PLAYING IT FORWARD
Creative lineages from teachers to students are revealed in this multi-generational program. Works include a trio sonata by Zachow (Handel’s teacher), an aria by J. C. Smith (Handel’s student), a trio sonata for strings by Kirnberger (J. S. Bach’s student), a flute sonata by Anna Amalia (Kirnberger’s student), an aria by Porpora (Haydn’s teacher), and an aria by Marianna Martines (Haydn’s student). With soprano Corrine Byrne.
Saturday, October 24, 4pm: First Parish, Sudbury
Sunday, October 25, 4pm: Old South Church, Boston and livestreamed
CHRISTMAS IN OLDE/NEW ENGLAND
Presented in collaboration with the early music choir Convivium Musicum
Celebrate the season with joyful and spirited Christmas choral and instrumental works from country churches on both sides of the Atlantic. The boisterous singing style of Early American fugueing tunes is featured alongside the rustic West Gallery style of rural England. Enjoy early arrangements of familiar seasonal tunes and festive instrumental works.
As a final celebration of 2026 as the 250th anniversary of American independence, music by some of our region’s earliest composers are included.)
Saturday, December 5, 4pm, Church of the Covenant, Boston
Sunday, December 6, 4pm, First Unitarian Church, Worcester and livestreamed
WHEN IN ROME
Baroque composers from across Europe were drawn to the glorious musical culture of the Eternal City to study the highly-regarded expressive style of the Italians. Delight in the blossoming creativity of Handel, G. Benda, Muffat, Bononcini, Froberger, and others in this program that melds international styles in quartets, trios, duos, and solos.
Saturday, March 6, 4pm: First Parish, Wayland and livestreamed
Sunday, March 7, 4pm: Old South Church, Boston
CLASSICAL KALEIDOSCOPE
Rare chamber works written for multiple historical wind and string instruments come alive! Be immersed in a dazzling array of sonorities as the colors of clarinet, flute, bassoon, and horn blend with strings in an outstanding septet by Johann Nisle (an unjustly overlooked contemporary of Beethoven), and the regional premieres of a quintet by Andreas Lidl and a sextet by Johann Andreas Amon (composers admired by Haydn).
Saturday, April 17, 4pm Museum of Worcester and livestreamed
Sunday, April 18, 4pm, Emmanuel Church, Boston