Bozeman Magazine

Baroque Music Montana (BaMM) presents a one-hour concert program "Lands of the Free: Languages of Improvisation." This program spotlights the transient, composer-as-performer elements which define music of the 17th century, while exploring ties with their native European languages. Musicians might improvise over a repeated chord progression, add ornaments and cadenzas to embellish written notes, or 'realize' a bass line through improvised rhythmic patterns and chord choices, all based on the musical code of baroque style to dazzling expressive effect. This program is curated by violinist and composer Manami Mizumoto, who is equally at home on the baroque violin, electric violin, and as composer, having grown up in the experimental environment of New York City. The other musicians include The Juilliard School's baroque cello teacher, Phoebe Carrai, as well as BaMM regulars lutenist John Lenti and baroque violinist Carrie Krause. The repertoire is a representative tour of 17th century European musical centers, with works by Pachelbel, Corelli, Matteis, Monteclair, Kerrl, Ortiz, and Isabella Leonarda.