BATTUTE E PIZZICATO : Celebrating the 17th-Century Guitar
An intriguing program of music from 17th-century Spain and Italy, for voices and instruments in groupings large and small, featuring duos for guitar and harp or hurdy gurdy, solo songs with diverse accompanying instruments, ensemble songs, and dance pieces like the chacona, jacaras and canario making inventive use of the colourful sounds of the guitar, harp, recorders, viola da gamba, percussion and hurdy gurdy.
In works by Foscarini, Montesardo, Moulinié, Marini, Landi, Luis de Briçeño, Kapsberger, Sanz, Juan de Arañes and others, the program explores the development and dissemination of the ‘chitarra espagñola’ through the 17th century, tracing its Spanish roots, its popularity and development in Italy, influences from Rome, and its continued musical importance in Spain at the end of the century.
Bringing this richly evocative music to life are The Musicians of the Egg, back in the musical saddle after their enthusiastically-received return to concertizing in January of this year. They are Michele DeBoer, soprano; Laura Pudwell, mezzo; Cory Knight, tenor; Olivier Laquerre, baritone; Jonathan Stuchbery, guitar; Alison Melville, recorders; Ben Grossman, percussion and hurdy gurdy, with special guests Felix Deák, viola da gamba, and Julia Seager Scott, triple harp.