Harp by Candlelight: A Concert for Allhallowtide

On Saturday 1st November, Elizabeth Jane Baldry, the internationally acclaimed harpist who lives locally, presents a candlelit performance with her golden harp in the Church of St Michael the Archangel, Chagford.

In honour of Allhallowtide, Elizabeth Jane brings to this recital an intuitive sensitivity to the season’s quiet power, guiding audiences through a musical journey aligned with the spirit of the season, offering a requiem for the summer’s end, and a blessing on the winter to come.

Rooted in both Christian and pre-Christian traditions, Allhallowtide is an ancient commemoration marking a time when the veil between the living and the dead is said to be thinnest - a sacred time of remembrance, spiritual reflection, and honouring those who have died.

Elizabeth Jane is more than a harpist; she is a storyteller of sound, known for conjuring uplifting performances that reach beyond the concert hall and into the imagination. Her uniquely resonant playing has captivated audiences for over 30 years, and her artistry is steeped in her deep love of the harp and her ability to craft a strong connection with her audiences.

She is especially known for her revival of Victorian fairy harp music and her award-winning silent film accompaniments, but it is her commitment to creating both profoundly moving and joyfully uplifting recital experiences that defines her work.

She says: “Chagford has been my home now for four decades, and our wonderful parish church holds many personal memories, everything from my own kids performing at school nativity plays to the funerals and weddings of beloved friends. I hope this recital will offer not only some glorious music but also a space for quiet contemplation, inviting listeners to pause and remember, to let go, and to connect with the deeper rhythms of life and death…hopefully peppered with a healthy dose of laughter along the way!”

The evening’s programme weaves together evocative works from across the centuries, chosen for their stillness, mystery, and beauty; rediscovered pieces from the 19th-century Victorian harp repertoire, rich with romantic and otherworldly character; and the première of a new work by Elizabeth Jane Baldry, inspired by the mythic landscape of Dartmoor.

The archaic word Allhallowtide comes from the Middle English words ‘halowen’ (meaning holy) and ‘tid’ (meaning time). The three-day commemoration comprises Hallowe’en (October 31st), All Saints’ Day (November 1st), and All Souls’ Day (November 2nd).

Event Details

Event: Harp by Candlelight: A Concert for Allhallowtide

Date: Saturday, November 1, 2025

Doors Open: 6:30pm | Performance: 7:30pm

Venue: Church of St Michael the Archangel, Chagford

Tickets: £16.50 (inclusive of £1.50 booking fee); available online via WeGotTickets ( wegottickets.com/event/662291 ) or £15.00 from Sally’s Newsagents in Chagford.