Thomas Bowes and Philippe Honoré invited the audience to an enchanting evening of “Double Fiddle” in the very heart of Cornwall, where music was as timeless as the coastline itself. This special tour brought the audience a vibrant tapestry of violin duets—from the refined elegance of Baroque brilliance to Romantic lyricism and the bold colours of the twentieth century. They heard the flowing counterpoint of Bach’s ‘Crab’ Canon, the graceful charm of Leclair, the Romantic sweep of Spohr and Wieniawski, Telemann’s pastoral warmth, Rawsthorne’s inventive 1937 Theme and Variations, and Bartók’s earthy folk-inspired miniatures—all nestled within this beautifully curated musical dialogue of two equal voices.

As Bowes and Honoré weave their conversation across the strings, expect an evening rich in contrast, wit, and connection—just like a walk along Cornwall’s clifftops, where rugged beauty meets lyrical calm. Highlights include Spohr’s GrandDuo, Bartók’s vibrant folk-inflected pieces, and Bach’s ingenious Canon, each performed with the kind of intimacy that Cornwall’s candlelit halls seem made for.

Intriguingly, Béla Bartók—whose 44 Duos offer textures that feel at once folkloric and modern—was more than a composer: he was also a devoted researcher of folk music. In 1908, alongside his friend Zoltán Kodály, he travelled deep into the Hungarian and Transylvanian countryside to collect authentic peasant melodies—sometimes writing them down by candlelight in remote villages—a commitment that transformed not only his own musical language but the future of ethnomusicology. It’s this blend of scholarly discovery and visceral artistry that underpins the subtly vibrant spirit of his duos—and indeed, the character of this entire tour.

Tom was delighted to present this tour in partnership with Carn to Cove, to be part of a musical conversation that spans centuries, landscapes, and generations.

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