“Listeners who attended our first Valley Vivaldi concert in June praised the exceptional variety of music,” says Corliss Bachman, Pennsylvania Sinfonia Orchestra (PSO) Executive Director.

“That will definitely be the case again in July when the program is chock-full of six energetic pieces that highlight the abilities of our musicians both individually and collaborating seamlessly in ensemble,” Bachman says.

Pennsylvania Sinfonia Orchestra presents “Valley Vivaldi Concert No. 2” at 7 p.m. July 27, Wesley Church, Bethlehem.

Historically and musically, the interconnectedness and influence of each composer in the concert program is entertaining and enlightening.

The concert opens with Arcangelo Corelli’s (1653-1713) five-movement “Concerto Grosso No. 12 Op. 6 in F Major.” Published in 1712, the work is credited with the establishment of the concerto grosso form. Soloists are violinists Linda Kistler and Inna Eyzerovich and cellist Franklin Nino.

Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741) further developed the solo concerto form based on Corelli’s concerto grosso. He utilized his approximate 30-year tenure as violin teacher, composer and conductor at a girls school in Venice to create the majority of his concerti and sacred works, including the “Concerto for Two Cellos in G Minor,” RV 531. The three-movement work features PSO cellists Noelle Grand and Ailin Hsieh.

Initially thought to be a work by Antonio Vivaldi, the exquisite “Concerto in D Major for Violin and Bassoon” was likely penned by his student, composer and conductor Francesco Maria Cattaneao (c. 1697-1758). The piece showcases the contrast, blend and virtuosity of soloists Linda Kistler, violin, and Susan Shaw, bassoon.

The concert includes Johann Sebastian Bach’s (1685-1750) “Concerto for Two Violins in D Minor,” BWV 1043. Each movement offers a dialogue between soloists PSO Concertmaster Simon Maurer, violin, and Dana Allaband, violin.

In his express use of the concerto form, the “Concerto for Four Violins in D Major,” TWV 40:202 by Bach’s close friend Georg Philipp Telemann (1681-1767) shares similarities with works by Bach and Vivaldi.

Between 1713 and 1714, Bach created organ and harpsichord transcriptions of several of Vivaldi’s concerti, which, in turn, influenced Bach’s adoption and expansion of the concerto grosso. The concert closes with Bach’s popular “Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G Major,” BWV 1048.

“Valley Vivaldi,” Pennsylvania Sinfonia Orchestra, 7 p.m. July 27, Wesley Church, 2540 Center St., Bethlehem; Tickets: at the door, Pennsylvania Sinfonia Orchestra office, 1524 W. Linden St., Allentown; 610-434-7811; https://www.pasinfonia.org/

The Camerata Singers will hold auditions for the 2025-26 season. Led by Director Eduardo Azzati, the Camerata Singers is accepting auditions for voice sections soprano, alto, tenor and bass.

Established in 1972, the Lehigh Valley-based community choir annually presents programs of classical and contemporary music.

Information, including selections for the December program, and to schedule an audition:

http://www.pacameratasingers.org/

“Classical View” is a column about classical music concerts, conductors and performers. To request coverage, email: Paul Willistein, Focus Editor, pwillistein@tnonline.com