Here are highlights from our previous concerts this season

September 27, 2024

PARISH HOUSE BAROQUE

“Portraits”

The famous English painter Thomas Gainsborough had a passion for music, and many significant composers sat for portraits by him. Ignatius Sancho, Carl Friedrich Abel, Felice de Giardini, and J.C. Bach all were subjects for Gainsborough and left behind not only their portraits but also a treasure trove of musical delights. Their compositions define the “legacy of the Baroque” as the European musical tradition makes its way toward the Classical era. Come hear their works performed live, on period instruments, in a wonderfully unique program.

 

The Performers
     Elisa Wicks, baroque violin
     Jennifer Carpenter, recorders
     Pam Chaddon, baroque cello
     Eric Wicks, harpsichord

Please click on a name above to learn more about the artist. Pictured from left to right: Jennifer Carpenter, Pam Chaddon, Elisa Wicks, Eric Wicks.

You can download the program and notes if you click here.

 

Program

Dance suite, arr. Jennifer Carpenter– Ignatius Sancho (1729-1780)
     Minuet the First
     Lady Mary Montagus Reel
     Air
     Duchess of Devonshires Reel

 

Trio Sonata in G major, WK 98, op. 16 no. 1 – Carl Friedrich Abel (1723-1787)
     Moderato
     Adagio ma non troppo
     Allegretto

 

Duo for Violin and Cello in F major – Felice de Giardini (1716-1796)
     Andante
     Adagio
     Allegro assai

 

Sonata for harpsichord and violin, op. 1, no. 3 – Francesca Lebrun (1756-1791)
     Allegro
     Rondeau-Allegretto

 

Trio sonata in F major, op 8, no 6, WB 40 – Johann Christian Bach (1735-1782)
     Adagio
     Allegretto
     Allegro assai

November 15, 2024

COLORADO CHAMBER PLAYERS

“Bach and Barbie”

Barbara Strozzi was one of the most prolific composers of secular vocal music in 17th century Venice.  A genius ahead of her time, Strozzi wrote music and poetry with highly adventurous harmonies. And—amazingly—she published music under her own name.  Strozzi was a pupil of Francesco Cavalli and Claudio Montiverdi. Colorado Chamber Players celebrate the music of Strozzi and her contemporaries, along with music of another genius, J.S. Bach, in an intimate short program. 

The Performers
     Rebecca Robinson, voice
     Paul Primus and Barbara Hamilton, Baroque violins
     Sarah Biber, Baroque cello
     Peter Schimpf, theorbo / lute
    

Please click on a name above to learn more about the artist. Pictured from left to right: Paul Primus, Barbara Hamilton, Rebecca Robinson, Sarah Biber, Peter Schimpf.

You can download the program and notes if you click here.

 

Program

Trio Sonata for flute, violin and continuo, in G major, BWV 1038 – Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Arr. for two violins and continuo by Paul Primus
       I.  Largo
      II. Vivace
     III. Adagio

“I Baci” (“Kisses”) for voice, violin, and continuo – Barbara Strozzi (1619-1671)

Toccata 3, for solo theorbo, from Libro Primo D’Intavolatura di Chitarrone, (1604) – Giovanni Girolamo Kapsperger (1580-1651)

Prelude from Cello Suite #1 for solo cello, BWV 1007 – J.S. Bach

Aria “Bekennen will ich seinen Namen(“I Shall Acknowledge His Name”) for voice, two violins, and continuo, Cantata BWV 200  – J.S. Bach

“Pur ti miro” (“I gaze at you”), from L’incoronazione di Poppea – Claudio Montiverdi (1567-1643)
Arr. for two violins and continuo by Paul Primus

Two songs for voice, two violins, and continuo – Strozzi
    “Costumi di Grande” (“Costumes of the Great”)
     “
La Vendetta” (“Revenge”) from op. 2

February 14, 2025

SÉMPLICE

“Lovebirds” – A Valentine’s Day Offering

 

Sémplice returns to Happy Hour with a heart-felt concert of Baroque and Renaissance music (and a touch of folk) celebrating the amorous in all its forms—with a special focus on lovebirds! Think music about love, music about birds, music by Byrd (William, the composer), music by Bach (why Bach?—this concert tells you why!)…and much more. And as always, are entertaining stories about the composers, the instruments, and the cultural context in which the music was created.

