Francesca Caccini was a singer, lutenist and composer born in 1587 – so she was active as a musician right in the early years of the baroque era that began around 1600. You can hear one of Francesca Caccini’s compositions on Sunday Baroque this weekend.
Playlist 2021-08-29 Read More »
Francesco Maria Veracini was an 18th century violin “superstar” who toured Europe playing for his fans, and turned down opportunities to work for royal patrons because he was so eager to travel and play on his own terms. You’ll hear another violin “superstar” – Rachel Barton Pine — playing one of Francesco Maria Veracini’s ACADEMIC SONATAS on Sunday Baroque this weekend.
Playlist 2021-07-18 Read More »
A fine musical instrument should be played, right? Well, a 1704 Stradivarius violin was stashed away – barely played – for most of its existence. The pristine instrument was awakened from its long slumber, nicknamed the Sleeping Beauty, and purchased in 1995 for violinist Isabelle Faust to use. You’ll hear her play music on it by Johann Sebastian Bach on Sunday Baroque this weekend.
Playlist 2021-06-27 Read More »
June has long been a popular month for weddings … maybe because it’s named after the goddess Juno, patroness of marriage. Baroque music is often used to provide a celebratory tone for wedding ceremonies and celebrations, so you’ll hear some wedding favorites on Sunday Baroque this weekend.
Playlist 2021-06-06 Read More »
Dominoes … Fencing … a composer from a family of chess masters … and some musical games. Those are some of the fun and merriment you’ll enjoy, courtesy of baroque era musicians such as Francois Couperin, Johann Schmelzer and Andre Danican Philidor on Sunday Baroque this weekend.
Playlist 2021-05-23 Read More »
There are all kinds of interesting and obscure holidays … This Sunday, May 16 is “love a tree” day! And it just so happens that there’s a famous baroque era aria by George Frideric Handel that is a love song … to a tree! You’ll hear Handel’s beloved aria on Sunday Baroque this weekend.
Playlist 2021-05-16 Read More »
Nineteenth century minister Henry Ward Beecher said, “The mother’s heart is the child’s schoolroom.” For some musicians, the mother’s TALENT was also the child’s schoolroom, where they first learned to play musical instruments and experienced the joys of making music. You’ll hear some talented musical moms and their offspring on Sunday Baroque this week.
Playlist 2021-05-09 Read More »
Great Baroque era musicians weren’t necessarily so great at managing their finances … even successful, well-paid composers sometimes got in over their heads and into trouble trying to make ends meet. People like Francesco Geminiani and French composer Pierre Gautier were SO bad with money they did time in debtor’s prison. You’ll hear some of the music that helped pay those overdue bills on Sunday Baroque this weekend.
Playlist 2021-04-18 Read More »
Dad gives son the car keys, he takes it for a spin, and loses control of the vehicle. Sound familiar? Well, THIS boy was the mythological Phaeton … and the family car was the chariot of the sun. Jean-Baptiste Lully wrote an opera about them, and you’ll hear some of it on Sunday Baroque this weekend.
Playlist 2021-03-28 Read More »
Claude Debussy called him, “… a benevolent god to which all musicians should offer a prayer to defend themselves against mediocrity …” and Richard Wagner called him, “…the most stupendous miracle in all music!” They were speaking about Johann Sebastian Bach, who was born in March of 1685. This weekend, you can enjoy the annual BACH BIRTHDAY BASH, an all-Bach celebration on Sunday Baroque.
Playlist 2021-03-21 Read More »
