Friday, May 23, 2025, AT 6.30 in the Parish Hall of St. Mary Magdalen Church, 2005 Berryman, Berkeley

Hallifax & Jeffrey, (Peter Hallifax and Julie Jeffrey, viols) with Andrew Canepa, chamber organ
Lawes and Jenkins: the Fantasy-Suites for 2 viols to the organ

For the last lap of the season, the baton returns to our previously battling heroes, John Jenkins and William Lawes. As famous as they are today for their 4- 5- and 6- part consort music, they were as famous in their day for their fantasy suites for two or three viols “to the organ”. These pieces are much more rarely played today, but should be played and heard more. The organ has an equal part in the counterpoint, and the freedom of the form (a contrapuntal fantasy or sometimes two fantasies followed by a couple of dance movements is the standard) gives the composers more room to play around. You’ll still be able to identify the familiar genius of both composers, but these pieces were, at the time, undoubtedly the wave of the future for chamber music. You really can’t miss this. In the lovely acoustic of the Saint Mary Magdalen Parish Hall.

Friday, May 23, 2025 at 6.30 in the Parish Hall of Saint Mary Magdalen, 2005 Berryman, Berkeley.

Please enter the Hall from the parking lot (go down the entry ramp 50 yards East of the Church on Berryman), and then down a flight of stairs to the West of the parking area.

Admission $25 (no one turned away for lack of funds).
You can reserve a seat in advance by email to info@barefootchamberconcerts.com (highly recommended), and pay at the door when you come.