A trio performed baroque music at Amsterdam's Concertgebouw, reimagining works from Bach to Vivaldi with dynamic, collaborative interpretations.
Performance venue and program title
On 27 October, Lucie Horsch, Nicolas Altstaedt, and Thomas Dunford performed at the Kleine Zaal of the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, presenting a program titled Conversations à 3 that featured a range of baroque music spanning from Bach to Vivaldi, with works by Couperin, Marais, and others.Instrumental combinations and reinterpretations
The performance highlighted the trio's collaborative approach, with the musicians exploring various instrumental combinations and reinterpreting classical pieces through spontaneous and dynamic exchanges.Instrumental arrangements and interpretations
The program included trio sonatas, solo pieces, and arrangements for recorder, cello, and theorbo. In Le Rossignol-en-amour by François Couperin, originally written for harpsichord, the recorder and theorbo provided a new sonic dimension. Thomas Dunford's theorbo was noted for its delicacy, while Lucie Horsch's recorder was described as supple and agile.Solo and ensemble highlights
In Les Voix humaines by Marin Marais, Dunford performed the piece on the theorbo alone, showcasing its expressive richness. Nicolas Altstaedt's performance of Bach's Suite No. 2 solo was highlighted for its intensity and the preservation of the phrase's breathing.Reimagining classical works
The trio also performed an arrangement of Bach's Suite in D minor BWV 997 originally conceived for the theorbo, reimagined for the three instruments. Dunford's theorbo was noted for its versatility, sometimes acting as a continuo partner and at other times as a soloist.Contrasting styles and virtuosity
The performance included works by Kapsberger and Uccellini, with their contrasting styles emphasizing the freedom of gesture and improvisation. Lucie Horsch's recorder was praised for its virtuosity and ease in navigating the contrasting musical universe. The trio's ability to maintain cohesion while allowing individual freedom was a central theme of the performance.Comprehensive repertoire and artistic vision
The program featured works by Kapsberger, Uccellini, Boismortier, Hotteterre, Barrière, Couperin, Marais, Bach, Telemann, and Vivaldi. The performance emphasized the living nature of ancient music, highlighting the trio's ability to question and share classical works through their collaborative and dynamic interpretations.
