March 2010

Jerusalem, Part II

We continue a three-thousand year exploration of the music and spirit of this city of two Peaces: Heavenly and terrestria In a brilliant book and two-CD compilation, Jordi Savall (with Hesperion XXI) evokes the city of Jerusalem, and it Jewish, Christian, and Islamic past. Note: All of the music for these programs comes from the book and two-CD boxed set Jerusalem--City of Two Peaces: Heavenly Peace and Earthly Peace, with Jordi Savall and his ensembles Hesperion XXI, La Capella Reial de Catalunya with Montserrat Figueras, and Al Darwish. It is on the Alia Vox label, and is catalogue number AVSAM9863.

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CD Info: CD 2 IVb Jerusalem, City of Pilgrims

Jerusalem, Part I

In a brilliant book and two-CD compilation, Jordi Savall (with Hesperion XXI) evokes the city of Jerusalem, and it Jewish, Christian, and Islamic past. Note: All of the music for these programs comes from the book and two-CD boxed set Jerusalem--City of Two Peaces: Heavenly Peace and Earthly Peace, with Jordi Savall and his ensembles Hesperion XXI, La Capella Reial de Catalunya with Montserrat Figueras, and Al Darwish. It is on the Alia Vox label, and is catalogue number AVSAM9863. Below, aside from the music list, is an excellent description of the project by Lewis Gropp. Jerusalem is a central point of reference for Islam, Judaism and Christianity. Pictured: the Dome of the Rock on the Temple Mount, an Islamic shrine constructed over the site of the Second Jewish Temple. Note: All of the music for these programs comes from the book and two-CD boxed set Jerusalem--City of Two Peaces: Heavenly Peace and Earthly Peace, with Jordi Savall and his ensembles Hesperion XXI, La Capella Reial de Catalunya with Montserrat Figueras, and Al Darwish. It is on the Alia Vox label, and is catalogue number AVSAM9863. Below, aside from the music list, is an excellent description of the project by Lewis Gropp.

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CD Info: CD1, 1 Fanfare of Jericho, 1200 B.C.E., The Trumpets of Jericho

Blame Not My Lute

After performing with the brilliant lutenist Ronn McFarlane for over 25 years, we finally commit to disc our program of Elizabethan and Jacobean poetry and drama about the lute accompanied by readings; the national broadcast premiere. Liner Notes Blame Not My Lute: Elizabethan Lute Music & Poetry In the liner notes for this tribute to the lute, Millennium of Music host Robert Aubry Davis writes about lute-inspired Elizabethan and Jacobean poetry and theater. ON SALE NOW! CDs are $12, plus shipping and handling. To order an advance copy, e-mail: [email protected] Please note that proceeds will support Millennium of Music.

Composer: Thomas Wyatt (1503-1542), John Dowland, Thomas Heywood (1574-1641), Shakespeare, Samuel Daniel (1562-1619), Thomas Campion (1567-1620), Robert Herrick (1591-1674), William Byrd (1539/40-1623), Richard Barnfield (1574-1627), Thomas D'Urfey (1653-1723), Sir John Davies (1569-1626)

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Spotlight on the Netherlands: What We Missed

A cantata, some sonatas, and whatever else we missed on our musical celebration of Handel and his time. We continue our long and fruitful association with our partners at Radio Netherlands in presenting a series of concerts from the 2009 Holland Festival of Early Music at Utrecht. The RNW web site provides more in-depth information about the music and performers we hear as well as more information about the festival (www.rnmusic.nl). The primary theme for 2009 was the 250th anniversary of the death of Handel and the 350th of the birth of Purcell. RNW has also prepared a short YouTube video introduction to the festival for this year: www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8gw2qGUaBw

Composer: GEORGE FREDERIC HANDEL (1685-1759), CHARLES AVISON (1709-1770), FRANCESCO GEMINIANI (1687-1762)

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Spotlight on the Netherlands: The Recorder Sonatas

Some of the most beautiful and haunting music in Handel's work is for recorder (or flute) and harpsichord--Eric Bosgraaf and Francesco Corti illustrate why. We continue our long and fruitful association with our partners at Radio Netherlands in presenting a series of concerts from the 2009 Holland Festival of Early Music at Utrecht. The RNW web site provides more in-depth information about the music and performers we hear as well as more information about the festival (www.rnmusic.nl). The primary theme for 2009 was the 250th anniversary of the death of Handel and the 350th of the birth of Purcell. RNW has also prepared a short YouTube video introduction to the festival for this year: www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8gw2qGUaBw

Composer: GEORGE FREDERIC HANDEL (1685-1759)

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