For example, in the second movement, also known as 鈥淪pring,鈥� a viola plays loudly in the background, but modern editions mark the viola as playing softly.
鈥淲hat [Vivaldi is] really wanting is that it sounds like barking dogs far over the hill,鈥� explains van Lier. 鈥淪o it鈥檚 those kind of fun things that you鈥檒l hear throughout the entire Four Seasons.鈥�
Vivaldi also wrote sonnets that complimented each movement. Jasper resident Gregory Deagle will read those during the performance. Reading them will revive 鈥淸the Four Seasons鈥橾 character and its storytelling qualities.鈥�
La Folia formed out of van Lier鈥檚 interest in early music, which is classified as any music that came before 1850.
She grew up in the Netherlands 鈥渁nd [during that time] the Netherlands was at the forefront of historically informed early music performances.鈥� This includes using instruments of the time, like a harpsichord, which will be brought to Jasper for the performance.
Three years ago van Lier founded Early Music Alberta, a non-profit society that promotes pre-1850s music.
In 2012, she brought together a group of amateur string musicians interested in playing early music. Historically informed early musical performances, like La Folia鈥檚 rendition of Four Seasons, are 鈥渟o different, so much more rhetorical, interesting and exciting than the modern way of Baroque music playing,鈥� she says.
Four Seasons is a classic example of music from the Baroque period. Compositions are typically elaborate, texturized and ornate and convey much emotion. Aside from Vivaldi, other notable composers from this era include Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frideric Handel.
Most of La Folia鈥檚 members are working professionals who come together once a week for rehearsal. They also set aside time in their schedules for performances, which so far have occurred mainly in churches, where acoustics are favourable, says van Lier.
Musicians in La Folia have equal opportunity to play during pieces, as the ensemble doesn鈥檛 follow a hierarchy like most orchestras. There isn鈥檛 a first, second, or third chair for any instrument.
鈥淭he ensemble has nine string players, and every player is equally important,鈥� she says.
The group has four violin players and each is playing one season, 鈥渟o they鈥檙e all featured as a soloist.鈥�
Van Lier is excited to share early music with Jasper through the talented members of La Folia.
鈥淚t鈥檚 an enthusiastic group of people; they work hard, and they sound fantastic.鈥�
