2. The Paris Quartet

The Paris Quartet

Janet See, Baroque Flute ~ Lisa Weiss, Baroque violin, Peter Hallifax, viol ~ Katherine Heater, harpsichord

Concert Sponsor: Michel & Susan McKay

At the beginning of the Baroque, a new style proudly swept aside the equality of parts that characterized Renaissance counterpoint. Any sensuous or jaunty tune supported by a good bass was considered a proper example of Baroque style, yet quite a few composers went considerably further: inspired by the twining vines and flirting butterflies of Springtime, they could not resist writing two lines turning in close harmonic duet over that strong bass, making a suggestive trio.

Our program tells how this sort of trio grew into the quartet during the Baroque through an exploration of masterful music structures in the Baroque for 3 and 4 to play. Music of visionaries and experimentalists including J. S. Bach, G. P. Telemann, and J. P. Rameau are among the favorites this virtuoso ensemble will showcase in a candlelit concert with diverse arrangements, concluding with Telemann’s exquisite e minor Paris Quartet.