Creating Freedom out of Constraints: The Art of the Ostinato

A true sign of genius in art is an artist's choice to voluntarily impose strict constraints on their works--only to turn them into seemingly boundless creations. The use of ostinato--a musical term that describes the use of a repeated musical phrase or rhythm throughout a composition--would, at first glance, seem like a recipe for very boring works. Not so in the hands of the best composers, who can develop such art as to make their listeners virtually lose sight of the repeated elements that frame it. Join us to enjoy such works by Purcell, Bach, Brahms, Monteverdi, and others.