First Parish Cohasset

Celebrate the yuletide season and join Saltarello for a musical tour of Europe in a program called “Baroque Ornaments.” They will be sharing Baroque music of Italy, Germany, England, France and Scotland by Bach, Handel, Corelli, and others.  Traditional Christmas Carols will be woven into ornamented melodies throughout the program in this refreshing break from the usual Christmas fare.  Saltarello will be joined by harpsichordist Frances Fitch, and soprano Julia Steinbok in this program of music filled with joy, spirit, and unforgettable melodies.

The concert will be Sunday, December 18 at 3:00 pm. 

Admission will be $15 for adults and $12 for seniors and children.

The London Sonatas of Franz Joseph Haydn

Sunday, October 16 at 3 pm

Tickets $15, $12 for students/seniors

The Third Sunday Music Series at First Parish Cohasset kicks off on October 16^th at 3 pm with a rare opportunity to hear Haydn’s “London” sonatas performed on an English piano in the class of the ones Haydn composed them for. Historical keyboard specialist and First Parish organist Sylvia Berry will play a grand piano built in 1806 by the prestigious London firm John Broadwood and Son that was recently restored by her husband, accomplished instrument restorer and builder, Dale Munschy. This piano is a sterling example of the kind of pianos Haydn would have encountered during of his two London sojourns. English pianos were very different from those in his home of Vienna and it is clear that he tailored these compositions to fit their distinct characteristics. Haydn had a studio in the Broadwood workshop during his first London visit, so he knew these instruments well. The program will also include two lesser-known gems from the same period and Dale Munschy will be available to answer questions about the piano and its restoration.

Worth noting, Haydn wrote all three of the “London” sonatas for women he befriended while in London. The two dazzling sonatas in E-flat major and C major were written to showcase the talent of esteemed virtuoso Therese Jansen Bartolozzi. The third sonata in D major, smaller in scale yet full of Haydenesque wit, was written for Maria Hester Park, a music teacher to members of the English nobility who was also known in intellectual circles in London.

Sylvia Berry has performed as a soloist and chamber musician in the US, the UK, Canada, and Europe. Since moving to Boston in 2005 she has quickly become a favorite by engaging audiences with lively commentary about the music and the instruments she plays. Benjamin Dunham of Early Music America stated of a recent solo appearance: “… [she] revealed a poetic sensibility and a willingness to draw listeners in with spaces to pause and reflect. These qualities contrasted nicely with up-tempo movements, which were handled with verve.” Her work in Opera Boston’s production of La clemenza di Tito led Lloyd Schwartz to write in the Boston Phoenix, “Special applause for continuo fortepianist Sylvia Berry, [who played] as if she were one of the actors.”

Highlights of recent performances include solo recitals for the Cambridge Society of Early Music, the debuts of her ensemble Boston Hausmusik at the Connecticut Early Music Festival and at the Museum Concerts series in Providence, RI; lecture recitals with soprano Clara Rottsolk on early Lieder at Swarthmore College and the Goethe Institute in Boston; performances of the concertos for multiple harpsichords by J.S. Bach with Ensemble Florilege; a lecture recital on harpsichord and fortepiano for the Haydn Society of North America at the Longy School of Music; a duo recital on harpsichord and fortepiano with Shuann Chai on the renowned instruments in the Fletcher Collection in London; a clavichord recital of 17^th-century music presented by the Boston Clavichord Society; and a solo recital at the Connecticut Early Music Festival entitled “The Pianos of Vienna in London” in which she played two instruments to showcase their differences. She is currently the organist at First Parish Cohasset.

For information about the piano, please visit: www.historicfortepianos.blogspot.com

Lay-led summer services begin at 9 AM in the Meeting House.

July 10        Women’s Spirit Group
July 17        Chartis Tebbetts
July 24        Marilyn & Rod Hobson
July 31        Bev Burgess

August 7    Abigail Alves Family
August 14  Eric Kluz
August 21  Rev. Dr. Anita Farber-Robertson
August 28  Mike Bliss

First Parish in Cohasset will be offering three sessions open to the public for people who are spiritually curious, interested in exploring their spiritual journeys and the historic and vibrant journey of Unitarian Universalism.

The sessions will be offered for three Tuesdays, May 24, May 31 and June 7 at 7:00 PM in the Parish House at 23 North Main Street.

Session 1 will be exploring your own spiritual journey; session 2 will be about the history of Unitarian Universalism, exploring its fascinating and historic spiritual journey.  The third session will explore First Parish in Cohasset, how it works, what it does, and how one might become a member.

Participants are welcome to any or all three of these sessions.  While there is no charge for this program, we encourage calling the church office to register, 781 383-1100, so that we might be sure to have sufficient materials on hand for everyone.

First Parish in Cohasset will be offering three sessions open to the public for people who are spiritually curious, interested in exploring their spiritual journeys and the historic and vibrant journey of Unitarian Universalism.

The sessions will be offered for three Tuesdays, May 24, May 31 and June 7 at 7:00 PM in the Parish House at 23 North Main Street.

Session 1 will be exploring your own spiritual journey; session 2 will be about the history of Unitarian Universalism, exploring its fascinating and historic spiritual journey.  The third session will explore First Parish in Cohasset, how it works, what it does, and how one might become a member.

Participants are welcome to any or all three of these sessions.  While there is no charge for this program, we encourage calling the church office to register, 781 383-1100, so that we might be sure to have sufficient materials on hand for everyone.

 There is no service in Cohasset. We will be gathering for a special Cluster Service  at First Parish Norwell,  24 River Street, at their 10 AM service.