2005–2006 Season: “The Grand Orchestra, Part 3: Germany, Austria and Bohemia”

“Tempesta di Mare, Philadelphia Baroque Orchestra, closed out its 2005-06 season with the third and final installment of its series entitled “The Grand Orchestra” in Swarthmore College’s Lang Concert Hall. The most impressive and memorable aspect of Tempesta’s performances of all five scores was the fullness of its overall orchestral tone. Like it or not, even those of us most fond of the sound of baroque instruments must admit that most local period instruments ensembles fail to muster a full-bodied sound. The final result of these limitations is the notion that baroque music, while brightly decorative, remains substantially inexpressive. Under the artistic directorship of Gwyn Roberts and Richard Stone and the leadership in performance of concertmaster Emlyn Ngai, Tempesta di Mare disabused the listener of this nonsense.” News of Delaware County, June 9, 2006.