NOVEMBER- DECEMBER 2020
COMING EVENTS
MPRO’s first “virtual meeting” will be held Wednesday, December 9. See Fred Palmer’s “Conductor’s Corner”column in this issue for detailed information.
The Bay Area ensemble Voices of Music has scheduled three online December classes. See: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?class=vom for information.
The Santa Cruz Baroque Festival has announced four virtual performances by soloists in 2021, including a recorder/cello event; see: http://scbaroque.org/. The “Broadcasts” link at the top of this page leads to recordings of past 2020 events.
The San Francisco Early Music Society has replaced its usual concert series with streamed performances by small ensembles, available at a reduced “per household” price. On demand access to the most recent (November 21) performance of “earworms” by a recorder/lute duo is available through December 12. See: https://sfems.org/20-21-concert-season/debus-sariel/.
The American Recorder Society’s website offers “Technique Tips” videos and has news about coming events including free online classes for beginners on C instruments and alto recorders, Sessions include four classes each, beginning in December and January. These are open to non-members of ARS. See: https://americanrecorder.org/
.
CONDUCTOR’S CORNER
Dear members of the Mid-Peninsula Recorder Orchestra,
Ray White and I will be co-hosting a virtual MPRO meeting via Zoom on Wednesday, December 9, at 7:30 P.M. Those attending will be admitted to the meeting starting at 7:15 P.M. We will be working on the following music:
Corelli: Sonata Op. 4, Preludio and Corrente
Josquin: Mille regretz
Susato: Pavane Bittre Reue
Schein: Suite No. 15, Paduanna, Allemande and Tripla
I will be sending PDF files of this music to all MPRO members in the event that some may not have copies. The score for each of the above selections will also appear on screen during the virtual meeting, however I strongly encourage everyone to use hard copy when playing along with the sound files for ease of reading and so that notes can be made in the music if necessary. I will also be including instructions on how to log into and participate in a Zoom meeting that the orchestra’s Assistant Director, Greta Haug-Hryciw, has generated for those taking part in the virtual meetings that she directs. Finally, Ray White will be sending out invitations to all MPRO members with a link to the virtual Zoom meeting and other information.
I appreciate all those who replied to my inquiry as to whether or not they wished to participate in a virtual MPRO meeting and look forward to seeing those that will on December 9.
Sincerely, Fred Palmer
Coming Events, continued:
The South Bay, East Bay, San Francisco and Sacramento Recorder Societies are all planning to continue with virtual meetings for the foreseeable future. Check their websites for information on dates and directors. The next special event for the EBRS will be a “Twelfth Night” celebration on Sunday, January 3.
If you learn about another “coming event” of interest to MPRO members, please publicize it through the mpro-members@googlegroups.com mailing list
DONATIONS TO MPRO
It's time to start thinking about year-end tax deductible donations. (Donations to MPRO are always welcome!) MPRO is an affiliate of the San Francisco Early Music Society (SFEMS). Under the terms of an annual agreement, SFEMS handles the Internal Revenue Service paperwork associated with our non-profit status, takes 7.5% from our donations to offset its expenses, and returns “disbursement” checks to MPRO for the remainder.
Checks should be made payable to SFEMS with a note in the memo field that the donation is for MPRO. To ensure that your donation is credited to MPRO, please do not mail a check directly to SFEMS or use SFEMS’ online links for donations using credit cards. Send your check to MPRO Treasurer Chantal Moser . Checks should reach Chantal before the last week in December in order to be sent to SFEMS this year.
LINKS TO FREE SHEET MUSIC
The Philadelphia Recorder Society’s list of links to free sheet music has been updated as of September 2020. See: Free Music Links. Links include the Steve Hendricks Music Collection of (mostly) Renaissance dances, with arrangements for up to 5 parts. Here is a play-along performance of one of the featured dances: Michael Praetorius - "Bransle de la Torche" (cornett / cornetto / zink).
RECORDINGS OF MPRO’S “NEW” MUSIC
Following are links to recordings of several pieces that Fred Palmer has recently assigned. The Telemann Overture in C Major is also known as Telemann’s Water Music. Its German title, which is also the title of the Gigue movement, is Hamburger Ebb’ und Fluth (ebb and flood), representing the tides. The suite was composed for performance on April 6, 1723 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Hamburg Admiralty, reflecting the city’s importance as a port on the River Elbe.
Telemann, Rondeau
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dkUp1ALLvs
Telemann, Gigue
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbOaufYd7ns
J.S. Bach, Forlaine
J.S. Bach, Polonaise
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGiWMsTtYfE
“THE TOPPING TOOTERS OF THE TOWN”
"The Topping Tooters of the Town" is an early 18th century description of the London City Waits or town band. A podcast with this title, featuring music that might have been played by the Waits, is available on the website of the National Public Radio program, Harmonia. The list at the following address also includes excerpts from a recent live performance by Piffaro. The “Archives” link on this page includes recordings of entire Harmonia programs. “Mystery Bachs” features music composed by Johann Sebastian Bach’s 17th century relatives. See: https://indianapublicmedia.org/harmonia/podcasts.php.
The Board: President: Judith Unsicker; Treasurers: Chantal Moser and Mary Ashley; Recording Secretary: vacant; Membership: Chris Flake and Tom Granvold; 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. MPRO website: http://www.mpro-online.org
Past Months' Issues:
