Event

The Vivaldi Code

L'Académie presents the second concert of our 2011-2012 season.

February 10, 2012 8pm
February 11, 2012 8pm

Church of the Redeemer
379 Hammond Street, Chestnut Hill
MBTA Accessible (Green Line to Chestnut Hill)
Directions: http://www.redeemerchestnuthill.org/about/directions

$25 General Admission
$12 Students/Seniors

Program:

Andrew Arceci:
Suite for gamba, strings and percussion
Andrew Arceci, gamba soloist

Antonio Vivaldi:
Nisi Dominus: Pslam 126 in Gminor RV608
Emily Marvosh, contralto

Francesco Bonporti:
Concerto Op11. No.2 a quattro for strings and basso continuo in B flat

Francesco Geminiani:
Concerto Grosso in D minor Op5. No.12: La Follia

Details:

The improvisational nature in Vivaldi's La Follia is steeped in history. Dating back to the Renaissance period in Portugal, folias was a dance by the common people. Its repetitive chord progression allows for the soloist (violin, guitar) to improvise on the melody that is typically stated in the beginning of the follia. Vivaldi's devilish imagination runs wild in this movement, which is the antidote to his Nisi Dominus. The haunting melodies, supported by an undulating bassline provide a steady and solemn background for solo voice. It's believed that work was composed during Vivaldi's tenure at the Opesdale della Pieta, orphanage for girls, which would imply that the voice would've been sung by a female and not a male, as it is commonly performed today.