Paradigm Chamber adds Bach, Grieg to yule concerts

One of Joel Rosenberg's goals as director of Paradigm Concerts is to present diverse programming that puts the spotlight on local musicians.

At its next concert on Thursday and Friday, Rosenberg will conduct the Paradigm Chamber Orchestra — which includes members of the Orchestra of Sandy City — in an evening of music for strings.

The series has established a tradition of doing concerts in December that feature the music of Vivaldi and Mozart, and next week's are no exception. The only difference is that the program this year will also include music by Grieg and J.S. Bach.

"This is wonderful music," Rosenberg said. "Every work we're doing is a jewel of a piece."

The concert will open with Rosenberg in the dual role of soloist and conductor when he and the orchestra play Vivaldi's Concerto for Viola in A major. "The concerto was originally written for cello. I transcribed it for viola, and it works very well in this version."

Two works by Bach are on the program — the "Air" from the Suite No. 3 in D major, and the Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G major. "Of the six Brandenburg Concertos, only this one and No. 6 are written for strings. Bach later re-orchestrated the G major Concerto by adding oboes and horns, and used it in his Cantata No. 174."

Mozart's Divertimento in D major, K. 136, is one of the composer's most popular and best-known early works. Composed when Mozart was just 16, the work blends effective string writing with an already mature grasp of counterpoint. "The Divertimento was probably originally conceived as a string quartet, because it shows many characteristics of quartet writing," Rosenberg said. "The first violin is the prima donna, but the entire work is difficult for the strings — there is a lot of virtuosic writing in it."

The final work on the program is Grieg's "Holberg" Suite. "The work was written in 1884 for the bicentenary celebration of Ludvig Holberg, who is the founder of modern Danish drama," Rosenberg said. "The work is a pastiche of baroque movements intended to invoke a bygone age, but the music is romantic in character. It's one of Grieg's most beautiful pieces."

Soloists will be Francine Potter, violin; Barbara Richardson, viola; and Robert Englund, cello.

Next week's concerts are benefits for Salt Lake Interfaith Hospitality Network, which helps the homeless and people at risk.

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If you go What: Paradigm Chamber Orchestra, conductor Joel Rosenberg Where: First United Methodist Church, 203 S. 200 East (additional free parking available at Russon Bros. Mortuary on 200 East) When: Thursday and Friday, 7:30 p.m. How much: $7 suggested donation (for Salt Lake Interfaith Hospitality Network)

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