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Concert dates of the 2002/2003 season
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Sunday, 8 September 2002, 8 p.m.
Großer Saal of the Stadthalle Zerbst
Festive reopening of the Stadthalle Zerbst featuring the Anhaltische Philharmonie Dessau, dir. by GMD Golo Berg. The program will comprise the overture suite in g minor FWV M: g7 by J. F. Fasch, symphony no. 7 in A Major by L. van Beethoven and P. I. Tchaikovky's piano concert no. b in b flat minor op. 23, performed by pianist Eugene Mursky. Ticket prices: to reserve tickets at at € 17.50 call 03923/2351, Verkehrsbüro (tourist information) Zerbst, Schloßfreiheit 12, 39261 Zerbst, otherwise purchase them at the box office for € 20.00.
Sunday, 1 December 2002, 11 a.m.
Konzerthalle "Georg Philipp Telemann" Magdeburg
AND
Mittwoch, 04.12.2002, 20.00 Uhr,
Großer Saal der Stadthalle Zerbst
"Christmas with the Bach, Fasch and Telemann families"
These concerts feature the University chorus "Johann Friedrich Reichardt" and the Academic Orchestra of the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, dir. by Jens Lorenz.
Eighth International Fasch Festival in Zerbst from 3 to 13 April 2003
Featuring Sonatori de la Gioiosa Marca from Italy, "Basel Barock" from Switzerland, "King's Consort" from Great Britain and "Musica Alta Ripa" from Hannover.
Tickets can be purchased at Tel. 03923/2351 or 760178, Verkehrsbüro (Touristinformation) of the City of Zerbst or by contacting the International Fasch Society at Tel. 03923/784772 from 7 January 2003 on.
The international scholarly conference will take place on 4 and 5 April 2003 and will focus on the "Johann Friedrich Fasch and the Italian Style". Free entrance.
Dear Fasch friends,
We are pleased to present to you with yet another issue of our newsletter which provides information on numerous "activities related to Fasch", close by and far away. It's not exaggerated to note that "our Fasch" continues to attract music lovers from all over the world. Moreover, Fasch interpreters with many years of experiences such as Camerata Köln (Fasch Prize recipient 1999), the Fasch Collegium Bochum and the University Choir and the Academic Orchestra Halle enthusiastically continue their Fasch quest.
You will be especially interested in the program of the upcoming Eighth Fasch Festival in April 2003 - it once again will offer exquisite concerts. We are delighted to have been able - together with the City of Zerbst - to invite top-class artists from in- and outside of Germany who will be delighting us with their excellent musical performances. The focal point of the festival, "Johann Friedrich Fasch and the Italian style", will not only attract dedicated Fasch fans but is meant appeal to all music lovers who enjoy southern European culture and living. It is no coincidence that in addition to outstanding performers from Germany, Great Britain and Switzerland, renowned artists from Italy will visit Zerbst. Since we once again expect tickets to be in high demand we recommend that you book yours well in advance. I hope you will enjoy what you are about to read, especially the advertised concerts.
Konstanze Musketa
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The new Conference Report has arrived!
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Johann Friedrich Fasch (1688-1758), Kapellmeister of Anhalt-Zerbst, and his influence on court orchestras outside of Zerbst: Conference on the International Scholarly Conference on 20 and 21 April 2001 on the occasion of the Seventh International Fasch Festival in Zerbst. Ed. Internationale Fasch-Gesellschaft
[editor-in-charge Konstanze Musketa in collaboration with Stephan Blaut, Bert Siegmund, Götz Traxdorf and Jens Wehmann]. Dessau: Anhalt-Edition 2001 (Fasch-Studien; vol. 8) ISBN 3-936383-00-6.
