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Angels and DemonsHouse of Time

In this concert we explore psychologically problematic manifestations in baroque music. Emmanuel Bach's musical depiction of the dialogue between an optimist and a pessimist sounds to us like an exploration of extremes verging on madness. Tartini claimed to have composed his sonata after a troubling dream in which the Devil himself appeared and played it for him. In Vivaldi's sonata, a virtuous soul is stalked by the Devil, struggles, and ultimately succumbs. Purcell's hallucinatory chaconne, Bach's dreamlike trio, and Vivaldi's manic "Folia" complete this emotional roller coaster of a program.

House of Time, known for its “fluency and command” (San Francisco Classical Voice) is dedicated to well-known and underperformed repertoire of the 17th through the 21st century played on period instruments. Members and guests include Juilliard and Curtis faculty and alumni of The Juilliard School, as well as prize-winners of major international competitions. Using the instruments and techniques of the past to express the vivid passions in the music, House of Time has moved audiences and keeps them coming back for more. Critics have declared oboist, Gonzalo X. Ruiz, “one of only a handful of truly superb baroque oboists in the world” (Alte Musik Aktuell); Tatiana Daubek, is known for her "sleekly elegant playing" (Gazettes Long Beach); Avi Stein, one of NYC’s finest, is described by The New York Times as “a brilliant organ soloist” and Beiliang Zhu, is described by The New Yorker as “elegant, sensual and stylishly wild”.

Tatiana Daubek, violin
Gonzalo X. Ruiz, oboe
Avi Stein, harpsichord
Beiliang Zhu, cello

 

1:15 - 2:00 pm
All concerts are free; no tickets or reservations are necessary.

The Chapel at St. Bartholomew's Church
50th St. and Park Avenue

 

GEMS is a non-profit corporation that supports and promotes the artists and organizations in New York devoted to early music — playing repertoire from the Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, and early Classical periods.