Cascata presents lecture-recitals, demos, pre-concert talks, master classes and chamber music coaching. Cascata can perform European music from the mid-1500s through the mid-1700s. Any of these programs can be explored and adapted to your specific needs.
The Music of Shakespeare
Designed with history and literature courses in mind, Cascata will perform selections by the great composers of Shakespeare's day including John Dowland, Thomas Morley, and others. Songs from As You Like it, Twelfth Night, The Tempest, The Winter’s Tale and Hamlet will be featured. Discussion will involve the ways in which music of the time was specifically incorporated into these well-loved productions.
The Birth of Opera
The conscious “invention” of opera at the turn of the 17th century was a watershed event that can be seen as both the final flowering of Renaissance humanism and as a precedent for Baroque ideologies to follow. Cascata will examine the philosophical, socio-political, aesthetical, and musical milieu which gave rise to opera by presenting a broad historical overview punctuated by visual and musical examples. Special attention will be given to the role of the Florentine Camerata, the emergence of monody and dramatic recitative. Cascata will also highlight how opera spread from its birthplace in Florence and show ways it manifested itself in other genres, such as sacred music.
The Sounds of the Early Baroque
An intensive "behind-the-scenes" presentation of the defining characteristics of Renaissance and Baroque music from which both the listener and performer will emerge with a sharper appreciation, ear and instinct for the sound of this wonderfully varied and intriguing period. We begin with the refinement of vocal forms and the subsequent rapid development of instrumental music, discussing how the two remained closely linked until the late-1500's. Using a wide variety of samples from our repertoire, we also trace the emergence and evolution of the bass line from melodic to a more harmonic role, which is one of the hallmarks of the early Baroque.
Renaissance / Baroque Repertoire Survey
An introduction to the early repertoire for instrumental soloists, orchestras, chamber groups geared towards school string programs as well as vocalists, guitarists and keyboard players. Members of Cascata will bring music for sight-reading, basic continuo realization and discussion of the application of historical performance practice. Other topics would include the flexibility and challenges of making arrangements, orchestrations and working from original sources.
Introduction to the Viola da Gamba
Cascata member Rachel Cama-Lekx is active in promoting the viola da gamba through outreach programs that have been presented to young children, public high school string students and college students. This workshop will include a demonstration of the viola da gamba, an outline of the history of the instrument and a "Petting Zoo" in which attendees will have a chance to try playing the instrument. This workshop is open to anyone, regardless of instrumental experience or age. The "Petting Zoo" portion is only open to smaller groups due to logistics.
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