25 EURO
This volume comprises twelve articles musicologists from Germany, Canada, Australia and Russia that relate to the above topic. The first four essays examine surviving primary sources and questions on performance practice at the Dresden Court, which Fasch supplied with numerous instrumental works and Latin church music. The three articles that follow draw attention to hitherto-unknown letters and documents that shed light on biographical matters. Three additional essays inform the reader about Fasch's activities in Prague, primary source material with regard to instrumental works and cantatas surviving in Darmstadt, and Fasch's relations to the Court of Gotha, respectively. Moreover, this volume contains a useful appendix that comprises a biographical time line for Fasch, an extensive bibliography that includes an overview of archival sources and secondary literature as well as an "Annotated Bibliography of Published Primary and Secondary Sources on J. F. Fasch" compiled by Stephan Blaut.
Biederitz's Music Summer
"Baroque cantatas in villages, [parts] II and III" was the motto which provided the "common people" with the wonderful opportunity to attend a performance of Fasch's cantata "Gott, wir warten Deiner Güte" (God, we await your loving-kindness). This performance took place in the Lutheran Church Niegripp and Jerichow on 15 June 2002, organized by the Kantorei of Biederitz, dir. by Michael Scholl.
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Fasch in Zerbst, Halle, Oer-Erkenschwick and Bochum
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Fasch in Zerbst
The Musikschule (music academy for grade-school students) "Johann Friedrich Fasch" Zerbst presented a special concert on "Classical Music - a different way" on 16 June 2002. It featured the Percussions Club St. Petersburg (I. Mateev, St. Grigorenko, N. Ryzov and A. Mikhaylov) who performed works by W. A. Mozart, A. Vivaldi, I. Strawinsky, S. Fink, P. I. Tschaikowsky, S. Joplin, G. H. Green, and many more. They also impressed the audience with their interpretation of a sonata in B flat Major by J. F. Fasch.
Fasch at the Horst Palace in Oer-Erkenschwick
A concert titled "Instrumental music of the Baroque - what is Baroque music?" took place at the Horst Palace in Oer-Erkenschwick on 17 October 2001, sponsored by the "caterva musica" association, and featuring soloists J. Maas and O. Reimers (violoncello) as well as the early music ensemble Caterva Musica. Works of famous Kapellmeister of the 18th century were performed, including compositions by G. P. Telemann, U. W. von Wassenaer, A. Vivaldi, J. S. Bach and J. F. Fasch (Sinfonia in B flat Major for two oboes and bassoon, strings and B.c., FWV M: B2).
Fasch in Halle
As part of the "Baroque in the afternoon" series members of the Philharmonic State Orchestra Halle performed a concert in the Freylinghausensaal of the Frankeschen Stiftungen in Halle on 10 February 2002. This performance, directed by Shalev Ad-El, included an overture suite in d minor by J. F. Fasch for chalumeau, two oboes, bassoon, two violins, two violas and B.c., FWV K:d3; the performance material was prepared by Uta Wald. Two days later the Händelfestspielorchester performed a concert on period instruments at the opera house in Halle. It included the premiere of J. F. Fasch's overture suite in F Major for two horns, two oboes, bassoon, two violins, violetta and B.C. as well as a concerto for violin by J. F. Fasch (Solist: Anton Steck). Performance materials had also been prepared by Uta Wald.
Finally, a concert took place on 10 June 2002 on the occasion of the Handel Festival; featuring award winners, it included a performance of Fasch's trumpet concert in D Major.
Fasch in Bochum
The Fasch Collegium Bochum performed a chamber concert on 6 January 2002 in Bochum. It featured J. F. Fasch's sonatas in d minor, FWV N:d1, and in D Major, FWV N:D2. One month later another chamber concert took place in Köln-Esch in which the ensemble performed Fasch's Sonata in e minor, FWV N:e1, and excerpts from his Sinfonia in G Major, FWV M:G5. On 24 March 2002 the Fasch Collegium and the Lutheran Choral Association of the Dorfkirche Bochum-Stiepel, dir. M. Goede, performed Fasch's Passio Jesu Christi.
