Reeds and Resonance - music from the Golden Age of the bassoon

Step into the deep, velvety sound world of the curtal — the Renaissance predecessor of the modern bassoon — in this vibrant program of music from Italy, Spain, and Germany. A consort of curtals joins the glowing tones of viola da gamba, baroque triple harp, and theorbo to create a sound both earthy and luminous, full of breath and resonance.

From the lyrical sonatas of Biagio Marini and Giovanni Bertoli to the spirited dances of Kapsperger and Mainerio, this concert revels in the expressive possibilities of early double reeds and plucked strings. The warm harmonies of Praetorius and the Iberian flair of Selma y Salaverde and Martín y Coll bring touches of joy, tenderness, and exuberant rhythm.

Performed by an exceptional ensemble of early music specialists, this is music that sings, sighs, and dances — a feast of timbres rarely heard today, inviting listeners into a world where wind, string, and imagination entwine.

Ballarat Organs and Fine Music Festival Performance #8