Solo Masterpieces

Solo Masterpieces is a sumptuous evening of solo virtuoso works featuring the Festival’s incomparable soloists with full string ensemble. Program details are listed below.

Solo Masterpieces is a sumptuous evening of solo virtuoso works featuring the Festival’s incomparable soloists with full string ensemble. Handel’s Harp Concerto was written at a time when the harp was seen as appropriate for an ensemble; however, the maestro puts the instrument front and center, setting a precedent. Bach’s Harpsichord Concerto BWV 1056 was likely composed for one of his two sons, who were professional keyboard players, to demonstrate their outstanding abilities.

Vivaldi wrote the Concerto for 4 Violins for himself, as a famous virtuoso, and for his students who were known throughout Italy for their technique. Avison was an English composer who frequently transcribed keyboard works of his Italian contemporaries into amazing concerti as with the Concerto Grosso No. 3, thereby celebrating their greatness.

The second half of the program begins with Albinoni’s Oboe Concerto No. 2 which was groundbreaking at the time of its composition. The oboe was a new instrument and Albinoni’s joyful compositions facilitated its use in professional and amateur circles. The concert ends with two of the greatest concertos written by Vivaldi: the Two Cellos Concerto which is highly emotionally charged, and the extraordinary “Il Grosso Mogul” for violin. This entire piece requires the utmost dexterity and speed from the soloist and in its unique mystery alludes to the great Indian court.

Program:
Harp Concerto (Handel)
Harpsichord Concerto F Minor BWV 1056 (Bach)
Concerto for 4 violins in B Minor RV 580 (Vivaldi)
Concerto Grosso N. 3 in D Minor (Avison)
Oboe Concerto in D Minor No. 2, Op. 9 (Albinoni)
Two Cellos Concerto (Vivaldi)
Concerto for Violin in D “il Grosso Mogul” RV 208 (Vivaldi)

On Sunday July 14, 2019 at 8:00 pm (ends 10:00 pm)

Category: Arts - Performing Arts - M