Mistral’s milestone 20th Anniversary Season continues just on the heels of Thanksgiving, heralding the holiday season with a pair of concerts that features numerous Baroque masterpieces by Vivaldi, Biber, Handel, and one of the greatest composers of all time, Johann Sebastian Bach.
For many years Mistral audiences have associated the turning of the calendar page in December with the anticipation of Mistral’s annual holiday concert of Baroque concertos performed without a conductor. Like last season, this year’s performances will take place in two intimate venues: Saint Paul’s Church of Brookline, and West Parish Church in Andover. Founders Michael Brower and Julie Scolnik say this concert has always been one of their most popular.
“Warm and fuzzy doesn’t begin to describe the flood of love we feel when we walk out onto the stage each year,” said Scolnik, “The churches are filled to capacity with the smiling faces of music lovers who have put aside their long lists of holiday chores to come together with friends, family, and community to listen to this glorious, uplifting music!”
Among the varied offerings this year:
Handel Harp concerto in B flat major, with award-winning Moldovan-born harpist, Ina Zdorovetchi; Two J.S. Bach arias for baritone & strings with Boston’s David McFerrin; Vivaldi Violin Concerto RV 391 with Alexi Kenney, a young frequent guest artist at Mistral, recent laureate of impressive management, with appearances in major concert halls; Vivaldi Double violin concerto with Mistral favorites Irina Muresanu and Gabriela Diaz; Bach’s “Italian” Concerto arranged for flute & strings in G, performed by artistic director and flutist, Julie Scolnik; two works by 17th century composer, Henrich Biber, who is enjoying a widespread “revival:” Passacaglia for solo viola with Dimitri Murrath, Belgian violist, winner of a multitude of International competitions, and “Battalia a 9,” a festive, “representational” piece for the whole ensemble that depicts the various episodes of battle, from its preparation to its aftermath, throughout which Biber provides hyper-depictive music enhanced by unusual effects to bring the sense of the event alive.
MISTRAL offers a senior discount for individual tickets and has always offered free admission to all students- Please visit their website or call 978-474-6222.
