Midtown Vanguard Jazz Series Presents: An MVJ "One Off Show"

Featuring:

SINFONIA SPIRITUOSA

"Beautiful and Bizarre"

The Auditorium at CLARA: Monday, February 10th at 6:30 pm (Doors at 6:00 pm)

Sinfonia Spirituosa is thrilled to return to the Midtown Vanguard Jazz Series at CLARA as part of their second season's California tour! The roster of musicians, brought together by Artistic Director Lorna Peters and concertmaster Jubal Fulks, includes performers who work with major Baroque orchestras across the USA and Europe, and who are dedicated to presenting bold, imaginative performances on period instruments.

Sinfonia Spirituosa’s concert entitled “Beautiful and Bizarre” features music that exemplifies the spontaneous, improvisatory, and often startling character of the Baroque, and is a perfect showcase for the artistry and dramatic flair of this emerging ensemble. At the core of this program are two works by Telemann: the orchestra's namesake piece, the lively and moving Sinfonia Spirituosa; and the whimsical La Bizarre suite, named for its odd and exciting dances that can surprise listener and performer alike with their unusual, clever quirks.

The freedom and fantasy of the 17th century are represented with pieces by Johann Vierdanck and Henry Purcell. Vierdanck’s Passamezzo and Gagliarda feature violinists Jubal Fulks and Lindsey Strand-Polyak in virtuoso displays of instrumental fireworks. Purcell’s Chaccone and Curtain Tune on a Ground both use compelling bass lines to create dramatic scenes fit for the English theatre.

Displaying the full grandeur and magnificence of the French Baroque, a selection of dances from the tragédie lyrique Les Boréades by Jean-Philippe Rameau round out the program. Les Boréades retells the story of the Greek legend of Abaris the Hyperborean, a descendant of Boreas, the god of the North Wind. Rameau’s rich, colorful ballet music is the perfect exhibition of the depth of feeling and joyful spirit of Sinfonia Spirituosa.

SINFONIA SPIRITUOSA

PROGRAM

Georg Philippe Telemann - Suite "La Bizarre"

Johann Vierdanck - Passamezzo and Gagliarda for Two Violins and Continuo

Henry Purcell - Chaconne in G Minor

"Curtain Tune on a Ground" from Timon of Athens, Z. 632 (1694)

Jean-Philippe Rameau - Ballet Music from the Opera Les Boréades

G.P. Telemann - Sinfonia Spirituosa in D Major

SINFONIA SPIRITUOSA

Violin: Jubal Fulks (Concertmaster)

Cynthia Black, Gail Hernandez Rosa, Naomi Rogers-Hefley, Lindsey Strand-Polyak

Viola: Vijay Chalasani, Lindsey Strand-Polyak

Cello: Timothy Stanley

Violone: Dan Turkos

Flute: Cathie Apple, *Khadija Aguinaldo

Bassoon: David A. Wells

Guitar/Lute: Peter Schimpf

Harpsichord, Artistic Director: Lorna Peters

About:

Sinfonia Spirituosa is a chamber orchestra dedicated to presenting bold, historically-informed performances on period instruments. Through vibrant, collegial exchange, we aspire to faithfully bring to life the broad spectrum of color, affect and rhetoric inherent in the music of the Baroque era. The ensemble's makeup of strings, flute, oboe, bassoon, voice, harpsichord, organ, archlute, theorbo and baroque guitar allows for programing which displays an astonishingly wide variety of national styles and unique instrument combinations.

The members of Sinfonia Spirituosa lead multi-faceted careers as university professors, recording artists, soloists, conductors, chamber musicians and symphony players. They are active as teachers and performers on both period and modern instruments, and many are directors of their own ensembles specializing in early music, romantic music, new music, jazz and Gypsy swing.

A central tenet of Sinfonia Spirituosa's vision is celebrating the music of the past while inspiring young musicians of the future. Through immersion in a creative rehearsal and performance environment, our Mentorship Program aims to stimulate and support promising young instrumentalists and singers who are curious, open-minded, and committed to exploring original instruments and studying the musical language of the Baroque period. We are thrilled that flutist Khadija Aguinaldo has joined us for this spring season!