Kudos to the ever-innovative Baroque 2000
for a different and most pleasurable concert experience. (Review by Keith
Millar)
Sunday, June 2, 2019, marked Italy’s
National and Republic Day - and to celebrate the occasion Baroque 2000 led the
audience at their concert at the Mariannhill Church Monastery on a magical
musical and visual tour of that country.
The visual aspect was provided by a display
of beautiful images of baroque churches, monuments, buildings and artwork which
were projected onto a huge video screen which formed the backdrop to the
ensemble.
This created a wonderful setting for the
12-piece Baroque ensemble to provide an exciting, varied and fairly eclectic
choice of music from Italian composers.
The concert started off in dramatic fashion
with a fanfare performed by two French horns from the rear of the historic
Monastery Church and set the scene for the music to follow.
This was followed by Domenico Scarlatti’s
Sonata in C minor for Harpsichord. This was played by Cape Town’s Eric
Dippenaar who is South Africa’s leading exponent of the harpsichord. In a
display of virtuosic skill, sensitivity and control Dippenaar showed that this
instrument has so much more to offer than its usual role in baroque music of
providing the basso continuo for an ensemble. It was a masterful display and
most enjoyable.
Composer Alessandro Stradella was an intriguing
character. He had a dissolute lifestyle which included many affairs and
embezzlement of funds from the Church. He was forced to move from city to city
to escape the ire of various members of the nobility and was eventually stabbed
to death at the age of 39 in Genoa.
In between his infidelities, he found time
to compose over three hundred works in a variety of genres, including his
Sonata a violin e basso in D minor. As the title suggests, this is a work for
violin, cello and harpsichord only and allowed Baroque 2000 Concertmaster
Ralitsa Macheva, the opportunity to give her usual vivacious, animated and
joyful interpretation. It is always a pleasure to hear, and watch, this
musician perform.
(Baroque
2000 Concertmaster Ralitza Macheva)
KZNPO stalwart oboist, Margrit
Deppe-Mutsaerts was the soloist for the Concerto for oboe in D minor by Thomas
Albinoni. Deppe This work has a particularly beautiful and plaintive second
movement which was the highlight of this work. Deppe-Mutsaerts brought
admirable understanding and feeling to her performance.
(Margrit
Deppe-Mutsaerts)
To bring this Italian experience to its
conclusion, the entire 12-piece ensemble was on stage to perform Antonio
Vivaldi’s Concerto per molti instumenti RV 569 in F major. A work which is
quite unmistakably Vivaldi. Melodic, jubilant and very enjoyable.
Kudos to the ever-innovative Baroque 2000
for a different and most pleasurable concert experience.
The next Baroque 2000 concert will take
place at the same venue on June 23, 2019, at 11h30. The soloist will be Cape
Town soprano Lynelle Kenned. Tickets R150 at the door. Ample and safe parking
available. The Monastery Tea Garden will be open for coffee/tea and light
lunches.
For more information contact Michel
Schneuwly on 031 312 5539 or 082 3035241. Alternatively mail him at
sursouth@iafrica.com
Project sponsored by: Die Rupert
Musiekstigting. – Keith Millar
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