My radio program from February 11.
Handel + Haydn Society Mozart and Haydn program
- Symphony No. 49 in F Minor, La Passione, by Joseph Haydn
- Sinfonia Concertante in E‑Flat Major for Violin and Viola, K. 364, by Wolfgang Mozart
- Symphony No. 87 in A Major by Joseph Haydn
In Boston’s Symphony Hall. A nice afternoon.
Huun Huur Tu
Throat singers from Tuva, who have been touring for several decades now, performed at the Rockwell to a sold-out crowd (produced by World Music/Crash Arts, which added a second concert on the 16th). Quite amazing to watch singers produce these amazing sounds. More than most concerts, I found myself most interested in watching the musicians.
The Rockwell is a small basement venue in Davis Square with a small stage in an alcove. There are definitely seats with bad sight-lines. It was my third new-to-me venue in three concerts this week.
Slocan Ramblers and the Last Revel
Fun, high-energy concert in the Burren Back Room in Davis Square. Seats were at a table right at the stage. It’s fun to be five-six feet away from a musician. It was my first time there, and now I know there aren’t any really bad seats. It was nice to be at a table and have dinner and drinks, though.
A Boy Is Born
The Tallis Scholars, Boston Early Music Festival, St Paul’s Church, Cambridge. December 12, 2015.
Music by John Sheppard, Thomas Tallis, and Arvo Pärt. The Seven Antiphons were bracing. The singers’ voices were crystalline, and the venue seemed to vibrate with the sound.
Handel’s Messiah with period instruments, countertenor
Boston Baroque, Jordan Hall. December 11, 2015
I decided to attend this performance because there was a single seat available in the center of the first row, and because the alto soloist was a countertenor. Both turned out to be great reasons!
The soloists were Jeanine De Bique, soprano; Christopher Lowrey, countertenor; Thomas Cooley, tenor; and Dashon Burton, bass-baritone. Both Lowrey and Burton were magnificent. Lowrey’s ornamentation was especially fluid.
Handel’s Acis and Galatea
Boston Early Music Festival, Jordan Hall. November 28, 2015.
I was interested in seeing Douglas Williams again, and I enjoyed him in the role of Alexander Pope/Polyphemus. The standout for me was Mark Williams (John Gay/Coridon) singing “Would you gain the tender Creature.”
The poor harpsichordist spent most of the interval retuning.
Elephant Revival
Elephant Revival with Parsonsfield and Nora Jane Struthers at The Sinclair, Cambridge.
November 6, 2015
Finale with musical saw duo.
David Wax Museum
Columbus Theatre, Providence.
October 17, 2015
Solamente Naturali
Boston Early Music Festival, First Church in Cambridge.
October 16, 2015