Joanne Rile Artists Management

Musica Pacifica

Musica Pacifica achieved recognition as one of North America’s premiere baroque ensembles soon after the group’s founding in 1990. They have been described by the press as “some of the finest baroque musicians in America” (American Record Guide) and “among the best in the world” (Alte Musik Aktuell). At home in the San Francisco Bay area, the artists are members of Philharmonia Baroque and American Bach Soloists, and they appear with many other prominent early music ensembles nationally and abroad.Musica Pacifica’s stylish, high-energy, and virtuoso performances have consistently received enthusiastic reviews from critics and audiences alike. These qualities have led to appearances on such prestigious chamber and early music concert series as Music Before 1800 and the Frick Collection (NY), Tage Alter Musik (Regensburg), the Shrine to Music Museum (Vermillion, SD), the Cleveland Art Museum, the Pittsburgh Renaissance and Baroque Society, the Seattle Early Music Guild, Milwaukee’s Early Music Now, the Houston Early Music Society, the Los Angeles County Museum, the San Diego Early Music Society, and the Cambridge Early Music Society (MA).

Musica Pacifica Review in Gramophone’s 2011 Awards Issue

California Players Pay a Zesty and Captivating Visit to the British Isles
Baroque ensembles have been exploring more than what might be termed “concert” repertoire in recent decades. With their historical performance caps neatly in place, early music practitioners have also delved into popular fare of the 16th through 18th centuries that has helped them expand their audiences. Musica Pacifica’s new disc, “Dancing in the Isles,” is among the zestiest recordings of recent vintage to present works that once had them dancing if not necessarily in the aisles and listening with joy.

The programme ventures through England, Ireland and Scotland, making stops to take up folk ballads, country tunes and the occasional concert piece with roots in traditional music. A number of the selections are arrangements by members of Musica Pacifica who leave colleagues ample room to kick up their improvisational heels.

Much of the dance activity, indeed, is on the rousing side, with all sorts of propulsive instrumental flights to keep the musicians boisterously engaged. But the menu also includes tender ditties from the heartlands, violin “ayres” (by Nicola Matteis, who became a virtuoso toast of London) and even Henry Purcell’s great Three Parts upon a Ground, with feet planted in the chaconne.

To all of this fare, the California-based players of Musica Pacifica apply equal degrees of grace, rhythmic energy and flavourful inflection. Judith Linsenberg is especially charismatic on recorders and whistle. The violinists, Elizabeth Blumenstock and Robert Mealy, are boldly inventive, and there are savoury and sweet contributions from David Morris (Baroque cello, viola da gamba), Charles Weaver (theorbo, Baroque guitar) and Peter Maund (percussion). Prepare to be captivated.

--Donald Rosenberg

Pacifica performs Scots Tunes, Arranged by Elizabeth BlumenstockPresenters and the press: Click the thumbnail below to view and download a copy of the image.

Visit Musica Pacifica’s website:
www.musicapacifica.org