Chamber music group features new instruments in January

Baroque Music Montana (BaMM) is offering performances of Biber’s Rosary Sonatas in January, a collection of 16 separate musical pieces each depicting an event in the life of Christ.

Each sonata was inspired by a work of art, an original copperplate engraving illustrating the vivid chapters of the biblical story. For these concerts, newly created works by local Montana artists will be showcased alongside the musical performers, connecting Montana and modern-day inspiration both visually and sonically, for each of the sixteen sonatas. The sonatas are divided up amongst four excellent violin soloists, who work primarily in NYC, San Francisco, and London.

In addition to BaMM’s usual cadre of violins from the 17th and 18th centuries, January features a debut of three instruments recently acquired by BaMM. A theorbo, or large lute, has recently arrived from Montreal, and a cello was put into baroque set-up by Missoula luthier Mark Hollinger. BaMM has put together a positive, or chamber, organ that includes sound samples recorded from hundreds of baroque-era organs across Europe, including each individual key, manual, and stop of those instruments, along with a historical Tracker-action keyboard sourced from Germany.”

Karen Simmons explained this season: “Of the 4 offerings in the chamber music series, 2 will be given by Baroque Music Montana. You may have read that Carrie Krause, the founder and artistic director of BaMM was just awarded the Governor’s Arts Award. The information that appeared on FB (from Montana PBS) lists all of her cultural outreach to rural areas, and her significant artistic associations. This might be good info, if you haven’t already incorporated it. The concerts featuring this ensemble are on Oct. 27th at the Roosevelt Center, and Jan. 4th at Messiah Lutheran Church. The program details, dates and times are listed on the site, and in the attachment you received from Carmen.

The recital on Nov. 14th in the Gregory T Harper Hall in the Roosevelt Center features Dr. Lynell Kruckeberg, soprano (who maintains a studio for private piano and voice in the Roosevelt Center, as well as being part of the music ministry at Red Lodge Community Church) with Del Parkinson, piano. Del is a long-time faculty member of the Red Lodge Music Festival.

I am not familiar with the Callaway Chamber Players, but the program sounds amazing, and they are also committed to sharing music and connecting through outreach to smaller communities.

Music and Performance from the Beartooths is bringing an outstanding series of concerts to Red Lodge. The level of artistry presented by these mostly Montana-based musicians and others who have had long time associations here is truly world-class. The venues are intimate, and encourage a listening experience that is compelling and immediate. We are so fortunate to live in this vibrant town and have the opportunity to share these events with so many talented performers who have made community outreach part of their mission.

I would encourage everyone to support this series by filling the halls, and sharing those moments that only live performance candeliver. It’s a human connection, and a testament to artistry in every form.”

The Series

• Jan. 4, 2027
  • 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
  • Messiah Lutheran Church – Red Lodge
  • Concert begins at 4:30pm. Reception (4:00) and wine and hors d’oeuvres after concert included.
• Jan. 5, 2027
  • 4:00 pm – 6:45 pm
  • Columbus Community Congregational Church – Columbus
• Jan. 6, 2027
  • 7:00 pm – 9:45 pm
  • Tinworks – Bozeman
  • Bozeman artist Dickie Nelson will demonstrate a copper plate engraving mini-press during intermission.
• Jan 7, 2027
  • 7:00 pm – 9:45 pm
  • Coulter House – Helena
• Jan. 8, 2027
  • 7:00 pm – 9:45 pm
  • Tinworks – Bozeman
  • Bozeman artist Dickie Nelson will demonstrate a copper plate engraving mini-press during intermission.
• Jan. 9, 2027
  • 3:00 pm – 5:45 pm
  • Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd – Billings
• Jan. 10, 2027
  • 2:00 pm – 4:45 pm
  • Simpson Gallagher Gallery – Cody

Tickets

Below is the whole subscription series: Admission & priority seating are included with a season subscription.

In collaboration with Tinworks Art’s Chisel & Razor, Act II: The Artistic Legacies of Edmonia & Samuel Lewis and in celebration of their newly renovated Mill Building exhibition space, Baroque Music Montana presents the complete Biber Rosary — also called Mystery — Sonatas as a tie with Edmonia’s fervent Catholicism and creative period in Rome. Each sonata was inspired by a work of art – a copperplate engraving depicting an event in the life of Christ. For these concerts, new works by local artists will be projected alongside performers connecting Montana and modern-day inspirations for each of the sixteen sonatas.

Tinworks Art is a non-profit art space in Bozeman, Montana that brings together artists, their work, and community in evolving spaces, where art meets the American West. In 2022, Tinworks Art committed to a permanent home to deepen connections between artists and audiences, and to center art in this time of change and is designed to welcome everyone. The Chisel & Razor, Act I: The Artistic Legacies of Edmonia & Samuel Lewis exhibition runs June 19 through October 24, 2026. Chisel & Razor, Act II is October 3, 2026 through April 4, 2027. For more information visit www.tinworksart.org.

Concert Length: 2.75 hours

Artists

Musicians:

• Cynthia Black, Ela Kodzas, Manami Mizumoto, and Carrie Krause, baroque violin, (Conor Jacobson joins us in Cody on Jan 10)
• Kieran Campbell, baroque cello
• Lucas Harris, theorbo
• Jeff Grossman, portative organ

Artists:

• Ray Campeau
• Don Farris
• Linda Foy
• Mana Lesman
• Bobbi McIntosh
• Richard Nelson
• Sue Nelson
• Nan Parsons
• June Safford
• Martijn Casper Swart