The Sacramento Baroque Ensemble

   The Sacramento Baroque Ensemble regularly defies its name.  While this concert will include baroque music by Telemann (always!) and "Sonata in Imitation of Birds" by the name-challenged William Williams, we'll dip backwards into Renaissance and Medieval music for more music of spring.  "Wild Geese" will be our belated celebration of St. Patrick's Day. Contemporary pieces will include Eldon Obrecht's "Night Piece" (yes, there are nocturnal birds in it) and David Donaldson's "The Rufous-sided Towhee", which our environmental consultant assures us sounds nothing like the real bird—thank goodness.
   You will most definitely NOT hear Marta play "Flight of the Bumblebee" on the harpsichord. However, Jill and her violin will present a little-known piece by Schubert called "The Bee", as well as the famous "Spring Storm" by Vivaldi. In addition to appearances by various other flora and fauna,
included on the concert will be an unusual piece called "Two Flies, the Grasshopper, and the Flea."
    Come and enjoy!

Jill Muttera is 16 years old and attends McClatchy High School. She began violin studies at age 4 and has won
several scholarships to summer music camps through the years. She currently studies with Dr. James Stern at UOP, is a member of the Sacramento Youth Symphony Premier Orchestra,and plays in a chamber music quartet.

2001
April 1, 4:30 p.m.	Trinity Lutheran Church, 27th and O Street Guest artist Jill Muttera, violin.  Reception following. Suggested donation $10, children free.
March 31, 3:30-4 p.m.	Belle Cooledge Library  Sacramento Recorder Society "Play the Recorder Day"
Jan. 12, 7:30 p.m.	Eskaton Village
Jan. 4, 7:00 p.m.	Crocker Art Museum, 216 O Street Free with museum admission.
2000
Dec. 10, 2:00 pm.	Annual Holiday Concert,  Trinity Lutheran Church, 27th and O Street Guest artist Brett Ekern, oboe.  Reception following. Donations accepted.
August 25-26, 8:00 p.m.	Simmons Scholarship Fundraiser Geery Theater, 2130 L Street Tickets $15
May 12-14	Bach Brandenburg Concerto #4  EJ and Kathryn with Apollo Baroque Orchestra May 12: Trinity Church, Nevada City, 7 p.m. May 13-14: Renaissance Vineyard and Winery
May 7, 11:00 a.m.	Unitarian Church, Sierra Blvd, Sacramento
March 26, 11:00 a.m.	Trinity Lutheran Church
March 25, 3-4 p.m.	Belle Cooledge Library  Sacramento Recorder Society "Play the Recorder Day"

Reviews

The Sacramento Baroque Ensemble Scores Again

For the third year, the Sacramento Baroque Ensemble brought to Sacramento delightfully well played music of the baroque along with a couple of contemporary tunes. In a concert Sunday afternoon, December 10. The audience, which filled Trinity Lutheran Church, was well rewarded. Joining the ensemble members, recorderists Kathryn Canan, E.J. Koford, cellist Jesse Joad and harpsichordist Marta Belén, were oboist Brett Ekern and recorderist Tim Canan.

Music by Baroque composers Pez, Williams, Bach, Telemann, Buxtehude, Chedeville, Poulenc, and Haydn was juxtaposed with contemporary composers Eldon Obrecht and E.J. Miller. Sacramento Recorder Society members Ms. Canan and Mr. Koford were brilliant on the recorders. We are so very fortunate to have this music in Sacramento. All the ensemble members are professional musicians, having earned this name by much hard work, lessons, and, of course, blessed with natural talent. While somewhat overpowering the recorders, the 17 year-old oboist, Brett, played flawlessly. How wonderful to have modern instrumentalists add early music to their repertoire. I, for one, would not miss hearing these fine folks. The next opportunity is at the Crocker, Jan. 4, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Mark your calendar and join the ever-increasing popularity of early music in Sacramento.

by Billie Hamilton
 

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Copyright January 2000.
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