On Saturday, May 21, 2022 at 7 p.m. at First Parish, the Music Committee is sponsoring a fantastic concert, “A Baroque Extravaganza”.  It will feature a chamber orchestra playing Vivaldi’s “Spring” from “The Four Seasons”, a Concerto Grosso by Handel and J.S. Bach’s spectacular cantata, “Wir müssen durch viel Trüsal”, BWV 146.

For the “Spring” concerto, the violin soloist will be First Parish’s own, Carlough Faulkner-Carroll; the opening movement will also feature Dorothy Anderson-Perales, recreating a heartfelt dance she choreographed for First Parish for Easter 2021.  The Bach cantata has an excellent line-up of soloists including Cynthia Mork, Benjamin Sears and two wonderful guest soloists as well as a semi-chorus drawn from the First Parish adult choir.  One of the most thrilling movements of the cantata is the opening “Sinfonia” which features a virtuosic organ solo which will be played on our historic Hook & Hastings instrument by returning First Parish favorite, Heinrich Christensen, Music Director and Organist of King’s Chapel in Boston.  Heinrich was the featured organ soloist in the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s performance of Benjamin Britten’s “War Requiem” at the beginning of this month and got rave reviews.

The orchestra is made up of some incredible players, including regular members of the Lexington and Portland Symphony orchestras, the Handel and Haydn Society and subs for the Boston Symphony Orchestra.  I have high expectations for the quality of this event.

The program will be broadcast on Zoom for those who won’t be able to attend in-person.