Bach to Brahms February 25, 2012

Pacific Chamber Symphony ushers in the new year with a pair of serenades and a concerto, ranging in style from baroque to romantic, all without the help of a single violin.

A woodwind octet (Mozart's Serenade #12) opens the program, followed by Bach's Brandenberg Concerto #6, for low strings. After the intermission, the two groups join forces for Brahm's Serenade #2, scored for an orchestra that is complete except for violins.

The Serenade No. 12 for Winds in C minor, was written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in 1782 or 1783. The work is sometimes called "Nacht Musique". The serenade is scored for two oboes, two clarinets, two horns, and two bassoons.

Johann Sebastian Bach's Brandenburg Concertos are widely regarded as among the finest musical compositions of the Baroque era. No. 6 has instrumentation for two viole da braccio, two viole da gamba, cello, violone, and harpsichord.

Johannes Brahms composed two Serenades in the 1850's while he resided in Detmold, Germany. They represent his earliest effort to write orchestral music. No. 2 was written in 1859 and revised in 1875. It is scored for a standard orchestra, but without violins.

The Pacific Chamber Symphony brings its customary clarity and precision to bear on these three musical gems. Please join us for what promises to be an intellectually and emotionally fulfilling musical evenng.

Official Website: http://www.pacificchambersymphony.org/