Join us for a mesmerizing evening of classical music as "The 24 Violins Cross the Alps" takes the stage on Saturday, May 11, 2024, at 5pm. This extraordinary concert will be held at the prestigious Sanctuary of Brick Presbyterian Church, located at 1144 Park Avenue, nestled between 91st and 92nd Street. 

Last season, our largest ensemble of string musicians recreated the official string band of France’s court at Versailles. This year, for our 2023/24 finale, we are thrilled to reunite this incredible orchestra in a new program that celebrates the profound influence of Lully’s 24 Violons du Roy on German and Italian music. The evening will feature works by Muffat and Corelli, transporting the audience through a musical journey that bridges countries and centuries.

The program includes selections from Jean-Baptiste Lully’s masterpieces such as "Atys," "Le bourgeois gentilhomme," and "Les plaisirs de l’île enchantée," among others. Arcangelo Corelli’s "Concerto grosso in D major" and "Trio Sonata in E major" will showcase the Italian genius's contribution to the baroque era. Georg Muffat’s "Armonico tributo" will further enrich the evening with its harmonious blend of French, Italian, and German styles.

Our ensemble for the evening comprises a talented group of musicians playing Dessus de Violons, Hautes-contres, Tailles, Quintes, Violoncelles, Violes de gambe, Basses de violon, and Basse continue, along with Percussions, Théorbe, and Clavecin. This diverse array of instruments promises an authentic and immersive baroque experience.

Tickets are available for purchase now. We also offer free student tickets and community comp tickets to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to experience this magnificent performance. Please email music@sebastians.org with your proof of student status to reserve a ticket or to inquire about community comp tickets.

For your safety and comfort, we are currently mask-optional for audiences and will not be checking vaccine cards. However, we reserve the right to adjust our health and safety policies as needed and will communicate any changes in advance.

Don’t miss this unforgettable evening where history, music, and talent converge. Buy your tickets today and let "The 24 Violins Cross the Alps" transport you to another era.

The 24 Violins Cross the Alps

The Brick Presbyterian Church

Georg Muffat’s words are as relevant today as when he wrote them in 1695. Here, musical styles range from his French-infused dances to Andrzej Panufnik’s unique recreation of sixteenth- and seventeenth-century musical fragments from Poland that were almost lost to the ravages of war. Our season culminates with an Italianate symphony by the Ukrainian composer Maxim Berezovsky.

EPSG:4326

Harmony of Nations

First Baptist Church Portland

Reed College

Juilliard415 | Invention of the Orchestra

Lincoln Center

Pianist Alexander Malofeev, the young “Russian genius” (Corriere della Sera) who came to international prominence in 2014 when he won the International Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians, makes his Orange County debut.

Alexander Malofeev, piano

Segerstrom Center for the Arts

Tucson Convention Center

Described as “the latest phenomenon of the Russian piano school” (Corriere della Sera), Alexander Malofeev came to international prominence when, in 2014, he won the International Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians at age 13. Reviewing the performance, Amadeus noted, “Contrary to what could be expected of a youngster … he demonstrated not only high technical accuracy but also an incredible maturity. Crystal clear sounds and perfect balance revealed his exceptional ability.” Since this triumph, Malofeev has quickly established himself as one of the most prominent pianists of his generation. 

Alexander Malofeev

Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts

It’s easy to forget now, when the music seems so familiar, that composers throughout history have been innovators, producing music that startled, confounded and even shocked audiences of their day. So it’s entirely natural that one of the “disruptors” of 21st century classical music, Mason Bates, rubs shoulders with Franz Biber, Georg Muffat, and Johann Heinrich Schmelzer in this program. Known for his compositions which bring together the worlds of orchestral music and electronics, Mason’s new work for us is sure to be an unmissable opener to these concerts.
Muffat shared Mason’s love of combining unlikely bedfellows, known for combining contrasted national musical styles. In these season-closing concerts we hear his celebratory Mass, together with a selection of rich and multi-layered Sonatas by Biber and a wrenching lament for strings and continuo by Schmelzer.

From Muffat to Mason

First Congregational Church

War Memorial and Performing Arts Center

Stanford University

Join Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra and conductor Matthew Halls for music by Bach, Muffat and Lully.

Matthew Halls Conducts Bach

Colburn School

Join Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra and baroque master Monica Huggett for music by Biber, Muffat, Rittler and more.

Monica Hugget & Bohemian Trumpets

First Presbyterian Church of Santa Monica

“We bring the music to life, as if it was composed yesterday and played for the first time today.” Baroque ensemble Concerto Copenhagen makes its Carnegie Hall debut under the leadership of Lars Ulrik Mortensen. They perform their lively reading of J. S. Bach’s First Orchestral Suite, which Gramophone has praised for its “startling clarity” and “freshness ... a sense of swing fueled on joy,” as well as an enduring trio sonata by Handel. In what will be an exceedingly rare opportunity to hear the works performed live, the ensemble also presents selections from Muffat’s eclectic, woefully overlooked Armonico tributo chamber sonatas, which they recorded to great acclaim in 2022, winning the coveted Diapasond’Or.

Georg Muffat

Events

Upcoming events

Feb 25, 2025

Concerto Copenhagen · Carnegie Hall

Past events

May 11, 2024

The 24 Violins Cross the Alps · The Sebastians

13 - 14 Apr, 2024

Harmony of Nations · Portland Baroque Orchestra

About

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