Fandango!: Double the plucking, as guitar and harpsichord wed

It may seem a strange marriage, a union between guitar and harpsichord, but when harpsichordist Keith Womer and guitarist Susan McDonald play together, all doubts fade away

"...What's surprising and impressive about walking into Keith Womer's house for the first time is you find..."

May 18, 2007 Arts Feature by Barry Pineo

Revolutionary Score

The Founding Fathers' first declaration: 'We're an American band!'

"...the American revolution were into music. That's the news Keith Womer wants to break to you this Independence Day...."

June 29, 2012 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Leave It to Biber

In the concert Leave It to Biber, violinist Boel Gidholm, cellist Christopher Haritatos, and keyboardist Keith Womer exulted in the expressive freedom that this music offers the interpreter

"...Hearing violinist Boel Gidholm, cellist Christopher Haritatos, and keyboardist Keith Womer in this season's opening concert for the St...."

Sept. 3, 2004 Arts Review by Jerry Young

La Follia Plays J.S. Bach’s Greatest Chamber Music

Choosing Bach’s top chamber works may be impossible, but the baroque ensemble made a convincing case for five not-easy pieces in this concert

"...Flute Sonata in A major, La Follia Artistic Director Keith Womer on harpsichord and Marcus McGuff on flute created..."

Oct. 20, 2017 Arts Review by Robert Faires

Yankee Baroque

La Follia expanded our sense of our country's founders through the music they heard and sang

"...Keith Womer walked out for La Follia's concert of early..."

July 6, 2012 Arts Review by Robert Faires

Return of the Herd of Harpsichords

This La Follia concert was to the harpsichord what a fine wine tasting is to vino

"...harpsichord would have none of it. La Follia Director Keith Womer infused the keyboard with a puckish energy, its..."

Jan. 13, 2012 Arts Review by Robert Faires

La Follia's Start the New Year With Bach!

The baroque ensemble's first concert of 2016 delivers life lessons along with the beautiful music

"...McGuff in a duet with La Follia Artistic Director Keith Womer. Here, the contrast in sounds between the instruments..."

Jan. 8, 2016 Arts Review by Robert Faires

Herd the Third: More Concerti by Bach for Multiple Harpsichords

La Follia takes the harpsichord beyond Bach and proves the instrument isn't just for the baroque

"...But Artistic Director Keith Womer – who playfully welcomed audiences to this Herd..."

Jan. 11, 2013 Arts Review by Robert Faires

Earthly Delights

La Follia's musical guide to love during the Baroque period included some masterful playing by the group's instrumentalists, but it was the haunting voice of soprano Jenifer Thyssen that really reached out to the audience with love's beautiful soundtrack from 300 years ago.

"...Follia -- Marcus McGuff, flute; Scott Horton, lutes; and Keith Womer, harpsichord -- were joined in their varied Cupidic..."

Feb. 21, 2003 Arts Review by Robi Polgar

La Follia

La Serva Padrona was a surprise hit in 1733, and it still delights today

"...chance to enjoy this masterpiece of opera buffa. Director Keith Womer explains why this particular Pergolesi work endures...."

April 16, 2010 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

A Big Old Jam Thing, Baroque Style

For its post-Thanksgiving concert of Suites and Leftovers, La Follia reheats the best bits of the musical past into a jazzy feast.

"...movement. Why don't we combine them?'" He and harpsichordist Keith Womer grafted together a sonata from juicy movements by..."

Nov. 28, 2003 Arts Feature by Jerry Young

Bach's Herd of Harpsichords V: Double Play

You'll always find something unexpected at a La Follia harpsichord concert, but you can expect the instrument to be well-played

"...to the clueless Lou Costello of La Follia Director Keith Womer. Whatever Jones-Ragona's teacher played, Womer's goofy pupil had..."

Jan. 9, 2015 Arts Review by Robert Faires

Classically Speaking

Focusing on Haydn and Mozart, La Follia did a lovely job linking classical to baroque

"...the neighboring classical period. During his preconcert speech, director/harpsichordist Keith Womer explained in succinct yet entertaining fashion the prevalence..."

