Sonata Soloists
Yuriy Bekker, violin • Mark Gainer, oboe • Jessica Hull-Dambough, flute
THE NAVE of First (Scots) Presbyterian Church absolutely loves the flute—not to mention the violin and oboe.
All three sounded brilliant on this first night of Bach Festival Charleston, but it was the flute, guided by Jessica Hull-Dambaugh, that took the most flight in these acoustics, particularly when it was featured in Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach’s uplifting Flute Sonata in G Major. If any piece can make your spirits soar, that one can.
Yuriy Bekker’s ever-so-sweet violin and Mark Gainer’s hauntingly beautiful oboe were also featured in separate sonatas by C.P.E.’s father—and festival namesake—J.S. Bach. The violin sonata was not what you might expect from J.S. Bach. It was extremely lyrical with a slight Romantic lilt, and Yuriy played it almost as though it was a song. Gorgeous.
cellist Damien Kremer
In the oboe sonata, Mark went on a virtual lung marathon in what is one of Bach’s most demanding pieces for a reed/wind instrument due to the exhausting breathing required to play it. Mark mentioned afterward that this piece is not usually played in a standard oboe program—where you can’t rest between pieces—because it is too tiring.
It was an exquisite evening in a cross-section of four Baroque masters: Antonio Vivaldi, the elder and younger Bachs, and Georg Philipp Telemann (godfather to C.P.E. Bach). The godfather connection was just one of many entertaining facts that emcee William Gudger shared with the packed church of some 400 concert goers. He also wrote most of the festival’s program notes.
Behind the scenes—literally and musically—throughout the evening, cellist Damian Kremer demurely carried the bass line—basso continuo—which, during the Baroque period, was typically played by the cello or viola da gamba in combination with harpsichord. In this case, the basso continuo was also played by the left hand of harpsichordist JeYoon Choi (who managed melodies and harmony in her right hand).
Dr. JeeYoon Choi on keyboard
Dr. Choi, Director of Music and Senior Organist at First Scots, is founder and artistic director of Bach Festival Charleston. Her distinguished, quiet manner belies her deep fondness for Bach’s music and her expertise on the keyboard. She will also conduct the orchestra on Sunday in the festivals finale at 4 P.M. when Ricard Bordas will lead the Festival Kirk Choir in two Bach cantatas, including the majestic “Gloria.”
In the meantime, don’t miss Stefan Engels’ organ lecture this afternoon (3:30 P.M.) and organ concert tonight (7:30). The lecture by this renowned professor and player of organ should be highly informative. In the evening concert, a large screen projector will allow everyone to see him (and his feet) performing at the organ console in the church loft.
Learn more about Bach Festival Charleston.
Thank you for your beautifully written and photographed publicity in advance of our Bach Festival, and for your reviews afterward. You captured the thrill we each felt at various times as we enjoyed this music.
Carol Ann