Music Concert- From Baroque to Jazz

Baroque music refers to the period or dominant style of Western classical music composed from about 1600 to 1750. The Baroque style followed the Renaissance period, and was followed in turn by the Classical period after a short transition (the Galant style). The term “baroque” comes from the Portuguese word barroco, meaning “misshapen pearl”. The works of George Frideric Handel, Antonio Vivaldi and Johann Sebastian Bach are considered the pinnacle of the Baroque period. Improvisation was one of the most important characteristics of the Baroque music. Keyboardist had to create accompaniment on a spot improvising according to the Basso continuo, which provided the harmonic structure of the music by supplying a bassline and a chord progression. Soloists were expected to use ornamentation the most elaborate way and improvise cadenzas. In jazz accompaniment is improvised over the given chordal changes, melody interpretation is very free, and improvisation over the changes is essential. Overall, the use of improvisation (Melodic and Chordal) in Baroque Music and Jazz Music is extremely similar and links both genres of music.

Program starts with Sonata in D for cello, basso, and piano by one of J. S. Bach sons Johann Christoph Friedrich Bach (1732 – 1795). This composition is “in-between” Baroque and Galant styles. It’s composed for the new for this time instrument piano instead of harpsichord and interestingly enough employs two bass instruments. Valse by German composer Claus Ogerman (1930-2016) is sophisticatedly based on the
2nd movement Siciliano of the flute sonata BWV 1031 by Johann Sebastian Bach. Arrangement of “Troubled Time” by outstanding jazz pianist Mark Kramer (1945) was supervised and approved by author. TRIO for cello, double bass, and piano is a crossover composition and doesn’t border self in frames one particular genre, fusing classics, world, jazz, improvisation together. It also gives me opportunity to bring together two my dear friends and collaborators: cellist George Atanasiu, who represents “classical” side of the composition, and bassist Bruce Kaminsky, who brings the “jazz vibe” into the flow. Piano is a point of the fusion of all. Trio contains 5 episodes performed “attacca” (no interruptions): Romance, Dance, Impromptu, Nigun (Song Without Words), and Rondo.

Samuel Heifetz
Music Program Coordinator

Cellist of international acclaim, Dr. George Atanasiu received numerous prizes, medals, and his public performances were broadcasted throughout Europe, United States, Asia, and South America. He is Philly Pops Orchestra member since 1986 and collaborates regularly with Opera Company of Philadelphia and Philadelphia Chamber Orchestra. Active conductor in 2002 he became principal conductor of the Orvieto Festival of Strings in Italy. Dr. George Atanasiu is teaching Cello, Chamber music, String ensemble, String pedagogy internationally.

Bruce Kaminsky has performed with jazz artists like Tal Farlow, Jimmy Knepper, Larry Coryell and Bucky Pizzarelli. For 28 years, he was a senior production member with the International Association for Jazz Education (IAJE) working directly with Dizzy Gillespie,
Chick Corea and Dave Holland. Kaminsky created and is president of Kydd Products, Inc., manufacturer of Kydd Basses, a compact, electric upright bass. His love of Middle Eastern music influenced him to create The Spice Route Ensemble, which is a group comprised of Arabs and Jews that lead residencies involving cultural cooperation through music.

Composer, arranger/orchestrator, pianist Samuel Heifetz was born in Latvia and worked at the Latvian Philharmonic Society, recorded many shows on television and radio, performed extensively throughout the former Soviet Union and Europe, and wrote music for theater
and films.  Sam moved to the United States in 1990 and in 1991 he made a successful debut at Carnegie Hall. He has performed throughout Europe and the United States. His discography includes 6 albums with major labels. For past 22 years he serves as a music professor at Arcadia University.