No composer evokes the essence of nature quite like Antonio Vivaldi. The Venetian composer not only expressed nature through music but also through poetry. His renowned violin concerti, The Four Seasons, stands as a revolutionary portrayal of the natural world, with vivid depictions of flowing streams, birdsong, buzzing insects, gentle breezes, boisterous peasants, thunderstorms, barking dogs, hunting scenes, and icy landscapes. This iconic set of concerti is considered one of the earliest and most famous examples of program music. Yet, Vivaldi’s references to nature extend beyond these violin concerti, as his music for other instruments, including the flute and mandolin, also captures the beauty of the natural world. Three such works are the focus of Crescendo’s upcoming performances on October 5 at Trinity Church in Lakeville, Connecticut, and October 6 at Saint James Place in Great Barrington, Massachusetts.
In addition to these nature-inspired pieces, the program will feature two Vivaldi works that highlight the exceptional virtuosity of the soloists:
Edson Scheid — Baroque violin
Rodrigo Tarraza — traverso (Baroque flute)
Carlos Boltes — charango
Scott Hill — charango
These talented musicians will be supported by Crescendo Period Instrument Orchestra’s string players and basso continuo. Gonzalo Cortés and Rodrigo Tarraza will also perform on the quena (an Andean flute), with Christine Gevert directing from the harpsichord.
Brazilian-born Edson Scheid, now based in New York City, is known for his performances on both modern and period instruments. He has played with many of New York’s premier ensembles, including the Trinity Baroque Orchestra, Orchestra of St. Luke’s, and American Classical Orchestra. Scheid’s recording of the Paganini Caprices on Baroque violin for the Naxos label has earned high praise, with Fanfare Magazine noting, “Scheid’s Caprices are far more than mere virtuoso stunts—they are full of the beauty and revolutionary spirit of these works.”
Rodrigo Tarraza is a versatile musician who teaches clarinet, saxophone, and flute at The School of Music in Rockville, Maryland. He regularly performs internationally and leads his own classical quartet and jazz trio in the New York City area. A student of Barthold Kuijken at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague, Tarraza will play the traverso, or Baroque flute, in these performances.
Carlos Boltes and Scott Hill, known collectively as Alturas Duo, recently performed at the Daniel Arts Center at Simon’s Rock in celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month. Boltes, a classically trained violist, and Hill, a guitarist, will perform on the charango, a traditional Andean instrument in the lute family, for this program. Their unique combination of instruments will contribute to a rich, multicultural sound in the exploration of Vivaldi’s music.
Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the vivid world of nature through Vivaldi’s music, brought to life by an exceptional ensemble of musicians.
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