When Paul Schiemann, founder of Alberta Baroque Ensemble, conducts, it turns into a sensuous experience for the audience.
However at the next concert, Baroque Chamber Music Treasures on Sunday, Nov. 18, at Robertson-Wesley United Church, Schiemann steps aside to narrate the program.
As he explains it, every season the ensemble includes one concert with a pared down number of musicians instead of the regular 14.
For the Treasures concert, only four core members will perform. They include violinists Susan Flook and Laura Veeze as well as harpsichordist Tammy-Jo Mortensen and St. Albert cellist Ronda Metszies.
An added bonus is the special guest appearance of Beth Levia, substitute principal oboe for Edmonton Symphony Orchestra.
“You wouldn’t believe how much of the Baroque repertoire was written for small groups that is rarely played. Being involved in a small group like this helps develop yourself as a musician,” said Schiemann.
In a reversal from standard practice, musicians select the repertoire. This program contains seven pieces no longer than 10 minutes each.
“Back then patrons would buy music and perform it in their homes. They didn’t have television for entertainment. In the Baroque period, people were amateur musicians, and it gave them great joy to perform in small ensembles in their home.”
One of the works is Passacaglia for Solo Violin in G Minor by Heinrich von Biber, part of a group of pieces with religious overtones. This violin sonata is part of the 15 mysteries of the rosary and is an important work written for violin.
Also on the program is Carol Philip Emanuel Bach’s, son of Johann Sebastian, dynamic Trio Sonata in D Minor for Oboe, Violin, and Cello.
The quintet is also parading Robertson-Wesley United Church’s stunning, two-storey organ consisting of 2,750 pipes made of metal or wood. They will perform Johann Sebastian Bach’s Passacaglia in C Minor.
“Tammy will be playing the organ and she gets to pull out all the stops and show off all the colours – all the different stops and combinations.”
Among the other works played is Georg Telemann’s Gulliver’s Suite for Two Violins, a musical variation that takes the listener on a journey.
“There is so much variety. The representation is so vast we can only take in a small portion and give as many composers as possible a chance to be heard in various instrumental combinations.”
The recital starts at 3 p.m. Tickets are $15 to $30 and available at the door.
