(Erik
Dippenaar)
Christmas Celebration Concert capped a
superb 2017 Concert Series. (Review by Keith Millar)
Baroque 2000’s glorious Christmas
Celebration Concert, presented at the Mariannhill Church of the Monastery last
Sunday, capped a superb 2017 Concert Series for the ensemble, during which they
celebrated 20 years of making wonderful music together.
The Baroque 2000 ensemble set new standards
for themselves throughout the year with marvellous concerts featuring exciting
soloists and guest artists, and playing many familiar favourites along with
less well-known pieces from the vast repertoire of baroque music.
Sunday’s Christmas Celebration Concert was
no different. Featuring guest artist, organist/harpsichordist Erik Dippenaar,
the ensemble performed five items bursting with Christmas cheer and dynamism.
Dippenaar has appeared on several occasions
before with Baroque 2000 as a harpsichordist, but this was the first occasion
that he had the opportunity to show off his prowess as an organist. Playing a
Roland keyboard instrument with authentic sampled organ sounds appropriate to
the period, he delivered a breath-taking performance of George Frederich
Handel’s Concerto for Organ Op. 4 No. 1 in G Minor HMV 289.
Cape Town based Dippenaar is an authority
on Early Music having studied and performed extensively both locally and in the
UK. Currently he is studying towards a PhD in music at UCT, focusing on the
role historical domestic keyboard instruments played in the colonisation
process in Southern Africa.
Accompanied with considerable panache by
the ensemble, Dippenaar brought Handel’s beautiful, lyrical music to life and
provided a highlight which delighted the large audience.
Also on the programme was Italian composer
and violinist, Giuseppe Antonio Brescianello’s, Concerto for Violin in E Minor
which featured the Baroque 2000 concertmaster, Ralitza Macheva, as soloist. The
ever smiling and animated Macheva performed the work with considerable vitality
and dash.
Completing the programme at this inspiring
concert was Antonio Vivaldi’s Concerto for Strings RV 121, Giuseppe Tonelli’s
Christmas Concerto and Georg Telemann’s exciting and recognisable Concerto for
Violin, Trumpet and Cello in D major. This last item featured Baroque 2000
director Michel Schneuwly on trumpet.
A brief encore which consisted of a nice
baroque arrangement of We Wish You A Merry
Christmas was the cherry on the top of this most enjoyable Christmas
experience.
Baroque 2000 has secured financial backing
from Die Rupert Musiekstigting and will be back for the start of their 2018
series in March next year.
For any queries or if you wish to subscribe
for the 2018 season contact Michel Schneuwly on 031 312 5539, 082 303 5241 or
at sursouth@iafrica.com – Keith Millar
Posts
