The final concert of the 27th Bach & Beyond Baroque Music Festival took place this past Sunday afternoon at the 1891 Fredonia Opera House Performing Arts Center, bringing this local celebration of extraordinary music to a close. Maestro Grant Cooper, in his heartfelt program note, emphasized the festival’s mission to explore a wide array of musical and cultural influences, while celebrating both seasoned and emerging artists. The matinee program perfectly encapsulated these themes with a blend of Baroque masterpieces, 20th and 21st-century compositions, and a young cellist featured in a world-premiere performance.

The concert opened with the Concerto for Violin in A minor, BWV 1041 written by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750), featuring the talented Aika Ito on violin. Ito’s performance was nothing short of mesmerizing. Her impeccable technique brought Bach’s intricate music to life. The International Baroque Soloists provided a well-balanced accompaniment, allowing Ito’s mellifluous tone to soar to the furthest seats in the house.

Next on the program were the Three Madrigals for Violin and Viola by Bohuslav Martinu, performed by Jeremy Hill (violin) and Brian Walnicki (viola). This piece, a mid-20th-century gem, was a delightful contrast to the Baroque opening. Hill and Walnicki displayed remarkable synergy and interpretive prowess, their instruments resonating wildly in Martinu’s intense duet textures. The final madrigal, with its dizzying acceleration, was a culmination of technical acuity, showcasing the duo’s exceptional musicianship.

A highlight of the first half was the world premiere of Vergessenheit for solo violoncello, composed by Grant Cooper (b. 1953) and performed by the young artist Alexander Pegis. Cooper’s note to the audience paid special tribute to the festival’s recent tradition of featuring emerging artists, and Pegis’s performance was a testament to this initiative’s success. Pegis communicated the three-movement Vergessenheit, literally translated as “oblivion,” to the audience with remarkable maturity. His performance captured the essence of the composition, conveying a strong sense of introspection, with a touch of whimsy, that left a profound impact upon me as I considered its place within the totality of musical offerings delivered to our community over the past 27 years. Pegis’s interpretation was met with an enthusiastic ovation, seeming to foreshadow his promising future as a concert cellist.

After intermission, the festival concluded with the Symphony No. 45 in F-sharp minor (“Farewell”) written by Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809). The International Baroque Soloists performed this symphony, famous for its unique ending where musicians leave the stage one by one, with both precision and grace. Maestro Cooper’s direction was particularly effective in bringing out the symphony’s emotional nuances. The final movement’s poignant departure of the musicians was coordinated with perfect timing and dramatic flair, leaving a lasting impression.

In his note, Cooper also paid tribute to the festival’s co-founder James East and longtime collaborator Cheryl Bishkoff, emphasizing the substantial impact of their support and musical partnership over the years.

This was a fitting, albeit somber, conclusion to a music series that celebrated stylistic diversity, showcased extraordinary talent, and honored the rich history and evolving future of classical music. The festival’s dedication to exploring new musical horizons, while paying homage to the great composers of the past, was evident in every performance. The audience left the Fredonia Opera House with a deep appreciation for the exceptional artistry and enduring legacy of Bach & Beyond.

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.