While one would think the ravages of New Year’s Eve would narrow the audience considerably, the annual Cherry Trio New Year’s Day concert has become a tradition for many.
“I do look forward to these concerts,” says Michael Peterson. “They sell out every year. It’s a very friendly affair.”
Peterson brings the harpsichord, one of the defining instruments of the Baroque period. Like a piano, it relies on a keyboard. But like a harp, a lever plucks the strings.
“It’s a lovely sound,” he observes.
Elizabeth Gaver on violin and Penny Hanna on viola da gamba complete the trio. As he has in recent years, violinist David Wilson joins the ensemble.
The addition of Wilson is important, as the trio-plus-one performs François Couperin’s D’Apotheose de Lully, composed in 1725. The suite of short pieces is in part a caricature of the master of French overtures, Jean-Baptiste Lully, but also a reconciliation of – perhaps a romp through – Baroque styles, setting an Italian tone that Lully disdained.
Throughout the journey – Lully in Elysium, meeting Apollo, ascending to Parnassus and confronting sonata composer Arcangelo Corelli – the two violinists duel through melodies, one in the French style, one in Italian, accompanying each other in turn.
“It’s lighthearted music,” Peterson says. “There’s one movement I think is hilarious.”
That would be the fifth movement, where Lully’s contemporaries share whispered rumors about the composer. Lully was a native of Italy. When he came to France, however, he disavowed the Italian sound.
Couperin wanted to have a little fun with the spat. He also recognized the qualities of each approach.
“If you take the best from both styles, you get fantastic music,” Peterson notes, echoing the composer.
From there, the Cherry Trio (plus one) move to another Baroque style, taking the English composer Henry Purcell. While the English form is similar to French, there is more pushing of boundaries. “The biggest difference is the use of harmonies – unusual chord progressions, interesting dissonances,” Peterson explains.
A fireplace gives the room a coziness, and Peterson says that audience members and musicians become friends. “It’s a fun experience.”
THE CHERRY TRIO perform 3pm Wednesday, Jan. 1. Carl Cherry Center, 4th and Guadalupe, Carmel. $35. 624-7491, carlcherrycenter.org
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