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The concert includes ensembles and soloists from a broad spectrum of Rochester's early music community, presenting works from the simple chant of the 13th century through the complex instrumental and vocal music of the 16th and 17th centuries. The contemplative, intimate Passacaglia for solo violin of Austrian composer and violinist Heinrich von Biber contrasts with the massive sound of eight five-part choirs in Thomas Tallis' masterwork, the 40-voice Spem in alium, led by well-known Rochester choral director Roger Wilhelm. WXXI's Chris Van Hof hosts, offering introductions and commentary during the PRISM-style concert. General admission tickets ($13 in advance, $15 at the door, $5 for students) are available at Borders in Henrietta and Parkleigh, and on-line at www.MusicaSpei.org. For further information, please call 585-442-4681 or visit www.MusicaSpei.org.
Thomas Tallis was the greatest English composer of the sixteenth century. His 40-voice masterpiece, Spem in alium, was composed on a dare from a British duke, who had heard an equally complex work by a visiting Italian composer. Originally written for performance in the octagonal dining hall of the duke's country estate, the piece features eight groups of singers surrounding the audience, creating a swirl of sound as first one choir leads and then another. When conductor Roger Wilhelm brings in all eight choirs together, the resulting sound is both awe-inspiring and roof-raising.
New to the Festival this year are brass instrumentalists Lisa Albrecht, Liza Malamut and Damien Spindler. Ms. Albrecht, newly installed as Second Trombone in the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, studied at the Eastman School of Music before playing in orchestras from Honolulu to New York. She has also performed widely in Europe. Liza Malamut has played with early music ensembles across the United States, and recently was the only American finalist in an international trombone competition held in Denmark. Joining together as the Trio Castello, Ms. Albrecht and Ms. Malamut play duets for sackbut, a Renaissance trombone, by Italian composers Andrea Falconieri and Girolamo Frescobaldi, accompanied by Ryan Enright, organ. Mr. Spindler studies with RPO trumpeter Wesley Nance, and last spring won 1st prize in the RPO Young Artist Auditions as well as placing third in a National Trumpet Competition. Accompanied by organist Gordon Porth, Mr. Spindler will play baroque trumpet in works by Marc Antoine Charpentier and Godfrey Keller. Heinrich von Biber is considered the most outstanding violinist of the 17th century, and possibly the most important composer of music for solo violin in the history of the instrument. His monumental Passacaglia for solo violin demonstrates Biber's command of the instrument; through use of virtuoso techniques in bowing and fingering, the single violin creates the sound of an entire ensemble. Boel Gidholm, well known to Rochester audiences through her performances with the early music ensembles Public Musick and Pegasus Early Music, presents her interpretation of this wonderful work.