The Wonder of Understatement: Eva Legêne, Wieland Kuijken, and Arthur Haas, by Seth Lachterman

Baroque Virtuosi at South Berkshire Concerts, Sunday, April 3, 2011

Jean-Marie Leclair, Sonata No. II in E Minor, for recorder and basso continuo
Marin Marais, Suite in E Minor from Seconde Livre de Pièces de Viole, for viola da gamba and continuo
Jean-Henry D’Anglebert, Pièces de Lully, for harpsichord solo
François Couperin Quatrième Concert from Concert Royaux, for recorder and basso continuo
Johann Sebastian Bach, Sonata in G Minor, S.1029, for viola da gamba and obbligato harpsichord
Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, Sonata No. 7 in A Minor, Wq132, for recorder and basso continuo
Johann Sebastian Bach, Trio Sonata in G Major, S. 1039, for recorder, viola da gamba and continuo

Wieland Kuijken, viola da gamba
Eva Legêne, recorder
Arthur Haas, harpsichord

Kuijken
Viola da Gambist, Wieland Kuijken

A Baroque recital in the Berkshires?  Suppressing one’s yawn might seem too much of an effort.  After all, it’s the fare that provides a steady musical backdrop to the region’s musical life before, during, and after summer festivities. Accordingly, our standards for Baroque performance rise as we demand Baroque specialists who play with great musicality and historical cognizance, and have something unique to offer. It’s a tough bill, and the amateurs of the past should remain in the private chambers.  We have been lucky, though, to have attracted some of the best Baroque specialists for Aston Magna, Berkshire Bach, Crescendo, the Boston Early Music Festival at the Mahaiwe, and, of course, Bard College at Simon’s Rock.

Read the full review on the Berkshire Review, an international journal for the Arts!

Michael Miller