Category Archives: About Period Instruments
A Tale of Two Fortepianos
A beautiful fortepiano c. 1805-10 was prepared for last week's performances of Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4 with Emanuel Ax at the keyboard. But, as often happens with period instruments, complications ensued.
Video: Gonzalo Ruiz on Making Double Reeds
Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra oboist Gonzalo Ruiz discusses and demonstrates the making of double reeds, and how they affect the sound...
Also posted in 31st Season | Tagged double reed, Gonzalo Ruiz, oboe, Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra | Leave a comment
Nicholas McGegan on Performing Brahms
In February 2010, Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra performed Brahms’ Serenade No. 1, in its first historically-informed performance of the music of...
Also posted in 31st Season, Nicholas McGegan | Tagged Brahms, historically-informed, Nicholas McGegan, Philharmonia Baroque, Romanticism | Leave a comment
Video: Elizabeth Blumenstock on the Baroque violin
Elizabeth Blumenstock gives you an up-close look at the Andrea Guarneri violin she plays.
Also posted in 31st Season | Tagged Andrea Guarneri, Baroque violin, Elizabeth Blumenstock, Philharmonia Baroque, Violin | Leave a comment
Philharmonia Baroque’s Education Programs are in “Play” mode this season as we reach out to students of all ages
Connecting With History: Family Concert (Families with children 17 and younger) In our third annual Family Concert, the Orchestra will...
Also posted in 31st Season, About Early Music, Education, Guest Artist | Tagged education, family concerts, Philharmonia Baroque, student concerts | Leave a comment
Video: R.J. Kelley and Paul Avril Demonstrate the Natural Horn
See and hear Philharmonia Baroque natural horn players demonstrate the instruments they will use in this weekend’s concerts in this...
Curious about that enormous contrabassoon heard in The Creation?
Here’s what musician Damian Primis has to say: “One of the challenges of playing the Classical contra is the lack...
Posted in About Period Instruments | Tagged classical, Contrabassoon, Damian Primis, Haydn, The Creation | Leave a comment
The Keyed Trumpet: The Missing Link
Fred Holmgren (trumpet player in Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra) contributes these notes on the keyed trumpet: The keyed trumpet is the...
David Tayler and his theorbo
As Philharmonia Baroque prepares to present its next concerts this weekend featuring countertenor David Daniels, theorbo player David Tayler is...
About the Harpsichord…a teaser this weekend’s concerts
Today, PBO staff member and baroque violinist David Wilson shares with us the second of two essays on the harpsichord,...
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About October’s harpsichord: An interview with its builder, John Phillips
In our October concerts, Danish conductor and harpsichordist Lars Ulrik Mortensen will be playing a newly-completed harpsichord by renowned Berkeley...
Nic Notes: Bach’s Wedding Cantata
Our Music Director Nic discusses our upcoming concert in his own words. Enjoy! “Lars Ulrik Mortensen is a master of...
“Transcending limitations:” On playing the fortepiano
David Wilson joins us again for the last of three posts about fortepianos, which is the featured instrument of our September concerts. In...
Up close and personal: The fortepiano action
David Wilson joins us again for the second of three posts about fortepianos, which is the featured instrument of our September concerts....
A baroque origin story: The fortepiano
David Wilson joins us for the first of three posts about fortepianos, which is the featured instrument of our September...
Don’t forget: Premiere of new radio show this weekend
Hosted by Nic, the first show of our Radio Broadcast Series on 102.1 FM KDFC and kdfc.com airs at 8:00 p.m....
Also posted in 30th Season, About Early Music, Listen to Music, Nicholas McGegan, PBO Community | 1 Comment
September Program Notes: Robert Levin plays Mozart
Mozart: Incidental Music to Thamos, King of Egypt, K. 345/366a The story of Thamos, Mozart’s sole foray into incidental stage...
Also posted in 30th Season, About Early Music, Composers, Concerts, Guest Artist, History, Program Notes | 1 Comment
Videos: Levin on Mozart
37 days from today, Robert Levin performs with the orchestra in the first concert of our September set, a program...
Gonzalo in the Wall Street Journal
One of the volunteers who is helping us with our season ticket mailing mentioned this morning that Gonzalo Ruiz is...
Also posted in About Early Music, Listen to Music, Orchestra Musicians, PBO Community | Leave a comment
Family Concert