The mythical Parandrus became renowned in medieval bestiaries for its chameleon-like versatility. With repertoire spanning from the 12th Century to new commissions, Parandrus similarly find themselves at home on multiple terrains. Bringing their custom versatility to the SRP National Festival 2022, the ensemble’s programme incorporates works across the centuries by composers stretching from the UK to Japan.
Beginning as a recorder trio (Charlotte Barbour-Condini; Daniel Swani; Sophie Westbrooke), Parandrus launched at the 2017 ORDA International Competition in Amsterdam, where they won first prize for professional and pre-professional ensembles. They were also semi-finalists at the 2018 Royal Overseas League competition. Joined in March 2019 by Sarah Anne Champion (mezzo-soprano) and Grace Shih (recorders) and now Thomas Pickering, they perform as a flexible ensemble. Parandrus was awarded first place in the 2019 Nancy Nuttall Early Music Prize, at the Royal Academy of Music.
Parandrus’ past performances have included recitals at the London International Early Music Festival, London Festival of Baroque Music (St John’s Smith Square), Open Recorder Days Amsterdam and Late Evening Early Modern concert series (Cambridge). The ensemble gave its broadcast debut in 2020, on BBC Radio 3’s Early Music Show and Early Music Now.
For the SRP Festival, Daniel, Grace and Thomas will be performing for us. They have promised a very varied programme of music ancient and modern so do come and support them as one of our emerging young players’ groups.