French Baroque music at St. Paul’s Artist Series
St. Paul’s Artist Series will host Sonare, a Baroque instrumental ensemble, performing “The Glories of the French Baroque” on Sunday afternoon, April 29, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.
Based in North Texas, Sonare is comprised of James Andrewes and Marie-Elise McNee, violins; Eric Smith, viola da Gamba; and Lenora McCroskey, organ and harpsichord. The ensemble will be joined by Baroque flutist and Chattanoogan Janelle Anderson West in the performance of music from the 17th and 18th centuries.
“We are delighted to bring Sonare back to our series by popular demand,” says Keith Reas, director of music at St. Paul’s. “Their program two years ago was so well-received, we’ve asked them back with a program featuring French music.”
“Although our program features the ‘Glories of the French Baroque,’ in many ways the music highlights the competing influences of both French and Italian musical styles,” says Andrewes.
Andrewes explains the French style is known for its sense of elegance, graceful melodies, dance rhythms and detailed ornamentation, as played in Francois Couperin’s Concerts Royaux. The Italian style has more emphasis on virtuosity and showmanship, as demonstrated in Leclaire’s “Sonata for Two Violins,” where the instruments engage in a virtuoso competition that is comparable to a musical sword fight.
Another work, a suite of dances by Telemann, draws on the best of both nations.
Tickets may be purchased online in advance or at the door Sunday,.
For more information: www.stpaulschatt.org/ concert-season/.