Aug. 31, 2012 Arts Review by Adam Roberts

The Baroque Festival Concert II

Despite many glorious moments in St. Cecilia Music Series' Baroque Festival Concert II, there was evidence throughout that the musicians may have taken on too much

"...Organist Keith Womer got the show off to a strong start..."

Dec. 10, 2004 Arts Review by Jerry Young

Suites and Leftovers

La Follia made a feast of leftovers for their post-Thanksgiving offering at First Presbyterian Church.

"...Harpsichordist Keith Womer showed us his brilliant virtuosity as a soloist,..."

Dec. 5, 2003 Arts Review by Jerry Young

Have You 'Herd'?

It's another stampede to La Follia's harpsichord concert

"...half of those. So Artistic Director and keyboard wizard Keith Womer doesn't have to repeat himself this year or..."

Jan. 5, 2013 Arts Post by Robert Faires

A Guide to Austin Classical Music

The virtuosi who know the score and make beautiful music happen here

"...with artistry that makes them wonderfully fresh. Artistic Director Keith Womer programs concerts with an eye toward expanding our..."

April 26, 2019 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

'17th Century Masterworks From Eastern Europe'

Move over, Queen! La Follia digs up some Bohemian rhapsodies you've never heard before.

"...La Follia Artistic Director Keith Womer says he's on a mission to champion music..."

April 4, 2014 Arts Feature by Natalie Zeldin

Fit for a King: J.S. Bach's Musical Offering

La Follia's well-crafted program of music by Bach exposed the energetic and dynamic Baroque spirit

"...program was a true tour de force for director Keith Womer, who performed in every piece of the nearly..."

April 12, 2013 Arts Review by Natalie Zeldin

Top 10 Classical Music Treasures of 2011

Ancient voices, singing strings, and lots of Bach made 2011 a fine year for ears

"...inspired by him was inspired, with the piece from Keith Jarrett's Köln Concert absolutely melting me...."

Jan. 6, 2012 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Five Celebrations of NYE Weekend

Boot out 2022 and usher in 2023 with laughs, music, and a good walk

"...the maestro's Cello Suite No. 1; James Andrewes and Keith Womer perform Violin Sonata No. 4 in C minor,..."

Dec. 30, 2022 Arts Feature by Wayne Alan Brenner

Margaret Perry: A Life of Music

Classical community honors the late educator in concert Friday

"...Rick Rowley of the Butler School of Music, and Keith Womer of La Follia, to name just a few...."

May 23, 2018 Arts Post by Robert Faires

Five Arty Things to Do: Jan. 5-7

Apocalypse indefinitely postponed; go out, have some fun

"...this weekend, for instance, they exist mostly so that Keith Womer and his talented La Follia crew can get..."

Jan. 4, 2018 Arts Post by Wayne Alan Brenner

The 2015-16 Austin Critics Table Awards

The 2015-16 Austin Critics Table Awards

"...Keith Womer, Start the New Year With Bach! Ensemble..."

May 27, 2016 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Year of the Booster

The 2015-16 Austin Critics Table Awards

"...Instrumentalist Keith Womer, Start the New Year With Bach..."

May 25, 2016 Arts Post by Robert Faires

Star Turns

The nominees for the 2015-16 Austin Critics Table Awards

"...of Trouble Bion Tsang, Anton Nel & Bion Tsang Keith Womer, Start the New Year With Bach..."

May 9, 2016 Arts Post by Robert Faires

Art Par Excellence

The nominees for the 2014-15 Austin Critics Table Awards

"...Keith Womer, Bach vs. Handel Smackdown..."

May 20, 2015 Arts Post

2012 Austin Critics Table Awards

For the 20th time, a big hand for the nominees if you please

"...Keith Womer, harpsichord, The Return of Bach's Herd of Harsichords..."

May 25, 2012 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Top of the Line

The nominees for the 2011 Austin Critics Table Awards

"...Keith Womer, piano, Bach's Herd of Harpsichords Ensemble..."

May 27, 2011 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

The Human Touch

Violinist Laurie Young Stevens finds the passion and flash in baroque music

"...contrast in these pieces." And with help from harpsichordist Keith Womer, lutenist Scott Horton, and tenor David Stevens --..."

Jan. 16, 2004 Arts Feature by Robert Faires