June Williams is head of faculty of the arts at Fullbrook School, near Weybridge, Surrey
“We attend the concerts at the house along with other visitors, and on two occasions Hatchlands, in conjunction with Keith Willis, head of culture for Surrey, arranged a lecture tour of the instrument collection.
He described the special qualities of each instrument and demonstrated their tone and range. Many had been owned or played by great composers, and students could see and hear Marie Antoinette’s square piano.
One of our students, Nicole Miller, played Fantasie Impromptu on Chopin’s piano and said it was “amazing - my first real sense of history”. For me, the thrill was to play Mozart’s music on a piano which he himself had played.
The beautiful location sets the tone for the lunchtime recitals in the Music Room, where we listen to music played on instruments commensurate with the historical genre of the repertoire. The keyboard instruments are beautiful and their tonal qualities are very different to those experienced in the classroom.”
On the map
Hatchlands. East Clandon, Guildford GU4 7RT. Tel: 01483 211474. Email: enquiries@cobbecollection.co.uk
www.cobbecollection.co.uk
