Mirror

This concert invites you to a dialogue between two contrasting yet complementary Baroque styles: the refined elegance of French composer Pierre Gaultier of Marseille and the vibrant genius of Italian composer Carlo Tessarini. Alternating between their works, the Polish ensemble Cohaere explores the emotional and stylistic richness of Baroque Europe.

Pierre Gaultier, organist and pioneer of Marseille opera, remains one of the most fascinating yet little-known figures in French Baroque music. His Symphonies divided by tone suites, published in 1707, offer poetic titles, courtly dance rhythms, and expressive depth. From the rousing Marche de Barbets to the melancholic Prélude composed in prison, the three selected suites we perform tonight also appear on our first album, published by Ambronay (2025). Mirroring them are miniatures from Il piacer delle dame by Carlo Tessarini, an 18th-century violinist and composer known for his fiery, melodic writing.

Sharing a common artistic voice, we are dedicated to rediscovering little-known repertoires and creating a living link with the past. Our work involves editing original sources, reconstructing musical texts, and shaping historically informed interpretations based on curiosity, sensitivity, and collaboration. In this concert, Gaultier and Tessarini enter our history: a history where forgotten music finds new resonance, where intimacy meets exuberance, and where historical performance becomes a vibrant, creative act. Cohaere