~ , recording of Harry Somers' opera, n
EARLY MUSIC by Frank Nakashima ACCENT ON GERMANY Although Bach is certainly the most famous of the German composers of this time, there are several others whose compositions merit performing, and who find themselves deservedly in the spotlight this month. May 4, The Tallis Choir, led by founder-director Peter Walker presents masterpieces of 17th and 18th century Germany, from Lassus to Bach, in a program titled "Treasures of the· German Baroque" works by Schiltz, Buxtehµde, Praetorius, Hand! (Missa Pater Noster) and Bach (Komm, Jesu, Komm). · More German music, Bach and also Telemann, can be found in the concert "Oppressions of This Earth (May 31) when guest violist Steven Dann joins with the I Furiosi Baroque Ensemble. And Baroque Music Beside the Grange (June 2) presents a program "A German Tafel-Confekt" which includes chamber music by Handel, ,Bach, Schaffrath and other masters of the German high Baroque, performed by Linda Melsted, violin; Wash McClain, oboe; Michael Mccraw, bassoon; Marie Bouchard, harpsichord. Apparently, in October of 1705, the youthful and energetic J.S. Bach walked 260 miles to visit the elderly German composer Dietrich Buxtehude. The Aradia Ensemble presents a concert (May 12) to celebrate this meeting. Joining Aradia on this occasion are countertenor Matthew White and oboist Marco Cera. On the program - Johann Sebastian Bach: lch habe genug (BWV 82a) Trio Sonata in D Major (after BWV 529) and Dietrich Buxtehude cantatas, Mein Herl. ist Bereit and Juhilote Deo. And two days beyond the scope of this issue's listings, but still in German vein, June 9 Alexa Wing (soprano), Susan Kieren (baroque oboe), and Anna Chan (harpsichord) will perform the music of Bach, Telemann and Handel, in the monthly "Musically Speaking" presentation at the Church of the Holy Trinity. Of course, there's a lot more in the month to look forward to! Jamie Thompson demonstrates and illustrates the changes in flute design (May 5) at the Spadina Historic House and Gardens - "Music in the Orchard". Admission to this event is free. The Musicians in Ordinary (Hallie Fishel, soprano; John Edwards, theorbo, baroque guitar; Christopher Verrefte, Linda Melsted, baroque violins) present the music of three extraordinary musicians (May 11) - Marini, Cazzati, and Strozzi. Barbara Strozzi (1619-1677) was a virtuoso singer who accompanied herself on the lute. The violinist Marini (1594-1663) was employed by Monteverdi as a bass singer. Cazzati, who played the theorbo, WC'\S responsible for much vocal church music in his position at San Petronio in Bologna. · By the'way, The Musicians in Ordinary have a brand new CLASSICAL COi\l\IE'.'l/T website: www.musiciansinordinary.ca And watch out, in the following week for violinist Linda Melsted, appearing as a soloist (May 18), in the Academy Concert Series to perform the music of Couperin, Corelli, Bach & others, accompanied by the harpsichordist Charlotte Nediger. ST CECILIA AND MORE Composers through tlie ages have written odes and hymns in praise of St. Cecilia. The Toronto Chamber Choir performs Handel's Ode for St. Cecilia's Day as well as Benjamin Britten's Hymn to Saint Cecilia (May 11). A special feature of this concert will be the local premiere of a newly discovered work by Handel, his GWria, which was found in London's Royal Academy of Music just last year . . Soprano Meredith Hall is the soloist in this work, accompanied by a full Baroque orchestra under the direction of David Fallis who will also be giving the pre-concert lecture. Meanwhile, the Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestr1;1 and Chamber Choir are also highlighting the music of Handel (May 22-26, 28) in "A Handel Celebration.,; They !ire joined by English tenor Charles Daniels in a program of great arias and choruses from Handel's oratorios. Visit their website: www.tafelmusik.org I'm happy to say the Toronto Early Music Centre's "Musically Speaking" series conti.nues this month with a program entitled "Basset-horn Bliss" (May 12) - Because of i~ , size, the Basset-horn (as in "small bass" clarinet) is really more Nikolai Tarasov like a "tenor" clarinet. This is definitely something that you don't hear every day. Nicolai Tarasov (bassethorn) and Sharon Burlacoff (fortepiano) play the music ofDanzi, Rummel and Beethoven written expressly for the otherworldly sound of this instrument. Admission is free. I've mentioned their June 2 concert already, but there's also some great chamber music happening in the Baroque Music Beside the Grange series (May 12) The program includes - Telemann, Boismortier. Graun, Pasch & Dome!, performed by Rona Goldensher, violin; Alison Melville, recorder & flute; Derek Conrod, horn; Mary Cyr, violadagamba; and Michael Jarvis, harpsichord. And don't forget Critical Mass, a group of singers who present monthly noon-hour performances of early choral masterpieces at different downtown Toronto churches; each concert features a DAVID JENSEN Harpsichord M aker - . CUSTOM MADE HARPSICHORDS, VIRGINALS & CLAVICHORDS Repairs, Restorations, Tuning and Regulation since 1976 (905) 973-1314 & (905) 529-2527 www.harpsichord-man.com harpsichordman@hotmail.com ~tfie, ~~ soumf post Canada's String Shop violins, violas, cellos & bows. expert repairs & rehairs strings & accessories at guaranteed lowest prices Canada's largest stock of string music fast mail order service all prices in CDN $-Not a US$ price in the store! 93 Grenville St., Toronto M5S 1B4 tel 416-971-6990 fax 416-597-9923 May 1 - June 7 2002 www.thewholenote.com 13
DISCOVERIES comes down to programmi
Jon Washburn Dunedin Consort _ Open
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