For the Townsman
For 25 years Ensemble Caprice has been known for the innovative spirit it breathes into the baroque repertoire. And the renowned orchestra is coming to Cranbrook’s Royal Alexandra Hall Feb. 23.
Ensemble Caprice, a baroque ensemble which performs on period instruments, was founded by acclaimed recorder soloist Matthias Maute and has become known for its innovative and adventuresome approach to an increasingly expanding musical repertoire.
In addition to their concerts in Montreal, the orchestra undertakes several tours every year – an impressive accomplishment, with dozens of concerts given in Quebec, Canada, USA, Europe, and Asia. They have named their latest project Salsa Baroque.
Salsa is the Spanish word for sauce, designating at the same time a dance as well as a family of musical genres in Latin-American music. It is this latter meaning and its ancient roots that, together with a bit of humour, that Ensemble Caprice have taken to give the title Salsa baroque to their project. Despite the human and political tragedies surrounding the colonization of the South American continent, the multi-polar musical culture that resulted is distinguished by its fiery spirit and passion: here is music with a unique character that enriches the repertoire of the 17th century with refreshing novelties. Music of Latin America and Spain of the 17th and 18th Century.
During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, the musical dialogue between the Old and the New Worlds produced extraordinary results. This fascinating blend of European polyphony and Latin American traditional music created a unique style. Also included in the programme are sonatas by Falconieri, a European composer who was influenced by this Latin American style. Gems from this spectacular musical era will be performed on instruments that were common at the time: flutes and recorders, baroque guitar, cello and various percussion instruments.
Tickets are available at the Key City Theatre Box Office 250-426-7006 and Online at www.keycitytheatre.com.
