This preview has been provided by Carolina Pro Musica.
On November 15, 2014 at 8:00 PM Carolina Pro Musica performs at a new venue, Peace Moravian Church in Charlotte, NC. “An 18th Century Potpourri” will showcase a delightful mixture of French, German and Italian music from both the sacred and secular genres.
The highlight of the sacred music is a luminous selection from C.P.E. Bach’s setting of the Magnificat, the aria “Quia respexit”. Those who are only familiar with his secular music will be dazzled by the interplay between the soprano voice and the two obbligato flutes.
The pieces by the Moravians Denke and Johann Ludwig Freydt give evidence of the of the flowering of music for worship in America during the 18th century. The two pieces by Freydt have a pensive and melancholy air that gives weight to the words of comfort and hope that they contain.
The secular pieces show a wide range of styles and instrumental combinations. J. J. Quantz was one of the few composers to combine the recorder and baroque flute in one composition. He writes it in the “neutral” key of C major, since the 18th century recorder is more comfortable in the flat keys and the flute is more at home in sharp keys. The different timbre of the two wind instruments is clearly heard as they play together in close harmony.
Telemann’s sonata in Bb for recorder and continuo is a good example of his skill in counterpoint. The melody and bass lines follow each other in strict canon that is only departed from in the last measures of each movement. Nevertheless, the music is charming and cheerful, not sounding at all academic.
Boismortier explores another sonic combination with his trio sonata for flute and viola da gamba. This piece is one of several that he wrote for these two instruments. His style is heavily influenced by Italian and German composers, so his music sounds more European than French.
The Italian style represented by Torri’s “Son Rossignol”, is a good example of 18th century composers’ penchant for using the recorder to represent the singing of birds. The soprano and the recorder both warble and trill in this aria, each trying to outdo the other with musical gymnastics.
Don’t miss the opportunity to hear this wide variety musical styles interpreted by instruments of the period as presented by Carolina Pro Musica.
Edward Ferrell
