An audience of some 300 gathered in St James’s Church, Piccadilly, London, to listen to Lucia Micallef and the European Union Chamber Orchestra (EUCO), conducted by Brian Schembri, give a rendition of two Bach piano concertos in D Minor (BWV1052) and F Minor (BWV1056).

The concert was rounded off with a performance of Holst’s St Paul’s Suite and Haydn’s Symphony No 59 in A Major, Fire.

The concert marked a new recording of four of Johann Sebastian Bach’s Keyboard concertos recorded by Micallef with the EUCO and conducted by Schembri.

The recording has now been released by Divine Art Records under the title of Bach Keyboard Concertos.

Micallef demonstrated why she is one of Malta’s leading pianists, delivering an impressive performance that both respected Bach’s beautifully constructed works while delivering a welcome freshness to the music. In this, she was wholly supported by the orchestra and conductor. EUCO have played in more than 70 countries around the world, performing in leading concert halls with some of the most distinguished musicians.

Schembri was able to draw out the best of this group of musicians for what was a memorable evening.

The setting was fitting. The church, an oasis of calm in London’s West End, was designed and built by Sir Christopher Wren and consecrated in 1684, just a year before Bach was born.

This project contributes to the run-up to Valletta 2018, showcasing the best of Maltese musical talent collaborating with some of the best performers from across Europe to present the public with the pinnacle of European Baroque music which remains vital and relevant in the 21st century.

The project was supported by The Malta Arts Fund, the Culture Directorate and the EUCO Trust.