Passagi, Agrément, Division: The Art Of Musical Adornment
Ornamentation has been an integral element of music since the birth of sound itself. From the songs of birds to the rustling of leaves, nature is in fact full of the ornamentation of sound. Some might even say that music itself is a form of embellishment; vocal music decorates the spoken word while instrumental music adorns the ear. This concert highlights the incredible discipline of ornamentation, from the Renaissance division to the splendor of the French agrément to the virtuosic Italian passagi of the Baroque featured in music of Matteis, Bertali, Moulinié, Mazzocchi, and selections from Playford’s The Division Violin and MS Egerton 2971. From caffeinated energy to buttery lyricism, this concert is sure to embellish any evening! |
Photo: Chuck Moses
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The Fleeting Armada
The late sixteenth century was an exiting and tumultuous time in Europe. England in particular, seemed to have it all: a strong woman at the helm of the thrown, Shakespeare championing the language, and Dowland putting poetry to song. What more could one want in a country? A successful defeat of the Spanish Armada, you say? Well, they had that too! But while the grand invasion of Spanish ships failed, a subtle infiltration of Spanish culture took root in England. And it is here that we have our program’s inspiration: the intermingling of English and Spanish culture explored in a journey of melancholic lute songs by Dowland, rollicking English country dances, virtuosic improvisations, and passionate canción culminating with the invigorating Folia. |
Photo: Chuck Moses
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All Roads Lead to Rome...Or At Least Italy
It is undeniable that Italy at the turn of the 17th century was a seat of artistic revolution and musical innovation. Through the development of new instruments, new virtuosic playing styles, and even new musical mediums (particularly opera), Italy's musical influence eventually permeated the rest of Europe. The speed and acceptance of this synthesis however, varied as countries integrated these trends while maintaining their own cultural identity. We explore this fusion with the music of Lully, LeClair, Handel, Bach, and Scarlatti among others. So, today we can thank Italians for pasta sauce, fast cars, and their musical permeation throughout Europe during the 17th-century! This program is inspired by Adam and Greg's recording of LeClair: The Complete Sonatas for 2 Violins on the Sono Luminus label. |
Photo: Chuck Moses
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Beethoven alla Britannia
A somewhat neglected portion of Beethoven's output, his arrangements of over one hundred folk tunes provide a refreshing change of pace in the composer's oeuvre. During the turn of the 19th century Beethoven was one of several composers asked by Scotsman George Thomson to arrange these beloved folk tunes for piano trio and voice as a means of ensuring their preservation. These musical arrangements were then married to texts by some of the Isles' best poets, including Robert Burns. This music is truly transportive, as one finds themselves on a journey through foggy moorlands, finding love, having a pint of brew, and running into the occasional elf or two. Beethoven alla Britannia is based on a recording from Centaur Records to be released by the artists in 2015. |
Photo: Chuck Moses
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The Continuo Continuum
Members of the continuo group forge a unique bond by creating a single voice with instruments that are quite different from each other. They are, in fact, an orchestra inside an orchestra - the mitochondria inside a cell. Often relegated to this supportive role of accompanying, the instruments of the basso continuo break away from their normal role for this exciting concert featuring these instruments as soloists. Discover the beauty hidden below middle C as the cello, bassoon, theorbo and harpsichord present the music of Telemann, Vivaldi, and Couperin among others. It's all about that bass, no treble! |
Photo: Chuck Moses
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