One of the most dexterous and eloquent Baroque violinists of our time, John Holloway has participated in a number of important “historically informed” performances conducted by the likes of Roger Norrington, Andrew Parrott, and William Christie. For this recital he’ll be joined by four colleagues–Stanley Ritchie (violinist and Indiana University prof), Andrew Manze (concertmaster of Ton Koopman’s Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra), Nigel North (lute and theorbo), and John Toll (harpsichord)–all equally prominent and as widely recorded in the field of early music. The emphasis of their thoroughly engaging program is on works for violin trio, as indicated by its title, “Three Parts Upon a Ground,” named after an instrumental piece by Henry Purcell that the group will perform. The program’s first half is devoted to half-forgotten contributions by Italian masters both major and minor, from Giovanni Gabrieli and Dario Castello of Saint Mark’s of Venice to those whom they influenced, including Biagio Marini and Giovanni Fontana. Then the musical excursion follows the evolution of the genre north to the German countries with pieces by Johann Pachelbel (his annoyingly ubiquitous Canon and Gigue), Heinrich Biber, Johann Schmelzer, and Johann Froberger (a poignant lament). The Purcell, which concludes the concert, represents violin-trio writing at its most imaginative and accessible. Wednesday, 7:30 PM, Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, Northwestern University, 1977 South Campus Dr., Evanston; 708-491-5441.
Art accompanying story in printed newspaper (not available in this archive): photo/Malcom Crowthers.