(Right: Aristide du Plessis)
Performing at the charming and historic Mariannhill Monastery Church, they never fail to delight their audiences with the quality and variety of their concerts. (Review by Keith Millar)
A concert of baroque gems brought down the curtain on another season of masterpieces performed by Durban’s treasured Baroque 2000 Orchestra.
This year marks the 23rd year of the existence of Baroque 2000.
Performing at the charming and historic Mariannhill Monastery Church, they never fail to delight their audiences with the quality and variety of their concerts.
Last Sunday was no exception as they celebrated Christmas 2023 with items by Arcangelo Corelli, Leonardo Leo and Antonio Vivaldi.
The featured soloist at this concert was cellist Aristide du Plessis. The previous Principal Cellist for the KZNPO, du Plessis is back on these shores and at this concert he performed Leonardo Leo’s rather mellow Concerto for Cello in A Major L50 with skill and aplomb.
Leo (1694-1744) was best known as a composer of comic operas, but he also wrote instrumental works which included six cello concertos of which this is one.
du Plessis was joined by Ralitza Macheva on violin for Antonio Vivaldi’s Concerto for violin and cello in Bd Major RV547. A bright and lively piece which was played with passion and expertise by the two soloists. Adding to the fun was percussion provided by the inimitable Stéphane Péchoux.
Arcangelo Corelli’s contribution to the programme was his Christmas Concerto Op6 No8. With multiple movements this delightful work provides a variety of moods.
Also on the programme was Antonio Vivaldi’s La Follia. Based on a well-known 15th century melody which has proved to be very popular amongst classical composers . It is said that more than 150 composers have used it in their works. This includes Scarlatti, Bach, Handel and even Beethoven.
However Vivaldi’s Trio Sonata in D minor is arguably the best known.
Performed on this occasion by two violins, a viola, a cello and with Péchoux adding percussion it is a complex and imaginative work. The fact that La Follia translates as “madness” perhaps best describes the piece.
Vivaldi’s Concerto for strings in D Minor RV 127 brought this excellent concert to a close.
Michel Schneuwly is the Director of Baroque 2000. For any queries or suggestions he may be contacted on sursouth@iafrica.com or on 0823035341.
Baroque 2000 is sponsored by Die Rupert Musiekstigting – Keith Millar
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