Fans of the film “Shrek 2” may recall harpsichord music as background to the incredible animated action.
These twang-like, percussive strains marked the work of conductor Robert King, who brings his mastery of baroque period music to the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall this weekend.
King will lead a nature-inspired program, which features some of the baroque era?s best-loved composers.
The concert opens with George Frideric Handel?s “Overture to the Occasional Oratorio.”
This work, which made its debut in 1746, was written during a time of national upheaval for the British as Charles Edward Stuart marched to conquer London.
As a call for morale-boosting sentiments, Handel?s response is said to have influenced British victory in the battle of Culloden, and the piece evokes a mood of British patriotism.
Two versions of “Water Music” will be performed in the concert, not so much as a means of comparison, but as an insight into the individual composer?s intent.
Celebrating sailors? commitment in 18th century Germany and the importance of maritime business, Georg Philipp Teelemann?s “Water Music” paints vivid pictures of the many moods of the sea.
Handel?s “Water Music,” on the other hand, marks a celebration of a different kind.
Written specifically for an extravagant outdoor event hosted by King George I of Britain, the piece was performed for the guests of the king as they floated down the Thames ? this being the precursor to background or mood music.
“Mr. King brings a very specialized and experienced background to his repertoire,” noted Jeremy Rothman, BSO?s Artistic Administrator.
“He has recorded and performed these works over many years, and this week, will present period-informed performances with the BSO of some of these most popular works of the baroque period,” Rothman said.
King, who has made more than 90 recordings ofhis work and earned many international awards, is no stranger to the world of film music.
In addition to “Shrek 2,” his current Hollywood projects include work on “The Chronicles of Narnia.”
If you go
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Baroque Classics
» Venue: Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St., Baltimore
» Times: 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday (Saturday?s performance is at The Music Center at Strathmore); 3 p.m. Sunday
» More info: 410-783-8000 or www.baltimoresymphony.org
