NOVEMBER 2016
MUSIC TRIVIA: VIVALDI AND THE PIETA
During the 2016-2017 season. MPRO is rehearsing a Vivaldi concerto, RV 531. The “RV” stands for “Ryom-Verzeichnis”, a 20th-century system for cataloging Vivaldi’s works. Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741) wrote more than 500 concertos, and for part of his career he was committed to providing at least two concertos per month to his employer, the Ospedale della Pieta in Venice. The Pieta was a convent, orphanage, and school. By Vivaldi’s time, the Pieta was known throughout Europe for
its all-female orchestra and chorus, with 30-60 members. In addition to providing music for religious services, the orchestra/chorus gave concerts and private performances that were used as fundraisers. In the image of a Pieta concert above, the musicians are in galleries along the wall at the left. They sometimes performed behind grilles for the sake of modesty. The Pieta admitted and educated both boys and girls, but boys were placed in apprenticeships for trades by age 15. Girls were tested for musical ability at about age 9, and those who passed were given intensive training in instrumental and vocal music. Other girls were given dowries upon completing their education. Orchestra/chorus members were allowed to stay at the Ospedale for their entire lives if they wished to. The most successful “figlie de coro” became celebrities and received lavish gifts from their admirers. Some made advantageous marriages. The Pieta remained active until about 1830. For more information about Vivaldi and the Pieta, see: http://www.baroquemusic.org/vivaldi.html
-Judith Unsicker
CONDUCTOR’S CORNER
Dear members of the Mid-Peninsula Recorder Orchestra,
Listed below is the music for the orchestra’s next four meetings. Please note that the music scheduled for the November 9 meeting has changed from the selections listed in the October issue of Upbeat and that the meeting on Monday, December 5, will take place at Grace Lutheran Church, 3149 Waverley Street in Palo Alto at 7:30 P.M. as will the meeting on Friday, December 9, which is the dress rehearsal for the orchestra’s holiday concert. The holiday concert will take place at Grace Lutheran Church on Sunday, December 11, at 2:30 P.M. All those planning on taking part in this performance are expected to attend the dress rehearsal on December 9. As in the past, small ensembles are encouraged to appear in this concert. Those groups that intend to perform at the holiday concert are asked to send me the following information by November 18: the title(s) of the music to be performed, the name(s) of the composer(s), the name of the ensemble (if any) and the names of the ensemble's members. Please note that at the meetings on November 9 and November 30 there will be sectional seating for the Telemann La Joie, with those playing Soprano Recorder 1 and 2, Alto Recorder 1 and Tenor Recorder 1 sitting on the right as they face the conductor and those playing Alto Recorder 2 and 3 Tenor Recorder 2 and Bass Recorder 1 and 2 on the left. Please observe this seating arrangement when you choose your place at the beginning of the meetings on November 9 and November 30. Seating charts will be used for the meetings on December 5 and December 9 as well as the holiday concert on December 11. Please note as well that contrabass recorders and bassoons will be needed at all four meetings, great bass recorders on November 30, December 9 and December 11 and sopranino recorder and krummhorns on November 9, December 9 and December 11.
[Editor’s Note: Remember to bring a music stand to all rehearsals and the concert!!!]
November 9
Gabrieli: La Spiritata
Praetorius: La Canarie
Vivaldi: Concerto RV 531
Telemann: La Joie
November 30
Vivaldi: Concerto RV 531
Telemann: La Joie
Trenet and Lasry: La Mer
Fortuna Desperata
Monday, December 5
MPRO meeting
Grace Lutheran Church.
3149 Waverley Street in Palo Alto, 7:30 P.M
Gabrieli: La Spiritata
Vivaldi: Concerto RV 531
Telemann: La Joie
Trenet and Lasry: La Mer
Fortuna Desperata
Friday, December 9
Dress rehearsal for the MPRO holiday concert
Grace Lutheran Church, 7:30 P.M.
God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen; Good King Wenceslas; O come, All Ye Faithful
Gabrieli: La Spiritata
Fortuna Desperata
Trenet and Lasry: La Mer
Vivaldi: Concerto RV 531
Praetorius: La Canarie
Telemann: La Joie
Sunday, December 11
MPRO holiday concert
Grace Lutheran Church, 2:30 P.M.
Gabrieli: La Spiritata
Fortuna Desperata
Trenet and Lasry: La Mer
Vivaldi: Concerto RV 531
Praetorius: La Canarie
Telemann: La Joie
God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen; Good King Wenceslas; O come, All Ye Faithful
I look forward to seeing you at the upcoming meetings and concert.
Sincerely, Fred Palmer
The Board: President: Judith Unsicker; Treasurer: LouAnn Hofmann; Recording Secretary: Helen Shamble; Membership: Chris Flake; Publicity: vacant; Graphics: Mary Ashley; Newsletter Editor: vacant; Workshop Coordinator: vacant; Hospitality: vacant; Music Sales: Laura Gonsalves; Historian: vacant; Webmaster: Dan Chernikoff; Music Director: Fred Palmer; Assistant Music Director: Greta Haug-Hryciw.
MPRO website: http://www.mpro-online.org
