Our principal oboists Michaela Kuntz and Szilvia Pápai, concertmaster Sayako Kusaka, principal cellist Friedemann Ludwig and guest harpsichordist Christine Kessler have put together a baroque matinee programme for a fresh start to the third Advent.

Michaela Kuntz explains: "In two pieces by Georg Phillip Telemann and Johann Christian Bach, there is actually a transverse flute alongside the oboe, violin, cello and harpsichord. As we two solo oboists are performing together at this concert, we have replaced the transverse flute with an oboe - may the flutes forgive us. Each of us will also be playing a solo piece. Mine is „Les folies d'Espagne“ by Marin Marais. This is based on a dance from the 16th century, which was repeatedly banned at the time because of its excessively exuberant character. The Italian word "folia" means foolishness or folly. In the 17th century, it was a popular fashion to write variations on this theme with its typical harmonic sequence. These variations, called couplets, increase in expression and difficulty through different characters. I play 21 of the very short 32 couplets, so there's no chance of boredom in our colourful matinee programme - which is also important for families with children when they come to the concert."