Trio Sonnerie Featured at Houston Early Music March Performance 3/28

Trio Sonnerie will be featured at the next Houston Early Music concert on Monday, March 28, 2011. Entitled The Harmony of Nations, the performance will be held at 7:30 p.m. at Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church, 6221 Main Street, Houston, TX 77030.

The concert will feature English violinist and conductor, Monica Huggett, one of the foremost Baroque violinists and founder of Trio Sonnerie. Joining Huggett are Emilia Benjamin on viola da gamba and James Johnstone on harpsichord.

The trio will bring to the stage a contrasting program, including one of Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber's Mystery Sonatas for virtuoso violin, as well as French music for viola da gamba, tunes from Jacobean England and a sonata for violin and harpsichord by J.S. Bach.

"We have featured the remarkable Monica Huggett before," said Nancy Ellis, artistic director of Houston Early Music. "It is a pleasure to welcome this extraordinary violinist back to Houston. She's a favorite with Houston Early Music audiences."

Dr. Gregory Barnett, associate professor of musicology at Rice University's Shepherd School of Music, will offer a pre-concert lecture at 6:45 p.m. He also serves on the Board of Directors for Houston Early Music.

Barnett said Huggett's performances are exceptional. "She has an amazing bow technique," he said. "She has the quickest and most nuanced sound."

Barnett explained that Biber's Mystery Sonatas are difficult to perform. "It's been years since I've seen anyone take on the Mystery Sonatas," he said. "Biber wrote the hardest music for violin. It's very difficult and wickedly fast."

Barnett believes Huggett will rise to the challenge. "This is just made for Monica's bow technique. It's so quick and so intricate. She can get all of the colors and all of the rhythms," he said.

Barnett said the scheduled performance is indicative of Houston Early Music's dedication to providing Houston audiences with some of today's best musicians.

"Houston Early Music always gets top-notch performers, and that's not easy to do," he said. "Nancy has been able to identify excellent and current players in the early-music scene. Houston Early Music represents the best there is out there."

Specializing in music from the Middle Ages through the 18th century, Houston Early Music provides unique programming of world-class concerts performed with historical instruments and styles true to the period. Houston Early Music is one of the nation's oldest early-music organizations.

Tickets
Tickets for Trio Sonnerie are available at the door and online at www.HoustonEarlyMusic.org. $35 for general admission, $30 for seniors and $10 for students (with student ID). Free admission for children under 15.

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