eem 03/04

Issue #44

Last Update March 2, 2006

Reviews Ensemble for Early Music's 30^th Season by David Katz The Ensemble for Early Music, reviewed several times in these pages (Daniel and the Lion, Ensemble for Early Music), has begun its 30^th concert season with a brilliant concert featuring its female singers in the music of 14^th Century France, Italy and Spain In prior seasons, the female singers seemed less interesting and less well-rehearsed than the male singers that long were the mainstay of the Ensemble. With this opening concert of the season, the women have come into their own, flawlessly performing an fascinating selection of magnificently composed and excitingly sung early music.

Gillaume de Machaut, the most celebrated French composer of the 14^th Century, well deserves his reputation. The pieces performed here included monophonic and harmonized selections, and a series of canons in three parts that were works of genius, the interplay of the voices resulting in harmonies that would not be equaled until Bach. The singers, sopranos and mezzos, sang with a sweetness and accuracy that were nothing short of angelic.

The Italian selections, by Magliabechiano Laudario and Francesco Landini, included laude in Praise of Women Saints, and madrigals and ballati. Spain was represented by pilgrim songs from Monteserrat, a pilgrimage destination near Barcelona. These songs have been collected in the Llibre Vermell, and include canons as well as songs and dances, and are in Latin as well as the vernacular.

Although most of the works were a capella, or with a harp accompaniment, several had singers doubling on drums or vielles (early violins). Special mention must be made of Christa Patton, who played harp and a large variety of wind instruments, from recorder to bagpipe. Her accompaniment often provided a necessary bottom to a chorus of soprano voices. Never obtrusive (except with bagpipes, which is unavoidable), Ms. Patton's skilled accompaniment and solos brought extra dimension to the performance, without making us lose track of the fact this was essentially a vocal concert.

The remainder of the Ensemble for Early Music's season include Palestrina and Lassus, 11/13/ and 11/16 at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine; Renaissance Christmas, 12/6, 12/14, 12/21 and 12/25 at the Cathedral; Austrian and German Baroque, 3/4/2004 at St. Vincent Ferrer Church; and Italian and Spanish Baroque, 5/6/2004 at St. Vincent Ferrer Church. See the EEM website (www.earlymusicny.org/eem) for details.

Under the able direction of Frederick Renz, the Ensemble has presented vocal and instrumental concerts of the highest quality for the past three decades. The current season promises to be one of its best.