The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Fifth Annual Burr Harpsichord Concert

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On Saturday, June 20, at 7:30 pm, harpsichordist Charles Metz comes to the Bennington Museum to perform on an original Italian Virginal, c.1590, attributed to Francesco Poggi of Florence Italy (d.1634) that has been recently restored by Walter and Berta Burr of Hoosick.  Among the pieces to be performed are Gagliarda Prima, Gagliarda Seconda and Gagliarda Terza from Il Primo Libro D’Intavoluatura di Balli D’Arpicordo, Venice, 1592, composer Giovanni Maria Radino (c.1560-1607), Partita sopra L’Aria di Follia (1615) by Girolamo Frescobaldi (1583-1643) and Selva di Varia Compositioni

Charles Metz at the Poggi virginal (c. 1590 and restored by Walter and Berta Burr of Hoosick). Photo courtesy of the Bennington Museum.
Charles Metz at the Poggi virginal (c. 1590 and restored by Walter and Berta Burr of Hoosick). Photo courtesy of the Bennington Museum.

D’Intavolaura per Cimbalo ed Organo, 1664, Ciaccona, by composer Bernardo Storace (fl. Mid-17th century).
Charles Metz studied piano at Penn State University, beginning his harpsichord studies through private lessons with the legendary Igor Kipnis. In the process of earning a Ph.D. in Historical Performance Practice at Washington University in Saint Louis, MO, he studied with Trevor Pinnock. More recently, Metz has worked with Lisa Crawford and Webb Wiggins at the Oberlin Conservatory. He plays regularly in Saint Louis with viola da gambist Elizabeth Macdonald and in ensembles including The Bach Society of Saint Louis, The Masterworks Chorale, Collegium Vocale and the Saint Louis Baroque. Metz has performed across the country with recent concerts in Saratoga, Chicago, Oberlin in Ohio and State College, Pennsylvania. In August, Metz will join the faculty teaching harpsichord at the JEMS Fest hosted by William Jewell College Department of Music in Kansas City, MO. His international appearances include performances in the Netherlands, Germany and Costa Rica.
The Fifth Annual Burr Harpsichord Concert is co-sponsored by the Bennington Cultural and Arts Council, Allegro Restaurant and the Bennington Museum and is part of the Arts Council’s June Arts Festival.
Admission is $7 for members of the Bennington Museum and $10 for non-members.  The Museum is located at 75 Main Street (Route 9), Bennington, VT.  Visit www.benningtonmuseum.org or call 802-447-1571 for more information about the museum, its programs, events and exhibits.