Ensemble Nevermind: Bach's Goldberg Variations

Ensemble Micrologus

The rediscovery of music from the Italian Middle Ages – over the last 40 years, nobody has clothed it in such exciting and varied sounds as the Ensemble Micrologus. In their programme »Napoli aragonese«, the musicians travel back to the heyday of courtly music in 15th century Naples, where the entire panorama of French, Italian and Spanish styles mingled. The musicians led by singer Patrizia Bovi have been performing theme programmes since 1984. In their varied concerts, it is first and foremost the music of Italy between the 12th and 15th centuries, from both the secular and sacred spheres, that they bring to life for our times. Patrizia Bovi, wind player Goffredo Degli Esposti and Gabriele Russo, who focuses on the strings, attach great importance to new interpretations: They use ethno-musicological research to develop these into singing and playing techniques and by reconstructing old instruments. The Venetian carnival, the story of Robin Hood and Maid Marian or the music in the Tuscan novels of the Trecento have already been the subject of Bovi’s many stage productions. In the »Napoli aragonese«« programme, everything revolves around secular music at the Aragonese court in Naples. In the 15th century, the court band was leading among Europe’s royal orchestras. In a fruitful exchange, they cultivated a variety of Italian, Spanish and French styles such as ballata and barzelleta, canción and roundeaux.

Portico Quartet Ensemble

Since its emergence in the mid-2000s, the ever-evolving Portico Quartet has established itself at the forefront of London’s thrilling new jazz scene. Here the group presents an ‘augmented’ live version of its stunning minimalist, ambient-oriented album Terrain.

Ensemble Correspondances / Sébastien Daucé

When English King Charles II saw the sumptuously staged opera »Psyche« by Jean-Baptiste Lully at the French court of »Sun King« Louis XIV in 1671, he wanted to bring a similar spectacle to his London home. This was accomplished in 1675 and the semi-opera »Psyche« by Matthew Locke with large orchestra, singing, drama, ballet, colourful costumes and specially built stage machinery underwent its premiere as the first of its kind in England. At the Laeiszhalle, the handsome neo-baroque ambience now serves as the setting for a top-class concert performance with Sébastien Daucé and his Ensemble Correspondances. The love story between the ancient god Cupid and the human princess Psyche does not conform to their social standing: it must overcome many obstacles, the couple goes from heaven to hell and back again to finally receive a blessing from the other gods and goddesses. In typical baroque opera fashion, en route in all kinds of subplots the lovers encounter the entire spectrum of mythical figures – gods, demigods, furies, demons, cyclopes and many more romp about in the five acts of the plot. Matthew Locke and his librettist also added some comedic elements to the French original. Originally, the flamboyantly instrumented orchestra had to play several dances and interludes by Giovanni Battista Draghi, which have not been passed down. Instead, Sébastien Daucé inserts instrumental movements by Matthew Locke and shortens some of the spoken passages to give greater emphasis to the highly emotional arias. This produces a fascinating, entertaining insight into the origins of English opera, brilliantly played and of timeless beauty.

Bach's St John Passion

Laurence Cummings and AAM bring an Easter tradition to life: a performance of Johann Sebastian Bach’s St John Passion.

KCOV Excelsior: Bach's Christmas Oratorio

The Concertgebouw is right at the heart of Dutch music. That is why we love to welcome the best amateur orchestras and choirs of the Netherlands. To an amateur musician a performance at the Concertgebouw is always special, often marking the end of an extensive period of rehearsals. Please note: although these concerts are of a high standard, they are not performed by professional ensembles.

Goldberg Variations

Hana Blažíková / Bruce Dickey / The Breathtaking Collective Ensemble

Angels playing music were an extremely popular motif in the Renaissance – often, the heavenly figures sing accompanied by the cornet, an early brass instrument. Cornet virtuoso Bruce Dickey and soprano Hana Blažíková now trace the celestial tonal affinity of voice and instrument, accompanied by the Breathtaking Collective, with such enchantingly beautiful and highly virtuoso music of the 17th century. Bruce Dickey has completely dedicated himself to rediscovering the cornet. Today, largely disappeared from concert life, the wooden, in most cases crescent-shaped, instrument with a mouthpiece similar to those on trumpets was incredibly popular in the 16th and 17th century, especially in combination with singing. Like a second voice, the cornet ornaments the clear soprano of early music star Hana Blažíková, gets into sensitive dialogue and vies for the most splendid coloraturas and flourishes. The singer and cornetist, both of whom are regularly on stage with the greats of historical performance practice, such as Sir John Elliot Gardiner, Ton Koopman and Jordi Savall, have put together a fascinating selection of secular and sacred pieces for »On the Breath of Angels«. Accompanied by strings, theorbo, organ and harpsichord, dramatic operatic arias and intimate movements from motets sound. »Breathtaking listening experiences!« enthuses a reviewer of the related album. After this concert, one wonders how and why the cornet could have fallen so much out of fashion.

Concertgebouw Orchestra: Bach's St Matthew Passion

The week before Easter wouldn’t be complete without Bach’s always overwhelming St Matthew Passion, which for decades has been one of the most popular works among classical music lovers in the Netherlands. Bach composed the Passion nearly 300 years ago in such an emotional, compelling way that it leaves few listeners unmoved.The Concertgebouw Orchestra first performed the work in January 1891, and eight years later, the annual Passion tradition was officially established. This year’s Passion performance features Riccardo Minasi, one of the most interesting conductors to rise to fame in recent years, and a specialist in eighteenth-century music. Originally scheduled for 2020, his first appearance with the Concertgebouw Orchestra was postponed owing to the coronavirus pandemic. It’s high time he came to share his vision of Bach’s immortal masterpiece with the Concertgebouw Orchestra.

Concertgebouw Orchestra: Bach's St Matthew Passion

The week before Easter wouldn’t be complete without Bach’s always overwhelming St Matthew Passion, which for decades has been one of the most popular works among classical music lovers in the Netherlands. Bach composed the Passion nearly 300 years ago in such an emotional, compelling way that it leaves few listeners unmoved.The Concertgebouw Orchestra first performed the work in January 1891, and eight years later, the annual Passion tradition was officially established. This year’s Passion performance features Riccardo Minasi, one of the most interesting conductors to rise to fame in recent years, and a specialist in eighteenth-century music. Originally scheduled for 2020, his first appearance with the Concertgebouw Orchestra was postponed owing to the coronavirus pandemic. It’s high time he came to share his vision of Bach’s immortal masterpiece with the Concertgebouw Orchestra.

Bach's The Art of the Fugue

Four actors, four musicians, one unparalleled musical genius. From the theatrical imagination of Bill Barclay, a completely new journey into Bach’s astonishing The Art of Fugue.