As one half of Goldfrapp, Will Gregory’s keyboard grooves are lodged in the brains of fans of their sophisticated brand of multi-layered indie-pop. But the Bristolian keyboard virtuoso is not one for standing still or sitting on his laurels, being always on the lookout for new avenues to explore – preferably esoteric and obscure.

His latest project is both those things, yet also neither. Assembling 10 fellow synthesizer enthusiasts into an ensemble to play a range of vintage Moog (and other) synths, he his touring the country with a repertoire of both little-known and familiar pieces.

The setting for this show was at once beautiful and deliciously rebellious – the other-worldly sound of Dr Robert Moog’s futuristic-sounding instruments – a riot of leads, knobs and gadgets – standing in stark contrast to the elaborate woodwork of St John’s Church.

Listeners of a certain age may be familiar with the Moog through Wendy Carlos’s 1968 hit album Switched-On Bach. Introducing their own rendition of the Brandenburg Concerto, Will told us this was also how he came to love the music, saying: “I first heard Bach when I first heard the synthesizer... and if one person can do it, how much better can 11?”

The answer was obvious. The sound moving from kitsch and retro to truly beautiful. If the pioneering Bach had access to Moogs, surely this is how he would have wanted his music to sound.

We were also treated to music from Messiaen and Giovanni Gabrieli as well as Burt Bacharach and John Carpenter – the latter’s brooding, tense theme from Escape from New York being a highlight, along with pieces written by the ensemble – including a throbbing piece of early Detroit-style minimal techno by Will himself.

“Everybody is a good musician but not necessarily a synth player... I don’t know why that is?” said Will. He was gently mocking the instrument. However, on this performance, the question is why aren’t more people doing this? Exciting, moving and always interesting, this may have started life as an exercise in having fun with bits of old kit, but has evolved into something new and wonderful.