Ithaca Festival 2013

It was a beautiful day, with only one brief downpour. 

We had expected hail, thunder and lightning, and because of that, our Binghamton members, including Barbara Kaufman, thought it would better not to make the long drive. And Ithaca members decided not to participate. But at the last minute, Richard Rand, Sara Schaffzin and I thought we could pull something together quickly. We set up near the flagpole and just started playing. Amalia Weinberg played with us for a few Scottish folk songs, and a reasonable number of people strolled by and listened. Because it was so informal, we engaged in some lively repartee with the listeners and had a good time for about a half an hour. Then came the rain. We packed up and waited for the rain to stop, and a few minutes later hung out at the food tents.

Not too bad, after all.

Telemann trio sonata C major

Qualia

From their cd, Mundis et Musica: Instrumental music in Spain and Flanders ca. 1500

Qualia seeks to revive old sources: musical, literary or pictorial. As musicians and researchers, our goal is to successfully bring out the richness and diversity of these sources through thematic concerts. A time, a fact, a specific place, a character: these are so many directions that we can use to develop a professional project. We are not trying to create a documentary work, but a testimony. Because each witness is subjective, it then becomes a real creation. Lambert Colson, 2012. carpediem-records.com

Janos Starker RIP

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/30/arts/music/janos-starker-master-cellist-dies-at-88.html?smid=pl-share

Flute Alors!

The concert last Monday evening at the Unitarian Church in Ithaca was very moving. The ensemble played with grace, beauty, and attention to every detail. Plus, each member spoke about a piece or a set with charm and knowledge. A joy!

For me the highlights were two arrangements of van Eyck pieces, one by Alexa Raine-Wright, and the other by Alexa and Vincent Lauzer. 

The final piece, Fly Me to the Moon, arranged by Nicolas G.-Godout, soared. 

Die Electrisierend coole Blockflote

Coming soon.

Flute Alors!

Kristina Jackson recital April 5, 7:00 pm

Kristina Jackson, soprano, will be giving a recital on Friday at the First Presbyterian Church in Ithaca, on Friday, April 5, 2013. I first heard her sing last spring at a recital at Ithaca College. She has a very expressive and beautiful voice. See you there.

Flute Alors!

The Montreal-based recorder quintet is coming to Ithaca! Not to be missed!
April 22, 7pm. Unitarian Church on Aurora Street. More info to follow soon.

Here's their latest video: Paranormal

For Heather Miller Lardin

Last Saturday night, at the final concert of the season of the New York State Baroque, Peter Hedrick read this tribute to Heather, who has announced that she and her family are leaving Ithaca for Philadephia, and she will no longer be the artistic director of NYSB.

I have loved working with her and getting to know her. We all will miss her very much.

Ode for Heather 

from Verses To the Author of the TRAGEDY of CATO (1713)

‘Tis nobly done thus to enrich the Stage,

And raise the Thoughts of a degen’rate Age,

To show, how endless Joys from Musick spring:

How life without it is a worthless Thing.

The inborn Greatness of your Soul we view,

You tread the Paths frequented by the few.

With so much Strength you play, and so much Ease,

Virtue, and Sense! how durst you hope to please?

Yet Crouds the Sentiments of ev’ry Line

So heartfelt clap’d, and own’d the Work divine.

See! how your Lays the noble Youth inflame!

They long to shoot, and ripen into Fame.

Applauding Theatres disturb their Rest,

And unborn MARAIS’s heave in ev’ry Breast.

How shall I your unrival’d Worth proclaim,

Lost in the spreading Circle of your Fame!

We heard at distance soft, enchanting Strains,

From blooming Mountains, and Italian Plains.

Then, the delightful Theme of ev’ry Tongue,

Th’ immortal HANDEL was your daring Song.

Thus Jewellers confound our wandr’ing Eyes,

And with variety of Gems surprise.

Silent we stand, unable where to praise,

In Pleasure sweetly lost ten thousand Ways.