Baroque Concert

Crescendo, an award-winning music organization, will pay tribute to two renowned musicians August 3rd, even as it celebrates its own 20th anniversary with a free concert.

Johann Sebastian Bach, one of the greatest composers of all times, and legendary harpsichordist and scholar Wanda Landowska will both be honored during the concert, which takes place at Trinity Church, 484 Lime Rock Road at 5PM.

This concert opens Crescendo's 2023-24 season. Flautist Rodrigo Tarraza will play the baroque traverso and Crescendo’s Founding Artistic Director Christine Gevert will play the harpsichord.

Bach’s flute sonatas were written at a time when the transverse flute or traverso replaced the recorder. Bach understood the warm and expressive tone that the new instrument afforded him when it emerged toward the end of the 17th century in Paris and used it masterfully with another instrument he knew well, the harpsichord.

Landowska, who lived in Lakeville at the end of her career, understood the transcendence of Bach’s music which she articulated clearly in her writings on music, excerpts of which will be read at the concert.

The concert is also a tribute to her extraordinary contribution to reviving the harpsichord, and the performance and understanding of early music.

The featured sonatas, high point of Bach’s expressive and compositional achievements, are Sonatas BWV 1032 in A major for Flute and Harpsichord, BWV 1034 in E minor for Flute and Basso Continuo, and Triosonata BWV 1039 in G major in an arrangement by the ensemble.

Ms. Gevert will improvise short preludes to the flute sonatas.

The hour-long performance is part of a series of free chamber concerts offered by Crescendo this season. Donations are welcomed.