk traditions through this unique evening of word and song!
For additional details about Sirinu, visit https://www.sirinu.co.uk
To purchase a copy of David Sutcliffe’s book, Cecil Sharp and the Quest for Folk Song and Dance, visit https://cecilsharpspeople.org.uk
Performance starts at 7:30pm, doors from 6:30pm with bar available.
Tickets
General admission: £16
Students: £8 with valid student ID
Tickets can also be purchased by ringing 01460 54973 or visiting us during opening hours.
*Please note that tickets for performances and workshops are not refundable unless we are fully booked and have a waiting list. Refunds are subject to a £5 admin charge.