'Division' A Concert of Chamber Music for Viol and Lutes October 16, 2009

Barefoot Chamber Concerts is a fresh way to start the weekend. This Friday evening concert series offers great music in a relaxed setting. The series is committed to musical excellence without the formality of the conventional concert setting. Concerts will start at 6 p.m. and will last 60-75 minutes without intermission. Light refreshments will be available, and there will be ample time to move on to other evening entertainments.

Barefoot's first concert of the 2009-2010 season will introduce the Bay Area to Ostraka (Josh Lee, viol; John Lenti and David Walker, lutes, theorbos, guitar). The group was founded by viol virtuoso Josh Lee in 2005 to bring the explosive intimacy of renaissance and baroque music to chamber audiences. They exploit the traditional affinity of the viol and the lute, which brings a unique and rich sonority to their playing.

Ostraka will present their acclaimed "Division" program, which traces the history of ornamentation and improvisation in the music for solo bass viol from 16th century Spain to Italy, then to England in the 17th century and finally to the court of Louis XIV in France. The program features composers from Ortiz to Marais.

Josh Lee, an alum of Peabody Conservatory and the Longy School of music, is a new and remarkable talent in the viol world. His playing was described as "stylish and soulful" by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and he has recorded and performed with many ensembles throughout the US and Europe, including Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Carmel Bach Festival, and Musica Pacifica.

For full season details, and to order tickets online go to www.barefootchamberconcerts.com.

$15 General, $13 Seniors and SFEMS members, $3 off each price for online bookings i.e. $12 and $10.

Official Website: http://www.barefootchamberconcerts.com