Main Line Early Music, 1116 Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA (2025)

12/21/2024

Happy Solstice! Making plans for the New Year? Main Line Early Music welcomes you to join us for a concert with the Sylvan Consort!

Lawes & Order
The Sylvan Consort of Viols
Sunday, January 26th at 3pm
Church of the Good Shepherd Rosemont
1116 Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr
Tickets: $30 general, $20 senior, $10 student, under 18 free

TICKETS: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lawes-and-order-tickets-1120744800869?aff=oddtdtcreator

Experimentation, new forms, pushing boundaries of instrumental virtuosity and vocal expression - these are the hallmarks of 17th century music throughout Europe. While we might consider English consort music to be the exception, with its orderly contrapuntal conversations and serene flow of ideas, in fact the old rules were constantly stretched and often broken. William Lawes, the admired and beloved composer who died early, losing his life to a stray bullet during the lawless period of the English Civil War, extended those rules to the furthest limits of both harmony and technique. The Sylvan Viols will play his challenging and sublime music in the context of others who experimented in their own unique ways.

11/24/2024

We're very excited for this concert! Join in tomorrow at 3pm to hear French music that the Founding Father's would have heard! Music of Pierre-Louis Couperin, Davaux, Pleyel, Balbastre, Pelissier, Chevalier de St Georges, Bécourt, and Grétry!

TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR or at:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-publick-pleasure-liberte-egalite-fraternite-tickets-991541696907

11/21/2024

MEET THE COMPOSER: Giovanni Battista Viotti (1755-1824)

How does an Italian composer end up on a concert of French music? How does an Italian violinist end up the "father of the French School of violin playing?"

Giovanni Battista Viotti was an Italian violinist whose virtuosity was famed and whose work featured an appealing lyrical tunefulness. He was a director of French and Italian opera companies in Paris and London and personally knew Joseph Haydn and Ludwig van Beethoven. He served at the Savoia court in Turin, 1773–80, then toured as a soloist, at first with Pugnani, before going to Paris alone, where he made his début at the Concert Spirituel in 1782. He was a sensation and served at Versailles before founding a new opera house, the Théâtre de Monsieur in 1788. When the French Revolution took a radical turn, though his opera house was renamed the Théâtre Feydeau, former royal connections became a dangerous liability. In 1792 he moved to London, making his début at Johann Peter Salomon's Hanover Square Concert, 7 February 1793. Later, with Britain at war with Revolutionary France, he was ordered to leave the country, under suspicion of Jacobin sympathies. Period papers hint at an intrigue in the favour of Viotti's rival, Wilhelm Cramer, who had led the Opera House orchestra before Viotti took over. Viotti was a very influential violinist. The teacher of both Pierre Rode and Pierre Baillot and an important influence on Rodolphe Kreutzer, all of whom became notable teachers themselves, he is considered the founding father of the 19th-century French violin school. He also taught Paul Alday and August Duranowski, who was an influence on Niccolò Paganini.

Hear Viotti's Sonata pour clavecin avec accompagnement d'un violon THIS SUNDAY!

The Publick Pleasure
LIBERTÉ, ÉGALITÉ, FRATERNITÉ
Music of France & St. Domingue in 18th c Philadelphia
Sunday, Nov 24th at 3pm
Church of the Good Shepherd Rosemont
1116 Lancaster Ave, Bryn Mawr PA 19010
Tickets: $30 general, $20 senior, $10 student, under 18 free
PURCHASE TICKETS: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-publick-pleasure-liberte-egalite-fraternite-tickets-991541696907

11/20/2024

MEET THE COMPOSER: André Gretry (1741 - 1813)
André Gretry was a composer from the Prince-Bishopric of Liège, who worked from 1767 onwards in France and took French nationality. He is most famous for his opéras comiques. His music influenced Mozart and Beethoven both of whom wrote variations on his works. Altogether he composed some fifty operas. His masterpieces are Zémire et Azor and Richard Coeur-de-lion—the first produced in 1771, the second in 1784.

In 1786 the French cellist, guitarist and singer Henri Capron sang Gretry's aria "La malheur me rend intrepide" from Zémire et Azor for a concert at the City Tavern in Philadelphia. Capron immigrated to Philadelphia from France via the colony of St Domingue where he performed Gretry's Zémire et Azor as a cellist in the opera orchestra of Port au Prince. Hear vocalist Brian Ming Chu sing Gretry's aria THIS SUNDAY!

