The Brandenburg Concertos with Chamber Music Society
A perfect little holiday tradition!
On Dec 15, 2023, as part of my birthday/holiday celebration, I attended my first Chamber Music Society concert at the Lincoln Center. What a fabulous gift!
Speaking of gifts, Bach gifted these concertos to Christian Ludwig, the margrave of Brandenburg in 1721. There is no record of the margrave recognizing this gift or even listening to the music. (how rude) So the music sat until it was rediscovered and published in 1850.
Everyone who studied music for more than 3 years knows Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos. No 3, in G Major, MWV 1048 Allegro makes top pop lists all over the world. Composed 300 years ago, the music is still bold, breaking the norms with a wide range of moods (not just changes in tempo).
CMS played the concertos in order - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
The first concerto starts with a bang, and full on, or in the words of the program “full-textured”. Let’s just say there is a lot going on for a Baroque era piece. Everyone plays and takes turns playing the melody. Even without a conductor, they remain synchronized through frequent eye contact and head bobbing. If there was a leader, I didn’t see one, and just assumed first violin filled the role.
All the concertos were delightful, fun and light. They were super easy on the ears. If you love Bach or math perfected, this is the concert for you.
My favorite concerto was the 6th because we have the unusual situation of a pair of violas playing solos! I know. Exciting. The instrument frequently voted off the island, or least missed if you were to remove them from the orchestra, is the one with the virtuosic solo lines. The viola players were thrilled about this and it was written all over their faces. They could not stop smiling! One was practically grinning and it was infectious. The audience was happier for the piece and the enthusiasm.
(as you can see, just a few musicians. often just 6 or 7. everyone stands except the piano and cello)
I found this video from an earlier CMS production, so you can watch too. see below.
Audience: 10/10. The audience was more casual than even the NY Phil. I saw jeans and hoodies!
Tickets: I bought a series of 4 concerts, for < $200. What an amazing value, for this enriching experience.