Baroque Notes

Enhance your enjoyment of Music of the Baroque concerts with "Baroque Notes," our pre-concert lecture series.

May 2023: Circles of Friends

Who is Johann Baptist Vanhal? Why did Haydn write his Sinfonia Concertante? What did historian Charles Burney think was the secret to artistic success? And what's solo tuning on the double bass? Find out in the latest installment of "Baroque Notes," our pre-concert lecture series, as program annotator Jen More answers these questions (with a little help from our friend and principal double bass Collins Trier).

April 2023: The St. Matthew Passion

Music Director Dame Jane Glover, Chorus Director Andrew Megill, and program annotator Jen More go behind the scenes of one of the greatest creative achievements of all time.

February 2023: London Calling

Program annotator Jen More discusses William Boyce, the circumstances surrounding the creation of Mozart's first symphony, and the role of the conductor in works like Handel's Water Music.

January 2023: Montero Plays Mozart

Program annotator Jen More highlights the genius of Gabriela Montero, the soloist for Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 21, K. 467. She also discusses the life of Joseph Bologne—including one of her favorite scenes from "The Chevalier," Bill Barclay's concert theater work which Music of the Baroque performed in February 2022—and shares the tragedy behind Mozart's Symphony No. 39.

November 2022: Reginald Mobley Sings

Program annotator Jennifer More discusses how Purcell and Handel (and Johnny Cash!) fit into the musical landscape of London, while Reginald Mobley explains the countertenor voice.

October 2022: Baroque Heroes

Guest conductor Patrick Dupre Quigley discusses the concept behind Music of the Baroque's October 9 and 11 concerts, “Baroque Heroes,” and highlights Telemann’s Don Quixote Suite, C. P. E. Bach’s Cello Concerto, Rameau’s Suite from Castor and Pollux, and J. S. Bach’s Orchestral Suite No. 3 featuring the famous “Air.” Executive Director Declan McGovern and South Chicago Dance Theatre Executive Artistic Director Kia S. Smith talk about the program's opening work, Dances from Terpsichore, sharing the creative process behind the organizations' brand-new collaboration—and a bit of rehearsal footage, too.

September 2022: Handel's Jephtha

Program annotator Jen More discusses Music of the Baroque's September 18 and 19 performances of Handel's final oratorio, Jephtha. Dame Jane Glover leads the chorus, orchestra, and soloists David Portillo (Jephtha), Lauren Snouffer (Iphis), Clara Osowski (Storgè), Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen (Hamor), Neal Davies (Zebul), and Katelyn Lee (Angel).

May 2022: The Brothers Haydn

Program annotator Jen More discusses Music of the Baroque's May 8 and 9 concerts, "The Brothers Haydn." Featured works include Michael Haydn's Symphony in E-flat Major (MH 473) and Joseph Haydn's Creation Mass. Dame Jane Glover leads the chorus, orchestra, and soloists Rebecca Farley, Meg Bragle, Michael St. Peter, and Tyler Duncan.

April 2022: Bach's Easter Oratorio

Program annotator Jen More discusses Music of the Baroque's April 10 and 11 concerts, featuring Bach's Easter Oratorio, Sinfonia in D Major, "Komm, Jesu, komm," and music by Buxtehude and Purcell. Dame Jane Glover leads the chorus, orchestra, and soloists Yulia Van Doren, Elizabeth DeShong, James Gilchrist, and Michael Sumuel.

March 2022: Classical Heroines

Program annotator Jen More discusses the vocal works soprano Amanda Forsythe will perform as part of "Classical Heroines"(March 20 & 21) under the direction of Nicholas Kraemer.

November 2021: Discovering Messiah

Principal Guest Conductor Nicholas Kraemer and program annotator Jennifer More discuss Handel's Messiah in preparation for the ensemble's first performances of the oratorio in over a decade.

Episode 1
Topics covered in Episode 1 include how Nicholas prepares to direct a work he's conducted over 100 times, changes in performance practice over the centuries, and Nicholas's most memorable Messiah experiences.

Episode 2
In Episode 2, Nicholas delves into the significance of Messiah's text sources and how librettist Charles Jennens's choices add nuance to the work's meaning.

October 2021: Vivaldi & Friends

Program annotator Jennifer More and guest conductor John Butt discuss the program for "Vivaldi & Friends," tracing the network of Vivaldi’s influence (and influences) from Corelli to Bach.

September 2021: Baroque Fireworks—Handel, Telemann, Garrop

Program annotator Jennifer More discusses the program for "Baroque Fireworks," including Handel's Water Music, Concerto a due cori No. 1, and Music for the Royal Fireworks. Composer Stacy Garrop shares the creative process behind Spectacle of Light, specially commissioned for our 50th anniversary.