EarlyMusicNews.Org

“Ivan Hewett finds there’s a humanity in the group Concord of Nations's music-making at the Lufthansa Festival and a rich vein of fantasy. …”

Chansons from the French Renaissance

“The 16th-century Parisian chanson is a genre of secular song that departs from past fixed forms.  Evocative imagery, rich emotion, and vivid scenes are commonly found within chanson texts, and the music itself often highlights nuances of the French language.  Among others, compositions by Sandrin, Claudin de Sermisy and Clement Janequin are emblematic of the style.  Each demonstrates different descriptive and lyrical characteristics. …
    

Location: The Fairmont Chicago, 200 North Columbus Drive, Chicago IL, US

"A Musical Feast" Gala Benefit and Raffle offers a dazzling menu of unique items

“Did you know . . .
that Music of the Baroque's season continues after our concerts end? On June 1, we're hosting "A Musical Feast" at the Fairmont Chicago, an elegant black-tie affair that provides significant support for our programming and educational outreach activities.  …
    

New Titles Recently Released at LIM

•  "I Gesuiti e le Tarantole", Daniela Rota
• "Strumenti musicali e oggetti sonori nell´Italia meridionale e in Sicilia (VI-III sec. a.C), Funzioni rituali e contesti", Angela Bellia
• "Motetti in cantilena a quattro voci / con alcune canzoni per sonare ogni sorte di stromenti, con il basso per l´organo. 1613", Stefano Bernardi, a cura di Marco Materassi / Trascrizioni di Flavio Cinquetti
• "La festa teatrale nel Settecento / Dalla corte di Vienna alle corti d´Italia", a cura di Annarita Colturato e Andrea Merlotti
      
  

Lufthansa Festival of Baroque Music 2012 sends us an update to the festivities (Newsletter -- 15 may 2012) and of “hard-to-get” tickets to its Westminster Abbey tickets. If you are in the area, make sure to catch a concert or two if tickets are still available.
     

IYAP SELECTED PROMISING ENSEMBLES 2012

Background

“The International Young Artist's Presentation (IYAP) is an ideal platform for young, talented ensembles. IYAP focuses on young vocal and instrumental ensembles playing historical instruments. The coaching sessions - led by the American soprano Jill Feldman! - are an essential part of IYAP. After the coaching, the ensembles will perform at historical locations in Antwerp during the festival Laus Polyphoniae. During these concerts a lot of Belgian and international organizers will be present. They will give the ensembles tips for their future career. Afterwards, the selected ensembles will be promoted by the IYAP-organizers. And they will be honoured with the title "IYAP Selected Promising Ensemble 2012".“

(Continue reading to learn of the awarded ensembles.)

Location: Sint-Truiden BE

“From 21st until 23rd September 2012 Sint-Truiden will be the venue for the first edition of Canto Aperto, a (re)new(ing) festival of Gregorian chant. In 2012 the focus will be on the regional variations in different traditions and on the diversity of the repertoire from the area between Meuse and Rhine in the 12th and 13th century. …
    

(From the latest Jean Cassignol newsletter 15 may 2012)

The complete 24 Caprices op. 1
Arranged for treble (alto) recorder or transverse flute by Jean Cassignol
Jean-Claude Soldano (France) publisher

First French complete edition for transverse flute since Jules Herman's (Choudens Pub, 1902) and Patrick Gallois' (Alphonse Leduc Pub, 1994)
First complete edition for treble (alto) recorder

Location: Venice, Island of San Giorgio Maggiore, IT

“This year’s early music seminar will explore a repertory that is as unusual as it is neglected: music for child soloists in Paris in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. The repertoire fl ourished above all in choirs and ensembles in the various churches and convents in the city (especially the Sainte Chapelle and the monastery of Port Royal) as well as in Jesuit and other religious schools in general. Music was composed to be performed by child soloists in other places too, however: opera houses, theatres, lay musical schools frequented by the children of the lower nobility and the drawing rooms of the courts of Paris and Versailles. …

Location:  Venice, Island of San Giorgio Maggior, IT

On Monday 28 May, at 17.00, the final concert of the 2012 edition of the Egida Sartori and Laura Alvini Early Music Seminars will be held on the Island of San Giorgio Maggiore. The participants will be directed by da Davitt Moroney. Free Entrance.
     

Location: University of Chichester, College Lane, Bishop Otter Campus, PO19 6PE Chichester, UK

45th Annual International Summer School

The Dolmetsch Historical Dance Summer School is at the University of Chichester 4th-11th August 2012. This year we are offering three separate intermediate classes: 15thC Italian, Late Renaissance dance, 18thC Europe. There are optional workshops at advanced and beginner’s levels and a variety of entertaining evening events.
    

Winners of the NCEM 2012 Composers Award

The NCEM  Composers Award 2012, presented in partnership with BBC Radio 3 and The Tallis Scholars, has been won by Alex Woolf (16) in the under 18 years category and by Benjamin Rowarth (20) in the 19 to 25 years category.

Lux Aeterna by Alex Woolf and Where is Thy God? by Benjamin Rowarth will be premièred by The Tallis Scholars in Durham Cathedral as part of its Diamond Jubilee Celebrations on Saturday 2 June 2012. This concert will be broadcast on BBC       Radio 3’s Early Music Show on Sunday 1 July 2012.
    

“CFP: A-R Editions

A-R Editions seeks proposals for editions of music to be included in the seven Recent Researches in Music series (Middle Ages and Early Renaissance, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Nineteenth and Early Twentieth Centuries, American Music, and Oral Traditions). Each edition is usually devoted to works by a single composer or to a single genre of composition and contains an introduction to the music and its historical context, a critical report, and translations of vocal texts.

