Post date: Aug 29, 2015 3:57:25 AM
Another wonderful concert on the Taos music scene. This one was another of the musical conversations: The Genius of Bach. We had an introduction by Jonathan Coppersmith of Curtis Institute of Music (Philadelphia), which almost seems like a partner in the Music From Angel Fire (MFAF) series. Many of the staff and musicians of MFAF are either on the staff or are recent students of Curtis.
This evening’s concert included a cantata Ich habe genug with mezzo soprano, oboe, and small orchestra. I noticed that at least one of the musicians in the orchestra had been a student at the Taos School of Music (TSM) a month ago.
Following that was the Orchestral Suite #1, a set of French (plus one Italian) dances. The Ouverture had a bassoon part to drool over. Another of the TSM students played in the small orchestra. This suite bounces back and forth between winds (oboes and bassoon) and strings in a most delightful way.
The concert ended with the aria Erbarme dich, mein Gott from St. Matthew Passion. All three of these pieces were written in 1724 or 1727. All these concerts are recorded for later broadcast on American Public Media. The acoustics in the United Church of Angel Fire are good, but could benefit from a hard surface (no carpet) on the stage (at least).
The music was well worth the 45 minute drive up into the mountains. The next two concerts (that I attend) will be in Taos at the community theater, which is perfect for chamber music.