J.S. Bach: Air from Orchestral Suite No. 3
Arthur Foote: Air & Gavotte
John Corigliano: Fantasia on a Bach Air
Samuel Barber: Adagio for Strings
Howard Frazin: Peace Cantata [Boston premiere]
(Carley DeFranco, soprano; Krista River, mezzo-soprano; Keith Phares, baritone)
Bach's ineffable 'Air' has been moving music-lovers for over 300 years, also inspiring other composers to use it as a model. It may be the only piece of music played at as many weddings as funerals, an illustration of the emotional power and eloquence of this miniature masterpiece. Barber's 'Adagio' shares this yearning directness with the Bach, brought to a 20th-century cri-de-coeur outpouring. Howard Frazin, a favorite of BB&B audiences, brings the Boston premiere of his recent Peace Cantata, a timely work of concern and, ultimately, hope for three vocal soloists and orchestra.