Sound House: The Musical Experiments of Francis Bacon

Although Francis Bacon, 17th century philosopher, statesman and visionary, is widely regarded as the father of modern science, his investigations into the nature of sound are little known. He was intrigued by seemingly magical effects like echoes and sympathetic vibration and sought to explain them through a series of experiments in, and observations of, sound.

Combining modern sound technology with ancient instruments, The Society of Strange and Ancient Instruments explore the aural illusions that so intrigued Francis Bacon and our 17th century forbears with fresh interpretations of 17th century music linked to each other by newly composed pieces. The performers play unusual and historically appropriate instruments including the mysterious violone, the jangling bray harp and the little known viola bastarda.

You can find out more about the project by watching this YouTube video.
“What the Society of Strange and Ancient Instruments have concocted in 'Sound House' is a wondrous journey through a realm of unimaginable sonic possibilities; travel with them, and I guarantee that you will never think of sound in the same way again” – Early Music Today
Saturday 25 June 2016, 7.30pm, Wesley Methodist Church, CB1 1LG
THE PERFORMERS
Jon Banks: santouri, gothic harp, percussion
Liam Byrne: lirone, treble viol
Jean Kelly: gothic bray harp, triple harp
Alison McGillivray: violone, viola bastarda
Jon Nicholls: sound designer and composer
Devised and directed by Clare Salaman

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