Konstanze Musketa, President

Dear Fasch-friends from far and near,

This is the inaugural issue of our Fasch newsletter FASCHIANA! We are proud to present to you this first issue of our newsletter which shall keep you informed about all current issues - if possible - pertaining to Fasch. Naturally, we are eager to know about your reaction to it - we will always be open to suggestions, wishes and tips. This is our first attempt and we would like to improve with each issue, i.e., comply with your wishes. New issues are scheduled to appear approximately every 6 months.

First of all, let us look back at the Fifth International Fasch Festival which came to a rather successful end. You will find short reports on the concerts and the scholarly conference as well as excerpts from press releases on the ensuing pages. Taking inventory feels good after all the stressful preparations. We do not want to miss out on taking this opportunity to sincerely thank the city of Zerbst as the main sponsor of the festival and all those who participated. Our thanks also go to the state of Saxony-Anhalt, the savings banks of Saxony-Anhalt and the Lotto-Toto GmbH Saxony-Anhalt. Their financial support made this festival possible. We were delighted to welcome officers of the North American Fasch Society - a corporate member of the IFS - who insisted on visiting Zerbst on the occasion of the festival.

But this shall not only be a review and it shall not be an end in itself as the preparations for the next Fasch Festival have already begun: they will take place in two years time. Naturally, we will put the new experiences which we have made to good use. In August, our programme committee will meet and put together a concert schedule; we have already received suggestions and offers.

In addition, there are several worthwhile events going to take place this year to which we would like to draw your attention. We will let you know about those and other numerous ones planned for 1998 in due course. A facsimile edition of letters by J. F. Fasch is going to be published shortly. In addition to various editions of compositions, our most important project will be a new thematic catalogue of the works of J. F. Fasch which shall meet the highest scholarly and practical requirements.

Konstanze Musketa, president

Barbara Reul

The Fifth International Fasch Festival took place from 17 to 20 April 1997 in the city of Zerbst, a former residence which is over 1000 years old, honouring its court Kapellmeister J. F. Fasch (1688-1758). It was a resounding success if one is to believe the consistently positive press coverage, the compliments received from visitors and the numerous commendations extended by scholars who had travelled to Zerbst from all over the world.

Antje Rohm acknowledged that the Fifth International Fasch Festival had "a new quality. One which testifies to enthusiastic preparing, a well-thought-out organization: [we observed that] international and regional thinking merged when it came to scholars and performers; a compact programme which met requirements of different kinds of visitors; research results. By expanding on the above, Zerbst will be able to measure up to the other festivals in this state." (Zerbster Volksstimme, 23 April 1997).

The motto "quality instead of quantity" - as coined by the IFS's president during an interview on the occasion of the Fasch Festival - became the unwritten "law" with regard to the six concerts, the two-day conference and the festive worship service. The members of the IFS's executive board were responsible for the contents of each concert and the scholarly conference; the main sponsor, the city of Zerbst - or more precisely the office for cultural affairs - took care of organizational matters.

The new concept of team work which had been tried out for the 1997 Festival proved its worth. The director of civic cultural affairs Andreas Dittmann and his co-workers as well as members of the IFS executive experienced the luxury of being able to optimistically look forward to the Festival.

The International Fasch Society and the city of Zerbst which enjoyed the privilege of presenting itself "in a new garb" interpreted the festival, i.e., the offering of high-quality concerts and an international scholarly conference, as both a challenge and a welcome opportunity to meet the needs of many Fasch lovers. Most Liebhaber had spared neither the trouble nor the expense to make the at times rather long trip to Zerbst in order to enjoy "their" Fasch for four full days; others visitors who knew only few or none of the works composed by the Zerbst court Kapellmeister wanted to "get a taste" of his music.

It is my hope that Johann Friedrich Fasch who worked at the court of Zerbst for 36 years would have enjoyed himself as much from 17 to 20 April 1997 as did the admirers of his music during that time in Zerbst.

On the occasion of the Fifth International Fasch Festival the International Fasch Society decided to ask visitors who had travelled to Zerbst to attend the event to sign their names in a special book devoted to that purpose. We are happy to report that the majority of those attending the concerts and the conference took the opportunity to confirm their visit via a signature. Many citizens of Zerbst displayed their interest in "their" court Kapellmeister by flocking to the concerts; in addition, visitors from nearby regions (Magdeburg, Berlin, Leipzig, Halle, Chemnitz and Dresden), cities in the Western part of Germany (Frankfurt/Main, Wuppertal, Rheinfelden, Tübingen, Regensburg, Burgwedel, Northorn, Tuttlingen, Mainz) as well as Prague (representatives of the Czech Handel Society) and overseas (representatives of the North American Fasch Society) found their way to the old residential city in order to see old acquaintances and make new friends. Frau Edeltraud Walla, treasurer of the IFG, looked after the guest book.

