(Cecilia di Cecco
(cello) & Evelien Ballantine (flute).)
Featured soloists produced
performances of considerable skill and panache. (Review by Keith Millar)
The Baroque 2000
August concert, which took place recently at the Marianhill Monastery, was a
very enjoyable musical event. The programme showcased first-rate music from
five Italian born composers, all of which displayed plenty of energy, drama and
grandeur.
The Baroque 2000
ensemble performed these musical gems with great vigour and flair. In
particular, the two featured soloists, flautist Evelien Ballantine and
concertmaster Ralitsa Matcheva on violin, produced performances of considerable
skill and panache.
Guest artist,
Evelien Ballantine, was the soloist in Alessandro Scarlatti’s Sonata Nona (No 9) for Flute in A minor and Francesco
Mancini’s Sonata for flute in D minor.
Alessandro Scarlatti was a prodigious composer of Italian Baroque
music. He wrote over 100 operas, more
than 600 cantatas and a number of oratorios. His fame today rests primarily on
his vocal music, but Scarlatti received frequent commissions for instrumental
music during his career as well.
Francesco Mancini is a lesser-known composer
who spent much of his life in the shadow of Scarlatti. His work is very much
undervalued. Today he is best known for his recorder sonatas.
Evelien Ballantine is an accomplished and
experienced musician and she produced a performance of skill, sensitivity and
elegance with both of these works.
Baroque 2000 concertmaster Ralitsa Matcheva
was the soloist for the rather magnificent L’inquietudine Concerto for
violin RV 234 by Antonio Vivaldi. This is a pretty boisterous and frenetic work
with a typical Vivaldi feel about it.
Ralitsa Matcheva is an animated, expressive
and cheerful performer. It is always a pleasure to hear and watch her play -
and this occasion was no different. She gave a rousing and virtuosic rendering
of the Vivaldi violin concerto.
Completing a splendid concert of Italian
Baroque music was Francesco Saverio Geminiani’s Concerto Grosso Op 3 No1 and
Giuseppe Valentini’s Concerto for 4 violins Op Vll No 11 in A Minor.
Valentini may be regarded as a lesser-known
Baroque composer but his Concerto for 4 violins is a magnificent work - full of
exuberance, excitement and spirit.
It is worth noting that the Monastery Tea
Garden is once again operating – and is offering special breakfasts and lunches
to concert goers. There can be few more rewarding things to do on a Sunday
morning than spending time in the tranquil surroundings of the Marianhill
Monastery and enjoying some excellent music and food.
The next Baroque 2000 concert will take place
on September 25. For more information, contact Michel Schneuwly on 031 312
5539, 082 3035241 or at sursouth@iafrica.com
– Keith Millar
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