My blog inspiration
book, Everything I Need to Know I Learned from a Little Golden Book recommends that we “Take in some culture once in
a while”. That is just what you get with the Chatham Baroque Concert Series that showcases music of the Middle Ages,
Renaissance, Baroque, and Early Classical periods (roughly 1200 to 1800).
The concert, Beethoven: the music for piano and cello was a rare opportunity to hear
Beethoven’s music on the period instruments of his time with guests Dutch cellist
Jasp ter Linden and historical fortepiano expert David Breitman. It was a night back in time with music played the way that it was done in the 1700-1800’s!
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| Chatham Baroque - the trio use period instruments |
Reflection
I have enjoyed our
Pittsburgh Symphony but this was a new experience to hear chamber music or a smaller
ensemble of musicians playing the classics. Chatham Baroque Inc. is the recent merger of two classical
musical companies (Chatham Baroque and Renaissance Baroque) offering contemporary
programs of seventeenth- and
eighteenth-century music in various intimate
venues around Pittsburgh.
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| Guest Jaap ter Linden (cello) and David Breitman (fortepiano) |
Beethoven: the music
for piano and cello was a program of familiar
music in the cozy setting of Synod Hall which
seats only 725. I have to admit that I
thought that chamber music might not hold my interest but this show had the opposite effect. The program of four compositions written
for piano and cello was upbeat. The liveliness was augmented by the musician’s enthusiasm
as they played. The music was crisp and fanciful at times. I was particularly amazed with the musician's energy expended during 2 hours of essentially constant playing as they filled the auditorium
with beautiful sounds.
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| Fortepiano copy from 1819 |
The fortepiano was a
replica of one built in 1819. It had a unique sound and guest pianist David
Breitman sure mastered its ability especially
in “Bagatelles Opus 126” a piano solo that was quick and bouncy. Jaap ter Linden played a cello from the 1799 with gut strings. He explained, “gut strings are temperamental but the sound is
so much warmer”. When asked about the
stamina needed for chamber music played on period instruments, he responded
with a beaming smile, “the energy that
you put into it you get back”.
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| Jaap ter Linden at the post show reception |
This was a night of
giving something unique and positive back to Pittsburgh. I definitely intend to keep
Chatham Baroque in my empty-nest tool
box for more early classical chamber music.
[The upcoming shows in the 2018-19 Renaissance and Chatham Baroque season are: Renaissance Baroque concerts: Ayreheart, ACRONYM, and Quicksilver and Chatham Baroque concerts: Art of the Trio, Alegria:
Christmas Music from Spain and the New World, Cupid's Harp,
and From Battles to Ballets (see schedule here)].
For the Lord..will rejoice over you with great gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will exult over you by singing a happy song (Zephaniah 3:17)
