The Elements
FiBO’s 30th anniversary concert
Rebel–Clérambault–Vivaldi–Händel
Myriam Arbouz, soprano
Hanna Haapamäki, recorder
Alfredo Bernardini, oboe and leader
Finnish Baroque Orchestra
The Finnish Baroque Orchestra (FiBO) celebrates its 30th anniversary by getting carried away by the forces of nature. The point of departure is FiBO’s, at that time the Sixth floor orchestra’s, debut concert on 25 November 1989. The main piece was Jean-Féry Rebel’s ruthless orchestra work Les élémens (The Elements). The illustrative piece employs fierce harmonies to conjure an initial chaos, from which the central powers of the universe gradually emerge: the basic elements earth, water, fire and air – and of course, love.
Les élémens is joined by other interpretations of the elements of nature from the Baroque era. Air is represented by the allegorical piece Le Soleil, vainqueur des nuages (The Sun, Conqueror of Clouds) by the French cantata master Louis-Nicolas Clérambault. The Baroque era adored symbols, and often they were used to comment on the societal situation or to please the commissioner. Clérambault's cantata was composed in honour of King Louis XV. Now it is performed by soprano Myriam Arbouz, who charmed the audience in FiBO’s concert with French music in the autumn of 2018.
The background of Georg Friedrich Händel’s beloved Water Music is also in a royal commission. Händel composed a perky, outdoorsy suite to be played at King George I’s boat cruise on the River Thames. As is often the case with court music, it was not only about the artistic experience, but the performance was a grand public event and a means for the king to show his power.
Antonio Vivaldi’s narrative flute concerto Tempesta di mare (The Storm at Sea) explores the water theme even deeper. Scenic harmony paintings are part of Baroque music. The most famous example of Baroque program music is of course Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, and The Storm at Sea belongs to the same concerto collection. In the stormy concerto, the instruments virtuosically imitate large seething waves and whooshing gusts of wind.
The anniversary concert is conducted by Baroque specialist, oboist and conductor, Italian-born Alfredo Bernardini.
Duration: 1 t 45 min (incl. intermission)
Pauliina Fred introduces the concert at the House of Nobility on 24.11. from 17–17.30.