Baroque Band, Part II. We continue exploring our collection of recordings by Baroque Band, a Chicago-based period-instrument orchestra. This week we present three pieces: one written by an Italian who became the founder of a French Baroque style, another by a German who turned into the most famous English composer, and the third by a Savoyard of a Scotch descent who lived and composed all over Europe.
Jean Baptiste Lully (or Giovanni Battista di Lulli, as he was originally known) was born in Florence in 1632, the son of a poor miller; 20 years later he became the court composer for the Sun king, Louis XIV and a friend to Molière. Lully created the French Baroque style known as "Classique" and became immensely influential in France and beyond. Here is his Suite from Bourgeois gentilhomme.
George Frideric Handel doesn’t need any introductions. Born in Halle in the auspicious year of 1685, he moved to London in 1710 and become one of England’s and the world’s most celebrated composers. Here is his Concerto Grosso Op. 3, No. 4.
Georg Muffat was born in Savoy in 1653 when Savoy was an independent Italian duchy (it’s now a French province). Muffat was of Scottish descent but, as far as we know, never visited Scotland. Instead he lived in Paris, Alsace, Vienna, Salzburg and Passau. Muffat was quite influenced by Lully. Here is his Passacaglia.
November 8, 2010
Baroque Band, Part II. We continue exploring our collection of recordings by Baroque Band, a Chicago-based period-instrument orchestra. This week we present three pieces: one written by an Italian who became the founder of a French Baroque style, another by a German who turned into the most famous English composer, and the third by a Savoyard of a Scotch descent who lived and composed all over Europe.
Jean Baptiste Lully (or Giovanni Battista di Lulli, as he was originally known) was born in Florence in 1632, the son of a poor miller; 20 years later he became the court composer for the Sun king, Louis XIV and a friend to Molière. Lully created the French Baroque style known as "Classique" and became immensely influential in France and beyond. Here is his Suite from Bourgeois gentilhomme.
George Frideric Handel doesn’t need any introductions. Born in Halle in the auspicious year of 1685, he moved to London in 1710 and become one of England’s and the world’s most celebrated composers. Here is his Concerto Grosso Op. 3, No. 4.
Georg Muffat was born in Savoy in 1653 when Savoy was an independent Italian duchy (it’s now a French province). Muffat was of Scottish descent but, as far as we know, never visited Scotland. Instead he lived in Paris, Alsace, Vienna, Salzburg and Passau. Muffat was quite influenced by Lully. Here is his Passacaglia.