Marc Destrubé
We are already hard at work rehearsing for this week’s Festival and delighting in a feast of unusual, surprising and beautiful music from the Austrian court in the seventeenth century. Our Festival gives audiences and musicians alike a unique opportunity to explore the music of a given place and time, in this case the rich musical life of the Austrian court and the passion of it’s emperors and bishops for music (some of whom were composers in their own right), which meant that music was written for every type of occasion.
In the Pacific Baroque Festival’s five events you will hear intimate music for four instruments, a performance by a distinguished Austrian organist on the famous organ at Christ Church Cathedral, noisy battle music, and impressive music for voices including those of the wonderful Victoria Children’s Choir.
Although Biber was considered one of the best composers of his time, his music, along with that of his contemporaries, is less well-known than it deserves to be, likely because it needs the special sonorities of historical instruments to bring out its special qualities. Over the next few days, the specialists of the Pacific Baroque Orchestra will bring this music alive, and every concert will include a wide range of music: dances and laments, music to make you cry, to smile, maybe even to laugh. We hope you will join us.
Marc Destrubé
Artistic Director
Pacific Baroque Festival
Victoria, BC
and some music to brighten your day….
Schmelzer: Serenata con altre arie (selections). Musik der Hofkapelle zu Kremsler, Anima Mea. Marc Aurel edition.
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