All the music you’ll hear today is performed on period instruments using historically informed practices, offering a listening experience close to what audiences might have heard in 18th-century salons and coffeehouses. Enjoy the music—and your coffee!
☕ Your Bite-Sized Program Notes
Luigi Boccherini – String Quartet in G minor, G. 194
Boccherini was a virtuoso cellist and composer who spent much of his life in Spain. His music is graceful, expressive, and full of charm—often described as “galante,” a style that emphasized elegance over drama. This quartet feels conversational, with delicate melodies and gentle rhythms passed between the players.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – String Quartet in C major, K. 157
Composed when Mozart was still a teenager, this quartet shows early signs of his brilliance. The music is clear and lively, with each instrument contributing to the musical dialogue. It’s a youthful work, full of energy and clever turns, offering a glimpse of the mature composer he would soon become.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – String Quartet in G major, K. 387 “Spring”
The first of six quartets Mozart dedicated to his friend and mentor Joseph Haydn, this piece is warm, inventive, and full of life. Its graceful opening, rich harmonies, and joyful finale make it one of his most beloved chamber works. The last movement, in particular, weaves the musical lines together in a way that’s playful and deeply satisfying.
🎻 About Today’s Performers
Elizabeth Blumenstock – Violin
Elizabeth has been part of Philharmonia Baroque since the very beginning. Her love for Baroque music was sparked as a teenager when she heard recordings by Gustav Leonhardt and Nikolaus Harnoncourt. She’s known for her expressive playing and deep insight into historical style. Elizabeth performs on a 1660 violin by Andrea Guarneri, whose clear and vibrant tone makes it ideal for bringing 18th-century music to life.
Katherine Kyme – Violin
Kati’s musical path began in the San Francisco Bay Area and has taken her around the world with leading period instrument ensembles. She co-founded the New Esterházy Quartet and is known for her warm tone and expressive ensemble playing. Kati performs on a 1720 violin by Carlo Antonio Testore, set up with gut strings and tuned to Baroque pitch, giving her sound an earthy, articulate character that fits this repertoire beautifully.
Maria Caswell – Viola
Maria got her start in public-school music programs and was drawn to early music through playing recorder with her sister, and an interest in Renaissance Faires. She has been with Philharmonia Baroque since its earliest days and brings a grounded, lyrical voice to the ensemble. Maria plays a viola which was likely made in Bavaria in the 17th century. The viola is known for its rich, resonant tone—perfect for filling out the harmonic core of the quartet.
Clara Abel – Cello
Clara is the newest member of Philharmonia’s cello section and a rising star in historical performance. A graduate of the Juilliard School, she’s been praised for her “gorgeous tone and fine solo playing.” Clara won the school’s Baroque concerto competition and has performed under early music luminaries like Masaaki Suzuki. She plays a Baroque-style cello with gut strings and a historical bow, bringing a vibrant, textured sound to everything she performs.
Please Join Us Again
If you enjoyed today’s performance, please join us again for upcoming Coffee Concerts on August 12 and September 16, each featuring a fresh selection of Baroque and Classical works performed in the spirit of 18th-century salon concerts—plus more free coffee and pastries!
Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra & Chorale is one of America’s leading early music ensembles, performing on period instruments and faithful replicas modeled after those used from the 17th to 19th centuries. The full orchestra—often joined by the Philharmonia Chorale—performs across the Bay Area at Herbst Theatre (SF), First Congregational Church (Berkeley), and on the Peninsula at Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, Bing Concert Hall at Stanford, and First United Methodist Church in Palo Alto.
Explore the 2025/26 season at philharmonia.org. Tickets start at $40, or just $84 for a three-concert package. $20 tickets are available for students and patrons under 30.
