Rhythm and Verse: An Exploration of Pulse through Music and Poetry.
Watch online here
Barbara Weiss ~ harpsichord
Cléa Galhano ~ recorders
Margaret Humphrey ~ violin
Rebecca Humphrey ~ cello
Laura Heimes ~ soprano
"Beginners in music are told that musical notation represents two things primarily—pitch and rhythm. And yet, somehow, in the rush to melody, we often overlook the critical importance of rhythm in musical experience. In foregrounding pulse and rhythm, this program seeks to recover this central characteristic in all its varied beauty." ~ John Weretka, 2012
In 1993, four women rehearsed Baroque sonatas, and a musical epiphany called Belladonna was born. The group was featured on National Public Radio’s "Performance Today," Pittsburgh’s WQED-FM classical music station, WGBH Boston, as well as the nationally syndicated radio program "Harmonia." Quickly, they were invited to perform for the Seattle Early Music Guild, National Music Museum (Vermillion, South Dakota), the Renaissance and Baroque Society (Pittsburgh), and Early Music Now (Milwaukee). Belladonna made its New York debut in Merkin Hall and also toured to Canada, Brazil, and Europe. Its critically acclaimed Folias Festivas CD was re-released on the Dorian label. The quartet, featuring Barbara Weiss ~ harpsichord, Cléa Galhano ~ recorder, Margaret Humphrey ~ Baroque violin, and Rebecca Humphrey ~ Baroque cello, has a reputation for its fantastical interpretation of Baroque repertoire, informed by its collective experiences playing Latin, contemporary, rock, folk, and experimental jazz. This can also be heard on its recording Gathering, a collaboration with Chinese pipa player Gao Hong. Belladonna was a 10-year artist-in-residence ensemble for the Schubert Club of St. Paul as well as Class Notes Artists in Residence for Minnesota Public Radio, where the musicians presented outreach educational programs to children in public schools around the state.
1:15–2:00 pm
All concerts are free; no tickets or reservations are necessary.
In person at St. Malachy's Church, 239 West 49th Street, Manhattan
Live stream details: You can watch it on your computer in any of two places by clicking on the name you wish: our website or YouTube.