• from 17 to 20 April the city of Zerbst honoured its court Kapellmeister
• Vocal- and Instrumental Splendour between Baroque and Classic
• Telemann's Pimpinone and premieres of Fasch works open the Festival

Rich lonely old man seeks young pretty wife, but ends up with a nag who is only after his money - G. P. Telemann's crude-buffonesque intermezzo for two, Pimpinone, presents the old yet always current story of the struggle between sexes in the most modest stage setting possible. There was a good reason for making this stage work by the Hamburg musical director the centre piece of the opening concert as performed by the Frankfurt ensemble "La Stagione" under the direction of Michael Schneider: Fasch and Telemann knew each other well from their time as students spent in Leipzig.

Remarkably, two works of the Zerbst court Kapellmeister were premiered as well: the highly virtuosic concerto in B flat Major for obbligato violin and orchestra as well as the sparkling orchestral suite in the same key display Fasch's mediating position as a composer between baroque thought of affect and Classical simplicity.

Due to the intermezzo concept of this stage work (and the limitations of the hall) Iris Gerath-Prein's stage direction focused almost exclusively on the two protagonists: Michael Schopper - simply grandiose in his portrayal of the helpless naive husband Pimpinone - and Heidrun Kordes (Vespetta) who was similarly hilarious flirting and nagging. Using strings of wool she teases him as the shy maiden, secures marriage and wealth and finally - as a fury armed with an umbrella wearing a wasp costume - she silences him with the help of a muslim bandage. One must also mention that these dissimilar lovebirds, in addition to displaying their excellent acting abilities, must be commended for their highly virtuosic singing.

Johannes Killyen

The University Chorus "J. F. Reichardt" Halle and the Baroque ensemble "J. F. Fasch" performed three cantata settings of Psalm 115 "Lobe den Herrn, meine Seele" by J. F. Fasch, G. P. Telemann (premiere; performance edition prepared by Brit Reipsch), and J. S. Bach on Friday, 18 April. According to Barbara Schmitt, this was a "wonderful concert evening which finished much too early and for which the audience showed their great appreciation" (Zerbster Volksstimme, 23 April). Parts of this concert were broadcast by the Central German Radio on the occasion of a repeat performance during a festive worship service held at St. Bartholomäei Church in Zerbst on Sunday, 20 April.

Fasch Prize of the City of Zerbst Awarded to Brian Clark

On Saturday, 19 April, Scottish musicologist Brian Clark was awarded the Fasch Prize of the city of Zerbst by mayor Helmut Behrendt for "his outstanding scholarly contributions and publications regarding the researching and editing of works by J. F. Fasch". The award ceremony was part of a concert featuring the Telemann-Kammerorchester Michaelstein under the direction of Ludger Rémy. Brian Clark has edited numerous of Fasch's compositions and has thus done a lot to promote Fasch's works and Fasch research.

On Friday, 18 April, Accademia Daniel, an ensemble from Israel under the direction of Shalev Ad-El, delighted their numerous listeners with works by J. F. Fasch and his contemporaries Graupner, Janitsch and Hasse, drawing attention, in particular, to the chalumeau, the predecessor of the clarinet.

On Saturday, 19 April, the members of the Chursächsische Capelle Leipzig showed off their great talents when performing works by J. F. Fasch, F. M. Veracini and A. Ariosti. The concert was recorded by the Central German Radio.

Accademia Daniel, ein Ensemble aus Israel unter der Leitung von Shalev Ad-El, erfreuten am Freitag, 18.04., die zahlreichen Zuhörer mit Werken von J. F. Fasch und seinen Zeitgenossen Graupner, Janitsch und Hasse, wobei der Vorläufer der Klarinette, der Chalumeau, besonders zur Geltung gebracht wurde.

Scholars from Europe, North America and South Africa
presented papers on "J.F. Fasch at Zerbst

A total of 20 scholars gave illuminating papers on the works and the working environment of J. F. Fasch, presenting a number of newly discovered facts. The papers shall be published in a Conference report.

WISSENSCHAFTLER AUS EUROPA, NORDAMERIKA UND SÜDAFRIKA REFERIERTEN ÜBER "J. F. FASCH UND SEIN WIRKEN FÜR ZERBST"

Insgesamt zwanzig Wissenchaftler hielten aufschlußreiche Vorträge zu den Werken und Schaffensumständen J. F. Faschs, inclusive zahlreicher Neuentdeckungen, die in einem Konferenzbericht veröffentlicht werden sollen.

• Old Music On New Instruments

When comparing the closing concert with the other concerts offered on the occasion of the Fifth International Fasch Festival, one thing immediately sticks out: while all other ensembles played on historical instruments, the Neues Bachisches Collegium Musicum presented their selections on modern instruments.

In the overture in B flat Major by J. F. Fasch one appreciated the ensemble's harmonious playing which was a direct result of their using appropriate articulation. In the ensuing concerto in D Minor for oboe and strings director Burkhard Glaetzner underscored his reputation as one of Germany's best solo oboe players..

After the intermission, violinist Gunnar Kaltofen proved that he can measure up to Glaetzner in the concerto in C Minor for oboe and violin by J. S. Bach. The concert concluded with J. D. Zelenka's Suite in F Major. Overall, this ensemble does not only have a right to exist "side by side" orchestras which employ historical instruments but its existence is necessary in order to avoid a one-sided look at Baroque performance practice.

