Only two works by German Baroque composer Johann Jakob Froberger were published in his lifetime.
Call him snooty or fiercely loyal to his patrons, but the 17th century composer and harpsichordist had pretty much made up his mind that his music would only be performed for and by his friends and the close circle of deep-pocketed nobles who made his art possible.
On Sunday, Nov. 6, Phoenix-based, England-born harpsichordist Guy Whatley will dig into that trove with the Arizona Early Music Society. Whatley will take us on a journey of Froberger’s musical life, tracing his steps of a European journey in the mid-1600s that was influenced by his contemporaries — Louis Couperin, John Blow and Girolamo Frescobaldi.
We’ll also get to hear Froberger’s own compositions from a recently discovered manuscript. Expect to hear how Froberger mastered French, English, Italian and German styles and incorporated those disparate styles into his compositions.
Sunday’s concert begins at 3 p.m. at St. Philip’s in the Hills Episcopal Church, 4440 N. Campbell Ave. Tickets are $25 at the door. If you’re 28 and younger, it’s $5.
Check out Froberger’s music at tucson.com/music.
