Chamber

"The Art of Variation"

Variations have been one of the most enduring musical forms and have inspired creativity from centuries of musicians as the limitations set by repeating forms paradoxically give way to unbound inventiveness. In “The Art of Variation,” Accademia de' Dissonanti presents an unusual program of research, exploration, composition, and performance that corresponds to the most recent innovations in eighteenth-century performance practice. It is well known that in the 18th century, most performers also composed (for their own instrument or for the ensembles in which they worked), and that elements of improvisation were an integral part of musical practice. This new program is one that explores the Baroque art of variation. Some sonatas have a short theme, followed by a set of variations, others are repeating bass lines that give rise to composed and improvised variations, while others are melodies varied through the performers musical voice. Whatever the type, varying music is an art that delights the listener with virtuosic gestures and resourceful melodies. Accademia de’ Dissonanti performs these ever-changing variations with violins, cello, and harpsichord through celebrated music by Corelli, Leo, Vivaldi, Tartini, and Dall’Abaco as well as newer compositions by Nicola Canzano and artistic director, Elinor Frey.

Program

Arcangelo Corelli (1653 - 1713) - Trio Sonata in G Major, op. 2, no. 12 "Ciaccona"

Giuseppe Clemente Dall’Abaco (1710-1805) - Sonata in D Major, ABV 21 (variations composés par Elinor Frey)

Nicola Canzano - Trio Sonata no. 9 in C Major (2020)

Elinor Frey - Cello Sonata no. 1 (2025)

Leonardo Leo - Concerto in F major for cello, two violins, and basso continuo (14 min)

Giuseppe Tartini - Variations from L'arte dell'arco

Antonio Vivaldi - Trio Sonata "La Follia" in D Minor RV63

Other works TBD.

Performers: 4 musicians

The Musical world of Jean Baur

Program

Jean Baur (1717-1773)
Sonata in B-flat Major for cello and basso continuo, op. 2, no. 2 “La Dupleïx” (1756)
Sonate no. 6 in C Major for harp
Sonate in g minor for cello and basso continuo, op. 1, no. 4 (1751)
Sonata in B-flat Major for harp “avec un Accompagnement Chantant pour le Clavecin,” op. 8, no. 3
Sonata in d minor for cello and basso continuo, op. 1, no. 3 (1751)

3-4 musicians of Accademia de’ Dissonanti:
Elinor Frey, cello
Antoine Malette-Chénier, harp
Mélisande McNabney, harpsichord (and/or pianoforte)
TBD, cello

JS Bach - Complete Sonatas for Viola da Gamba and Harpsichord

Program

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)

Sonata in G Major for viola da gamba and harpsichord, BWV 1027 (14 min)
Sonata in D Major for viola da gamba and harpsichord, BWV 1028 (15 min)
Intermission
Italian concerto for harpsichord, BWV 971 (10 min)
Sonata in g minor for viola da gamba and harpsichord, BWV 1029 (15 min)

Performers
Elinor Frey, viola da gamba
Elizaveta Miller, harpsichord

A Cello in Italy

For 10 years, cellist Elinor Frey has been searching for the most beautiful Baroque cello music from Italy, the country where cello music first appeared. Accademia de’ Dissonanti performs various sonatas, from the famous Venetian composer Antonio Vivaldi to the little-known music for the early cello by Giuseppe Maria Dall'Abaco (1710-1805) and Antonio Vandini (1690-1778) and Angelo Maria Fiorè (1660-1723), all cellists famous in their time, but now nearly forgotten. Also featured is an irresistible work for solo theorbo, a transcription made by Lucas Harris of a famous violin sonata by Giuseppe Tartini.

Program

Giuseppe Clemente Dall’Abaco (1710-1805) - Cello Sonata in D Major, ABV 39
Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741) - Cello Sonata in B-flat major, RV 46
Antonio Vandini (1690-1778) - Cello Sonata in C major (Venice, 1717)
*pause*
Angelo Maria Fiorè (1660-1723) - Cello Sonata in G Major
Giuseppe Tartini (c.1664-1721)- Sonata in G Minor, Op. 1, no. 10 “Didone abbandonata” (arr. Lucas Harris)
Dall’Abaco (1710-1805) - Cello Sonata IX in C Major, ABV 20

3-4 performers of Accademia de’ Dissonanti:
Elinor Frey, cello
Lucas Harris, theorbo
TBD, cello or harpsichord