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Johann Friedrich Fasch and his friends - Camerata Köln on tour overseas
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A report from our member Dr. Barbara Reul, Victoria/Canada
Camerata Köln, recipient of the Fasch Prize of the City of Zerbst, 1999, and known all over the world because of their recordings and concerts toured the United States in Canada during February and March 2002 - the first time in 15 years. Their itinerary included Pittsburgh, New York, Boston, Cleveland and San Diego in the United States plus Edmonton and my home twon of Victoria (B. C.), both in Canada. I had suggested this long overdue "musical visit" to the manager of Camerata Köln, Heinz R. Huber, in spring 2000. Much to my delight my wish was granted with the assistance of the president of Victoria's local Early Music Society of the Islands, Dr. James Young. He had suggested a highly respected concert agency in Montreal who took over as their North American agent and organized this concert tour.
Camerata Köln had previously performed a concert at the University of Victoria in 1987. I clearly recall their virtuosic mastery of period instruments and the superior knowledge of each of the members of Camerata Köln with regard to performance practice of the 18th century - they conveyed utmost spontaneity and absolute delight in performing as well as artistic independence throughout.
The Camerata Köln ensemble which comprises professors teaching at universities and post-secondary institutions, expressed their musical gratitude by offering a concert program devoted to "Johann Friedrich Fasch and his friends" that took place at the sold-out church of St. Andrew's Presbyterian in downtown Victoria on 1 March 2002.
In preparation for this concert I had taught a non-credit course for the Department of Continuing Studies at the University of Victoria that focused on "Johann Sebastian Bach and his contemporaries", specifically selecting works that Camerata Köln would perform as part of their concert. One of the six evening classes familiarized the students with the life and works of Johann Friedrich Fasch, Kapellmeister of Anhalt-Zerbst (including photographs of the Seventh International Fasch Festival 2001 in Zerbst). Naturally, we also spent time on G. P. Telemann, J. J. Quantz and C. Ph. E. Bach, all of whom Fasch knew personally.
On the evening of the performance, the audience was invited to attend a 20-minute pre-concert lecture titled "In the shadow of J. S. Bach: Fasch and his contemporaries" (for which the ensemble members were particularly grateful, because "we usually have to do this ourselves - in English!"). In addition, extensive notes allowed concertgoers to familiarize themselves with the program and context in detail. In short, it was a very successful evening.
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News from Canada
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Our member Dr. Barbara Reul (resident IFG musicologist in Zerbst from 1997-1999) informed us that she would move from beautiful Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, to the sunniest city in Canada, Regina, Saskatchewan. She will commence a position as assistant professor for musicology in the Department of Music at the University of Regina in July 2002. In late October she will present a conference paper on J. F. Fasch's cantatas and the Italian style in Quebec City, Quebec. In addition, she will present a 45-minute lecture on the topic "In the shadow of J. S. Bach: Johann Friedrich Fasch (1688-1758), Kapellmeister at the Court of Anhalt-Zerbst" as part of the University of Regina's Fine Arts Lecture Series on 8 November 2002.
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IFG Affairs
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Our application for funding the project titled "Preparation of performance materials of two sinfonias by J. F. Fasch and his Magnificat as well as the professional arranging of five sonatas by J. F. Fasch for use by students at music academies", to be granted by the state [of Sachsen-Anhalt] for the fiscal year 2002, was turned down. In their explanation officials pointed out that financial contributions by the state would only be provided when considerable interest in the project on their part could be proven, and when sufficient funds were available.
Unfortunately, the IFG is not able to fund this project themselves due to lack of resources. The goal of this project is to make it possible for the above mentioned works to be premiered at future Fasch Festivals. Moreover, the arrangements of sonatas for students studying at music academies, are meant to introduce the younger generation to J. F. Fasch's legacy.