The Performers
     Miriam Rosenblum, recorders
     Carla Sciaky, baroque violin, voice
     Ben Cohen, lute and harpsichord 
     Sarah Biber, baroque cello and bass viol

Click on a name above to learn more about the artist.

You can download the program and notes if you click here.

 

Program

 

“Jug of Punch” – traditional

 

Two pieces by William Byrd – William Byrd (1540-1623)
     In Nomine a 4, VdGS No. 1, T 393
     Fantasia a 4, VdGS No. 2

 

Andante from Flute Sonata in B minor, BWV 1030 – J.S. Bach (1685-1750)
Andante from Flute Sonata in E minor, BWV 1034 – J.S. Bach
Allegro from Trio Sonata in D minor, H 569 – C.P.E. Bach (1714-1788)

 

“Flow My Tears” – John Dowland (1563-1626)
Robin Galliard – Dowland

 

“When Daphne from Fair Phoebus Did Fly” – Anonymous (16th century)

 

Throughout the program—excerpts from “The Bird Fancyer’s Delight” (published by John Walsh, 1717)

 

March 14, 2025

Center: Coreen Duffy; clockwise from upper right: Gabrielle Razafinjatovo, Carol Codrescu, Jerimiah Otto, Joe Gailey

SEICENTO

Matriarchs of Baroque Music

 

A consort of Seicento Baroque Ensemble musicians presents a concert of chamber music by women composers of the Renaissance and Baroque periods. The program includes music by Maddalena Casulana (1544-1590), Barbara Strozzi (1619-1677), Élisabeth Jacquet de La Guerre (1665-1729), and Anna Bon (1738-after 1769). Despite extraordinary odds, these women were prolific composers of music that has survived, even though their output was mostly excluded from performances for hundreds of years following their deaths.

The Performers
     Gabrielle Razafinjatovo, mezzo-soprano

     Carol Codrescu, baroque flute
     Jerimiah Otto, harpsichord
     Joe Gailey, theorbo, lute
     Coreen Duffy, Artistic Director

Click on a name above to learn more about the artist.

You can download the program and notes if you click here.

 

Program

Amor per qual cagion – Maddalena Casulana (c.1544 – c.1590)
Harpsichord / theorbo intabulation
     Jerimiah Otto, harpsichord
     Joe Gailey, theorbo

 
Chi brama in amore – Barbara Strozzi (1619-1677)
     Gabrielle Razafinjatovo, mezzo-soprano
     Jerimiah Otto, harpsichord

 
Il Primo Libro de Madrigali, XXIII. L’Affetto humano – Strozzi 
Harpsichord / theorbo intabulation
     Jerimiah Otto, harpsichord
     Joe Gailey, theorbo

 
Sei Sonate per I’ll Cembalo, Op. 2, No. 2 in B Flat Major – Anna Bon (1738 – after 1769)
     I. Allegro non molto
     II. Andante
     III. Allegro
     Jerimiah Otto, harpsichord
 
Sei Sonate per il Flauto traversiere, Op. 1, No. 4 in D Major –  Bon
     I. Allegro moderato
     II. Andante
     III. Allegro assai 
     Carol Codrescu, baroque flute
     Jerimiah Otto, harpsichord

 
Pièces de Clavecin, Livre II, Chaconne in D Major (1707) – Élisabeth Jacquet de la Guerre (1665-1729)
      Jerimiah Otto, harpsichord
 
Aria from Vuò cercando – Rosa Giacinta Badalla (c. 1660 – c.1710)
     Gabrielle Razafinjatovo, mezzo-soprano
     Jerimiah Otto, harpsichord


Click below to look at performances from our previous seasons