Baroque musicians present bravura repertoire to rural Montana towns

Violinist Carrie Krause introduces the opening number, a lyrical piece by J.S. Bach, with John Lenti barely visible behind the harpsichord. They were joined by fellow Baroque Music Montana players
at Community Congregational Church in Columbus, Montana. The group is on tour through Aug. 24.

WORLD CLASS ENSEMBLE
DELIGHTS FULL HOUSES

STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS
PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER

Vocalist Reginald Mobley's resonant countertenor
voice delighted a full house with 

BAROQUE MUSIC boasts a delightful do-over through the world-class talents of Baroque Music Montana.

The gifted ensemble would grace any stage worldwide, but by good fortune, it is based in Bozeman, Montana. 

It's musicians have wide-ranging interests and credentials and come together in Montana from  Massachusetts, Washington and New York.  

THEIR CREDITS credits include study at the country's finest music schools, including New York's famed Juilliard.  

Montanans may recognize ensemble founder, violinist Carrie Krause, whose specialty is early music. The diminutive and spirited Krause is concertmaster of the Bozeman Symphony and teaches students young and old in Gallatin Valley. 

 Countertenor Reginald Mobley is Florida born and Boston based.

Elliot Figg on harpsichord is a native Texan who lives in New York.  Carolina born John Lenti plays guitar and theorbo, a large lute used for accompaniment in the period pieces.

WE HAD the pleasure of catching a concert recently in my hometown church in Columbus, Montana, a small village in Stillwater County.  In the acoustically soothing sanctuary of Community Congregational Church, the four talents played a precise 90-minute

John Lenti masters his theorbo, a large
lute, plucked in period music.

 program of Bach, Purcell, Handel and more.

The generous house was immediately on its feet, hoping for an encore which the group enthusiastically supplied.

 The ensemble is presenting an ambitious season with a repertoire showcasing popular period music played from 1600 to 1750, before Renaissance music came into vogue.

 

THE ENSEMBLE'S sense of flair comes across in precise,  showy playing.  They've mastered the technique of the period -- formal precision but with a sense of fun.  They stylishly deliver, honoring the baroque custom: choosing small, acoustically perfect settings and appreciative audiences to deliver their inventive repertoire.

Elliot Figg plays with perfection the
 harpsichord; here he introduces a number. 

The upcoming  tour -- Aug. 16 through Aug. 24 -- is whimsically titled "Will You Be My Valentini?" and promises a light-hearted program exploring a violinist known as ‘'Little Ragamuffin.’' Florentine born Giuseppe Valentini was a painter, poet, and composer who succeeded Corelli, the great guru of Italian baroque musicians.

THE GROUP has a fun-sounding recording for sale, "BaMM's" inaugural recording, "Sonata Tramontana." It is the first commercially-released period instrument recording in Montana, for CD and digital release and features, says Krause, "our favorite music." The works are especially suited for this instrumentation, she adds, "sublime sonatas from 17th century Germany, to soothe the aesthetic and intimate cravings of the soul." The season continues with these concerts: Aug. 16, at 7 p.m. at Beehler House in Bozeman; Aug. 17 in White Sulphur Springs; Aug. 18 at Bitterroot Public Library in Hamilton; Aug. 19 at Backyard Baroque in Bozeman, and Aug. 24 in Big Sky.

Baroque under the Big Sky. A grateful and enthusiastic
audience applauds performers at Community Congregational
Church in Columbus. Baroque Music Montana performed.
 

The upcoming collaborative concert tour features another treat for lovers of the period.  Baroque dance specialist Julie Andrijeski will join Krause.

Next year's 2021-22 season begins Oct. 9 and concludes with the ensemble's traditional workshop in August, 2022.

THE WIT of the four matches their talent as they offer engaging insights into the music they love, entertaining the audience with humorous asides throughout the evening. Don't miss the opportunity to enjoy their brilliance.

baroquemusicmontana.com

Little Island is more than a little delightful, a multi-million-
dollar gift from Barry Diller and Diane von Furstenberg.

UP NEXT:   We visit the newly opened "floating park" called Little Island, in New York City. The imaginative space was christened earlier this summer, a magnificent "do over" of Pier 55, a calming oasis in the city. Two wealthy philanthropists devised the project to revitalize a part of Hudson River Park with nearly three acres of new public space  featuring lush greenery and a diverse array of   carefully tended flowers. An ampitheater offers concerts, and there are many other charms. Remember to explore, learn and live and catch us each week for a fresh spin on the arts, travel, nature, family and more: www.whereiscookie.com