What do you give a world-renowned composer on the occasion of his 419th birthday? Well, at that age, you’re less interested in flavors of the month and more appreciative of the finer things in life, so what about a concert with some of the composer’s most glorious music performed by some of the city’s most gifted musicians? It’s simple, elegant, tasteful, and if you’re the Budjanova Quartet, it’s the only way to go. So this ensemble, founded last year by award-winning violinist Jennifer Bourianoff, is making a concert gift to Johann Sebastian Bach (and the rest of us) on Sunday, March 21. In place of “Happy Birthday,” they’ll perform the Brandenburg Concerto No. 6, the Sonata for Violin and Harpsichord in G, and arias from the B Minor Mass and Cantatas No. 79 and No. 200. Joining Bourianoff, violinist Elizabeth Stoppels Girko, violist Sara Driver, and cellist Shu-Yi Huang Scott will be Renata Green on flute, Elden Little on harpsichord, and arguably the hardest working mezzo-soprano in Austin, Stephanie Prewitt (fresh from singing at a major concert almost every weekend in February). Listening to that grand music played by this array of talent could just keep you smiling until your 419th birthday.
The Budjanova Quartet will perform a Bach birthday concert on Sunday, March 21, 8pm, at Hyde Park United Methodist Church. 4001 Speedway. For information, call 453-1581 or visit www.budjanova.com.
This article appears in March 19 • 2004.