An Inspiring Finish for Baroque Fest

The 19th Baroque Music Festival Corona del Mar closed Sunday afternoon with an inspiring program of Bach, Albinoni and Vivaldi.

The concert suggested that, if listening to Mozart increases brainpower, listening to Baroque choral music may increase wisdom and compassion.

Whether thus benefited, a full house at St. Michael & All Angels Church warmly acknowledged performances by a quintet of soloists and the Festival Singers and Orchestra, under festival founder Burton Karson’s direction. The orchestra, performing on original instruments, featured two stars of the San Francisco-based Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra: violinist Elizabeth Blumenstock and cellist Elizabeth LeGuin.

Bach’s Cantata No. 10, “Meine Seel erhebt den Herren,” which began the concert and is loosely based on Mary’s canticle as reported by St. Luke, found its most moving moments when either the 24-voice-strong Singers or Christopher Lindbloom’s powerful bass were at work, or when LeGuin was displaying her virtuosity in two wonderfully florid solo passages.

Next came two upbeat works by Tomaso Albinoni, best known for his lachrymose Adagio in G minor.

First was the Violin Concerto, Op. 9 No. 1, in which Blumenstock rose from her seat as leader of the violins to weave and insinuate lovely solo lines against the infectious tunes and sparkling energy of the orchestra.

The first half concluded with Albinoni’s rarely heard setting of the Magnificat, also based on St. Luke but presenting the canticle as a continuous dialogue between soloists, chorus and orchestra. Less demanding musically than the Bach, it was pleasant nonetheless, and again Lindbloom excelled with his small solo contribution.

After intermission, Vivaldi’s relatively familiar “Beatus vir” scored with its flowing combination of haunting beauty, exquisite melody and harmonic warmth.

Although the playing in the Vivaldi was sometimes rough and ready in terms of intonation and ensemble, and the solo singing was variable, the performance’s passion and the chorus’ enthusiasm carried the day.