The collaboration between SFEMS and the California Jazz Conservatory continues on Sunday, April 19, with the Albany Consort exploring the spirit of improvisation over 250 years by “Making it Up.”
The Albany Consort for this concert will include Marion Rubinstein recorder; Jonathan Salzedo, harpsichord; Rita Lilly, soprano; Laura Rubinstein-Salzedo, violin; Caitlin Cribbs, violin & viola; and Amy Brodo, cello & viola da gamba. Their program will feature thought-provoking compositions, ornamentations and improvisations, tracing virtuosity in performance from 1550 to 1800. Jonathan Salzedo describes their program as follows:
“This month’s offering highlights both composer and performer creativity. It was normal for composers to parody each other, and for performers to go way beyond the written music in their performances. Our program starts with the beautiful Renaissance chanson Doulce Memoire and follows with a couple of virtuoso reworks. We’ll then take a look at the revolutionary ideas that turned music upside down 50 years later both in songs and instrumental pieces. Next come a couple of preludes, and in these it is impossible to tell whether the notes are the composer’s, or whether the performers are just rolling out improvisations. After that we perform mature works where the composers set out a framework, fully expecting that the performer would complete the composition in an equal partnership. We will conclude with compositions based on the haunting ‘Spanish Follies,’ starting with our own group improvisation, and following its progress from a simple English harpsichord version to a magnificent collaboration of Corelli, Geminiani and me!”
The concert begins at 4:30 p.m., at the California Jazz Conservatory (formerly The Jazzschool), 2087 Addison St., between Shattuck and Milvia, in downtown Berkeley. The venue is one block from the downtown Berkeley BART station, and parking is easily available at the Addison Street parking garage. Street parking is free on Sundays and also relatively easy in the afternoon. The school’s café is open prior to and during the concert, allowing audience members to enjoy a glass of wine, coffee, or a light snack.
All tickets are $15; reservations are highly recommended, as the venue is small and intimate. For reservations and information, please call the California Jazz Conservatory at 510-845-5373 or email [email protected].
