March 31, 2007

 Jane Austen’s World in Music and Dance

Pre-concert talk by John Burkhalter at 7:30 pm;

Concert at 8:00 pm

Unitarian Church of Princeton

 

Laura Heimes, soprano

Donna Fournier, baroque cello

Janet Palumbo, spinet harpsichord & square piano

with guest artists

Nancy Wilson, baroque violin

Lewis Baratz, square piano

John Burkhalter, recorder

Members of the Colonial Assembly, historic dance

Jane Austen’s novels describe—in fascinating detail—town and country life in England circa 1800.  What many of her readers do not know is that Jane Austen also copied, in her own hand, an extensive collection of music for her own use at home.  Drawing on the Jane Austen Songbook as well as music mentioned in her novels and letters, this program will truly bring to life the world of Jane Austen.  The ensemble will be joined by dancers from The Colonial Assembly, in 1805 period costume, performing dances from the Bath Assembly Room.

Two rare, antique keyboard instruments—built in London during Jane Austen’s lifetime—will be used for this program, allowing the audience to hear one of Haydn’s London trios played on a piano built the same year the work was composed!

1794 Longman & Broderip square piano,

courtesy of Lewis Baratz

 

1785 Longman & Broderip bentside spinet harpsichord,

courtesy of Gavin Black

PROGRAM

Songs copied by Jane Austen into her music book

      Sweet Transports, by William Shields

      Thy Fatal Shafts

      My Phillida, by Miss Mellish

 

Haydn’s Piano Sonata in C Major, Hoboken XVI:10

      Moderato, Menuet and Trio, Finale (Presto)

 

Dances from the Bath Assembly Room:

      New Bath Minuet

      Bath New Assembly Room Minuet

 

Haydn’s Trio in G Major, Hoboken XIV:25 “Gypsy Trio”

      Andante, Poco Adagio, Finale—Rondo in the Gipsies’ Style

 

Kotzwara’s “The Battle of Prague” –a favorite Sonata arranged          for Two Performers on one Piano Forte

 

Four English Songs (1794-95) by Haydn

 

Dances from Balls and Country Houses:

      The Spa Dance

      A Trip to Bath

 

More songs copied by Jane Austen

      Plus ne veux jamais

      La Biondina in Gondoletta

      The Match Girl