The Alexandria Symphony Orchestra (ASO) will offer a fresh take on chamber music with Bach, Brandenburgers & Brews after the holidays. On Friday, Jan. 11, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Old Town, new Music Director James Ross and members of the orchestra will present Brandenburg Concertos No. 2, 4 and 5. Each concerto will feature soloists who regularly perform as principals with the ASO.
Bach dedicated the six Brandenburg Concertos in 1721 to Christian Ludwig-Margrave of Brandenburg, and they have since been regarded as some of the finest orchestral compositions of the Baroque era. Following an Italian concerto grosso style, the Brandenburg Concertos combine solo instruments for each concerto, accompanied by the other players, called the ripieno. Concerto No. 2 in F major features a trumpet, oboe and violin while Concerto No. 4 in G major presents a violin and two flutes; Concerto No. 5 in D major combines a harpsichord, violin and flute. Attendees will enjoy the intimate atmosphere of St. Paul’s, known for its great acoustics, paired with an authentic harpsichord.
“Given the popularity of the Brandenburg Concerti among all kinds of people, the idea of presenting this joyous music in one of Alexandria's historic churches grabbed my imagination,” comments Maestro Ross. “For our players, it is a chance to touch a kind of music that has rarely been presented in ASO programming. This will also be a very different experience for the audience, and I’ll invite attendees to participate with a surprise element during the concert.”
Immediately following the performance, the audience is invited to a reception serving “Alexander Brandenburgers” specially created for the occasion, craft beer and German delicacies, provided by the German Gourmet, Pork Barrel BBQ and Port City Brewing Company. The vibe is casual, and the concert will appeal to Bach lovers of all ages.
The Alexandria Symphony is a fully-professional orchestra drawing from the Washington, D.C. metropolitan region’s wealth of musical talent. Many musicians perform with other orchestras and top military bands. The ASO welcomes corporate and individual sponsors for this event. For tickets and more information, visit www.alexsym.org or call 703-548-0885.