The Columbus Symphony Orchestra (CSO) presents “German Baroque” on November 19th, 2022. The concert will celebrate the most influential German composers of the Baroque era with music from Handel, Bach, Telemann, and Fasch. Enjoy the intimacy of Legacy Hall and the artistry of CSO principal violist Josiah Coe. Fans of Bach will recognize his “Air” from Orchestral Suite No. 3. The concert will begin at 7:30 PM and will be performed in the Legacy Hall at the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts. 

Music Director and Conductor, George Del Gobbo commented, “Including composers like Bach and Handel, the music of the Baroque period in Germany is just as accomplished and enjoyable as its counterparts in Italy and other countries throughout Europe. This concert offers an opportunity to explore not only the works of the masters, but that of less well-known composers as well.”

The concert opens with George Frideric Handel’s Concerto Grosso in D Minor, Op. 3, No. 5. He is considered one of the greatest composers of his time known for his operas, oratorios, anthems, concerti grossi, and organ concertos. 

Principal CSO Violist Josiah Coe will perform George Philipp Telemann’s Viola Concerto in G Major, which is considered one of his most famous works. The piece explores the soloistic sound of the viola showing that it is more than just an ensemble instrument. Coe is a founding member of the Edgewood String Quartet and regularly performs with the Atlanta Ballet, Atlanta Opera, and Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.

Next on the program are two separate pieces from Johann Friedrich Fasch and Johann Sebastian Bach. The careers of both composers often intertwined and they both respected each other’s work. The CSO will perform Fasch’s “Overture” from Overture-Suite in E Minor followed by Bach’s “Air” from Orchestral Suite No. 3. Audiences will recognize Bach’s work as it was arranged shortly before 1900 to be known as Air on the G String.

The CSO will close out the concert with Telemann’s Overture-Suite in C Major, “Hamburger Ebb und Fluth,” which is often referred to as Water Music (not to be confused with Handel’s more popular piece of the same name). It was composed to celebrate the city of Hamburg’s maritime trade system by drawing on the mythological deities related to the sea and wind through various dance-like movements. 

On Saturday, November 19, the CSO will present an Open Dress Rehearsal beginning at 2:30 PM. We encourage attendance from all members of the community, including those who are unable to attend the evening concert or interested in a “behind-the-scenes” look into the ensemble. It is a great way to introduce young children to a live musical experience. Continuing the tradition, this informal and all-inclusive atmosphere is breaking the financial barrier by encouraging attendees to “pay what you want.” Audience members set their own prices to eliminate hesitation and allow new viewers to partake in the music being created by the CSO.

To enhance the concert experience, the CSO offers a pre-concert discussion with George Del Gobbo that gives insight into the composers and works being performed called Know the Score. Know the Score occurs at 6:30 PM in Studio Theatre directly before the concert and admission is included with the purchase of a concert ticket.

Tickets can be purchased online at csoga.org/tickets or in-person at the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts located at 900 Broadway, Columbus, Ga. Monday through Friday, 10 AM to 5:30 PM (Broadway entrance). Single tickets are $37.50. Children under the age of 5 are not admitted.