Double Concertos

Mention baroque music, and chewing gum may not be the first impression to come to mind. But when Martin Haselböck, Music Director for Musica Angelica Baroque Orchestra shared his thoughts on the programming for The Double Concerti, which will take place on Saturday, May 5 at 8 p.m. at Neighborhood Church in Pasadena and on Sunday, May 6 at 3 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Santa Monica, staff members soon found themselves paraphrasing the old ad for Doublemint gum.

“We took the slogan ‘Double the pleasure, double the fun,’ and tweaked it to read ‘Double concertos, Double the fun!” says Musica Angelica’s Marketing Director Cindi Young with a smile.  “As Martin pointed out, if solo concertos are wonderful experiences, an evening of concertos composed for not one but two soloists will be even more…well, fun! Also, our orchestral ranks are full of talent, and The Double Concerti gives us double the opportunity to showcase their artistry.”

Soloists taking part in The Double Concerti include Martin Haselböck who, in keeping with the concert’s theme, will take on dual roles as both conductor and organist; Gonzalo Ruiz, oboe; Andrew Schwartz, bassoon; Cynthia Roberts, violin; Owen Dalby, violin; and Rotem Gilbert, recorder.

However, the ‘doubling’ effect at the two performances on May 5 and 6 will extend beyond the number of soloists per concerto.

“In our program, you will hear double concertos of two different types:  concertos for two instruments of the same family – like Bach`s wonderful pairing of two violins – and concertos which combine two instruments of different character and timbre, like oboe and violin, bassoon and recorder, and even violin and organ,” Haselböck explains.  

On the program are Concerto for Oboe, Bassoon and Orchestra in G major, R.545 and Concerto for Recorder, Oboe, Violin, and Bassoon in G minor, RV.107 by Vivaldi; Double Concerto for Two Violins and Orchestra in D minor by Bach; Double Concerto for Violin and Organ by Haydn; Sonata da chiesa for Oboe, Violin, Strings and Continuo by Heinichen: and Concerto for Recorder, Bassoon and Orchestra in F major, TWV.52:F1 by Telemann.  

“Each pairing brings its own distinct, emotional style,” Haselböck says. “For example, the mood is melancholic in the beautiful Telemann Concerto, playful and happy in the Haydn, while the always-spirited Vivaldi concerti displays the joy of virtuosity.”

 Tickets for The Double Concerti are reasonably priced, ranging from $29 to $49/person, with seniors receiving a 10% discount ($26 to $44) and students a special price of only $15 with valid identification.  In addition, members of KUSC and SCEMS receive $10 off single ticket prices.  For more information or to order tickets, visit www.musicaangelica.org or call 310.458.4504.

Neighborhood Church is located at 301 North Orange Grove Blvd. in Pasadena, 91103. First Presbyterian Church is located at 1220 2nd Street in Santa Monica, 90402.