Upcoming Performances
La Cecchina – The Songbird
Solo Recital: Female Composers (Italy)
Works for voice, lute, and virginal by the 17th cent. Italian composer Francesca Caccini. Caccini was a celebrated singer, lutenist, composer, poet, and music teacher of the early Baroque era. She is recognized as the first woman to compose opera. Her opera, “La liberazione di Ruggiero dall’isola d’Alcina”, is one of the few of her works that survive today. The selection of vocal works on this program is from Il primo libro delle musiche (1618). Her solo songs are full of dramatic harmonic surprises, and melodically fluid melismas.
Salomé Sandoval, mezzo soprano and lute, and Christine Gevert, virginal and organ
Stepping into Song A Choral Performance of Tango’s Rhythmic Spirit with Martín Palmeri’s Misatango and “Jüdische Kantate”* (Jewish Cantata) *U.S. Premiere
Choral Sounds of Latin America
The Misa a Buenos Aires (Misatango), is a groundbreaking work by Argentine composer Martín Palmeri that blends the dramatic rhythm of tango with the powerful expression of choral music. It is a setting of the mass in Latin, and the music uses the style of the ‘nuevo tango’, following the model of Astor Piazzolla, and includes elements from the history of church music, such as extended fugues in the opening and closing movements. In similar style is Palmeri’s “Jüdische Kantate,” composed in 2022: variations on Yiddish and Hebrew songs on texts from the Old Testament in the original language, and in Latin.
Crescendo Chorus, soprano Nadia Aguilar, Rodolfo Marcelo Zanetti, bandoneon, and an instrumental ensemble with clarinet, piano, and strings, directed by Christine Gevert
Baroque Brilliance: Bach’s Motets in Concert
Baroque Music for a Vocal Ensemble
While not composed as a set, these six motets BWV 225- 230 are considered to be among the pinnacles of the choral repertoire. All were written for St. Thomas Church in Leipzig, where Bach was director of music. Four of the six were written for funeral services of prominent Leipzig citizens, and are scored for double chorus without instrumental accompaniment. Bach took the traditional motet and elevated it into a more ambitious, multi- movement choral concerto, expanding the boundaries of the genre. Beyond their technical brilliance these motets express a unique emotional and theological depth.
Crescendo Vocal Ensemble, organ, directed by Christine Gevert
Wanda Landowska’s World
Solo Recital Honoring a Legendary Female Musician
Experience the genius of Wanda Landowska, the legendary keyboard player who brought Baroque harpsichord music back to life. Discover how the harpsichord expresses the personal and national styles of composers like François Couperin and Domenico Scarlatti, among others, all orbiting the central brilliance of Bach, as illuminated by Landowska’s pioneering artistry. Delve into her revolutionary ideas concerning musical understanding, the legacy of Johann Sebastian Bach, the distinctions between early and modern music, the significance of the harpsichord, and the performer-audience relationship.
Christine Gevert, harpsichord
Crescendo At Home
Virtual Concerts On-Demand NOW
Latest recordings:
Recorded: May 11, 2025
Body & Soul: Cavalieri’s Rappresentatione
Recorded: December 29, 2024
Bach-Circle: Christmas Oratorios and Contemporary Female Voices
Recorded: October 6, 2024
Nature in Vivaldi’s Sounds: Concertos for Violin, Flute, and Two Mandolins
Now you can watch Crescendo’s concerts at home at any time with our virtual concert portal – Crescendo at Home!
We want to keep choral and baroque music experiences alive not only during the pandemic, but also for your pleasure, comfort and for anyone who is not able to attend concerts in person.
Recorded in high quality audio by former Carnegie Hall engineer Leszek Wojcik, and filmed in high definition by Charlette Media Productions, we offer you an experience that is similar to being there in person. It even brings you closer to the performers than you ever would in a live concert.
Watch, and share with your family and friends! Subscribe to our e-Newsletter for news on upcoming Crescendo at Home programming.
