Running Time: 45 minutes
Essence of Enlightenment
Three distinctive and engrossing short programmes performed and devised by principal players from the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and showcasing music from great Baroque composers including Purcell and Bach, as well as gems from lesser-known composers such as Böhm and Locke. The players from this orchestra are renowned for their historical expertise, virtuosic abilities on period instruments and forward-looking flair in performing and communicating.
J S Bach
Sonata for viola da gamba and harpsichord in G, BWV 1027
Sonata for viola da gamba and harpsichord in D, BWV 1028
Sonata for viola da gamba and harpsichord in G minor, BWV 1029
Jonathan Manson viola da gamba
Steven Devine harpsichord
The viola da gamba or bass viol, with its wonderfully rich resonance, was the only member of the Renaissance viol family in regular use throughout the Baroque period. Bach's three sonatas for it were written, or adapted from existing works, during his later years in Leipzig. Rather than the usual shorthand continuo accompaniment, they have keyboard parts which are fully written out almost throughout - so that they are effectively trio sonatas, with melodic parts of equal importance for the gamba and the harpsichordist's right hand, over the bass line in the left hand. The First Sonata is indeed a version of an earlier Trio Sonata for two flutes and continuo.
This Sonata has the shape of the Baroque sonata da chiesa, or ‘church sonata', with four movements, alternately slow and fast; the two fast movements are both fugal in texture. The Second has a similar outline, but the quick movements are more freely conceived, with hints of the up-to-date ‘galant' style, and in the finale an episode of brilliant keyboard figuration. The Third Sonata, by contrast, has the fast-slow- fast form, and in the outer movements the ritornello structure and rhythmic drive, of a Vivaldian concerto - but is it an adaptation or an imitation?
Multi-buy Offers: Book tickets and save money
NOT AVAILABLE ONLINE
To receive the multi-buy offers detailed below, please contact our Box Office on 020 7520 1490. The discount will be offered on the online price.
3+ events save 10%
6+ events saves 15%
10+ events save 20%
The same number of tickets must be booked for each event to qualify for the discount.
Choose where you would like to sit. Use our seating plan to choose your price and seat.
Date: Friday 10 September
Time: 20:15
Venue: Hall One
Please note that online booking closes 90 minutes prior to the start of the performance.
