The finale concert of SummerFest Music Director Inon Barnatan’s inaugural season celebrates the concerto grosso. Conductor and harpsichordist Nicholas McGegan leads the SummerFest Chamber Orchestra. Great masterworks pair in exciting ways with modern visions of the form. And it all ties back to Opening Night’s exploration of the deep connection of music across centuries.

In my pre-concert talk for the finale concert—(7pm)—we’ll explore the concerto grosso’s social history. It’s a charming string-centric genre that first arose in seventeenth-century Italy, delighting audiences and inspiring some of the most celebrated Baroque composers. We will consider the special qualities of the Baroque concerto grosso. And explore how contemporary composers such as Zwilich and Norman have woven some of these elements into fascinating fusions of the musical “then” and “now.”