Cuckoos, nightingales and canaries are some of the birds that composers have imitated or immortalized in their music works. There’s even a madrigal about the “Silver Swan, who living had no Note, [but] when Death approached, unlocked her silent throat.” Sunday Baroque will feature baroque music that’s for the birds in honor of National Bird Feeding Month.
February is African American History Month in the United States. It’s an opportunity to give special recognition to the contributions of black artists, teachers, scientists, writers … heroes and innovators in all fields. Sunday Baroque will highlight and celebrate the work of some outstanding musicians.
The word “baroque” refers to something irregularly shaped, extravagant, highly ornamented, or even flamboyant. And the baroque era in history from about 1600 to 1750 was a time when the music, art and architecture reflected those characteristics in various ways. Sunday Baroque will introduce you to a few baroque techniques including the *intentional* mistuning of strings, a “broken” consort, and a Concerto meant to be played without the use of one of the violin strings.
Even as a child, Awadagin Pratt had many interests and talents. He was an excellent student, and he excelled at music and tennis with seriousness and intent beyond mere hobbies. He spoke with Suzanne recently about how he made the choice to pursue music when he realized it was the thing he could not live
Chinese New Year is on January 25 this year. The holiday is traditionally celebrated with family over a meal, along with parades and other festivities. You’re not likely to hear music by Johann Sebastian Bach and Antonio Vivaldi at traditional Chinese New Year celebrations, but on Sunday Baroque you WILL hear some musicians and ensembles of Chinese descent performing their music.
American violinist Rachel Barton Pine has a long list of favorite musical groups, and some of them might surprise you: Metallica, Van Halen and Black Sabbath are just a few. If you attend her concerts, you might even hear her play arrangements of their music on her 1742 Guarneri del Gesu violin. Sunday Baroque will highlight the baroque side of Rachel Barton Pine.
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Are you still getting used to writing “2020” instead of 2019? This weekend you can travel back 300 years and hear some of the music from 1720, such as a motet by Johann Sebastian Bach, and a Keyboard Suite by George Frideric Handel. You’ll hear few of the greatest hits of 1720 on Sunday Baroque this weekend.
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On this first Sunday of the New Year, Sunday Baroque host Suzanne Bona will give you a look back at some of the best recordings of 2019. Her guided tour includes a last chance to audition the Sunday Baroque 2019 Holiday Gift List.
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As you’re relaxing with your holiday guests (or seeing them off and cleaning up) and getting ready to usher in the New Year, Sunday Baroque will feature some of the beloved music of the baroque era. Kick back with Suzanne Bona and enjoy some of your favorites!
Playlist 2019-12-29 Read More »
Lee Pringle is passionate about music. He’s a singer, musician and artistic director with an exciting career that spans musical genres including classical, African American spirituals, and more. Mr. Pringle is also passionate about shining a bright light on music, musicians and history that have been overlooked for far too long. He spoke with Suzanne
