A Banquet of Baroque

To celebrate violin lecturer Mr. Malan’s extensive teaching career in the Bay area, Bay Strings has created the ‘A Banquet of Baroque’ program.

Composer of the season is CPE Bach, whose symphony in C is included, and from him we make an English connection in this concert. Both Johann Christian and Carl Philip, as youngest and second eldest sons of J.S. Bach, enjoyed their musical education under the skillful hands of their father. Carl Philip made a successful career in Berlin and his younger brother moved to London England to become not only successful but also influential. The connection between both brothers and the work of young Mozart after them has often been surmised and demonstrated.

To set the tone the program begins with probably England’s most well-known Baroque composer of the Middle period, Purcell, whose stamp was made on both Händel and Johann Christian after him. CPE Bach’s symphony in C is sparkling work, scored initially for strings but later adapted with the addition of flutes and horns. Tonight’s version will be the original string symphony. JC Bach’s aria is typical of the type inspired by both Purcell and Thomas Arne, a vocal style rooted in the flowing English hymnal tradition. Cellist Annamarie Serrao is the soloist in this adapted version for string orchestra.