Home-grown musicians give classical concert

JOEL DAVIDSON/Frontiersman reporter

PALMER -- A sign saying "No food or drink," is posted on the doors of the Palmer Public Library, and when entering the library, patrons are usually expected to keep it down while browsing the books.

On Sunday, the old library loosened the rules and opened its doors for live music, finger foods and hot drinks. More than 100 concert-goers turned out for the long-standing winter tradition of classical music at the library.

The event featured Flat Baroque, an eight-member Renaissance music group from the Valley that for the past 16 years has played music from the Old World. In order to achieve a historically accurate sound, the group uses the same kind of instruments that were originally used when the music was first composed.

On Sunday, dressed in authentic Renaissance garb, they pulled out a dozen or more unusual instruments made of wood and animal horns. Then, for the next hour, they transformed the library into a concert hall.

They played through several centuries of early music using large wooden recorders, which sounded nothing like the little plastic recorders from elementary school band. The wooden recorders brought to life music that was inspired more than 500 years ago, giving a voice to history.

Between each piece, a member of the group offered an explanation of the music and the origin of their instruments.

"Libraries aren't just about books anymore," said Chris Walker, a member of Friends of the Palmer Library. "Libraries are about education, and this event gives people access to another type of education."

Kathi Baldwin founded Flat Baroque 18 years ago, after placing an advertisement in the paper for fellow recorder musicians who wanted to play performance-quality music.

Fireside Quartet, a string quartet also composed of Valley musicians, accompanied Flat Baroque during several pieces. The quartet, which consisted of two violins, a viola and a cello, positioned themselves in the back of the library, while Flat Baroque played in the front. Most of the audience didn't see the quartet assemble behind them for the start of "La Leona," a sonata composed in 1608 by Cesario Gussago.

Flat Baroque began the piece with recorders and the quartet answered with stringed instruments. Upon hearing the quartet, many in the audience turned around looking pleasantly surprised.

Later, the two groups came together to perform several pieces up front.

The concert lasted roughly an hour, spanning the music of Bach, Beethoven, Handel and others.

Friends of the Palmer Library sponsored the concert and worked behind the scenes before, during and after the performance, arranging tables, chairs, spiced cider, coffee and finger-food trays. Once a month, on a Sunday, the library group sponsors an alternative form of education, usually musical. The programs run October through May, with the next performance set for Jan. 16 when the Crow Creek Pipes and Drums play traditional Scottish music. All programs begin at 2 p.m.

"It gives local people a chance to show off skills," said Walker. "It also gives people a chance to listen to music without driving all the way to Anchorage."