We would like to thank the City of Zerbst and the County of Anhalt-Zerbst for providing us each with € 300 for our Christmas concert, to be held on 4 December 2002 in the Großer Saal of the Stadthalle in Zerbst.
The IFG has again submitted a grant proposal that would fund the "preparation of works by J. F. Fasch for ensembles and students studying at music academies". Many works by Fasch have survived in manuscript (handwritten) form only, and need to be professionally edited in order to be performed by musicians.
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A visit to Vienna with the International Fasch Society
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A travel report from our member Peter Bürckner
It's almost a tradition - and a nice one, too - that the IFG organizes study trips, always on the footsteps of Johann Friedrich Fasch.
This year our trip led us to Vienna, a city that is incredibly musical because of such famous musicians as Ludwig van Beehoven, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and - not to be forgotten - the waltz king Johann Strauß, living and working there. With this trip the IFG crossed the gates of the Baroque and showed their openness to other musical eras.
Already on the first day when we explored the musical metropole of Vienna by way of a sightseeing tour, we were left with many diverse impressions, emphasized by the typical "Viennese flair". We saw many famous Viennese sights including the Ring, the Stephansdom, the Hofburg, the Court Theatre, the Spanish Court Riding School, the Schönbrunn Palace, the Hundertwasser House and the well-known Hotel Sacher. Our - very charming - Viennese female tour guide provided us with much historical background knowledge on the building of these monuments as part of the sightseeing tour, always relating them to the above mentioned famous Viennese individuals. Another highlight was a concert at the Schönbrunn Palace, which featured vocal works and dancing, and captivated every music lover. Strauß and Mozart - we were liked that combination.
During scheduled "free" time, we explored what we had seen a little more and discover new things. Some members of the group visited apartments where Mozart and Beethoven had lived as well as the "Haus der Musik", while others went to the "Prater" fairgrounds to see the venerable Ferris wheel from times past.
A proper trip to Vienna must include a "Heurigen" visit. On the last evening we traveled to Gumpoldskirchen to enjoy that famous Austrian new wine, local snacks and fiery gypsy music, and to sing, dance and be merry. That was also when we started thinking of another trip because we were having so much fun!
Fortunately, we were blessed with good weather for the entire three-day trip. We agreed that it had been a very successful one, especially when looking at pictures on 6 June 2002. We'll be sure to sign up for the next trip!
We would like the IFG for organizing this wonderful trip.
Happy Birthday!
Best wishes and congratulations to the following members:
40th birthday: Christian v. Witzleben;
50th birthday: Angela Jahnke, Hans-Heinrich Kriegel, Dagmar Richter and Rüdiger Hoffmann,
70th birthday: Ellen Arndt and Dr. Helmut Linde as well as all members who did not receive a card from us because we do not have access to their dates of birth.
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Did you know ...,
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That the IFG comprises 107 members to date and more and more musicians, choirs and ensembles show interest in Fasch's music?
That an exhibition on Fasch will be shown at the County Bank (Kreissparkasse) Anhalt-Zerbst on the occasion of the Eighth International Fasch Festival in 2003?
That the Work Creation Center Dessau has funded a position that enables "computer processing of data pertaining to vocal and instrumental works by J. F. Fasch" as of 4 December 2001 and that the data - using the program Allegro/Bolero and assisted by the Bolero User Association and the City of Zerbst - will be available online, see www.BriseInfo.de?
That another work creation position which allowed an IFG chronicle to be put together, will end on 3 December 2002? The completed volumes of this collection of documents begin with early Fasch research and cover the revival of his works up to the year 2001. Due to our current lack of financial resources, we cannot have all six volumes bound (€ 50 per volume) but you are welcome to have a look at them at our Zerbst Headquarters. Note that without the funding provided by the Work Creation Centre Dessau this extensive project would not have been possible.
That the next general meeting and the election of the new executive committee of the IFG will take place on the occasion of the Eighth International Fasch Festival? We will send you an invitation in due time.
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