LIFEM

Polychroma

Poise and Passion
Chamber Music by Locatelli and Leclair

Thursday 13th November, 2.00pm

St. Michael & All Angels, Blackheath

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Performers/instruments

 

Anežka Drozdová – traverso

Natascha Pichler – violin

Glenna Curren – cello

Marta Pindór – harpsichord

 

About the ensemble

 

Noted for their vivid ensemble sound, witty, intimately refined interpretations, and performances defined by gripping “musical charisma,” Polychroma has quickly attracted international attention as an outstanding young period instrument ensemble. They recently earned First Prize at the November 2024 Young Ensemble Competition at the London International Festival of Early Music, and were subsequently chosen in January 2025 to be the next Rheinsberger Hofkapelle in residence during the 2025-2026 season in Rheinsberg, Germany.

 

The ensemble specializes in 18th century chamber music performed on historical instruments, and is currently based in The Hague, Netherlands, where its four musicians met while studying at the Koninklijk Conservatorium Den Haag. They are originally from Czechia (Anežka Drozdová – traverso), Austria (Natascha Pichler – baroque violin), Poland (Marta Pindór – harpsichord), and the United States (Glenna Curren – baroque cello). Individually, Polychroma’s members have performed with leading period ensembles around Europe and the United States and at major early music festivals including Utrecht and Boston. Drawn together by their mutual passion for historical performance and a love for chromaticism, lyricism, and visual art, they blend a diverse range of musical, historical, and artistic interests. The name Polychroma refers to colors of all kinds – both musical and visual – and is a symbolic nod to Iris, goddess of the rainbow and the messenger between heaven and earth.

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Programme

Pietro Antonio Locatelli (1695-1764): Trio sonata in E minor no. 2, op. 5

Largo – Andante – Allegro – Allegro

 

Pietro Antonio Locatelli (1695-1764): Sonata for flute and basso continuo in G minor no. 6,

op. 2

Largo – Allegro – Largo – Allegro

 

Pietro Antonio Locatelli (1695-1764): Sonata for violin and basso continuo in G minor no. 3,

op. 8

Adagio – Allegro – Vivace – Allegro

 

Jean-Marie Leclair (1697-1764): Deuxième récréation de musique, op. 8

Ouverture Gravement – Legerement – Lentement) – Forlane (Point trop vite) – Sarabande

(Lentement) – Menuet I & II – Badinage – Chaconne – Tambourin I & II

 

Approx. finish 2.50pm. No interval.

 

About the programme

 

In this program, we compare two prominent violinist-composers of the 18th century: Jean-Marie Leclair, and Pietro Antonio Locatelli. They had a lot in common – born two years apart, they both died in 1764. They were equally distinguished as performers and composers, and worked hard to circulate their compositions through publishing. They also both spent time in The Netherlands, which makes them especially interesting and relevant to us.

 

As many similarities as they shared, historical accounts of the two composers suggest that their personalities must have been quite different – and we have selected music for this program to reflect that. While Leclair left a prominent post in the French court after an argument with a colleague, perhaps out of a desire to avoid conflict, Locatelli was perhaps more confident and willing to push his way to opportunities. So, he was able to gain a lot of recognition and support within the aristocratic circles of Amsterdam. Although they were in the Netherlands at the same time, there is no record of Leclair and Locatelli ever meeting. This was perhaps because Locatelli preferred to perform only in private circles, in an effort to prevent other musicians from copying him.

 

Nevertheless, we enjoy the parallel we share with Leclair and Locatelli’s mutual connection to the Netherlands – as an ensemble of four people from different countries who met in The Hague, we draw a lot of our inspiration from our very different cultural backgrounds. Hundreds of years after our composers lived here, this country continues to be a meeting point for musicians from around the world, particularly for the performance of 18th century Music.

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