Byron Schenkman Friends dec Bach & 27 Baroque Virtuosity
Rachell Ellen Wong u violin Andrew Gonzalez u violoncello da spalla Byron Schenkman u harpsichord
Antonio Vivaldi u 1678 - 1741 Sonata in B-flat Major, RV 47 Largo Allegro Largo Allegro
Élisabeth Jacquet de la Guerre u 1665 - 1729 Suite no. 2 in G Minor Prélude Allemande Courante Courante Sarabande Gigue Gigue Menuet
Jean Marie Leclair u 1697 - 1764 Ciaccona from the Sonata in G, op. 5, no. 12
Johann Sebastian Bach u 1685 - 1750 Partita in D Minor, BWV 1004 Allemanda Corrente Sarabanda Giga Ciaccona
Thomas Balzar u 1630 – 1663 & Davis Mell u 1604 – 1662 Divisions on “John Come Kiss Me Now”
Byron Schenkman Friends 8th Season u 3rd Concert u Bach & Baroque Virtuosity www.byronandfriends.org notes on the program By Byron Schenkman
Johann Sebastian Bach’s Sonatas and Partitas for As the violin became increasingly fashionable in early unaccompanied violin are large scale works which 18th-century France, French virtuosi such as Jean- transcend the possibilities one would expect from a Marie Leclair brought a distinctly French flavor to the small instrument with just four strings and a bow. In Italian sonata form. Like many of the great French writing these masterworks Bach drew on diverse styles violinists, Leclair was also a dance master and the for inspiration, including music by contemporary ciaccona which concludes his Sonata in G Major, op. Italian violinists and French harpsichordists. 5, no. 12, is a joyful tribute to the dance.
While the violin and the harpsichord are well known J. S. Bach’s Partita in D Minor begins with the four instruments of the Baroque era, the violoncello da standard movements of a French suite and concludes spalla (cello of the shoulder) is an unusual Baroque with a ciaccona of monumental proportions. instrument only rediscovered in recent years. It Johannes Brahms wrote of Bach’s ciaccona that “On may have been designed for violinists and violists one stave, for a small instrument, the man writes to be able to play bass parts, perhaps even to play a whole world of the deepest thoughts and most a bass instrument in procession. Some of Bach’s powerful feelings. If I imagined that I could have cello music might have been intended for this created, even conceived the piece, I am quite certain instrument, especially pieces for what he called the that the excess of excitement and earth-shattering violoncello piccolo (small cello). Cellos of any kind experience would have driven me out of my mind.” were just beginning to be used as solo instruments in this period. Vivaldi’s cello sonatas, composed by a The form of the ciaccona is a set of variations on violinist, adapt perfectly to the violoncello da spalla. a ground bass, a short harmonic pattern which is repeated throughout. Earlier examples of this form A rich repertory of music for the harpsichord can be found in “The Division Violin,” published in developed in France in the 17th century. Most of that London in 1684, which includes variations on the repertory exists only in manuscript; Élisabeth Jacquet popular tune “John Come Kiss Me Now” by the de la Guerre was one of the first composers who German violinist Thomas Baltzar and the English actually published harpsichord music. Her suite in violinist Davis Mell. G Minor consists of a quasi-improvisatory prelude followed by a series of stylized court dances.
