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Review: House Concert – Bach Sonatas for Viola da gamba – October 19, 2012

10/20/2012 Comments 0 Concerts

Our first House Concert of the season was Bach Sonatas for Viola da gamba with Brent Wissick a smash hit!  We got a glowing review from Theater Jones on the performance.  Below is an excerpt from the review:

 

Article by: Gregory Sullivan Isaacs - Theater Jones

Viola da gamba specialist Brent Wissick and harpsichordist James Richman expertly played the sonatas for an audience that gave them a well-deserved ovation. Those in attendance represented a wide range─from connoisseurs of Baroque music to folks that were new to the entire concept. The concert was equally enjoyed by one and all. Converts were definitely made.

To read more click here

 

Interview with James Richman, Artistic Director about the House Concert Series

10/05/2012 Comments 0 Concerts

 

Dallas Bach Society spoke with Artistic Director James Richman.

 

DBS: For years, house concerts have been an integral part of Dallas Bach Society’s season. What’s so special about them, James?

 J.R.: Well, you get to be really close to the musicians and have the unique opportunity to experience the music in a setting that is very similar to when the pieces were originally performed. In the Baroque period a small audience of connoisseurs could experience the artistry of master musicians in a private setting.

DBS: Neat. I know that I’m not only speaking for myself..I love it when I can get up close and personal with the performers and gain some insight into the music and the instruments that I might have missed in a more formal recital setting.

J.R.: Yes, and the intimate nature of our featured solo instrument in October makes it especially perfect for enjoyment at a house concert.

DBS: What are we going to hear at the first house concerts on Friday, Oct.19, in Flower Mound, and Saturday, Oct. 20, in Dallas?

 J.R.: We welcome Brent Wissick, virtuoso extraordinaire of the viola da gamba, for a program of the complete sonatas for gamba and obligato harpsichord by J.S. Bach. Maestro Wissick is a Distinguished Professor of Music at UNC Chapel Hill and served for many years as President of the American Viola da Gamba Society.

DBS: Oh, I remember him from about a year ago. He is an amazing talent.

 J.R.: Yes, he is. Brent has been featured with the Dallas Bach Society for several seasons. He has performed with essentially all of the important early music ensembles in North America as well as many in Europe.

DBS: One word about viola versus viola da gamba. They are not the same, are they? It’s confusing to some folks.

 J.R.: Well, the viola is the second smallest instrument of the string family as we know it today, whereas the viola da gamba belongs to the viol family that was prevalent during the Renaissance and the Baroque era.  The viola da gamba was a very important solo instrument in the Baroque period. The viola never really achieved such fame. The viola da gamba is held between the player’s legs much like a cello, only is has a much mellower sound and 6 strings as opposed to 4 on the viola and cello.

DBS: Thank you very much, James. We look forward to listening to you and Brent perform Bach’s sonatas for gamba at the house concerts this October.

Brent Wissick - World renowned virtuso of the viola da gamba

Brent Wissick – World renowned virtuso of the viola da gamba

The first house concert is fast approaching on Friday, October 19th and will be hosted by DBS’s very own secretary, Kyle Mistrot, and  Dr. Michael Mathews at their amazing “Casa M” in Flower Mound.  All who attended the house concert there last April knows that it is well worth the trip just to see the house itself.

The second house concert is on Saturday, October 20th and is being hosted by one of our esteemed patrons and Board members, in a beautiful, central location in Dallas. We are indeed fortunate to have such involved and dedicated patrons and board members at Dallas Bach Society.

 

Please join us for a truly memorable evening!

Menu for Flower Mound Performance of Bach’s Sonatas for Viola da Gamba and Harpsichord

10/02/2012 Comments 0 Concerts

Those who are attending the Friday night performance of the Bach Sonatas for Viola da Gamba and Harpsichord can look forward to the culinary delights in addition to an evening of unforgettable music.  Casa M (v2) has just shared the menu for the upcoming concert.  Tickets for the performance are still available for purchase.  Reserve yours now!

