Sonata à Quattro

×

Expand

Bill Hoyt

Sonata à Quattro

press release: For the Easter season, Sonata à Quattro offers Haydn’s dramatic setting of the seven last words (or phrases) of Jesus on the cross. Commissioned by the southern Spanish episcopal city of Cádiz, this piece was originally scored for orchestra, but it enjoyed such an immediate, widespread acclaim, that the publication in 1787 also included arrangements for string quartet, and for piano. In nine movements beginning with an Introduction, Haydn sets the phrases, from ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do’ to ‘Into Thy hands I commend my spirit,’ concluding with one final movement depicting an earthquake.

The Haydn work lasts approximately 60 minutes. The event is free and open to the public; a free-will offering will be collected. 

The period-instrument ensemble Sonata à Quattro was formed in 2017 as Ensemble-In-Residence for Bach Around The Clock, the annual music festival in Madison, WI. 

The ensemble’s name refers to baroque chamber music scored for three melody lines plus continuo.  The more-familiar trio sonata format, which enjoyed great popularity in the 17th and 18th centuries, employs a continuo with only two melody instruments, typically treble instruments like violins or flutes.  In contrast, a typical sonata à quattro piece includes a middle voice, frequently a viola, in addition to the two treble instruments and continuo; this scoring has a fuller, richer sonority, and can be seen as a precursor to the string quartet. 

The initial mission of SAQ was to accompany singers and other soloists needing backup players to perform Cantatas, Concertos, and choral works at the annual festival.  But SAQ quickly expanded its scope and launched a career independent of BATC, performing on the Sunday Afternoon Live concert series at the Chazen Museum, and giving a Fringe concert at the Madison Early Music Festival in July 2018 which music critic John Barker of Isthmus called “a concert of true delight.” In the 2018-2019 season SAQ has presented recitals in Madison, Milwaukee, and Waukesha.

Performers for this program:  Kangwon Kim, Nathan Giglierano, Marika Fischer Hoyt, and Charlie Rasmussen.