Bach Aria Soloists kick off ‘Hauskonzert’ series

Kansas City Star – PREVIEW -  September 30, 2009

By PATRICK NEAS Special to The Star

The Bach Aria Soloists will perform this season in some of Kansas City ’s most elegant homes.

This is the kind of venue for which chamber music was written. The first “Hauskonzert” is Sunday at the home of Bunni and Paul Copaken in Mission Hills.

The Bach Aria Soloists, led by Elizabeth Suh Lane, is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a season it calls “Inspired by Bach.” In the last 10 years, the group has established itself as an important part of Kansas City ’s classical music scene.

Suh Lane, with her high standards and devotion to music, deserves praise for creating an ensemble devoted to the music of Bach and his contemporaries.

For the first concert this season, soprano Rebecca Lloyd and mezzo Un Chong Christopher will fill the Copaken home with their ringing voices when they perform Bach’s “Die Schatzbarkeit.”

The other delicately scored works on the program should benefit from being heard in such an intimate setting as well. Suh Lane and harpsichordist Rebecca Bell will perform the largo from the Violin Sonata No. 3 by Bach and cellist Matthew Herren will join Bell for Vivaldi’s Cello Sonata No. 1. Also on the program is a commissioned piece, “Partite Americaine” by Susan Kander.

After the concert, you’ll be able to meet the musicians and enjoy a reception. Tickets for the concert are $65 and may be purchased at www.bachariasoloists.com . •••