If It's Baroque, Recycle It

We postmodern types like to imagine we invented all the cool stuff in music, such as sampling and the drum solo. But the truth is, sampling has been around since at least the Baroque era (the drum solo is primeval in origin but was perfected by Master John Bonham in 1972). During those heady days when J.S. Bach and G.F. Handel were writing their greatest works, it was common for a composer to borrow another composer's work and rework or adapt it into a new piece of music. The old guard scoffed, but 400 years and the dawn of the mash-up-as-art-form later, the wisdom of the Baroque composers is seen clearly. Collegium Vocale celebrates the spirit of reinvention with Recycled Music of the Baroque at 2 p.m. at the Saint Louis Abbey Church (500 South Mason Road, Creve Coeur; 314-727-5656). This musical performance features works both original and recycled from the canon of the aforementioned Bach and Handel, as well as music by Claudio Monteverdi and Alessandro Stradella, all on period instruments. Tickets are $5 to $10 at the door.
Sun., Jan. 15