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ROUND TEN GRANT APPLICATIONS
Felix Ensemble
ENSEMBLE INFO
Ensemble Contact:
Jane Gordon
Email:
Ensemble Connect URL
UK Registered Charity No:
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Concert and recording programme:
Purcell ‘In Nomine’
Purcell (arr. Stokowski) Dido’s Lament
Bach Art of Fugue (selected movements)
Mendelssohn Octet (original 1825 version)
Joachim Raff Octet ’Andante’
Caroline Shaw En’tract (2011)
In early 2026, the Felix Ensemble plans to record its debut CD. This recording offers a vibrant journey through centuries of string chamber music, bridging Baroque, Romantic, and contemporary worlds, all performed on gut strings and historical instruments. Opening with Purcell’s In Nomine and the evocative Dido’s Lament (arranged by Stokowski), the programme explores intricate counterpoint in selected movements from Bach’s Art of Fugue. At its heart of the disc lies Mendelssohn’s groundbreaking Octet in the rarely performed original 1825 version, and alongside the little-known lyrical Andante from Joachim Raff’s evocative Octet. The recording concludes with a fresh, contemporary voice: Caroline Shaw’s En’tract (2011), which is inspired by Haydn and ties past and present in a seamless musical dialogue. This album showcases the Felix Ensemble’s dedication to illuminating lesser-known repertoire alongside masterpieces, all performed with historical insight and vibrant expression. At its core is a unifying theme: the interplay of counterpoint and musical expression across the centuries.
Leading up to the recording, the group will present a fringe concert as part of the Hastings Chamber Music Festival, with an expected audience of around 100. This project will also generate essential media assets—photography, video clips, and audio content—that will be used to create a dedicated website and launch social media channels. Following a period of focused repertoire exploration and the development of a clear artistic vision, the ensemble is now poised to introduce its work to a wider public.
Proposed concert date, Thurs Feb 12th, Christ Church, St Leonards-on-sea
Hastings Chamber Music Festival Fringe
Proposed recording dates, March 4-6, London, venue tbc
For the recording, the producer is Myles Eastwood, Eastwood Records, who Jane knows from her work with the Rautio Piano Trio. They plan to make the recording first before submitting to a short list of highly regarded record labels for public release. The Mendelssohn Octet has been widely recorded in its revised version, but there are very few made of the original 1825 version, and only one or two significant period instrument recordings. As far as we are aware, the Raff has not been recorded on period instruments before. The varied repertoire in the recording is deliberately curated across many time periods, to reflect the ensemble’s signature voice.
The Felix Ensemble would be extremely grateful to the Continuo Foundation for a grant to support its debut recording and preparation concert.
SUPPORTING INFORMATION
Felix Ensemble Performances:
The Felix Ensemble has performed for the London Bach Society, Baroquestock, and the Vinehall International Concert Society, and is a resident ensemble at the Hastings Chamber Music Festival. These performances have served as a valuable launchpad for exploring repertoire and refining the group’s artistic vision.
Hastings Chamber Music Festival Sept 21st, 2023
Baroque Stock June 2nd, 2023
Vinehall Concert Society, June 4th 2023
London Bach Society, Nov 20th, 2024
Hastings Chamber Music Festival Sept 19th, 2024
Vinehall Concert Society, June 8th 2025
Artistic vision:
The Felix Ensemble is dedicated to performing major works of the 19th-century string repertoire, while also exploring lesser-known compositions that deserve greater recognition. Their programming often draws connections between Baroque and later works—such as Bach and Mendelssohn—highlighting the continuity and evolution of musical ideas across eras. The ensemble presents these works with historical insight and stylistic integrity, bringing fresh perspectives to both familiar and overlooked music.
Future plans for the Felix Ensemble are led by violinist Jane Gordon, an experienced director and insightful creative planner. Jane believes there is currently no ensemble quite like Felix in the period instrument world. With growing interest in gut strings and period playing across genres, she sees great potential to build something truly exciting. The ensemble aims to meet increasing demand both in the UK and internationally for this unique and vibrant repertoire.
Selected programmes:
Baroquestock June 2nd, 2023
Purcell In Nomine
Purcell (arr. Stokowski) Dido’s Lament
Mendelssohn Octet (original 1825 version)
Encore: Joachim Raff ’Andante’ from Octet Op.176
London Bach Society, Nov 20th, 2024
Bach Art of Fugue (selected movements)
Bach Brandenburg 3
Mendelssohn Octet (original 1825 version)
Vinehall, June 8th 2025
Purcell Dance Suite from Fairy Queen
Telemann Viola Concerto
Bach Double Violin
Bach Double Violin/Oboe
Mendelssohn Capriccioso Op.81 no.3
Mendelssohn String Symphony no.12
Jane Gordon - Violin/director
Described as playing with ‘glowing conviction’ (Financial Times) and a ‘ravishing tone and depth of timbre’ (The Independent), Jane’s is one of the leading violinists of her generation. Her multi-faceted career has a special focus on period instrument performance and incorporates solo recitals, chamber music and leading/directing ensembles.
Jane is leader of La Nuova Musica and violinist of the Rautio Piano Trio. Jane’s 2025 season has included guest leading Dunedin Consort, Arcangelo, Casa da Música and English Baroque Soloists.
Felix Ensemble core members: Susie Chen, Florence Cooke, Beatrice Philips, Lorena Canto, Kay Stephen, Sarah McMahon, Gavin Kibble. Featuring some of Europe’s most prestigious chamber musicians, the players are frequently heard on BBC Radio 3 and in Europe’s finest concert halls
PROJECT COSTS
Number of performers:
Instrumentalists:
Vocalists:
Other:
8
Project Income (£):
Ticketing/Fees:
Public Funding:
Other trusts/foundations - confirmed
Other trusts/foundations - pending
Other
Income - Total sources
1600
1000
500
3100
Project Expenses (£):
Artists' fees
Artists' travel/accommodation
Venue - Rehearsal/Concert:
Recording/Filming:
Marketing/Publicity:
Management/Contingency:
3840
160
50
5000
1000
100
Total Project Costs:
10150
Amount (£) of Grant Requested:
7050.52
Detailed Budget (Download):
IMPACT OF GRANT
A grant would directly support artist fees, recording costs, and professional media creation—making this ambitious and high-quality launch possible. Making an enormous difference to the Ensemble’s career trajectory, this recording is a critical step in establishing the group’s identity within the UK’s vibrant period performance scene. Capturing the ensemble’s distinctive artistic voice, it will serve as a vital calling card, enabling future bookings, festival appearances, and audience engagement
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL
Video from recently formed ensemble (if provided. If not, the CF 'Happy Holidays' video will appear by default)
PDF of detailed programme notes (if provided):
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