Early Music Fest showcases period art

Now in its 10th year of existence, the Bloomington Early Music Festival once again brings a unique and captivating two weeks of solo and ensemble concerts, opera and workshops to the Bloomington community. What makes this series of events so special is the incorporation of period-style instruments, musical styles and seldom heard literature from the early music tradition. \nAlain Barker, executive director of BLEMF, said the motives behind putting together this elaborate set of events are purely educational. \n"The purpose of the festival is to produce interesting, innovative and varied performances of Early Music so as to foster an awareness of Early Music in the region," Barker said. \nThe field of early music used to refer to the pre-Baroque period, but now it includes any music that is historically accurate in terms of style and instruments. \nWhen the festival began in 1994, started by a group of early music students from IU who were eager to get away from their everyday roles as students, the response from the community was more than anyone had hoped for, Barker said.\n"They couldn't believe how successful it was; the number of people in the audiences was amazing," Barker said.\nThe festival is the only one of its kind in the Midwest region and has gained many fans and admirers from around Indiana and the United States. Not only does BLEMF bring back to life early art music, other styles and genres from different time periods also play a large role in the performances. Many of the performances are so varied and span centuries of musical development that the only unifying factor in the performances is the historical accuracy in style and the use of period instruments. \nAs a result of the wide spectrum of musical styles, many more people will find interest in the festival.\n"Early Music is very accessible and cross cultural, (which allows) for a larger audience to enjoy it," Barker said.\nAn event that exemplifies the diversity in musical styles will be a duo with Grey Larsen, a nationally known folk-music artist and Kevin Crehan, an Irish fiddler, according to a press release. \nThe Dodworth Saxhorn Band is another performance that strays from the time period and style of what is commonly thought of as Early Music. According to the BLEMF Web site, the 20-piece band is the country's premier recreation of the mid-19th century American brass band that would have entertained citizens at public gatherings, including social events, political rallies and military balls.\nStarting off the series of concerts this past weekend were three illustrious performances of "Piramo e Tisbe," a tragic opera written by Adolf Hasse. \nOver the next two weeks, a wide variety of events will take place throughout different locations on the IU campus and in Bloomington. A yearly participant in the festival is the Bloomington Early Music Festival Orchestra. Each year this event draws a large number of people and never fails to impress and entertain, according to a BLEMF press release. The orchestra is directed by world-renowned violin teacher and performer Stanley Ritchie and features the finest early music instrumentalists in the region in concerti and splendid orchestral works. The BLEMF events will run until May 26.\nFor a complete schedule of events and for ticket information, visit http://www.blemf.org.