Academy of Ancient Music joins marimba virtuosos Christoph Sietzen and The Wave Quartet this May for Rhythm Across Time, a programme bringing together period strings and marimba (Cambridge, 13 May; London, 14 May).
The evening spans nearly six centuries, from Bertali, Geminiani and Handel to tango rhythms of Astor Piazzolla. At its heart lie two Bach masterpieces: the Concerto in A minor BWV 1065 and the Harpsichord Concerto in C major BWV 1061.
Christoph Sietzen comments: “This programme is about combining the sound worlds of the Marimba with a baroque orchestra, an unusual combination at first sight that felt completely natural for both the quartet as well as the Academy when we first met. The marimba has expressive and rhythmic range, and when you place it alongside a Baroque orchestra, the possibilities are thrilling. Bach’s intricate counterpoint takes on a new colour reimagined for marimbas and strings.”
AAM Leader Bojan Čičić adds: “Christoph and I come from different musical backgrounds, but we also share a deeper historical connection: both our traditions were shaped within the Habsburg Empire. That common heritage sits alongside our different perspectives, and when they meet, something new happens: not a compromise of styles, but an expansion of both.”
Dubbed “Sonic acrobats at work” (Crescendo), The Wave Quartet is recognised for expanding the repertoire and profile of the marimba. Founded in 2008 by Bogdan Băcanu, the quartet has performed widely across Europe and Asia in the Musikverein Vienna, Cologne Philharmonie, Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, Konzerthaus Berlin and Vienna, Concertgebouw Amsterdam, and Suntory Hall Tokyo, to name a few.
The upcoming performances will be co-directed by AAM Leader Bojan Čičić and Christoph Sietzen. The lattermade his Salzburg Festival debut at just 12 years old and has since built an international career marked by major awards and appearances with leading orchestras, performing both early and contemporary music.
Together with early music specialists Academy of Ancient Music, they now combine these two very different worlds in concert.
Performances of Rhythm Across Time take place at West Road Concert Hall (13 May) and Milton Court Concert Hall (14 May). Book now atwww.aam.co.uk.
Audience members aged under 35 or in full-time education can access £5 tickets through AAM’s AAMplify scheme.