Concerts 2023-24
All concerts are one hour without intermission, free to attend and open to all ages*, and begin at 4:00pm in the Sanctuary of St. James' Episcopal Church, 1325 Monterey Road, South Pasadena, CA 91030 sjcsp.org
Sunday, May 19
Bohemian Rhapsody!
When most people think of "Baroque" music, many of us think Germany, Italy, France, England… and then the list starts to trail off. This often has much more to do with modern political history and scholarship than the richness of the repertories. Thankfully, this is starting to change, and this Spring, we’re digging into delicious music by Czech composers and the patronage of the Prague Court (pictured in the early 18th-century engraving above). One of the other themes in this program is how composers processed life's challenges through music. This area of the world had suffered greatly from plague and the 30 Years’ War. And yet, Zelenka and Biber wrote pieces that would have brought these topics into a salon-type setting.
Jan Dismas Zelenka: Hipocondrie a 7 Concertanti in A Major
Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber: Battalia a 10 in D Major
František Ignác Antonín Tuma: Partita in D Minor
Johann Gottlieb Janitsch: Sinfonia in G Major
Johann Friedrich Fasch: Concerto for Flute and Strings in G Major
(performing order to be announced)
Los Angeles Baroque directed by Lindsey Strand-Polyak
Join the musicians for a post-concert wine, water and snacks reception after the concert, in the Parish Hall.
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*LAB is funded by donations and members' dues. Donations at concerts are encouraged, but not expected. While we welcome everyone at our concerts, young children who may not be able to remain quiet for a 60-minute concert are welcome to join us afterward, at the reception.
PREVIOUSLY:
Sunday, March 17
High School Musicale: The Ladies of Vivaldi's Venice
Welcome to 18th-century Carnivale season in Venice, where party-hardy nobles from all over Europe came to get down, hit the gambling tables, and take in a show, Vegas-style! One of the most coveted tickets in town was an unlikely spot just round the corner from the famous Basilica San Marco: a school for young women with one of the best orchestras in Europe, led by the "Red Priest" Antonio Vivaldi himself. We celebrate the spirit of the season, the talent of Vivaldi’s orchestra, and a composer who changed 18th-century music.
Vivaldi: Sinfonia in G Major, RV 149
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The "All #1s" Concerto
Vivaldi: Concerto for Four Violins, RV 580 (I: Allegro · Interlude: Largo)
Telemann: Viola Concerto in G Major (I: Largo)
Vivaldi: Flute Concerto in D Major "Il Gardellino" (The Goldfinch) RV 428 (I: Allegro)
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The G Minor "Remix" Concerto
Vivaldi: Violin Concerto in G Minor from "La Cetra" Op 9 (The Lyre), RV 334 (I: Allegro non molto · II: Largo)
Vivaldi: Violin Concerto in G Minor, RV 329 (III: Allegro)
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The "Tutti Flutti" Concerto
Vivaldi: Concerto in C Major for Two Flutes, RV 533 (I: Allegro molto · II: Largo)
Vivaldi: Concerto in C Major for Sopranino Recorder, RV 443 (III: Allegro molto)
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Vivaldi: La Follia in D Minor, RV 63 (arranged by Marco Nason)
Sunday, November 12
8th Season Opener
Bath Time: Music for Matchmaking Season
Grab your finest silk coat or gown, and the latest gossip column! We're heading to the resort town of Bath, in Somerset, England. Enjoy a one-hour program that local 18th-century philanthropist Ralph Allen might have hosted: concertos by Handel, Corelli and Hellendaal; then, at the magical golden hour, selections from Purcell's The Fairy Queen. Dapper Georgian dress is encouraged, and a party with the musicians follows the concert. Join us for our 8th Season Opener!
Arcangelo Corelli: Concerto Grosso, Op.6 No.2 in F Major (c.1712)
George Frideric Handel: Concerto Grosso Op.3 No.1 in Bb Major (published 1734)
Pieter Hellendaal: Concerto Grosso, Op.3 No.4 in Eb Major (published c.1758)
Henry Purcell: Instrumental selections from The Fairy Queen (1692)
