As the world grapples with the dawn of a new age of anxiety, the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment (OAE) emerges as a beacon of solace, offering audiences a soul-stirring respite through their masterful performances of Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos. Embarking on a transformative tour across the UK, these accomplished musicians harness the intrinsic rhythmic vitality of Bach’s compositions to represent resilience in the face of adversity, uplifting spirits and igniting a renewed sense of hope.
Virtuosity Meets Intimate Musical Dialogues
The OAE’s renditions of the Brandenburg Concertos showcase the ensemble’s unparalleled virtuosity, balancing apparently effortless technical brilliance with a cultivated nonchalance. Each concerto, distinct in its instrumentation with the harpsichord at its core, allows for intimate musical dialogues to unfold between the featured soloists. In the Concerto No. 2 in F major, the poignant exchange between violin, oboe, and recorder in the central D minor Andante strikes a profound emotional chord, encapsulating the ensemble’s ability to communicate directly with the audience.
Elegant Phrasing and Expressive Poise
The artistry of the OAE lies not only in their technical prowess but also in their elegant phrasing and expressive poise. As evidenced in the Concerto No. 3 in G and No. 6 in B flat, the mutual sympathy and acute listening among the string players result in undulating lines and mellow tones that never lose sight of the overall momentum. The ensemble’s directness of communication, both with each other and with the audience, fosters a warm rapport that transcends the confines of the concert hall.
The minor mode of the central movements spoke volumes, with bright hope then spelled out in the exuberant Presto finales.
– Rian Evans, Classical Music Reviewer
Harnessing the Power of Minor Keys
Throughout the Brandenburg Concertos, Bach masterfully employs minor keys to evoke a sense of emotional depth and introspection. The OAE’s sensitive interpretation of these passages, particularly in the central movements of Concerto No. 4 in G major and Concerto No. 5 in D major, speaks volumes to the audience, offering a cathartic release before the exuberant Presto finales herald a renewed sense of hope and joy.
Intimate Venues Amplify Emotional Impact
While baroque repertoire may not seem like the obvious choice for venues like the Malvern theatres, once a ballroom, the OAE’s performances prove that the emotional impact of Bach’s music can be amplified in intimate settings. With a wooden panelled screen in front of the black curtains allowing the acoustic to work its magic, the various combinations of soloists and the ensemble’s direct communication style create a warm, enveloping atmosphere that draws the audience deeper into the music’s emotive power.
Quiet Panache and Elegant Exchanges
The individual artistry of the OAE’s members shines through in their solo performances, with harpsichordist Steven Devine navigating the extraordinary cadenza of the fifth concerto with quiet panache. The elegant exchanges between Lisa Beznosiuk’s flute and the violin of Margaret Faultless showcase the ensemble’s ability to balance individual expression with a cohesive, unified sound.
Oh Bach, without any doubt.
– Dylan Thomas’s Organ Morgan in Under Milk Wood
A Timeless Salve for the Soul
As the OAE continues their tour of the Brandenburg Concertos, they offer audiences across the UK a timeless salve for the soul. In a world beset by uncertainty and anxiety, the ensemble’s masterful performances serve as a reminder of the enduring power of music to uplift, console, and inspire. Through their virtuosic interpretations of Bach’s timeless compositions, the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment invites listeners to find solace, resilience, and hope in the face of adversity, one transformative concert at a time.
