No Polkas for Niepold Cutting

Anne Niepold and Andy Cutting in concert at St Mary's Church Guildford (Image credit: Jo Hughes)

Duo Niepold Cutting, 12 April 2025

St Mary’s Church Guildford

There is only one rule - No Polkas. It’s printed on their T-shirts. If rules were made to be broken, this singular rule was set to fill a void (and to poke fun at having to have rules in the first place.)

For over a year, the thought of Anne Niepold and Andy Cutting bringing their playful, fearless style of music-making to Guildford gave us such a kick!

On the day, mischief and magic sparkled in the cool, sun-washed air of St Mary’s Church as workshop participants arrived to spend two happy hours with Anne and Andy. The excitement and mild panic we sensed from these box players reminded us of the people who came to the improvisation workshops with Peter Knight last year.

With Anne’s and Andy’s skilled coaching and encouragement, comfort zones were temporarily breached, a few pennies started to drop, a cool new chord was discovered, and yes, improvisation wasn’t quite so scary after all.

The secret society of diatonic button accordion players. Anne Niepold (standing) demonstrates the benefits of playing across the rows to a group of workshop participants Image credit: Jo Hughes

One of the lovely things about the workshop-plus-concert format is that we are let into the workings of top-class musicians. Even so, despite gaining some insight during the afternoon into how they did it, Duo Niepold Cutting’s evening performance still made our jaws drop.

We set up the space in St Mary’s Nave for those who wanted to dance, and for folks who wanted to sit and listen. Dancers stepped quietly over the smooth stone floor, giving everyone the opportunity to hear every inflection, every exhilarating note. There were plenty of dance tunes, but Anne and Andy stuck to their “No Polkas” rule. Quite right too as this was serious music-making!

The most memorable moment for us was when Anne started playing Purcell’s famous closing aria from Dido and Aeneas, stillness descended as dancers found their seats. Listening was pure pleasure.

Thank yous

• If you came to the workshop and/or concert, “thank you!!” There would not be any Folk Inspiration events if it weren’t for our wonderful audience. It’s as simple as that.

• Huge thanks to Anne and Andy for literally going the extra miles, driving from Suffolk to Guildford, to fit our gig and workshop into their tour.

• To our lovely volunteers, Barbara and Helena, for their help on the front desk and behind the bar, and everyone who pitched in clearing up afterwards.

• And as always, to my Mum for her legendary brownies and unconditional love.