A-R Editions also seeks proposals for editions of music to be included in the Collegium Musicum: Yale University series. This series seeks to present a varied selection of works that draws from a particular repertory or historical context or that reflects a particular thematic focus. The works should be of interest to early music performers and ensembles (medieval through mid-18th century).
    

(From the latest GEMS Newsletter of 17 may 2012)

“Beginning next season GEMS will be collaborating with the Americas Society on a new series "GEMAS—Early Music of the Americas." The opening concert, part of our Fifth Anniversary celebration, will be a recital by the celebrated lutenist Paul O'Dette on Thursday, November 9.  Details coming soon!”

“Save the Date! GEMS' Fifth Anniversary Gala will be held on Thursday, October 4, 2012, following Sinfonia New York's performance of "The Art & Ecstasy of the Chaconne." The New York Times called this performance "impeccable" and "sizzling" when it was last presented. …”
    

For your viewing and listening pleasure, a link to the TUMAPRODUCTIONS YouTube channel where you will find various videos, and, in particular that of Riccardo Minasi and iL Pomo d’Oro short video. You may also want to listen to all of the videos in sequence (an option on that page).
    

For those of you seeking high quality early music downloads, you may want to browse the “New 24-bit Releases” pages at eClassica. Additionally, if you subscribe to their newsletter, you will also get weekly notices of great deals on downloads. Of note this week on their “New 24-bit Releases”:“C.P.E. Bach - The Solo Keyboard Music 25”; “Beethoven - Complete Works for Solo Piano, Volume 12”; “C.P.E. Bach: Solo Keyboard Music, Volume 24” … and more.
    

“At your listening posts: Wednesday, May 23 at 14:00h, Les Passions, Les Éléments, Anne Magoüet, Vincent Lièvre-Picard, Jean-François Novelli, Alain Buet, led by Jean-Marc Andrieu, interpret Jean Gilles  in the afternoon concert of France Musique presented by Anne-Charlotte Rémond. Concert to listen again on August 26 at the Festival de la Chaise-Dieu.” (Translated Editor)
    

“May 2nd,  Jean-Marc Andrieu led the baroque orchestra “Les Passons” and the chambre choir “Les Éléments” at the Church Saint-Étienne of Toulouse. The group interpreted the “Te Deum” and the “Mass in D” by composer Jean Gilles. …” (translation -- Editor)
    

Raise a Glass!

Location: Enoch Turner Schoolhouse, 106 Trinity St. (King & Parliament Sts), Toronto ON, CA

“In honour of Enoch Turner, one of Toronto’s first brewmasters, join the Toronto Consort for its Annual Fundraising Event at the Enoch Turner Schoolhouse with special early music in praise of food and drink (and of course the food and drink itself). Enjoy an evening of entertainment, including musical selections performed by The Toronto Consort, a complimentary wine bar, delectable appetizers, and a wine tasting courtesy of MCO Wines—interesting Wines & Spirits  …
    

“We  [The English Concert] are absolutely delighted to announce success in our application for an Arts Council Catalyst Award of £180,000 over three years. The Catalyst Arts : capacity building and match funding scheme to which we applied supports organisations in building their fundraising capability over a three-year period. Grants of between £120,000 and £240,000 have been awarded to 173 organisations nationwide.

Over 350 applications were received, and only 4 awards granted to classical music organisations in London, our home town, so this is a real vote of confidence by Arts Council England in The English Concert's ability to build upon recent success in fundraising to increase its profile nationally and abroad. …”
    

For the Shakespeare enthusiasts, a reminder from the “Shakespeare Birthplace Trust” of the upcoming month of June 2012 events. There is quite a bit going on this month and it may be worthwhile to browse through the calendar of events on their website.
    

A reminder from the“Festival Embar(o)quement immédiat!” of its 2nd weekend of festivities.

“”Nuit (baroque) du musée”, Concerts, Invitation to dance, musical voyage musical to Germany, conference on music and painting ...“  The festival goes on for another 2 weeks. If you are in the area, make sure to drop by for an event or two or … more!
    

Location: Saint Peter’s Church in CitiCorp Center, East 54th Street and Lexington Ave (619 Lexington Ave.), NYC NY, US

Viola da Gamba Virtuoso Lisa Terry and Baroque Cellist Angela Yeung will present “Due Bassi: Virtuosic Baroque Duets for Violoncello and Viola da Gamba“. This will be part of the Early Music at Saint Peter’s Church concert series. The program is of original duets and arrangements for two bass instruments from the 18th century, featuring works by Boismortier, Rameau, Corelli, Mondoville, Geminiani and more.

This performance is offered in memory of Elizabeth Guiher.
    

“Out of more than 4,300 international category entries in WorldFest-Houston's 10 major Remi Award Competitions, Harpsichord Unlimited won a Silver Award (Into the Light) and a Bronze Award (Concertino Cubano). The Remi takes its name from artist Frederick Remington, who captured the spirit of Texas and the West with his paintings and sculptures. …
    

Harmonia Mundi Newsletter of March 10, 2012 reminds us to surf to their website and to take stock of their latest releases. 

“Leading off the month on Harmonia Mundi is Richard Egarr's new recording of Bach's Brandenburg Concertos (p.5), Egarr's keep scholarship and musical joie3-de-vivre are present in equal measure in a set that is sure to win the hearts of critics everywhere. ... Philippe Herreweghe returns to the music of JS Bach with Jesu, deine Passion, a new disc of cantatas (p.3). ... New from The Tallis Scholars is a disc of masses by Josquin for Gimell (p.14) ..."