The Publick Pleasure
LIBERTÉ, ÉGALITÉ, FRATERNITÉ
Music of France & St Domingue in 18th c. Philadelphia
Sunday, Nov 24th at 3pm
Church of the Good Shepherd Rosemont
1116 Lancaster Ave, Bryn Mawr PA 19010
PURCHASE TICKETS: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-publick-pleasure-liberte-egalite-fraternite-tickets-991541696907
Tickets: $30 general, $20 senior, $10 student, under 18 free

11/18/2024

Main Line Early Music is delighted to welcome back The Publick Pleasure for some French delights! Music of Pierre-Louis Couperin, Ignace Pleyel, Giovanni Viotti, Joseph Bologne the Chevalier de St Georges, Jean Baptiste Davaux, Victor Pelissier, Claude Balbastre, and André Gretry. Hear the sounds of 1780 & 90's Philadelphia - a city full of the French language, French cuisine, and French music!

With Edmond Chan, violin; Brian Ming Chu, voice; Karen Dekker, violin; Margaret Humphrey, viola; Eve Miller, cello & John Walthausen, harpsichord.

TICKETS:https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-publick-pleasure-liberte-egalite-fraternite-tickets-991541696907

Sunday, November 24th at 3pm
Church of the Good Shepherd Rosemont
1116 Lancaster Avenue
Bryn Mawr PA 19010
Tickets: $30 general, $20 senior, $10 student, under 18 free

11/15/2024

MEET THE COMPOSER: Ignace Pleyel (1757-1831)

Pleyel is one of two composers on the program to become "French" in a round about way. Pleyel was born in Austria and moved to Strasborg, France in his twenties, establishing himself as an organist and composer. During the French Revolution he spent time in London where he became the inadvertent rival of his former teacher Joseph Haydn. Pleyel led concerts organized by Wilhem Cramer, while Haydn led those organized by Johann Peter Salomon. During the reign of terror, Pleyel was in jeopardy due to his immigrant status in France - he was brought before the "Committee for Public Safety" seven times and labeled a "Royalist collaborator." Pleyel ameliorated his relationship to the new Republic by composing works on themes loyal to the Republic. He eventually became a naturalized citizen "Citoyen Pleyel." In 1795 Pleyel moved to Paris, becoming a successful music publisher and piano-builder.

Pleyel's music was a mainstay of early American concert life. His music was immensely popular (there was a Pleyel Society on Nantucket!), and almost every concert program in Philadelphia during the 1790's included his music.

Hear Pleyel's Cello Sonata in c minor in:

The Publick Pleasure:
LIBERTÉ, ÉGALITÉ, FRATERNITÉ
Music of France & St. Domingue in 18th c. Philadelphia
Sunday, November 24th at 3pm
Church of the Good Shepherd Rosemont
1116 Lancaster Ave, Bryn Mawr PA 19010
Tickets: $30 general, $20 senior, $10 student, under 18 free
PURCHASE TICEKTS: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-publick-pleasure-liberte-egalite-fraternite-tickets-991541696907

11/12/2024

MEET THE COMPOSER: Jean-Baptiste Davaux (1742-1822)
Born in La Côte-Saint-André, Davaux came from a bourgeois family. His father was King's Counselor and receiver in the salt attic. He received his first musical education from his parents. He began the violin, in addition to the mandolin. In 1767, Davaux went to Paris, where he quickly acquired a reputation as a violinist and composer. He received a number of public extra-musical appointments and, after the French Revolution, held an official position in the Ministry of War. He then received a pension and the Legion of Honour for his thirty years of service. He retired in 1816. He then lived in his home in Yvelines and half of his time in Paris where he gave private concerts. Considering himself an "amateur", he was recognized by both the public and critics and considered one of the most esteemed French symphonist of French composers. Between 1773 and 1788, the Concert Spirituel often presented his works and virtuosos such as Capron, Devienne, Pierre Leduc and Giornovichi played them. His scores were published in Holland, England and Germany - most often in pirate editions - and his string quartets were played in the United States as early as 1782. (Wikipedia)

Hear Davaux's Quator Concertant Op 9 No 6 in:
LIBERTÉ, ÉGALITÉ, FRATERNITÉ
Music of France & St. Domigue in 18th c. Philadelphia
Sunday, November 24th at 3pm
with The Publick Pleasure
Tickets: $30 general, $20 senior, $20 student, under 18 free
Church of the Good Shepherd Rosemont
1116 Lancaster Ave, Bryn Mawr PA 19010

PURCHASE TICKETS: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-publick-pleasure-liberte-egalite-fraternite-tickets-991541696907

10/30/2024

Coming up November 24th
The Publick Pleasure presents a concert of Philadelphia history!

TICKETS & INFO: https://www.goodshepherdrosemont.com/mainline-earlymusic

10/26/2024

BELLADONNA! Sharing a little down time as they prepare a magnificent program for you! Join in TOMORROW at 3pm.