Review: New York Baroque Dance Company | Dallas Bach Society | Caruth Auditorium

10/01/2012 Comments 0 Concerts

The Dallas Bach Society had their first concert of the season on Friday, September 14, 2012 at the SMU Caruth Auditorium.  The following is an excerpt from the review by Margaret Putnam of Theater Jones.

Dallas — When the music is sublime and the poetry achingly beautiful, should not the ballet shimmer forth on gilded slippers? You would think so. But when The Dallas Bach Societyteamed with The New York Baroque Dance Company to perform Monteverdi’s “Il Ballo delle Ingrate,” the composer had something difference in mind; namely, that contrast makes for better drama.

To see the complete review click here

 

DBS Interviews Catherine Turocy About Upcoming Concert/Performance

08/23/2012 Comments 0 Concerts

Catherine TurocyOur first concert this season (September 14, 2012, 7pm at Caruth Auditorium) features The New York Baroque Dance Company. Catherine Turocy, stage director/choreographer of NYBDC, answered a few questions about the program.

Catherine, you are performing two pieces by Claudio Monteverdi. What is “Il combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda” about?

It is an opera scene or cantata. It is a romance set against the backdrop of the First Crusade and was first performed in 1624. Tancredi, a Christian knight, spars with a Saracen and only finds out at the end, as the Saracen is mortally wounded and asks to be baptized, that his opponent is a woman, Clorinda.

Sounds tragic.

Yes! There is actually a complex and deep love between the couple who came from warring families and different religions.

What was the basis for your choreography?

Monteverdi himself includes a description of the production with the musical score. His descriptions of the combat are graphically illustrated in the music. They are matched by the actions of the dancers who are the doubles of the singing Tancredi and Clorinda.

So the plot and emotions are expressed through both the singers and dancers?

Exactly. The music contains passion and conflict beyond the words of the libretto. I have illustrated the music with the gestures, breath and attitude of the dancers.

How about the second piece on the program? “The ballo of the ungrateful ladies”- what a title!

According to the score, the stage set consists of a Hell’s Mouth, the entrance to the Underworld. Venus and Cupid visit Pluto, King of the Underworld, and complain that Cupid’s arrows are no longer effective on the proud ladies of Mantua who are scorning their lovers.

Well, what’s Pluto supposed to do about it?

Cupid asks Pluto to bring the spirit of the ungrateful women who rejected love up from the Underworld to show what fate awaits those who spurn love/marriage. Pluto agrees and the spirits emerge.

That is indeed a fascinating topic. How did you bring this onto the stage?

My interpretation was inspired by an eyewitness account. He said that the costumes looked like flames.

Oh, because we are dealing with the hell’s mouth, right?

Yes, the Underworld. The witness also vividly described the many different emotions that were demonstrated in the dancing.

Which emotions, for example?

Grief, desperation, pity, tenderness, rage, fury… I have created a dramatic interpretation of the music, knowing that Monteverdi was at the cutting edge of a new theater form based on the ancient Greek drama, the opera. This ballo was composed one year after “Orfeo”, and was first performed in 1608.

Catherine, thank you very much for these enlightening comments. A lot of detail- oriented research goes into staging these Baroque pieces. We can’t wait to see both of these interesting stories come to life right here in Dallas on September 14!

2012-2013 Season Announcement Party

04/20/2012 Comments 0 Season Announcement / Social Event

As you may have already received an invitation in the mail for our “Sneak Peek” of the new 2012-2013 season of the Back Society, we are sending this invitation to urge you to RSVP for this event.

Be the first to get a peek at the great music that will be performed by Maestro James Richman.

Attendees will also be able to purchase a season subscription at the event.

Where:
Anita and Merlyn Sampels
7718 Caruth Boulevard
Dallas, TX 75225

Driving Directions

When:
Sunday July 15, 2012 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM CDT (add to my calendar)

“Cooling” Refreshments will be served at the event.

Register Now!
I can’t make it

Please RSVP by no later than Friday 13, 2012.

Thank you for helping make Dallas Bach Society able to produce truly artistic productions for another year!