Hijinks of the High Baroque: Composers Behaving Badly
Diving into the ultra-fashionable High Baroque scene of mid-18th-century Europe, Musica Pacifica explores the works of composers who struggled with keeping their composure throughout their careers. Come hear a program of quirky and appealing music along with the stories that shed light on the often crazy lives of composers such as Veracini and Leclair—whose brilliant compositions belie their darker sides. The program includes a virtuoso violin sonata by the “unstable genius” Veracini, an engaging recorder sonata by Handel, a flamboyant harpsichord piece by French composer, Royer, a haunting chaconne by Rameau, and an elegant trio sonata by Leclair, all framed by two of Telemann's delightful Paris Quartets replete with their own musical hijinks. Come hear stories of bad behavior and music of uncommon brilliance.