Classical music concerts these days are usually full of “more modern” works from the late 18th century through the 20th century that feature bigger, more powerful orchestras.
Outside of Bach and the occasional piece by Handel, baroque music is not widely represented on programs because audiences seem to prefer the fiery emotions and feats of technical brilliance that are found in romantic music rather than the twangy sounds of harpsichord and old-style brass and wind instruments.
At intermission, guests were invited to serve themselves coffee and tour the gardens, and after the show wine was served and the musicians freely mingled with the crowd and enjoyed a drink, another thing that you would be unlikely to get to do after a normal show.
Not to say that one style is better than the other.
It’s really hard to compare with the quality of the performances given by, say, the LA Philharmonic or the London Symphony Orchestra at Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall this year, but this is a nice change of pace.
During Wednesday’s inaugural concert in the gardens, a harpsichord, a cello, a viola, two violins and precursors to the modern oboe and trumpet were packed on a small stage with four vocal soloists as an audience of 100-or-so listened.
Some of the vocalists had a tough time generating the power to project to the back of the audience.
Most of the program consisted of works by 17th century British composer Henry Purcell — both strictly instrumental and accompanied by voice — and the players came from a variety of backgrounds.
Karson told me that he likes to find individual musicians and put them into ensembles, rather than hiring ready-made ensembles.
Several of the musicians were former students at Cal State Fullerton, where the music director taught for decades.
The last two concerts of the week are at 8 tonight at the Sherman Library & Gardens and 4 p.m. Sunday at St. Mark Presbyterian Church.
