BAROQUEtoberfest, 3-day, 4-concert Festival

October 4, 2024 | Sarasota

Key Chorale Chamber Singers and Church of the Redeemer present a 3-day, 4-concert festival celebrating music of the Baroque and the hoppy essence of beer. Corporate sponsor Calusa Brewing will feature several of its fall beers as a part of the festival’s closing Biergarten Experience with German food and dancing to Bill Milner’s Oompah Band. This is the second year that Key Chorale and Church of the Redeemer will team up for their unique take on Oktoberfest October 18-20.

Four amazing concerts will feature a star-studded cast of performers, chamber orchestra, and chamber chorus. Ten guest artists will be spotlighted during the festival including, Daniel Jordan, Concertmaster of the Sarasota Orchestra, tenor John Grau, mezzo-soprano Thea Lobo, organist Sam Nelson, baritone Stephen Mumbert, and 2-time Grammy Award Nominee soprano Yulia Van Doren.

Van Doren will be featured in the final two concerts, including an all-Vivaldi program, featuring his popular Gloria and a In furore iustissimae irae, one of Vivaldi’s most virtuosic vocal compositions ever written.

“Julia Van Doren, is an exceptionally talented soprano with a soaring, brilliantly ringing voice,” said Maestro Joseph Caulkins. “I am thrilled she can join us for this festival. Her dazzling coloratura will be on full display as well as her sensitive musicianship so perfect for this style of music.”

Each 75-minute concert highlights a composer or style. The opening concert features festive trumpets and timpani in a program showcasing music fit for royalty. The organ recital celebrates the music of J.S. Bach, including a unique visual component, and followed by a gourmet “Bach’s” lunch. The Saturday night program will present music of the French Baroque period, all played on period instruments. The final concert honors the musical genius of Antonio Vivaldi and will spotlight violin soloist Daniel Jordan in “Autumn” from The Four Seasons and some of Vivaldi’s most tuneful and memorable compositions.

3-Day Festival Schedule

Friday, October 18, 7:30 PM | Opening Concert – Handel

Music fit for royalty, composed by the King of Baroque, George F. Handel. Festive sounds of trumpets and timpani permeate the occasion with works written for the coronation of King George II.

Featuring: Zadok the Priest, The King Shall Rejoice, Dettingen Te Deum, Organ Concerto No. 2

Saturday, October 19, 11:30 AM | Organ Recital & Bach’s Lunch

Last year you heard Sam Nelson’s red-blooded Bach. This year, we bring you Psychedelic Bach. Sam Nelson will present an all-Bach organ program with colorful visualizations not to be missed.

Featuring: Passacaglia and Fugue in C-Minor, Concerto Grosso in D Minor, Gigue Fugue in G Major 

 Saturday, October 19, 7:30 PM | Period instruments Chamber Music Concert – French Baroque

Join us for a program of ravishing and exciting French Baroque chamber music we’re calling La Fièvre du Samedi Soir (Saturday Night Fever). You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll want to stand up and dance!

Featuring works by Jean-Philippe Rameau, François Couperin, Élisabeth Jacquet de La Guerre, and Jean-Baptiste Lully

Sunday, October 20, 4:30 PM | Closing Night Concert – Vivaldi

Known as the ‘Red Priest’ for his curly red hair and fiery music, Vivaldi composed more than 500 concertos, none more famous then The Four Seasons.

Featuring: Autumn from The Four Seasons, Gloria, Concerto for 2 Trumpets,In furore iustissimae irae (In the fury of most righteous wrath)

 Sunday, October 20, 6:00 PM | Biergarten Experience

A Biergarten Experience of German food, beers from Calusa Brewing, and music from Bill Milner’s Oompah Band.

Details:

October 18-20, 2024
All concerts & Biergarten take place at Church of the Redeemer, 222 S Palm Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236
Tickets can be purchased online at KeyChorale.org or by calling 941-552-8768. Prices range from $15-$45. Save 15% on the 3-day pass.