(Sandra Baily)
Superb concert presented by the ensemble two weeks ago.
(Review by Keith Millar)
With Baroque 2000’s
second-last Series Concert of 2016 taking place next Sunday (November 27) at 11h30 at the Church of
the Mariannhill Monastery, it is an appropriate occasion to reflect back on the
superb concert presented by the ensemble two weeks ago.
The concert was entitled Passionate Vivaldi and featured three items by this musical genius
as well as compositions by Tomaso Albinoni, and by lesser-known composers,
Pietro Locatelli and Bardassare Galuppi.
Born in Venice in
1678, composer, virtuoso violinist, teacher and cleric Antonio Lucio Vivaldi is recognised as one of the greatest
composers of the baroque era. His
influence during his lifetime was widespread across Europe. He was a prolific
writer and produced many instrumental concertos, for the violin and a variety of other instruments, as well as sacred
choral works and more than 40 operas. His most popular work is a series of violin concertos known as The Four Seasons. He died in poverty in 1741.
Altogether, Vivaldi
wrote over 500 solo concertos. About half of them for his instrument, the
violin, but the bassoon was his second choice with no less than 39 concertos
featuring this instrument with its deep, rich, woody tones.
On the programme at
this concert was Vivaldi’s well-known Bassoon Concerto in A Minor RV 498. It
was performed by Sandra Baily, the newly appointed Principal bassoonist for the
KZNPO in her first public performance in South Africa. Baily, a slim young lady
with a wild hairstyle, played the beautiful lyrical and dramatic piece with
effortless composure and skill. She has a pleasing stage presence and is sure
to be become an audience favourite.
The other Vivaldi
works on the programme where Concerto in G Minor RV 155 for strings, which
featured some virtuoso violin playing by concert master Ralitza Matcheva, and
his short two movement piece Concerto in C Major “in Paris” RV114. This
concerto belongs to a group known as the Paris Concertos because the manuscripts
are housed at the Paris Conservatoire library.
Venetian Baroque composer, Tomaso Albinoni, achieved
early fame as opera composer. But most of his 89 works were never published and
subsequently lost, and it is as a composer of instrumental work that he is
known today. His bright and cheerful Sinfonia in G Minor provided a lively
start to the concert.
Completing the programme were Pietro Locatelli’s
Trauersymphoni (Elegiac Symphony) in F Minor, and Bardassare Galuppi’s Concerto
a Quattro No. 1. Both works were
appealing and interesting a served the purpose of exposing the audience to
different baroque composers and works.
The next Baroque 2000 concert will take place on November
27 at 11h30 at the Church of the Monastery, Mariannhill. Featured will be the
Odeion Vocal Consort, always very popular visitors. Tickets R140 at the door.
For more information, contact Michel at 031 312 5539
or 082 303 5241 or email sursouth@iafrica.com
Baroque 2000 is sponsored by Die Rupert Musiekstigting.
– Keith Millar
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