On May 18th, a group of WEKA members and friends gathered at the lovely home of a Portland early keyboard enthusiast for an afternoon of music making, community, and refreshments.
We met in a large, beautiful music room with excellent acoustics, well equipped with a fully and authentically restored 1840 Stodart Grand Piano and a 1986 Zuckermann Franco-Flemish harpsichord.
Performers
- Owen Daly – Salem Harpsichord/Clavichord Builder – https://www.dalyharpsichords.com
Johann Caspar Ferdinand Fischer (1656-1746) – Suite 1 in d minor from Musikalisches Blumenbüschlein, Opus 2, 1698. First published in 1696 as Les pièces de clavessin: Prelude, Allemande, Courante, Sarabande, Gavotte, Minuet
- Bonnie Garrett – Portland harpichordist/fortepianist, retired from Reed College
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) – Prelude and Fugue in C Major from WTC II. (1742)
Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach (1714-1788) – La Gleim in a minor Wq117/19. (1755)
- Paul Hanau – Lifelong amateur devotee of piano and harpsichord, occasional builder of instruments
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) – Waldstein Sonata, No. 21 in C Major, Op. 53, Movement I – Allegro con brio. (1804)
- Scott Smith – Antique restorer and student of piano/harpsichord/organ
Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) – Prelude and Fugue, Opus 35 no. 1 in e minor. (1837)
It was wonderful to hear all these performances and on two great instruments. About 20 people were there and their relationships to early keyboard music spanned a wide range of experiences: professionals, amateurs, students, builders, church musicians, and more. Before and after the performances there was a chance to look at the instruments and try them out, participate and listen in on a number of interesting conversations, and participate in an overall convivial atmosphere.We had some delicious food and drink provided by our hosts, plus board members contributed some as well. Everyone seemed to be having an excellent time. Par for the course at these soirées.
The upcoming 2020 soirée will move south to Salem, OR on Saturday, May 16, so mark your calendar for that. It will no doubt be another afternoon worth your time! We look forward to seeing you there (and perhaps even playing a bit).