The Art of Imitation
Sunday, October 27th at 3pm
Music of Bach, Telemann, Palestrina, De Selma, Goldberg & more
Church of the Good Shepherd Rosemont
Tickets: $30 general, $20 senior, $10 student, under 18 free

PURCHASE TICKETS: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/belladonna-the-art-of-imitation-tickets-991506521697

Tickets will also be available at the door.
1116 Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr PA 19010

10/24/2024

Just a few more days until this luscious concert! Join MLEM as we welcome Belladonna!

BELLADONNA
The Art of Imitation
Sunday, Oct 27th at 3pm
Church of the Good Shepherd Rosemont
Tickets: $30 general, $20 senior, $10 student, under 18 free
PURCHASE TICKETS: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/belladonna-the-art-of-imitation-tickets-991506521697

Join Belladonna in a program entitled The Art of Imitation, a musical tour from Renaissance to high baroque, featuring the composers Palestrina, De Selma, Telemann, Goldberg and Bach.

Barbara Weiss, harpsichord; Margaret Humphrey, violin; Cléa Galhano, recorder; Rebecca Humphrey, cello

1116 Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr PA 19010

10/22/2024

THIS SUNDAY! Join Main Line Early Music as we welcome Belladonna for a stunning concert of imitation in all its forms.

Belladonna
The Art of Imitiation
Sunday, Oct 27th at 3pm
Church of the Good Shepherd Rosemont
1116 Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr PA 19010

Tickets: $30 general, $20 senior, $10 student, under 18 free
PURCHASE TICKETS: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/belladonna-the-art-of-imitation-tickets-991506521697

10/18/2024

Main Line Early Music is excited to present Belladonna on Sunday, October 27th!

Belladonna
The Art of Imitation
Sunday, October 27th at 3pm
Church of the Good Shepherd Rosemont
Belladonna is: Barbara Weiss, harpsichord; Margaret Humphrey, violin; Cléa Galhano, recorder; and Rebecca Humphrey, cello

Join Belladonna in a program entitled The Art of Imitation, a musical tour from Renaissance to high baroque, featuring the composers Palestrina, De Selma, Telemann, Goldberg and Bach.

Tickets: $30 general, $20 senior, $10 student, under 18 free
PURCHASE TICKETS: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/belladonna-the-art-of-imitation-tickets-991506521697

1116 Lancaster Avenue
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010

10/15/2024

Coming October 27th: Belladonna!

Belladonna
The Art of Imitation
Sunday, Oct 27 at 3pm
Tickets: $30 general, $20 senior, $10 student, under 18 free
PURCHASE TICKETS: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/belladonna-the-art-of-imitation-tickets-991506521697

Church of the Good Shepherd Rosemont
1116 Lancaster Avenue
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010

09/22/2024

Today is the day! Join us at 3pm for a fabulous concert with Night Music and special guest, Sylvia Berry, fortepiano!

KEYBOARD CONVERSATIONS
at Church of the Good Shepherd Rosemont
1116 Lancaster Avenue
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010

Tickets: $30 general, $20 senior, $10 student, under 18 free
Purchase Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/night-music-keyboard-conversations-tickets-991326011787

09/20/2024

Check out this awesome video! And hear the full program THIS SUNDAY 💚

Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/night-music-keyboard-conversations-tickets-991326011787

09/19/2024

THIS SUNDAY!

Night Music with special guest, Sylvia Berry

Keyboard Conversations
Sunday, Sept 22 at 3pm
Church of the Good Shepherd Rosemont
1116 Lancaster Ave, Bryn Mawr PA
Tickets: $30 general, $20 senior, $10 student, under 18 free
PURCHASE TICKETS: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/night-music-keyboard-conversations-tickets-991326011787

09/16/2024

THIS SUNDAY at 3pm hear fortepianist Sylvia Berry with Night Music in:

KEYBOARD CONVERSATIONS
Music of Mozart & the Bach Sons
Sunday, Sept 22 at 3pm
Church of the Good Shepherd Rosemont
1116 Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr PA 19010
Tickets: $30 general, $20 senior, $10 student, under 18 free

Ms. Berry is one of North America's leading exponents of the fortepiano, as well as other historical keyboard instruments, including the harpsichord, virginal, and clavichord. She dedicates herself to the performance practices of the 18th and early 19th centuries, with an avid interest in the sociological phenomena surrounding the music of that period. In addition to her performing activities, Ms. Berry is a respected scholar and has written and lectured widely on these topics. For more: https://www.sylviaberry.org/biography

PURCHASE TICKETS: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/night-music-keyboard-conversations-tickets-991326011787

Main Line Early Music