Past Seasons
Resurgens
HIF Biber (1644-1704)
Missa Christi resurgentis
Fidicinum sacro-profanum: Sonata XI
Joshua Rifkin, conductor
Kelli Geoghegan and Ulrike Präger, soprano
Abigail Fischer and Katherine Growdon, mezzo-soprano
Michael Barrett and Patrick T. Waters, tenor
Ulysses Thomas, Sumner Thompson, and Jacob Cooper, bass
Joshua Rifkin conducts Cambridge Concentus of Biber's Missa Christi resurgentis and the Sonata XI from Fidicinum sacro-profanum, with a reception following the performance. The Sonata XI reveals the subtle side of this Bohemian master, but the Mass is truly grand – calling for nine solo singers, two cornettos, two trumpets, three trombones, and a string section. Biber's work, both majestic and intimate, contrasts full-ensemble sections with three bass singers (Jacob Cooper, Ulysses Thomas, Sumner Thompson) who represent Christ's resurrection to his place in the Holy Trinity. (Click here to view invitation.)
3 PM, March 13, 2011, First Church in Cambridge, Congregational, MA, Suggested Donation $20
A Bow To Handel
GF Handel
Arias for Mezzo-Soprano from Operas and Oratorios
Violin Sonata in A-Major HWV 361
Andante for Violin and Continuo HWV 412
Abigail Fischer, mezzo-soprano
Marika Holmqvist, violin and viola
Zoe Weiss, cello
Peter Sykes, harpsichord
Having achieved fame and success at a very early age, George Frideric Handel became one of the most admired composers during the Baroque era. To this day – 326 years after his birth – Handel still inspires us with his works.
Come and join Cambridge Concentus in a celebration of Handel on his 326th birthday! We will take you, along with characters such as Ruggiero and Julius Cesar, on a journey through fiery and sublime arias to virtuosic and intricate violin sonatas. (Click here to view invitation.)
7PM, February 23, 2011, Taylor House, Boston, MA, Tickets $10
Those Who Dueled
J S Bach: A-minor Partita for Solo Flute
J S Bach: Brandenburg Concerto IV
J S Bach: BWV 8 Liebster Gott, wenn werd ich sterben
Bach's Fourth Brandenburg Concerto and cantata Liebster Gott, wenn werd ich sterben (“Dearest God, when will I die?”) portray the bookends of life. The concerto flaunts youthful virtuosity with a spirited duel between a solo violin and two recorders, while the cantata in reconciliation appeals for a peaceful deliverance from the final hours of life.
The cantata's exquisite chorale with its Leipzig funeral bells depicted in the solo flute evoke the wind-blown grasses of the Elysian Fields – providing a final resting place for those who, in the Brandenburg Concerto, most brazenly and valiantly dueled.
Please join Cambridge Concentus as they feature Marika Holmqvist, Ching-Wei Lin, Jeanine Krause, Teddie Hwang, Ulrike Präger, Thea Lobo, Patrick T Waters, and Ulysses Thomas. (Click here to view invitation.)
3 PM, February 6, 2011, First Church in Cambridge, Congregational, MA, Suggested Donation $20
Magnificence and Resistance!
J S Bach: BWV 54 Widerstehe doch der Sünde
J S Bach: BWV 1041 Violin Concerto in A Minor
J D Zelenka: ZWV 108 Magnificat in D Major
Ulrike Präger, soprano
Abigail Fischer, alto
Michael Barrett, tenor
Ulysses Thomas, bass
Marika Holmqvist, solo violin
Cambridge Concentus kicks off their fourth season with a virtuosic program that highlights mezzo-soprano Abigail Fischer and violinist Marika Holmqvist in two classic works by J S Bach. Zelenka's grand Magnificat – with chorus, oboes, trumpets, and drums – closes the program on a truly heroic note. (Click here to view invitation.)
3 PM, September 19, 2010, First Church in Cambridge, Congregational, MA, Suggested Donation $20
Sleepers Awake!
J S Bach: Cantata BWV 140 Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme
J S Bach: Concerto for Flute, Violin and Harpsichord in A Minor
J S Bach's brilliant and beloved cantata, Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme is paired with his virtuosic and seldom-heard "Triple Concerto" featuring Teddie Hwang, Marika Holmqvist, and Leon Schelhase.
April 25, 2010, First Church in Cambridge, Congregational, MA
Labyrinthine, Tragic, Jubilant: A Bach Triptych
Concerto for two Violins in D Minor
Cantata BWV 106 “Actus Tragicus”
Brandenburg Concerto III
Bach's deeply moving cantata “Actus Tragicus” is placed between two of his most revered concertos - the introspective double for violin and exuberant Third Brandenburg. These musical panels draw upon the virtuosity of Cambridge Concentus with contributions from singers Ulrike Präger, Abigail Fischer, Patrick Waters, Ulysses Thomas and instrumentalists Tatiana Daubek, Sarah Darling, Zoe Weiss, Jane Leggiero, Ching-Wei Lin, Jeanine Krause, and Emily Rideout.
February 28, 2010, First Church in Cambridge, Congregational, MA
Earthly and Heavenly Love
Selected Arias and Duets by J S Bach
First Orchestral Suite by G P Telemann
Ulrike Präger, soprano
Ulysses Thomas, bass
The arias from the cantatas illuminate an intriguing interaction between Jesus (bass) and "the believer" (soprano). Jesus, depicted as the bridegroom, is engaged in an intimate dialogue with his bride, "the believer" or "the soul". Cambridge Concentus has extracted these pieces from their original settings and placed them inside a single frame - so that you may not only reflect on their textual intimations but also revel in what many have hailed as the most beautiful love duets ever written.
October 21, 2009, Elmira College, Elmira, NY
October 23, 2009, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Geneva, NY
October 24, 2009, Conkling Hall, Rensselaerville, NY
"Mariazellermesse"
Joseph Haydn
Joshua Rifkin, conductor
Cambridge Concentus kicks off their third season with a performance of Joseph Haydn's "Mariazellermesse" under the direction of Joshua Rifkin. It is an honor to have been chosen to perform the opening concert of the Haydn and Landon Conference at Boston University. This much anticipated international event celebrates the bicentennial of the death of Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) while recognizing musicologist H. C. Robbins Landon’s extensive scholarship on the composer.
October 1, 2009, Marsh Chapel, Boston, MA
St. Matthew Passion - Tour of Japan 2009
In collaboration with Kunitachi Bach Collegium
J S Bach
Joshua Rifkin, conductor
Jason McStoots, evangelist
Sumner Thompson, Jesus
Clara Rotsolk, soprano
Ulrike Präger, soprano
Thea Lobo, alto
Fumiko Kojima, soprano
Kanako Sakaue, alto
Katsuhiko Nakajima, tenor
Yohei Koto, bass
Yuya Chiba, bass
Kenichi Kano, bass
June 14, 2009, Sagamihara-Hashimoto
June 16, 2009, Sagamihara-Hashimoto
June 18, 2009, Osaka, at Izumi Hall
June 20, 2009, Suzaka, at Mesena Bunka Hall