“Music is a moral law. It gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, a charm to sadness, gaiety and life to everything. It is the essence of order, and leads to all that is good and just and beautiful.” That quote, attributed to Plato, is in stark contrast to what I was asked by one member of the Inn before Christmas: “Aren’t Music Nights usually just some posh woman playing a violin?”.
As the Middle Temple’s Master of the Music my sympathy and experience lies with Plato rather than the inaccurate characterisation of the performers and repertoire we have had in Middle Temple. Indeed, neither before covid, nor afterwards, have we had a solo violinist at a Music Night! However, it raises a question about whether the format of Music Nights is appropriate, inclusive, and desired by members of the Inn.
Attendance at Music Nights is now broadly back to pre-covid levels. This is remarkable given that attendance at all events in the Inn remains slightly below the pre-covid era and it suggests that Music Nights are a collegiate activity, valued by many, and (relying on feedback after the events) enjoyed by everyone. The new reality is that more people work at home, the Inn and Fleet Street are quieter than they were pre-pandemic, and it’s harder to convince people to come out at night to events anywhere, let alone in the Inn. Music Nights should be sufficiently attractive to encourage people to make that effort.
Since I took over as Master of the Music I have aimed to engage performers who are at, or near, the beginning of their careers. The aim is to give opportunities for performance to those who missed out on two years of live music-making during the pandemic, and who provide us with promise of great things to come. Supporting young musicians and encouraging talent and excellence – whilst giving the audience future bragging rights “I heard them first in Middle Temple back in…” – has given us access to some extraordinary performances from amazing, and diverse, people.
In 2025, after consulting widely with interested parties around the Inn, and with the full support of the Treasurer and Deputy Treasurer, I am going to trial different formats for Music Nights throughout the year. We will retain the existing format for one performance, that is, a formal dinner in Hall followed by a 50 minute performance of accessible music from recent conservatoire graduates. We will also have a promenade Music Night – a performance in the Library and/or bench apartments where attendees can wander around, grab something to drink and a plate of food whilst listening to the performance around them. For one performance during the year we will switch the order of events so that we start with a performance in Hall and then move to a less formal supper afterwards for those who wish to stay on and entertain their guests. Finally, we will have an evening with jazz, dancing for those brave enough to strut their stuff, and tables where the less brave (or more demure) can sit and listen with food and a drink. My aim is to make that evening a qualifying session which tends to encourage attendance from those still required to “eat to practice”.
Master Treasurer says this: “Music Nights are an important and very enjoyable part of Middle Temple’s social calendar. They enhance the collegiality and friendship which are at the heart of the Inn. I know we have a wide variety of musical taste within our membership and the programme in 2025 suggested by the Master of Music reflects that variety. I encourage you to come along, bring guests and enjoy these very special evenings.”
I too encourage you to attend each of the different evenings, and to tell the membership committee, and me, what you think. Do you like the format? Which format do you like? Do you like the repertoire? Would you prefer that we reverted to more established musical practitioners, or more formal evenings? Only with your thoughts, desires and feedback can we cater for the wide variety of views and preferences within the wide membership of the Inn. Doubtless, different formats will suit different people. Doubtless, some repertoire will speak more directly to some than to others, but what I can promise is that each of the Music Nights this year will continue to showcase the brightest new talent from the UK and abroad with music which appeals to a wide variety of people and tastes. I can also advocate for the social and wellbeing benefits of music. Plato may have referred to music as a moral law, but for those of us who practice in the rest of the law, the mindfulness and calm engendered by beautiful music performed by experts is something worth making time to attend.
The first performer, on Monday 31st March, will be Irena Radić playing a programme of piano music: Rachmaninoff’s Prelude in G minor, Debussy’s Prelude No.10, and ending with a Chopin sonata in B minor. It’s fabulous music (have a taster on YouTube if you don’t know it), and Irena has already established herself as a talented pianist. She completed her Master of Performance with distinction as a Cotes-Burgan scholar and holds a first class Bachelor of Music (Honours) from the Royal College of Music, London. She is currently a Musicians' Company Young Artist and has been selected as the Constant & Kit Lambert Junior Fellow 2024/25. Irena was also a prizewinner at the Bromsgrove International Musicians Competition, the Kendall Taylor Beethoven Competition and the Jaques Samuel JD Piano Festival. Other awards include the Teresa Carreño Piano Prize, Young Musician of the Year at Peterborough and Oundle Music Festivals, the May Edwards Memorial Prize and the Head of Junior Programmes Prize whilst a student of Lynette Stulting at the RCMJD.
The Music Night dates for 2025 are as follows:
Monday 31 March – formal dinner followed by a performance in Hall;
Monday 19 May – a QS followed by jazz, dancing and supper;
Monday 14 July – performance in Hall followed by an informal supper;
Monday 24 November – a promenade performance.
I look forward to seeing you at each of these events.
Robert-Jan Temmink KC
Master of the Music