The 27th annual Bach & Beyond Baroque Music Festival opened Friday evening at the historic 1891 Fredonia Opera House Performing Arts Center, featuring a thoughtfully curated program that interwove the compositions of Baroque and Classical masters with a contemporary premiere. Maestro Grant Cooper led the International Baroque Soloists through a captivating night of music that demonstrated both the ensemble’s technical prowess and depth of expression.

The evening began with the Harpsichord Concerto in G minor, BWV 1058, by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750), showcasing a dynamic performance by Harris Andersen on the harpsichord. As heard during previous festival concerts, Andersen’s command of the instrument was immediately evident, his fingers dancing deftly over the keys, making highly technical passages seem effortless.

The ensemble, under Cooper’s precise direction, provided a robust yet nuanced accompaniment, executed with remarkable sensitivity. The dialogue between soloist and orchestra was particularly engaging in the Allegro movements, where the interplay of musical material was delivered with clarity and vigor. The Andante showcased Andersen’s expressive capabilities, drawing the audience into the introspective world of Bach’s intricate writing, which is quite a feat given the idiosyncratic, non-lyrical nature of the harpsichord.

Following this Baroque masterwork, the program took a contemporary turn with the world premiere of Impossible Burger for violin and contrabass, composed by Grant Cooper (b. 1953). This piece, performed by Jeremy Hill (violin) and Jon Pascolini (contrabass), was a delightful exploration of timbre and rhythmic syncopation. The title’s playful nature was mirrored in the music, with Cooper utilizing the contrasting tones of the violin and contrabass to create an amusing dialogue. Hill and Pascolini’s performance was brimming with both humor and skill, which made for a refreshing and memorable premiere.

The Duo for Two Violins, Op. 70, No. 1 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) followed, with Jennifer Wood and Yaniv Gutman delivering a heartfelt performance. The intricate counterpoint and conversational elements of Mozart’s writing were brought to life through their seamless coordination and balanced interpretation. Their energy in the final movement was particularly noteworthy, providing an appropriate punctuation to the first half of the program.

The highlight of the second half was undoubtedly the Sonata No. 3 in A major by Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de St. Georges (1745-1799), again performed by the formidable duo of Gutman and Wood. Bologne’s music, characterized by its virtuosic demands and graceful melodies, was executed with precision and flair. Gutman’s individual technical skill was on full display for all to hear in this flamboyant work for two violins.

A full ensemble of performers returned to the stage with Antonio Salieri’s Symphony No. 19 in D major. Salieri (1750-1825), often overshadowed by his contemporaries in music history textbooks, was given due recognition through this vibrant performance. The International Baroque Soloists, with Cooper’s guidance, navigated the symphony’s cheerful Allegro with ease. The final Presto was a particular standout, as the ensemble’s energetic and cohesive playing brought the symphony to a rousing close.

The concert concluded with the Overture to L’Amant Anonyme by Joseph Bologne, a fitting bookend that highlighted the evening’s exploration of selections from Bologne’s oeuvre. The overture, with its lively and engaging themes, was performed with tremendous enthusiasm.

Overall, the opening night of the Bach & Beyond Baroque Music Festival was a resounding success. The program’s blend of Baroque, Classical, and contemporary works, coupled with outstanding performances by soloists and ensemble, set a high standard for the rest of the festival. The evening was a strong reminder of how fortunate we have been these past 27 years to have had experiences of this caliber right here in our own corner of Western New York.

Andrew Martin Smith is a composer, clarinetist, General Manager of the Society of Composers, Inc., and Lecturer of Music at the State University of New York at Fredonia, where he teaches courses in music theory and composition, in addition to his role as Instructor of Music Theory and Composition at Interlochen Center for the Arts, via Interlochen Online and Interlochen Arts Camp in Interlochen, Mich.