Baroque concert swallowed up by Basilica
Baltimore's lovingly restored Basilica looks like a great place for a concert. Too bad it doesn't sound like one.
The reverberation, up to four seconds by my unscientific count, is just too great to allow for clarity; the music can't help but turn mushy. That's particularly problematic for baroque repertoire, with its complicated contrapuntal lines. None of this stops the indefatigable presenter Henry Wong of An die Musik Live. On Sunday night, his "Barqoue at the Basilica" series offered top-notch musicians from France (the French Embassy was a co-presenter) in an attractive program performed on period instruments.
I stayed for the first half. Although a lot of the effort was swallowed up in the acoustics, it was still possible to savor violinist Patrick Bismuth's technical elan, especially in a Corelli sonata, and the vivid playing of the ensemble called La Tempesta. I also admired harpsichordist Helene Dufour's assured, colorful, rhyhmically alive solo turn in some pieces by Antoine Forqueray.
The series continues Dec. 13 with a Christmas program by the delectable Baltimore Consort.
BALTIMORE SUN PHOTO
Comments
Dear Tim: where did you sit for this concert? We were in the front row, and experienced an exquisite concert. For past baroque concerts (Henry's), we sat at about the sixth row, and found the sound and acoustics to work very well together. We've sat in other areas for Tom Hall's concerts, and only once had a bad sound because of the column next to us. Perhaps if you love the Basilica, you can hear things others can't. We love the Basilica.
I was at about halfway back, where the sound was decidedly mushy. But I can well understand the appeal of attending events there; it's an inviting, exceptionally beautiful space. -- Tim
Posted by: Ellen Adajian | November 18, 2008 7:04 PM