“Vinikour makes a concert an experience, in the very best sense of the word. His playing excites the ear.” (Christian Science Monitor)

If you are a Hawaii Symphony subscriber, you know that harpsichordist and conductor, Jory Vinikour, is in Honolulu to perform movements from Handel Messiah and the Bach Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 this weekend, Saturday, Dec. 11 at 7:30 pm, and Sunday, Dec. 12 at 4:00 pm, at the Hawaii Theatre.

The program is as follows:

Handel, Overture from Messiah
Handel, “For behold, Darkness shall cover the Earth – The People that walked in Darkness” from Messiah
Handel, Pifa from Messiah
Handel, “There were shepherds abiding in the field… And suddenly, the Angel of the Lord… Rejoice” from Messiah
Handel, Passacaglia in B-flat Major from Rodrigo, HWV5
Handel, “How beautiful are the feet” from Messiah
Handel, “The Trumpet shall sound” from Messiah

Intermission

Handel, ”I know that my Redeemer liveth” from Messiah
Handel, ”Thus saith the Lord – But who shall abide” from Messiah
Bach, “Air” from Orchestra Suite No. 3 for Oboe
Bach, Brandenburg Concerto No. 5

Soloists are Sherezade Panthaki, soprano; Leon Williams, baritone; Ignace Jang, violin; Claire Starz Butin, flute; and Scott Janusch, oboe d’amore.

If you are a subscriber of Early Music Hawaii, you may know that Jory Vinikour is also playing a recital on Monday, Dec. 13, at 7:00 pm at the Lutheran Church of Honolulu. Advanced purchase tickets may be purchased at the Early Music Hawaii website, and may be used to either view the concert in-person or by livestream. If you plan to go in person, please be aware that tickets are limited, and vaccination cards will be need to be shown at the door; masking throughout the concert will be mandatory. No tickets will be available at the door.

But did you read the fine print at the top of the latest email? It says that Early Music Hawaii and Mark Russell are presenting this concert.

If you’re wondering who Mark Russell is, he is a local piano teacher and harpsichordist who studied with Jory Vinikour for about two years in 2000-2002. Mark, who formerly lived in Paris for fifteen years, built a harpsichord in 1999 and wanting to know more about harpsichord technique, contacted Jory through a mutual friend for lessons. He had been told that Jory “really knew how to make a harpsichord sound beautiful,” and learned all about different touches and harpsichord techniques. Mark moved to Hawaii in 2004 and brought his harpsichord with him, where it has been heard in concert at the Lutheran Church of Honolulu.

Unfortunately, this harpsichord won’t be heard at any of the concerts here; instead Jory will be playing the Cammack harpsichord from the Lutheran Church of Honolulu.

Looking forward to some fantastic concerts!

P.S. Jory’s spouse, Philippe, is an organist and harpsichordist. I’ll be showing him the Beckerath organ at the Lutheran Church of Honolulu.