Hagen Jahn

Zerbst

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• 27 September, 8 p.m., Stadthalle: Concert with choral sacred works - premieres of cantatas and motets by J. F. and C. F. C. Fasch, direction: Ralph Eschrig, Berlin
• 22 November, 4 p.m., Fasch-Saal: "And then they went on to play the flute..." - a lecture recital on works for recorder and flute by J. J. Quantz and C. Ph. E. Bach, contemporaries of J. F. Fasch, presented by Dr. Barbara Reul and Ralf Mielke
• 6 December, 7:30 p.m., St. Trinitatis Church: J. S. Bach, Christmas Oratorio, Cantatas I-III, Zerbster Kantorei, direction: Tobias Eger
• 16 December, 8 p.m., St. Bartholomäi Church: Advent concert, seasonal a cappella music as well as instrumental concertos plus Camille Saint-Saens's "Oratorio de Noel"; chamber choir of the University chorus "J. F. Reichardt" Halle, Akademisches Orchester and soloists, direction: Jens Lorenz.

The Sixth International Fasch Festival will take place from 15 to 18 April 1999 in Zerbst. The topic of the scholarly conference will be "Carl Friedrich Christian Fasch and contemporary musical life in Berlin".

Additional performances of the "J. F. Reichardt" University Chorus:

• 31 October, 7:30 p.m., Magdeburg, Konzerthalle "Unser lieben Frauen"and 1 November, 4 p.m., Halle, Konzerthalle Ulrichskirche: Gabriel Faure, Requiem (joined by the "La folia de Lille" orchestra and soloists)
• 30 November, 4 p.m., Gedenkstätte Oberwiederstedt: Advent concert, seasonal a cappella choral music from four centuries
• 6 December, 4 p.m., Dessau, Paulus Church: Programme see 16 December
• 7 December, 4 p.m., and 11 December, 7.30, Halle, Konzerthalle Ulrichskirche: J. S. Bach, Christmas Oratorio (I-III)

Greetings from Victoria from the North American Fasch Society!

Who are we?

Our first official board meeting took place in August 1996 and the Society was incorporated on 5 November 1996. The first annual general meeting took place in April 1997.

The executive board consists of the following members: Leonore Lanius, president; Dr. Barbara Reul, vice president; James Krock, treasurer; Michael Zastre, secretary; members-at-large are Ellen Arndt (vice president and general manager of the IFS), Dr. Ruth Lanius, Mekala Padmanabhan and Susanne Reul-Zastre. Since autumn of 1996 we have been a corporate member of the IFS.

On 16 December we hosted "An Evening with J. F. Fasch and Friends" at the Lutheran Church of the Cross in Victoria, B.C. Many Germans living abroad and Canadians whose ancestors were German could be found in the audience. Dr. Reul was able to paint a colourful picture of Fasch's life and his times in her lecture and provided a wealth of information to the interested listeners. In addition, works by Fasch and Telemann were performed, including the premiere of a movement "Ich suche dich, den meine Seele liebet" from the cantata Sage mir an, du, den meine Seele liebet which is part of J. F. Fasch's 1735/36 cycle. We are really proud of that! The works were performed by Angelika Arend (Mezzo) and Susanne Guckelsberger (violin; both work in the German department of the University of Victoria) as well as Ruth Lanius (recorder) and Barbara Reul (B.c.); the latter two gave a concert on the occasion of the 32nd Zerbst Cultural Festival in February of this year.

What are our immediate plans?

We would like to host a musico-literary "summer tea", playing music by Fasch and his contemporaries and reading literature of the 17th and 18th centuries.

Finally, I would like to personally thank the International Fasch Society and the city of Zerbst for two wonderful days in April on the occasion of the Fifth International Fasch Festival. In 1999, I hope to be there from beginning to end. The 1997 Festival was an experience!

Leonore Lanius, Präsidentin

•  
• that you can order CDs with works by J. F. Fasch at the Administrative Office? Among others, you can choose from the two Fasch CDs recorded by the University Chorus "J. F. Reichardt" Halle (DM 20,- each) plus recordings of instrumental works by Fasch made by Ludwig Güttler (DM 30,-/45,-: list of CDs available upon request).
• that the IFS is on the internet? The address is "http://www.brise-sachsen-anhalt.de/~fasch". The site is bilingual (German and English) and can be visited best by using the internet browser "Netscape". The layout was done by Michael Zastre, a member of the executive board of the North American Fasch Society. The Administrative Office in Zerbst will have E-Mail as of July 1997.
• that the Academy of Ancient Music under the direction of Paul Goodwin has planned a recording of Fasch's Serenata from 1723 and that Klaus Mertens (Bass), Barbara Schlick (soprano) and Accademia Daniel (direction: Shalev Ad-El) are planning to record cantatas and instrumental works by Fasch in 1998?
• that the English Concert (direction: Trevor Pinnock, Archiv Produktion 449 210-2) and Musica Antiqua Köln (direction: Reinhard Goebel, DG Archiv 447 644-2) have recorded instrumental works by Fasch which you can order at any classical music store?