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    • 2022-2023 Concerts >
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      • The Little Organ Book
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      • Bach Through the Years
    • 2022-23 Educational Events >
      • BachTalks
      • Saturday Sings!
    • 2022-23 Virtual Offerings >
      • The Choir Loft >
        • Dec. 18 - Bach’s Instruments Part 8: Concerto, Suite, Sonata; One Each - Dan Solter
        • Dec. 25 - Bach’s Instruments 9 - Easy Listening for Christmas - Dan Solter
        • Jan. 8 - Max Reger - Steve Osborn
        • Jan. 15th - Understanding the Orgelbüchlein - Anne Laver
      • Repertoire Exploration Projects
    • Tickets
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  • Who we are and What we do
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    • Sonoma Bach Choir
    • Circa 1600
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Sonata in Eco - Biagio Marini
​Looks to be a nice day today. I suggest you get out in it if at all possible. 

But while you are indoors, do check out this week's piece. It is a 'Sonata in Eco' for three violins and basso continuo, by the 17th-century Italian violinist and composer Biagio Marini (1594-1663). Born in Brescia, Marini was active all over the place during his career, especially in northern Italy, but also in Flanders and in various parts of Germany. He was part of Monteverdi's music establishment in Venice in the teens of the 17th-century.

Marini wrote vocal music, but he is especially remembered today for his instrumental works, in which he made significant contributions to the development of the violin as a virtuoso solo instrument. He was among the earliest of composers to use such techniques as double- and triple-stops, tremolo effects and the so-called scordatura tunings which we associate with Franz Biber.

As the name suggests, the 'Sonata in Eco' introduces a further technique. Not satisfied with using a single solo violin, Marini composes two echo lines, the first repeating the last segments of the principal violin's phrases, and the third echoing the second. The composer indicates that while the first line should be played at a forte dynamic level, the two echoing lines should be played softly, adding that the echo violinists should not be seen. This last indication pretty much guarantees that these lines will be a surprise to the audience, a wondrous effect likely to elicit a gasp of surprise or admiration, especially upon their first statements.

Here's a link to today's performance, by the wonderful East Bay group Voices of Music. The video features a number of instrumentalists who have performed with Sonoma Bach over the years: violinists Carla Moore (my sort-of-cousin), Kati Kyme and Lisa Grodin; and continuo players Bill Skeen, Hanneke van Proosdij, David Tayler and Dominic Schaner. As you will see and hear, the group has creatively arrayed the ensemble according to Marini's instructions, and the effect is utterly charming.

Attached is a score of the piece if you'd like to follow along.
Click here to download score
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