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Early German Baroque Masters March 5 and 6, 2010 Toronto, February 3, 2010 —The Toronto Consort presents From Praetorius to Bach: Visions of Darkness and Light, a programme of sacred music by early German baroque composers on March 5 and 6, 2010 at 8:00 pm at Trinity St. Paul's Centre. These concerts feature Bach’s famous cantata Christ lag in Todesbanden in all its original but rarely heard glory, complete with early wind instruments, the cornetto and sackbut (early trombone). For tickets and information, call the box office at (416) 964-6337 or visit www.torontoconsort.org. The music of Praetorius, Schütz, Schein, and early J.S. Bach define the soundscape of the early German Baroque, known for its magnificent sacred works performed by combined forces of voices and instruments. This mid-season concert features a large ensemble of rarely heard instruments including sackbuts and cornetto, in addition to singers, strings, lutes and keyboards. Special guests Greg Ingles, Erik Schmalz and Mack Ramsey (sackbuts); Matthew Jennejohn (cornetto); Chris Verrrette, Patricia Ahern, Elly Winer, Pat Jordan, Margaret Gay and Alison Mackay (strings); Lucas Harris (theorbo); Dawn Bailey (soprano); Gunther Vandeven (countertenor); Kevin Skelton and Bud Roach (tenor); and Paul Oros (bass), join the nine members of the Consort, who add layers of musical texture with additional voices, recorder, lute and organ. From Praetorius to Bach opens and closes with two parts of Michael Praetorius’ multi-layered Gloria sei Gott for two choirs and instruments. The programme also juxtaposes two settings of the famous Lutheran text Christ lag in Todesbanden (Christ lay in death’s bonds): the most famous by J. S. Bach, and a lesser-known version by Ludwig Daser (1526–1589), who composed his work more than 100 years before Bach’s. From Praetorius to Bach also features spectacular double-choir works by Johann Herman Schein (1586-1630), and two of the composer’s instrumental selections. Bach’s most famous predecessor, Heinrich Schütz (1585-1672) is represented on the programme by three motets for voices and instruments, and an instrumental selection. New this season: The Toronto Consort launches Club Consort, a new program that offers concert tickets to people age 30 and under, for only $10 each (with valid photo ID). Club Consort members can bring a friend — of any age — for another $10. The Toronto Consort ushered in 2010 with a ten-day tour of its popular programme, The Da Vinci Codex through British Columbia and Alberta. Closer to home, the Consort presents education concerts to high school students on February 4, and on February 5, the ensemble performs a short concert entitled Carnival in Venice: Party Music of the 16th Century at the Bata Shoe Museum from 8 to 9 pm. This concert complements the museum’s current exhibit of Renaissance and Baroque footwear.
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From Praetorius to Bach:
The Toronto Consort
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