William Shakespeare wrote that, “Some Cupid kills with arrows, some with traps.” Shakespeare didn’t mention that the so-called god of love sometimes used the kind of bow that’s used to play a string instrument. Cupid is the protagonist of an 18th century Italian Violin Sonata. You’ll hear the mythological love story about Cupid and Psyche is one of the musical love stories you’ll hear this week on Sunday Baroque.
Playlist 2025-02-16 Read More »
LA SERENISSIMA – the most serene republic – is a nickname for the Italian city of Venice. It’s also the name of a performing group that specializes in playing baroque era music from that region. Antonio Vivaldi’s works are central to their repertoire, and this week on Sunday Baroque, you’ll hear them perform one of his concertos.
Playlist 2025-02-02 Read More »
For about a year and a half George Frideric Handel worked as music director for James Brydges, an enthusiastic music lover who played flute and used his wealth to sponsor his own 24 member orchestra. As the house composer, Handel wrote a dozen anthems for use in the Brydges’ private chapel. You’ll hear one of those so-called Chandos Anthems on Sunday Baroque this weekend.
Playlist 2025-01-26 Read More »
In 1973, American conductor, harpsichordist, and composer Martin Pearlman broke new ground by founding North America’s first per-manent Baroque orchestra. His ensemble became a driving force in the revival and celebration of Baroque music. As Martin Pearlman prepares to retire in 2025, you can hear some of his achievements this weekend on Sunday Baroque.
Playlist 2025-01-19 Read More »
If you’re hunting for some pleasing music, you’ll want to stick around to hear an Orchestral Suite by Georg Philipp Telemann that is nicknamed THE HUNT and other tunes imitating hunting horns. Your hunt for lively and appealing music is rewarded on Sunday Baroque this weekend.
Playlist 2025-01-12 Read More »
Celebrate the final Sunday of 2024 with Sunday Baroque! Enjoy Christmas cheer and picks from the 2024 Holiday Gift List. Harpist Andrew Lawrence King and Anonymous 4 bring festive tunes from Scotland, Wales, England, and Cornwall, while Tempesta di Mare shines with music by Johann Friedrich Fasch.
Playlist 2024-12-29 Read More »
The Christmas carol “Twas in the Moon of Wintertime” is also known as the Huron Carol. It’s a 17th century Canadian Christmas song by a Jesuit missionary who lived among the Huron people. He wrote the lyrics in their native language, and set it to the tune of a traditional French folk song. The Huron Carol is a highlight on Sunday Baroque this week.
Playlist 2024-12-22 Read More »
Harpsichordist and conductor William Christie was born in Buffalo, New York but in his late 20s, he went to France, where he fell in love with French baroque music. In 1979, he founded his baroque music group *Les Arts Florissants, which is still going strong. We’re celebrating William Christie’s upcoming 80th birthday with some of his performances, both old and new, on Sunday Baroque this week.
Playlist 2024-12-08 Read More »
In addition to brilliant VISUAL colors, there can be “color” in music, too. You’ll hear a rainbow of musical colors includes Johann Sebastian Bach’s Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue, a suite for trumpet – an instrument whose sound was compared to “the color scarlet” — and music played by a couple of instrumentalists who have the extraordinary ability to perceive music as color. It’s on Sunday Baroque this weekend.
Playlist 2024-11-24 Read More »
Veteran’s Day is coming up at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, when we honor those who have served in the armed forces. You can listen to some Heroic Marches by Georg Phillip Telemann, AND music composed by a soldier who was such an avid amateur musician that he took his viola da gamba with him everywhere, including onto the battlefield. It’s on Sunday Baroque this week.
Playlist 2024-11-10 Read More »
