Rachel's Musical Adventures: house concert thoughts and Boston debut

June 14, 2007 at 6:17 AM

“Up close and personal”

Hi, everyone!

A couple weeks ago, I played a small private unaccompanied recital in a friend’s living room. Playing in an intimate setting like this can be really refreshing. At such close quarters, sitting in the middle of a living room, I’m very aware of the personal moment that the listeners and I are sharing. The atmosphere is more casual than the concert stage, and the dynamic contrasts and musical expressions necessary for a large concert hall would seem ridiculously over-blown in this setting. It’s just me and my violin, in our private relationship, and these few friends have been invited in.

But, isn’t that the goal of every concert, even in a large hall? A successful performance strives to transcend the psychological barrier of the stage to bring all of those in attendance into the same intimate world they would experience up close. Playing concerts like the one in my friend’s living room reminds me that even a large crowd is made up of individuals, for each of whom I am personally playing. It is this sense of intimacy that I strive to create for each audience member at every concert.

performing Bach's G Minor Adagio

performing Bach's G Minor Fugue

my hair flying!

To read all of my blog entries from 2000-2007, please visit www.rachelbartonpine.com/blog.php.

My debut at the Boston Early Music Festival

On Friday, June 15, I will perform with John Mark Rozendaal (viola da gamba) and David Schrader (harpsichord) as Trio Settecento. Our performance of the works of François Couperin's Royal Concert in A, Marin Marais's Tombeau de Lully, Jean-Phillipe Rameau's Concert IV and Jean-Marie Leclair's Sonata No. 12 in G marks our debut at the Boston Early Music Festival.

John Mark Rozendaal, who plays the baroque' cello as well as the viola da gamba, specializes in teaching and performing stringed instrument music from the Baroque and Renaissance eras. David Schrader performs on numerous keyboard instruments including the harpsichord, organ, piano and fortepiano, and has performed and taught throughout the U.S. and internationally. For more information about these two artists, please visit www.jmrozendaal.com and www.davidschrader.com.

The Festival, which began June 11 and runs through June 17, features “an international array of preeminent soloists and ensembles.” The theme of the 14th biennial Festival—inspired by the 2007 operatic centerpiece, the North American premiere of Jean-Baptiste Lully’s spectacular 1678 opera Psyché—is “Feast of the Gods.”

Trio Settecento’s performance will take place at 11 a.m. in the Lindsey Chapel at Emmanuel Church, Boston. Tickets are available at: www.bemf.org or by calling: 617-868-BEMF (2363).

For more information about Trio Settecento, please visit www.myspace.com/triosettecento.

From Scott 68
Posted on June 14, 2007 at 1:13 PM

ive always loved leclair's music - so lyrical

From Keith J.
Posted on June 14, 2007 at 1:48 PM

what kind of chinrest is that? it looks like what I need.

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