Byron Schenkman Friends 8th Season u 3rd Concert u Bach & Baroque Virtuosity www.byronandfriends.org musicians
Byron Schenkman Also passionate about historical performance, Andrew Gonzalez believes in the power of music frequently performs baroque viola and the violoncello da spalla. to bring people together for Andrew is one of the few people in the world who plays the healing and joy. By the time Violoncello da Spalla, a five stringed mini cello that is played on the they went to their first music shoulder. In 2018, Andrew gave the New York City premiere of the camp at the age of eleven, entire sixth cello suite at Barge Music. Andrew is also a founding Byron knew that playing member of the New Amsterdam Consort, a New York based ensemble chamber music would be an that centers around late renaissance and early baroque music. important part of their life’s A recent graduate of the Juilliard School, Andrew holds both work. They have since been a a master’s and bachelor’s degree under the direction of renown founding member of several violists and pedagogues Michael Tree, Heidi Castleman, Steve ensembles, including the Seattle Baroque Orchestra which they Tenenbom, and Hsin-Yun Huang. When not performing, he codirected until 2013. In addition to performing live on piano, spends his time playing tennis, kayaking, hiking, and playing with harpsichord, and fortepiano, Byron can be heard on more than his two rabbits. Andrew performs on a 1930 Frederick Haenel forty CDs, including recordings on historical instruments from viola modeled after a Gaspar da Salo. the National Music Museum, Vermillion, and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. A recipient of the Erwin Bodky Award from the Cambridge Society for Early Music “for outstanding achievement in the field of early music,” Byron was voted “Best A rising star on both the Classical Instrumentalist” by the readers of Seattle Weekly, and historical performance and their piano playing has been described in The New York Times modern violin stages, violinist as “sparkling,” “elegant,” and “insightful.” A graduate of the New Rachell Ellen Wong England Conservatory and Indiana University, Byron currently is a 2020 recipient of a teaches music history at Seattle University, and has been a guest prestigious Avery Fisher Career lecturer in harpsichord and fortepiano at the Indiana University Grant. She has performed Jacobs School of Music. throughout the United States and Canada, as well as in the UK, Canada, Italy, Costa Rica, Hailed by the Strad Magazine Panama, China, and New for his ‘warm hearted Zealand. A sought-after collaborator, her growing reputation as playing and mellow tone’, one of the top historical performers of her generation has resulted Philadelphia based violist in appearances with such respected ensembles as the American Bach Soloists and The Academy of Ancient Music, and tours Andrew Gonzalez with Bach Collegium Japan, Les Arts Florissants, and others. lives a fulfilling career as both Equally accomplished on the modern violin, Ms. Wong made a soloist and chamber her first public appearance with the Philharmonia Northwest at musician, performing in age 11 and has since performed as a soloist with such orchestras as prestigious venues throughout Seattle Symphony, Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional de Panamá, and the United States, as well as Orquesta Sinfónica (Costa Rica). halls all over Asia and Europe. As a sought after chamber musician, his playing has allowed him Miss Wong served as a 2019-2020 Mercury Chamber Orchestra to collaborate with respected ensembles such as the Orpheus Juilliard Fellow, and as an American Fellow of The English Chamber Orchestra, the Sejong Soloists, as well as members of Concert. Her numerous awards include the inaugural Lillian and the Guarneri, Juilliard, Tokyo, Orion, Borromeo, and Vermeer Maurice Barbash J.S. Bach Competition Grand Prize, among quartets. In the fall of 2020, Andrew became the new violist of the others. She performs on a baroque violin from the school of Jasper String Quartet. Joachim Tielke, and on a modern violin by Carlo de March.
Byron Schenkman Friends 8th Season u 3rd Concert u Bach & Baroque Virtuosity www.byronandfriends.org Byron Schenkman Friends
Byron Schenkman & Friends Black Lives Matter 2020-2021 Byron Schenkman & Friends’ vision is “to build a diverse and Artistic Director inclusive community through historically informed chamber music performances that welcome, engage and inspire.” We Byron Schenkman are committed to fostering a stage where artistry from all General Manager backgrounds is nurtured, shared, and valued. Margy Crosby Marketing & Operations Etta Lilienthal Our Mission Graphic Design Byron Schenkman & Friends presents artistically excellent Baroque Rebecca Richards-Diop and Classical chamber music to audiences in Seattle and beyond Jessica Stone-Weaver through lively and engaging concerts and recordings. RRD Design Co Web Development Our Vision Lisette Ausin Byron Schenkman & Friends builds a diverse and inclusive Austin Creative Inc community through historically informed chamber music performances that welcome, engage and inspire. Board of Directors Rob DeLine Our Values Statements President u Through music we bring people together and foster an inclusive Tom Lewandowski and diverse community. Vice President u We perform at the highest levels of artistic expression and support Zhenyu Zhao our musicians accordingly. Treasurer u Our audiences are enriched by understanding the historical Fox Spears background and context of the music. Secretary
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Byron Schenkman Friends 8th Season u 3rd Concert u Bach & Baroque Virtuosity www.byronandfriends.org