About Baroque Alchemy
Baroque Alchemy is a duo exploring the meeting of early music and contemporary sound worlds. Recorder virtuoso Piers Adams and keyboardist Lyndy Mayle bring together ancient instruments and modern technology to create performances that are vivid, expressive and full of surprise.
At the heart of the project is a partnership of equals. Adams brings over four decades of international experience as one of the world’s leading recorder players, widely known as the founder and frontman of the baroque quartet Red Priest. Mayle, a former prize-winning harpsichordist at the Royal College of Music, brings exceptional versatility and sensitivity to the keyboard, drawing on deep historical understanding while embracing a broad palette of modern sounds.
Baroque Alchemy’s sound world is built around the natural, breath-driven voice of the recorder — ranging from historical instruments to modern designs — set within an ever-changing keyboard landscape. The keyboard can evoke authentic early instruments such as harpsichord, lute or baroque organ, while also creating drones, textures and cinematic atmospheres. The result is not electronic pastiche, but a dialogue between acoustic simplicity and contemporary possibility.
The duo’s programmes move freely across centuries and styles: reimagined baroque masterpieces, medieval and early-baroque gems, world and folk influences, modern works and improvisation. Virtuosity is balanced with lyricism, humour and a strong sense of communication, creating concerts that feel alive, human and deeply engaging.
Since its debut in 2022, Baroque Alchemy has performed extensively for music societies and festivals throughout the UK, appeared at major international wind festivals in Germany and Spain, and released the acclaimed album Breaking Free. Their performances have been praised for their originality, expressive power and the unmistakable chemistry between the two musicians.
The Alchemical Story
Beyond the musical craft lies a quieter, symbolic layer. Baroque Alchemy takes its name from the ancient idea of transformation: the bringing together of different elements to create something greater than the sum of its parts. In the duo’s work, ancient and modern, breath and resonance, structure and freedom, intimacy and expansiveness are allowed to meet and interact.
For those who are curious, there is also a more poetic telling of how Baroque Alchemy came into being — a mythic reflection on balance, polarity and transformation, offered not as history, but as symbol and invitation.