Live music from the Naughty Nineties to the Roaring Twenties
Indoor plants from distant and exotic countries were a novelty and aspidistras were very fashionable in the Edwardian era. They adorned all self-respecting parlours and drawing rooms from the end of the 19th century. Along with palm trees, they provided a backdrop for popular and glamorous music making.
The Aspidistra Orchestra has been praised for recreating the authentic sound and atmosphere of that period. It consists of a string quartet, piano, flute and oboe and specialises in what is often called Palm Court Music or Salon Music.
The orchestra offers an eclectic mixture of instrumental and vocal numbers in its concerts but the repertoire is equally suitable as background music.