Baroque is back! (Review by Keith Millar)
After securing funding for the 2014 concert series from the Rupert
Musiekstigting, Durban’s renowned Baroque 2000 presented the first of eight
concerts for the year at the Mariannhill Monastery last Sunday morning.
Being in celebratory mood, the ensemble included in their
programme flamboyant works which featured trumpets, oboes and bassoon. This
certainly added an exciting extra dimension to the superb music.
The concert started with Battalia
a 9 which is a composition by Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber. Described as
battle music, this brief and lively work includes descriptive effects such as
foot-stomping to evoke the sounds of soldiers at war. An interesting and
entertaining piece.
Next was George Frideric Handel’s Concerto Grosso Op 3 No. 4
in F Major. This work was scored for two oboes and bassoon along with the usual
strings and harpsichord. It is a bright and pleasing work which, for me, was
unmistakably a Handel composition.
The third item on the programme was Suite No. 1 in A Minor
by George Philipp Telemann. Telemann is an interesting character in that he was
an almost completely self-taught musician and is regarded as one of the most
prolific composers of all time. He stayed in the forefront of all new musical
tendencies and his music was an important link between the Baroque and early
classical styles.
Completing the morning’s entertainment was Johan Joseph
Fux’s wonderful Serenade a 8 in C Major. This is a grand and ceremonial
sounding work which was highlighted by some excellent trumpet playing by Michel
Schneuwly and Jonas Brolin. The entire ensemble seemed to put their hearts and
souls into this work and it was an resounding and brilliant performance. One
can only marvel at the skills level of this group of musicians.
The historical Church of the Monastery at Mariannhill is a
visual and acoustical gem. There can be few places more suited to experience
wonderful baroque music exquisitely played. These are concerts not to be
missed.
The next concert is scheduled for May 4 at 11h00. Tickets R12
at the door. More information from Michel on 082 303 5241 or email:
sursouth@iafrica.com - Keith Millar
Posts
