Members of the Carmel Bach Festival artistic staff will examine the artistic culture of the 18th Century in four afternoon sessions, with discussions of18th Century thought, the development of musical instruments and the art of singing, and plenty of audio and visual examples to entertain your eyes and tune up your ears!
With audio and visual illustrations to stimulate eye and ear, this Gentrain “short course” explores the evolution of Western musical culture and vocal and instrumental music through the late-18th Century, and looks for a narrative connecting the Baroque and the 21st Century.
These informative, enlightening, and entertaining sessions are intended for all lovers of music!
Attendees of this event will also receive a special discount for tickets to selected Bach Festival concerts in July.
Tuesday April 17
MOTION, EMOTION, & THE BAROQUE AESTHETIC
Grant Voth (1:00-2:00)
“Motion” and “emotion” were two of the common denominators of what in the 17th Century were known as the “sister arts”: poetry, painting, and music.
This hour will explore some of the ways in which these qualities manifest themselves in painting, literature, sculpture, and architecture and then consider some of their implications for Baroque music. Slides and examples will show how intensely rhetorical the arts were in the Baroque era.
"SENTIMENT INTO SOUND"
David Gordon (2:00-3:00)
What cultural phenomena led to the flourishing of the “Golden Age of Song” in the early 18th Century?
In a whirlwind overview filled with historical insight, anecdotes, recorded examples, and anatomy lessons, David Gordon will explain the inevitable evolution of the bel canto vocal “sound” and its implications for the music and society of the Baroque.
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Thursday April 19
SONGS WITHOUT WORDS: Singing Instruments!
Jesse Read
The unique and special instruments of the baroque orchestra: how do they sound, how are they played, and how did they evolve?
Tune your ears in this delightful “Look and Listen” session with Jesse Read. He’ll offer comparisons of various performances by modern instruments and their ancient counterparts, and discussions about how to listen, what to listen for, and how to enjoy the music even more!
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Tuesday April 24
FROM SERF TO CITIZEN: the rise of the vocal artist
David Gordon
The dawn of modern democracy in the 18th century had enormous implications for the performing arts.
Expanded options and freedoms allowed virtuosic singers of the Baroque era to rise to the level of international superstars.
In this two hour session, David traces the rise of the professional singer in the Baroque era, from lowly chapel chorister to wealthy, pampered, operatic superstar. With fascinating contemporary portraits, eyewitness descriptions, and modern recorded examples!
Thursday April 26
OUR BRIDGE TO THE 18TH CENTURY
David Gordon, Grant Voth, John Koza
How does the Carmel Bach Festival reach back to the Baroque era for inspiration and direction?
How does the Festival seek to connect the 18th century narrative with our life in the 21st Century?
David will begin by offering an overview of the repertoire and performers featured in selected 2007 Bach Festival concerts, with copious recorded examples. He’ll discuss what to listen for in this rich array of masterpieces.
David and John will also share their behind-the-scenes view of the artistic and logistical elements of this major 3-week event, with special emphasis on the performance of 18th Century vocal and instrumental music for modern ears.
The session will conclude with an informal discussion and Q&A with the audience
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This event is part of the Gentrain Series at Monterey Peninsula College.
PLEASE NOTE: Because it is sponsored in part by MPC, registration is required.
A $30 registration fee will be assessed for anyone not already registered at MPC for Spring Semester, 2007. Registration may be completed in class.
For questions or additional information about registration please call Alan Haffa at 831-646-4224.
