Record turnout for 10th annual Baroque festival

PARADISE – The 10th annual Montana Baroque Music Festival hit Quinn’s Hot Springs Resort and brought in record numbers.

According to President of the Sanders County Arts Council Judy Stephens, people from all over the nation came to see the performance, now in its first decade. People spanning from New Mexico, Arizona and as far out from New York came specifically for the performance.

Stephens said about 25 percent of the attendees are locals, while the others come from near and far to be serenaded by the music. The baroque style of music is inspired by European influences spanning from the 17th and 18th centuries.

On Thursday, the last night of the three-day festival, General Manager of Quinn’s Hot Springs, Denise Moreth welcomed everyone to the final night of the 10th annual Montana Baroque Musical Festival.

Moreth stated Wednesday night’s performance was the best yet, an “utterly moving and amazing” performance.

“We want to do a special thanks tonight to all of the Sanders County Arts volunteers. They are here helping in so many ways,” said Moreth.

After thanking the Sanders County Arts Council volunteers and coordinators, Moreth thanked all the musicians present, handing out roses and cowboy hats to bring out their inner Montana spirit.

Executive Director of SCAC Jean Morrison was next to give her praise to the musicians and all those who banded together to make the event possible.

“I never dreamed this would ever happen in my life. Since it has, being so grateful, I have the passion to go forward with it,” said Morrison.

The first Baroque Music Festival occurred in 2004. In late September of 2003, Morrison received a call from a friend who had spotted a world-renowned violinist named Monica Huggett cycling along Highway 28 en route for Spokane. Morrison agreed to house Huggett but the violinist never made it to Plains so in a search for Huggett, Morrison set off and found her walking her bicycle down the highway with a violin strapped to her back.

After picking up Huggett, the two instantly connected and started talking about bringing music to the area Huggett fell instantly in love with.

The first festival date was set for 2004 and the process of fundraising, getting equipment and acquiring a portable stage began.

“We continue to receive unsolicited gifts in all avenues of needed support. That is how and why we are here today and enriched together,” said Morrison in the festival pamphlet.

“Our musicians express a lot of joy and happiness working together. It’s a magical experience and I’m just grateful to be a part of it,” said Morrison to the packed crowd at Quinn’s.

Artistic Director Adam LaMotte thanked Morrison for her tireless effort to bring the festival to Paradise year after year.

“I say this every year and a thousand thank-yous is just not enough for the incredible work that (Morrison) does day in, day out, and throughout the rest of the year. She is truly instrumental in organizing this,” said LaMotte.

The third night of the festival featured Four Seasons, part II a continuation of the performance held the night before. The evening started off with music from Antonio Vivaldi, featuring a concerto in G minor called “Summer.”

A violin duet featuring both LaMotte and violinist Greg Ewer delved into the music of Jean-Marie LeClair. The two violinists go back to 1989 or 1990, when they played violins in middle school.

LaMotte explained that violin duets are rare and not heard very often because many of the pieces are basic and not well written. But the twelve duets for the two violins by LeClair featured a captivating performance of the violinists working in harmony, passing back and forth between different synchronizations. A handful of the pieces were highlighted in the performance but the duo of musicians is currently in the process of recording all twelve of the duets, something that has not been done before.

Next on the agenda was Antonio Vivaldi’s concerto in F minor called “Winter.”

Huggett walked the crowd through what Vivaldi wanted them to experience while listening to the piece.

During the beginning of the concerto, Vivaldi wanted those listening to imagine being extremely cold and shivering. The first solo entry called “avido vente” means horrible winds and once the music continues, Vivaldi wanted everyone to hear the stomping of feet, a gesture that was meant to warm them from the extreme cold.

Further on in the first movement, the violin reaches a high tone, depicting the chattering of teeth. In the second movement, Vivaldi wanted to paint the picture of sitting in front of a fire as the rain is falling outside, the violins depicting the raindrops. In the third movement of the piece, the listeners are supposed to imagine going skating – first starting off very slow and carefully because the thickness of the ice is unknown. Once more courage is exerted; the skater invites all of their friends to join, and then crashes down onto the hard ice.

Huggett explained you pick yourself up off the ice and skate across the lake, having a great time when suddenly a warm wind comes in, reminding you that summer will be coming. The piece ends with all the winds blowing ferociously at war with one another till the end of the piece.

Once the musical act ended, an intermission began featuring a live auction hosted by LaMotte. The entertaining auction had the crowd laughing as the auction kicked off in full swing.

All of the proceeds earned throughout the festival were Arts Council dollars to help support the Baroque Festival.

In all, the third night of the live auction raised $1,300 for the music festival.

In addition to the live auction, a silent auction was held, a 50/50 nightly raffle drawing and another raffle that included a grand prize of a three-day, two-night all inclusive cruise for two in the San Juan Islands on a private 40-foot sailboat.

After the intermission, the music filled the air once again as the musicians took the stage for three more lively performances.

Brandenburg Concerto #4 in G Major, BWV 1049 by J.S. Bach was performed followed by Selections from Water Music by George Frederick Handel and then the night closed with a concerto for flute and recorder in E minor composed by Georg Philip Telemann.

The crowd gave the musicians a hearty applause, bringing them out for an encore, delighting the attendees at the festival.

The first night of the festival featured an evening with Monica Huggett and Matthias Maute, the second night began the Four Seasons part one with the third ending off the Four Seasons performance.

Stephens said the numbers were through the roof, Tuesday bringing in 217 music listeners, with Wednesday bringing in 202 and Thursday totaling out at 208 in attendance.

In all, ten musicians played throughout the three day festival and included: Matthias Maute and Sophie Lariviére on recorders; LaMotte, Ewer, Huggett and Carrie Krause played violins during the festival; Vicki Pich played the viola; Nathan Whittaker manned the cello; Curtis Daily played the bass and Daniel Zuluaga played the guitar.

Moreth thanked everyone for coming and invited everyone to come back for next year’s festival.

“Thank you all for coming. We are so pleased to have you. On behalf of the Sanders County Arts Council and Quinn’s Hot Springs Resort, come back next year,” said Moreth.

Morrison ended off the night by saying the festival, which is dear to her heart was “magical,” an experience that cannot be beat.