Juilliard Baroque

Friends of Music Concerts, Inc. proudly presents the return of Juilliard Baroque in an all-Bach program on Saturday, May 16, in the Kusel Auditorium at Sleepy Hollow High School. The performance begins at 8pm and parking is free.  Works by J.S. Bach chosen for this concert include Concerto for oboe, violin, strings; Continuo in F Major BWV 1053R; and a unique “Musical Offering,” BWV 1079, that has an unusual story behind it.

In 1747 Frederic the Great of Prussia, an enthusiastic amateur musician and fine flutist, had as his accompanist J.S. Bach’s son, Carl Philip Emanuel Bach. Knowing of the father’s legendary improvisational skills, the King invited J.S. Bach to Pottsdam. Hardly out of his carriage and still dusty from the journey, the elder Bach whose eyesight was failing, was summoned to the palace where King Frederic insisted that he try his seven pianos. He then asked Bach to improvise on what has become known as the “Royal Theme,” a haunting, chromatic and syncopated bit of music. Bach used this fragment as the foundation for composing thirteen masterful pieces. He later had the music etched in copper and sent it as a “Musikalisches Opfer” to the King.
Juilliard Baroque is an outgrowth of The Juilliard School’s relatively new Historical Performance Department. Established in 2009, this outstanding ensemble brings together nine of the world’s most respected and accomplished period instrument specialists who have performed with nearly every major international early music ensemble. Of its performance of the “Brandenburg” Concertos, Allan Kozinn of The New York Times wrote: “Its traversal was an explosion of energy, with consistently brisk tempos, sharply articulated rhythms, and textures that combined appealing period-instrument grittiness with the kind of transparency that brings every strand of Bach’s counterpoint into focus.” http://www.juilliard.edu/degrees-programs/music/historical-performance/juilliard-baroque.

Adult single tickets to individual concerts are $30 each. Students age 18 and under are admitted free of charge. Tickets may be purchased in advance by mailing a check to Friends of Music Concerts, P.O. Box 675, Millwood, NY 10546, or will be available at the door. More information about Friends of Music Concerts may be obtained from the web site above or by calling 914-861-5080.