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November 21, 2009 4:39 PM
Comments: 2
By Orlando Monaco
As the holiday season swings into high gear I always find myself looking forward to a particular local musical event which has become over time just another reason why I believe Buffalo is definitely an arts and cultural oriented city. The specific musical event to which I am referring is the Viva Vivaldi Festival, which celebrates the classical music of Antonio Vivaldi and a number of other composers which contributed numerous compositions during a period of classical music know as the Baroque period.
This annual
classical music festival is comprised of a four part concert series that has taken place on consecutive Sunday nights starting from November 1st and
ending tomorrow, on November 22nd, and is performed by the highly acclaimed Ars
Nova Chamber Musician Orchestra with Marylouise Nana as both musical director
and conductor. As if listening to the Ars Nova chamber orchestra
performing well-known Baroque pieces such as Vivaldi's Four Seasons live is not
enough to capture your attention, you also have these performances taking place
in some of downtown Buffalo's most beautiful and historic cathedrals.
What you now have is truly a unique musical festival. Baroque
classical music complimented by stunning architectural works: a feast for both
ears and eyes.
Last Sunday I was lucky enough to catch the 3rd concert of this year's festival which took place at First Presbyterian Church in Symphony Circle and the night was a memorable one to say the least. This magnificent Romanesque cathedral made of medina sandstone completed circa 1890s was an incredible backdrop for the Ars Nova Musicians to perform their magic. Given the scale and size of this church the interior was still warm and inviting and the acoustics were incredible as well.
One particular musical piece of that evening that stands out was Vivaldi's Concerto in E Minor for four violins, strings, and cembalo F.I/174. Accompanying the Ars Nova Musicians on this concerto was a string section made up of 30 or more students from Buffalo Suzuki Strings. The delivery was so powerful on this very dynamic piece that you could not help but be emotionally moved by the music. So much so, a standing ovation was the only response all those in attendance felt appropriate for such a great performance.
The next and
final concert of this year's Viva Vivaldi Festival takes place tomorrow, Sunday, November 22nd, at 6:30 PM
in Holy Trinity Lutheran Church at 1080 Main Street. For just $10 admittance you may come to the same
conclusion that the Viva Vivaldi festival is just another one of Buffalo's many
treasures.
Images: Last week's concert at First Presbyterian
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November 21, 2009 5:55 PM
People who dont go to mass forget the intimacy of spirit and god in our lives.
It matters not whether it is vivaldi or whether it is the gay mens chorus or whether its a christian choral or gospel.
These buildings were built so that the surroundings by design gave us a spiritual experience.
The classical and baroque (as well as other forms) have a way of tapping into our spirit and emotions through sound (which is one reason why certain sections of our mass is meant to be sung).
I SAY THIS WITH GREAT PRIDE FOR BUFFALO AND FOR BUFFALONIANS THAT WE ARE A CITY WITH A HISTORY OF WEALTH AND WE ARE A CITY OF POVERTY...BUT NEITHER MONEY NOR CLASS, GENDER NOR RACE, RELIGION NOR SEXUAL ORIENTATION SEPARATE US TO A GREAT DEGREE.
YOU SEE IT EVERYWHERE...FROM OUR BOTANICAL GARDENS TO OUR ART MUSEUMS TO OUR CONCERTS TO OUR CLASSICAL READINGS AT KARPELLES, TO OUR PARKS AND ARCHITECTURE....WE BUFFALONIANS HAVE GREAT APPRECIATION FOR THE BOUNTY OF LIFE THAT DOESNT NECESSARILY HAVE TO BE MEASURED IN $$$.
(Ironic isnt it...how a city that find such appreciation and unity in the simplest pleasures of life...can rip itself apart trying to achieve a consensus elsewhere.)
November 21, 2009 7:35 PM
oh one last point to ponder...for Buffalo is truly blessed numerous turn of the prior century churches ... built not by prefab and steel but by the rough hewed stones of european christian and protestant immigrants who contributed greatly to the culture and unity of our community and our nation.
Whats the point to ponder? Look at this concert...and see how these churchs are not just places for christians but places for community...these are the centers to nourish our souls as well as modern day Buffalo equivalents of town centers.
The point to ponder is that these churches active or decommissioned are anchors to build from in revitalizing our urban communities...and every church demolished or lost puts that community that much further away from having an anchor for retail, residential and commercial infill/redevelopment.
Thought Id point it out...for those who do not see the bigger picture.
(There is absolutely no reason Vivaldi or the gay mens chorus or gospel must only play in one church but play one week in a westside, another in an eastside, another in a south buffalo...etc. Merry Christmas Buffalo...we all our hearts sing out as one this Christmas and throughout the coming year).