Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/530451
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 21 JUNE 2015 42 This Week VIBE perform 17th Century string concertos at Auberge d'Aragon Manoel Theatre is presenting 'Concertos for Strings from 17th century Europe' performed by VIBE (Valletta International Baroque Ensemble) at the Auberge d'Aragon on June 28 at 19:30 'CONCERTOS for Strings from 17th century Europe' is an invi- tation to explore one of the most innovative musical forms that developed during the Baroque period. By the 1700, the concerto grosso had become the dominant instru- mental genre, whereby musical material is passed between a small group of soloists (the concertino) and full orchestra (the ripieno or concerto grosso). However, for certain composers of the younger generation, the concerto grosso had run its course and offered nothing to satisfy their composi- tional sensibility. Composers like Antonio Vivaldi felt the need to make their instruments sing in a new way. Thus was born another form of concerto, where the whole ensemble was given prominence, where composers juxtaposed or combined, in an almost painterly fashion, a variety of timbres and colours to create a multitude of musical effects. The full programme includes Antonio Vivaldi's Concerto for Strings in E minor RV134 and Concerto for Strings in G minor RV156, Georg Friedrich Handel's Concerto Grosso op 6 no 1 in G major, William Boyce's Symphony 2 in A major and Unico van Was- senaer's Concerto 1 in G major. VIBE (Valletta International Ba- roque Ensemble) was formed in 2012 and is the resident ensemble of the Valletta International Ba- roque Festival. The group plays on period in- struments & comprises of profes- sional Maltese based musicians collaborating alongside interna- tionally established early instru- ment specialists. VIBE made its debut at the 2014 festival with a very well received performance of the Monteverdi Vespers. Ambi- tious plans for the future are now being put in place following the group being awarded core fund- ing from the Maltese government. VIBE is honoured to have Dame Emma Kirkby as its patron. The June 28 concert at the Auberge d'Aragon, Independ- ence Square, Valletta (opposite St Paul's Anglican Cathedral) is a culmination of a weekend mas- terclass given by top baroque mu- sicians to members of VIBE. Tickets are €12 and can be pur- chased online at www.teatruma- noel.com.mt. Capacity is limited so early booking is recommended. Poles who perished on Kujawiak in mine explosion remembered Culture minister unveils commemorative plaque for 13 sailors who died aboard destroyer escort Kujawiak THE memory of 13 Polish sailors who perished off Mal- tese coasts in 1942 was celebrated on Wednesday evening, with the unveiling of a commemorative plaque at the Upper Barakka, Valletta. The Maltese gov- ernment commemo- rated the death of the sailors aboard the ship ORP Kuja- waik, in June 1942, after the shipwreck was discovered by an expedition comprising the Superintendence for Cultural Heritage, the Univer- sity of Malta, and the Shipwreck Expeditions Association. The site where the ORP Kuja- waik lies is now considered one of historical heritage. Justice and Culture Minister Owen Bonnici said during the ceremony that it was no coinci- dence to have the commemora- tive plaque installed at the Upper Barrakka, overlooking the Grand Harbour which was the sailors' last port of call. "This is the perfect platform for closer ties between Poland and Malta on culture and heritage," Bonnici said. The Polish frigate Kujawiak was a destroyer escort in the Royal Navy. She was launched on 30 October, 1940 and commissioned to the Polish Navy, which became part of the Royal Navy, in June 1941 The destroyer was sunk on 16 June, 1942 after hitting a mine off Malta during Operation Harpoon. Thirteen Polish sailors died and their bodies were never recov- ered. Twenty were wounded. The Kujawaik hit the mine at around 18:00 on 15 June, 1942 and sank at about 15:00 the next day. But an approximate position given by the British Ministry of Defence gave no proper indica- tion of any wreckage. Justice minister Owen Bonnici (left) salutes the memory of the 13 sailors who died aboard the Kujawiak VIBE in concert