Press releases
FOR RELEASE: January 2012
Goddess in the Grove
Jan. 29, 2012
306 N. Boundary Street, Chapel Hill, 3:00 pm
This French baroque program takes its theme from “Actéon”, a cantata by Boismortier. Like most cantatas and opera works from the baroque era, this one has a complicated but delightful story. Florence Peacock, soprano, is featured in this work.
Other featured musicians are baroque oboist Alicia Chapman; viola da gambist Gail Schroder; and harpsichordists Elaine Funaro and Beverly Biggs. For bios, see the Musicians tab.
PROGRAM
Unmeasured prelude (in the style of Louis Couperin) by duo harpsichordists Funaro & Biggs, which segues into L’Imperiale by François Couperin. The ensemble will play the opening sonata of this work, which is written in sonata da chiesa (church) style. L’imperiale is one of four large works that make up Couperin’s Les Nations.
Suite des Oiseaux. Funaro & Biggs have assembled several delightful bird pieces from the pens of Rameau, Daquin and Couperin – including Le Rappel des Oiseaux(bird songs), La Poule (The Chicken) and Le Dodo, a beautiful lullaby.
Suite in D major for oboe & basso continuo by Jacques de Saint-Luc. Saint-Luc is primarily known today for his lute compositions but he also wrote music for one soprano instrument with accompaniment. This suite offers a feast of baroque dances, including a rigaudon with trumpet calls. It concludes with a passacaille, giving everyone a chance to be daring.
The final rousing set features music by Royer: his stately Allemande, followed by one of the great hits of the baroque era – March of the Scythians. A tour de force when played by one harpsichord (as Royer composed it) this piece takes on new sweep and vigor in this version for two harpsichords – a practice encouraged by French harpsichord composers of the period.
A reception follows the concert.
2010-2011 SEASON
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FOR RELEASE: February 2011
Totally Telemann – March 6, 2011 – 3:00 pm
618 Beech Tree Court, Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Tickets $15 at the door
Peter Lekx, the stunning baroque violinist who electrified audiences in October 2009 in a series of early Italian baroque concerts around North Carolina, is coming again from Cleveland. This time the music is from the pen of Telemann, by far the most prolific composer of the baroque era, and possibly of all time. Musicians who specialize in period music love Telemann. His output is interesting and varied. He was enormously popular during his lifetime, and remains so today.
Other ensemble members are Rebecca Troxler, baroque flute; Stephanie Vial, baroque cello; and Beverly Biggs, harpsichord. Musician biographies and photos are found on the ‘Musicians’ tab.
The program includes two Solos from Douze Solos (1734) – one featuring violin, the other featuring flute, both with basso continuo. Cello is featured in a Sonata from Der getreue Music-Meister, and joins with violin in a Trio from Essercizii Musici. The program also includes a Solo for unaccompanied violin, and one of Telemann’s Paris Quartets.
The concert venue is a private home in Chapel Hill. For directions, please enter the address above into your favorite online map service.
A reception follows the performance.
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FOR RELEASE: January 2011
Voices of the Baroque – Jan. 23, 2011 – 3:00 pm
Horace Williams House, 610 E. Rosemary Street, Chapel Hill NC 27514
Tickets $15 at the door
Penelope Jensen and Florence Peacock are featured in three Telemann Cantatas that reveal the interesting variety of Telemann’s compositions. ”Packe dich gelähmter Drache” is an energetic, delightful work that uses baroque violin as the obbligato instrument (Florence Peacock sings). ”Seele, lerne dich erkennen” and “Schmeckt und sehet unsers Gottes Freundlichkeit”, both sung by Penelope Jensen, use recorder and baroque oboe, respectively, as the obbligato instrument. In addition to these works, a set by J.S. Bach includes two arias and two instrumental works, the most famous of which is the aria, “Sheep May Safely Graze.”
Instrumental selections are by Handel: a Trio Sonata and a Violin Sonata. William Thauer plays both recorder and baroque oboe. Leah Peroutka is the baroque violinist. Stephanie Vial is featured on baroque cello. Harpsichordist Beverly Biggs completes the ensemble. Musician biographies and photos are found on the ‘Musicians’ tab.
A reception follows the performance.
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FOR RELEASE: September 2010
Preservation Society of Chapel Hill announces 2010-2011 Period Music Series
Summary: Three-concert series of period music in Chapel Hill
Dates: Oct. 24, 2010 ▪ Jan. 23, 2011 ▪ March 6, 2011
First concert: Sunday afternoon, Oct. 24, 2010
Where: 306 N. Boundary Street, Chapel Hill
When: 3:00 PM
Phone: 919-942-7818 for tickets
The Preservation Society of Chapel Hill is pleased to announce the fourth season of Baroque & Beyond, a series of period music concerts in Chapel Hill. In keeping with the society’s focus on historic properties, the series offers music from the 1600’s through the early 1900’s, performed at the Horace Williams House and two other homes in Chapel Hill. Baroque & Beyond is directed by harpsichordist Beverly Biggs.
Oct. 24, 2010 – Age of Elegance
From Mozart’s Divertimento to Lalliet’s stunning variations on Carnival of Venice; from the ethereal Fauconier Reverie to E.T. Paull’s famous Ben Hur Chariot Race. This concert features music from concerts in the late 1800’s – America’s age of elegance, with the award-winning duo of Beverly Biggs, fortepiano and David Dutton, oboe. Biggs & Dutton have garnered high praise for this program in concert tours throughout the United States and Canada, and for their CD recording of this program. With guest soprano Florence Peacock.
Venue: The home of James & Florence Peacock, 306 Boundary Street, Chapel Hill
Time: 3:00 pm
Musicians: Beverly Biggs, fortepiano; David Dutton, oboe; guest soprano Florence Peacock
Jan. 23, 2011 – Voices of the Baroque
Two of the region’s best-loved singers are featured in this program of music by Handel and Telemann. Cantatas with one obbligato instrument and basso continuo, and baroque instrumental works will be performed.
Venue: Horace Williams House, 610 E. Rosemary Street, Chapel Hill
Time: 3:00 pm
Musicians: Penelope Jensen, soprano; Florence Peacock, soprano; William Thauer, recorder & oboe; Stephanie Vial, baroque cello; Beverly Biggs, harpsichord
March 6, 2011 – Totally Telemann
Telemann was possibly the most prolific composer of all time. In this program, representative of his nearly-infinite variety, the Baroque & Beyond players treat you to solos, trio sonatas, and a beautiful Paris Quartet.
Venue: 618 Beech Tree Court, Chapel Hill
Time: 3:00 pm
Musicians: Peter Lekx, baroque violin; Rebecca Troxler, baroque flute; Stephanie Vial, baroque cello; Beverly Biggs, harpsichord
TICKETS. Tickets are on sale now at the Preservation Society office at 610 East Rosemary Street in Chapel Hill, phone (919) 942-7818. Prices are $35 for the series of three concerts, or $15 for single tickets. Series ticket holders will save more than 20% and have guaranteed seating in the front rows until five minutes before concert time. Tickets will also be available at the door, subject to availability.