Vivaldi...an old favorite

One of the best known baroque composers is the Venetian, Antonio Vivaldi. The Four Seasons violin concerto is maybe the most familiar piece. But he was prolific not only in secular instrumental music, but sacred music and operas as well. As with most musicians throughout history, making a living was not always easy. He trained first as a priest, but gave that up rather quickly. When he was 23 he was appointed "maestro di violino" at Pio Ospedale della Pieta, an institution which cared for orphaned girls. It was a better job than it sounds; the concerts there were major social events in the city. And soon he was composing for the girls he trained to play. His employment there continued sporadically for decades. They would get annoyed with all his travel, fire him, commission pieces, hire him back, etc... He traveled more as he composed more operas and wanted to be in on the production of them. Strangely, his operas have not remained popular. Maybe A-Zed needs to look into doing one!

A very enjoyable book that is set in the Ospedale while Vivaldi was there is " Vivaldi's Virgins" by Barbara Quick. As it happens, she lives in Rohnert Park and has contributed a signed copy of her book to the silent auction at the concert tomorrow!
Yes! Tomorrow is the "V" concert. A benefit for Cinnabar Theater, and an extravaganza of cellists! A flock of cellists? A society of cellists? A crowd of cellists? A rowdy noisy bunch! That's it!

Heitor Villa-Lobos

Brazilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos was born in 1887. His father started him on cello when he was so young that he used a viola, but held it like a cello. He loved it, and also guitar, at which he excelled. He was a lively and curious child, didn't take well to formal studies, but did start composing early on. From age 18-25 he traveled around Brazil collecting folk tunes to use in his music (this sounds like Bartok!) Later he told his friends in Paris, that he had been caught by a cannibalistic tribe and only spared because of his music. (could be....) The years 1923-1930 were spent in Paris where he and his music were a huge success. In 1930 he went back to Brazil and became deeply involved in music education for the masses. And he continued composing. Between 1930 and 1945 he wrote the nine works that make up the Bachianas Brazilianas. Two of these are for 8 cellos, and Number 5 adds a soprano. And those are the pieces we are playing on the "V" concert!

The "V" concert

A very nice article about the "V" concert/benefit by Geneva Anderson is on her blog: ARThound
www.geneveaanderson.wordpress.com
She has put in a lot of information about the event there. I recommend it!

The cellists......

for the "V" concert are: Kelly Boyer, Gwyneth Davis, Poppea Dorsam, Victoria Ehrlich, Leighton Fong, David Goldblatt, Judiyaba and Ruth Lane. And the soprano is Carrie Hennessey. A wonderful line up!

Vivacious "V" concert...very soon!

On September 10th at 4pm: a varied, venturesome and vibrant program of virtuosi violoncelli! 8 cellists from all the orchestras of the Bay Area gather to play 2 pieces by Villa-Lobos: The Bachianas Brasileiras No. 1 for 8 cellos, and No. 5 for 8 cellos and soprano, featuring Carrie Hennessey. Also Vivaldi Concerto for 2 cellos (with multi-cello accompaniment), Concerto in a-minor featuring SF Opera cellist Victoria Erhlich (accompanied by....yes...more cellists); 3 motets by 16th century composer Jacobus Vaet (played on cellos...) and Vivaldi Domine Deus (from the Gloria) sung by Carrie Hennessey (accompanied by.........cellos!!!)

All this outside under redwoods and presented as a benefit for Cinnabar Theater. Tickets are $20 general (be a Patron of the Arts!) or $15 underemployed, students... Tickets are available by calling Cinnabar at 707-763-8920 or at the door.
200 Queens Lane, Petaluma

My favorite "U"

Fun to play in a gallery with a portrait show up! Are those people in the pictures giving commentary or appreciation?

Were "U" there?