What Came Before spans three prominent genres and composers: French Baroque (Couperin), French Romanticism (Fauré), and French Impressionism (Ravel). Couperin’s musical style in the early 18th century set the tone and provided the melodic and harmonic foundations for Fauré, and subsequently Ravel (Fauré’s pupil), to expand upon. The evolution of French classical music resulted in complex melodic and harmonic progressions, lush tone colors, and unconventional instrumentation.

Aimee Kreston, violin

This concert is dedicated to Mayor Bill Bogaard, who is retiring after 16 years of service. This dedication is an expression of our thanks for his exemplary support of the arts community.