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Europa Galante at Shriver Hall

Nov 05, 2012

We may be slightly biased, but we love it when our concert's get great reviews. Thanks to Tim Smith of the Baltimore Sun for this lovely review of this past Sunday's performance by Europa Galante. Of course we'd love to hear what you thought as well - so please post your comments!

"Also on Sunday, Europa Galante, the brilliant early music ensemble from Italy founded and led by violinist Fabio Biondi, gave a performance for the Shriver Hall Concert Series.

It is amazing to think back to the first wave of period instrument groups a few decades ago, when things could be so musicologically strict -- and, often, technically erratic. Today, once-outlawed vibrato is allowed to sneak in for expressive underlining, and tempos are allowed to breathe.

Europa Galante demonstrated terrific flexibility on such matters, while maintaining excellent intonation and smoothness of blend, in works by Vivaldi, Couperin and Mascitti on the first half of the program. Early music-making doesn't get much better than this.

Biondi's glowing tone and lively phrasing proved a constant delight, and there was beautifully nuanced playing from his colleagues, especially Giangiacomo Pinardi on theorbo."

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The members of Europa Galante pose for a picture with SHCS Board President, Jephta Drachman, at a post-concert reception