THIS WEEK’S PERFORMANCES

Bach-Abel, an exquisite filiation

Sunday, 14 January at noon at The Refectory at the Curia, Floriana

Performer: Lucile Boulanger, bass viol

Lucile Boulanger returns to the Valletta Baroque Festival for her first solo recital, performing music by Johann Sebastian Bach and Carl Friedrich Abel and explores the similarities between the two composers, who were separated by a generation.

Henry Purcell - King Arthur

Sunday, 14 January at 6pm at Teatru Manoel, Valletta Ensemble: Vox Luminis

King Arthur and his associate Merlin have caused much ink to flow, but under the pen of John Dryden and with the music of Henry Purcell their story takes an entirely new turn. The text retraces the chapter in British history in which the Saxons, seeking to reconquer their territory, attack the Britons on St George’s Day.

Salve Regina

Tuesday, 16 January at 7:30pm at the Church of St Catherine, Zurrieq

Abchordis Ensemble with Claire Debono

Salve Regina is a tribute to the sacred music inspired by the Virgin Mary and includes compositions by some of the greatest composers of the Baroque period: George Frideric Handel, Nicola Porpora, and Leonardo Leo.

Toccata and Fantasia

Wednesday, 17 January at noon at the Verdala Palace, Buskett

Performer: Andrea Buccarella - Harpsichord

The Toccata and Fantasia are ancient musical forms in the keyboard repertoire, originating from the Renaissance and persisting to the present day. Great composers such as Merulo, Gabrieli, Picchi, Byrd, Frescobaldi, Rossi, Froberger and Buxtehude contributed to the development and refinement of these musical forms, which then reached their maximum splendour in the mature Baroque with Johann Sebastian Bach.

Goldberg Variations on Wind Instruments

Wednesday 17 January at 7:30pm at the Casino Maltese, Valletta

Winds of the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra

Bach’s Goldberg’s Variations have been transcribed for an enormous variety of instruments, which render the original work even more fascinating. The Valletta

Baroque Festival commissioned a transcription of the Goldbergs for eight wind instruments and harp by principal MPO oboist John McDonough.

Bach Well-Tempered Clavier - Book 1

Thursday, 18 January at noon at San Anton Palace, Attard Performer: Charlene Farrugia - Piano

Bach’s Well-tempered Clavier is considered a fundamental piece in the keyboard repertoire. Composed throughout Bach’s lifetime, the two books each consist of twenty four preludes and fugues. This version will be performed on modern piano.

Bach Keyboard Concertos - BWV1052, BWV1053 & BWV1062 - Concert 1

Thursday, 18 January 7:30pm at Teatru Manoel, Valletta Performers: Malta Philharmonic Orchestra. Director: Michael Laus. Pianists: Michael Laus, Maria Elena Farrugia and Christine Zerafa

The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra joins forces with some of Malta’s top concert pianists, performing Bach Keyboard Concertos no. 1 BWV1052, no. 2 BWV1053, and the Double Concerto BWV1062.

Picking Flowers in the Recorder’s Garden of Delights Friday, 19 January at noon at Maritime Museum, Birgu Performer: Erik Bosgraaf - Solo Recorders

From mediaeval to our modern times, music has become increasingly complex and multi-layered. Nevertheless, throughout the ages there have always been composers and performers who have continued to believe in the power of monophony.

Bach Keyboard Concertos - BWV1054, BWV1055, BWV1056 & BWV1061- Concert 2

Friday, 19 January at 7:30pm at Teatru Manoel, Valletta Performers: Malta Philharmonic Orchestra – Director: Michael Laus. Pianists: Francis Camilleri, Joanne Camilleri, Gisèle Grima

The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra joins forces with some of Malta’s top concert pianists, performing Bach Keyboard Concertos no. 3 BWV1054, no. 4 BWV1055, no. 5 BWV 1056 and Double Concerto BWV1061.

Aurum Variations, 988

Saturday, 20 January at noon at the Maritime Museum, Birgu

POW Ensemble: Erik Bosgraaf, Tom Armitage, Carlo Maria Paulesu & Luc Houtkamp

Bach’s Goldberg Variations are an immovable force in both the harpsichord and piano canon. This version pays respect to its Baroque roots while unleashing newfangledness upon it with newly-composed variations by composers, Houtkamp, Armitage, and Bosgraaf.

Bach Keyboard Concertos - BWV1057, BWV1058 & BWV1060 - Concert 3

Saturday, 20 January at 7:30pm at Teatru Manoel, Valletta

Performers: Malta Philharmonic Orchestra – Director: Michael Laus. Pianists: Caroline Calleja, Charlene Farrugia, Joanne Camilleri

The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra joins forces with some of Malta’s top concert pianists, performing Bach Keyboard Concertos no. 6 BWV1057, no. 7 BWV1058, and Double Concert BWV1060.

Roma 1635 – 1716

Sunday, 21 January at noon at the Our Lady of Victory Church, Valletta

Perfrmer: John Aquilina - Organ

Local organist John Aquilina will be performing a solo recital on the 17th century Santucci Organ featuring Girolamo Frescobaldi’s “Fiori Musicali,” Op. 12 (1635) and Domenico Zipoli’s “Sonate d’Intavolatura per Organo e Cimbalo,” Op. 1 (1716).

Vivaldi Four Seasons for Harp Sunday, 21 January at 6pm at Lapsi Church, St Julian’s Performer: Keziah Thomas – Harpist

The timeless beauty of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons performed by harpist Keziah Thomas. Originally composed as violin concertos, this work represents each season with vivid and picturesque music that perfectly captures the essence of nature’s changing cycles.