St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church
Quicksilver: The Early Moderns
Works by: Castello, Buxtehude, Schmeltzer, and more
Artists: Quicksilver Baroque Ensemble: Robert Mealy & Julie Andrijeski, violins & directors; Dominic Teresi, dulcian; David Morris, viola da gamba; Charles Weaver, guitar & lute; Avi Stein, harpsichord & organ
Pre-Concert Chat: 7pm with director Robert Mealy hosted by Alexander Weimann
Runtime: 80 min + intermission
Quicksilver Baroque Ensemble, known for their “impeccable, soulful playing” (The New York Times) return to Vancouver to present a programme exploring the musical revolutions of the Early Modern period. This “modern” music, in contrast to the smooth polyphony of the Renaissance, is exemplified in extravagant and sumptuous sonatas from Italy and Germany.
Generously sponsored by Melody Mason & Joseph Gilling.
Sonata no. 9 à 4 Matthias Weckmann (1616–1674)
Ciacona Nicolaus à Kempis (c.1600–1676)
from Ludwig Partiturbuch, 1662
Sonata cinque a tre Philippe van Wichel (1614–1675)
from Fascilus dulcedinis, Opusculum Primum, 1678
Sonata no. 5 à 3 Carolus Hacquart (c.1640–1686)
from Harmonia Parnassia Sonatarum, 1686
Sonata no. 2 à 4 Matthias Weckmann (1616–1674)
Sonata à 4 in G Major, La Carolietta Johann Schmeltzer (c.1623–1680)
from Kromeriz, 1669
— intermission —
Sonata decima à 3 Dario Castello (1602–1631)
from Sonate Concertate in Stil Moderno, Libro II, 1629
Sonata à 4 in D minor Johann Rosenmuller (1619–1684)
from Sonate a 2. 3. 4. e 5. Stromenti da arco & altri, 1682
Praeludium in G minor, BuxWV 163 Dieterich Buxtehude (1637–1707)
Sonata à 2 in F major Kerll
from Codex Rost, c.1660
Sonata decimaquarta Castello
from Sonate Concertate in Stil Moderno, Libro II, Venice 1629
Click here to read the programme notes.
Quicksilver
"Revered like rock stars within the early music scene” (The New York Times), Quicksilver brings together some of North America’s top historically-informed performers. Described as “drop dead gorgeous with a wonderful interplay of timbres” (Early Music America) and praised as “irresistible” (Fanfare Magazine), Quicksilver vibrantly explores the rich and virtuosic chamber music repertoire from the early modern period to the High Baroque.
The ensemble has been featured at numerous music series and prestigious festivals, receiving critical acclaim, standing ovations and repeat invitations. Recent and upcoming appearances include the group’s European debut at Tage Alter Musik Regensburg, Friends of Chamber Music Kansas City, San Francisco Performances, Carnegie Hall, Mostly Mozart Festival at Lincoln Center, The Library of Congress, Buffalo Chamber Music Society, Coleman Chamber Concerts (Pasadena), Early Music in Columbus, CU Presents Artist Series (Colorado), Early Music Vancouver, Edmonton Chamber Music, the Miller Theatre at Columbia University, Arizona Early Music, Boston Early Music Festival, Berkeley Festival and Exhibition, Shriver Hall Concert Series, Chamber Music Tulsa, Dumbarton Oaks Concert Series (Washington, DC), and Music Before 1800 in New York City.
Quicksilver’s debut recording, Stile Moderno, was described as “Breakthrough of the Year" (Huffington Post) and “convincing . . . terrific” (Early Music-Oxford Journal). Quicksilver’s second recording, Fantasticus, was named one of The New Yorker’s Ten Notable Recordings of 2014 and praised as “Fantasticus, indeed” (Gramophone). Quicksilver's latest recording, Early Moderns: The (very) First Viennese School, has been described as "highly addictive...utterly captivating" (Limelight Magazine, Editor's Choice).
