Through the Noise

Nestled under the railway arches of Haggerston lies Signature Brew, a bustling brewery/bar that would be the last place you would expect to find one of the best young classical guitarists of our generation. Yet this is precisely what the team at Through the Noise are out to achieve, hosting some of the most talented and eclectic classical artists in settings that shatter the rigid stereotypes of classical music.

Alexandra Whittingham is no doubt one of the brightest stars of the classical guitar today. With an exemplary academic background and a hefty social media following, it is no wonder that her debut album My European Journey reached No.1 on the iTunes Classical Chart.

The packed-out bar fell completely silent as the tender sounds of Alex's guitar rang through the arches. She opened with a piece that fully displayed all of her technical proficiency, letting the audience know that we were witnessing a true professional here. Of course in a classical guitar programme one would expect to find a splash of Spanish influence as Alex then went into Capricho árabe by Francisco Tárrega, instantly transporting the audience to a small bar in Spain as they hung on every phrase and run that she expertly executed.

As the concert continued, Alexandra performed a number of works from her debut album, which delves into her passion for featuring lesser-known nineteenth-century composers. Pieces such as a Minuet by Fernando Sor and Forgotten by Catherina Pratten really allowed for the mellow tones of her guitar to shine. The way that the harmonies were balanced against the melodies had the audience in complete silence. If you closed your eyes at some points, you could've sworn that multiple people were playing the guitar. These romantic pieces were then followed by the more upbeat Prelude in E minor by Villa-Lobos and a jazzy rendition of Ralf Towner's Always By Your Side as the programme moved towards 21st-century pieces.

To end the set Alex brought out violinist and long-time friend Esther Abrami to perform Café 1930 and Libertango by Astor Piazzolla. The sensitivity of Esther's violin skills blended with Alex's guitar and ended the concert on a sublimely graceful note.

To experience two high-class classical musicians in such an intimate setting, and also being able to order a pint at the same time, is an absolute treat and is something that should be experienced by anyone, whether a fan of classical music or not. Through the Noise continue to create a unique series of intimate concerts and will soon be featuring the wonderful cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason on his UK tour, and Brazillian guitarist Plínio Fernandes, among many more artists to come. You can find out more about Through the Noise's noisenights here.

LISTEN TO 'MY EUROPEAN JOURNEY' BY ALEXANDRA WHITTINGHAM NOW ON QOBUZ!