For 15 years, Ensemble Musical Offering, under the guidance of Artistic Director Joan Parsley has been a leading producer of early music in the Midwest. The group has received critical acclaim and become the recipient of national education awards and broadcasts over Wisconsin Public Radio. The great masterpieces of the Baroque and Classical eras have been lovingly rendered on period instruments the Ensemble's musicians have acquired and carefully maintained.
Mission Statement: "to foster appreciation for early music (ca. 1580-1850) through professional performance on original instruments, education activities, and community outreach."
Anyone who has attended Ensemble Musical Offering's concerts and lectures knows that the life, nature and music of J.S. Bach and his circle are at its core. Special emphasis will be placed, once again, on the genius of this greatest of composers and foundation of our Western musical heritage as the Ensemble opens its 2011-2012 season with The Language of Bach: A Community Conversation.
In 2006, with the acquisition of a Stein fortepiano, the kind known to Mozart, Ensemble Musical Offering's scope expanded beginning with the series In Harmony: At Home with Biedermeier. Now the classical and early romantic composers came to life with concerts featuring the music of Mozart, Beethoven, Haydn and Schubert. A Little More Hausmusik offered the chamber music of 19th century London, Paris and Vienna for several seasons of sheer musical delight before the Ensemble came back to its heart and soul, Johann Sebastian Bach.
The humanities are central to our artistic vision. Ensemble Musical Offering sponsors nationally and internationally-acclaimed lecturers who are at the cutting edge of research in the field of early music. Scholars from a cross of disciplines provide the background for a musical, cultural immersion. You’ll find them at pre-concert lectures and post-concert Talk Back, as well as the NEW Bach Community Conversation study and informance sessions held one week prior to concert performances. (German torte included!)
In the 2011-2012 season, the Ensemble brings perspective to the worlds of J.S. Bach and Antonio Vivaldi through eye-opening lectures and spirited discussions with noted scholars from the fields of language, art history and criticism, history and philosophy. We welcome German scholar Sylvester Kreilein, along with Merry Hanks-Wiesner, Tanya Tiffany and Richard Rangler.
Former visiting lecturers have included: Joshua Rifkin, Michael Marissen, Daniel Melemed, Sheridan Germain, Tanya Kavorkian, Donald Posner (Bach projects); Jost Hermand, Allesandra Comini, Owen Jander, William Meredith (Beethoven project); Raymond Erickson, Yvonne Kendall, Ramon Martinez, John Patrick Donnelly, S.J., Suzanne Stratton, Louise Stein, Lance Grahn, Sara Nalle (Spanish Baroque); and Sylvester Kreilein, Leonard Schulze, Kimberly Redding, Carol Dittrich (Biedermeier project).
With performances showcased in the historic venues of the Cathedral Church of All Saints, Milwaukee, and the Wauwatosa Woman’s Club, Wauwatosa, the emphasis is always on artistry and intimacy, education, a nod towards authenticity, and the passion of today’s musicians.
Join us for our current offering or the entire season and experience it for yourself!
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