Podcast No. 97
Baroque Treats (39.71 MB)
Works flute, violin, and continuo, performed by the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center.

•Telemann: Gulliver Suite in D Major for 2 violins •Pachelbel: Canon and Gigue in D Major for 3 violins and continuo
•Vivaldi: Sonata in D minor for 2 violins and continuo, RV 63,“La Follia”
•Bach: Trio Sonata in C minor for flute, violin, and continuo from The Musical Offering

Today’s podcast offers up a menu of Baroque treats. Telemann’s suite, a five-movement work inspired by Jonathon Swift’s immensely popular novel Gulliver’s Travels, offers playful depictions of some of the story’s main characters. Next is Pachelbel’s canon, followed by a series of virtuosic variations on a famous 16th century tune and harmonic progression, “La Follia.” The theme has been set by dozens of composers over the centuries, and Vivaldi’s version is one of the most famous. We end with Bach’s Trio Sonata from “The Musical Offering.” This composition builds on a highly chromatic tune given to Bach by Frederick the Great of Prussia, who challenged the composer to use it in a six-voice fugue.