EMA FEATURES & PRESS RELEASES
The Big Event for Palestrina 500 is in Grand Rapids
If you're in Europe, hoping to hear a deluxe celebration of Palestrina's 500th birthday, go to the Duomo in Milan. In North America, the biggest Palestrina 2025 party will be in Grand Rapids, Mich., where an ambitious Catholic church will host a dozen ensembles, from the Tallis Scholars and Gesualdo Six to their own parish choirs -- and all of it sung at regular Mass services.
Different Bow Strokes, Different Folks
How we educate future early musicians is among the most essential challenges facing the field. In historical performance, perhaps no two institutions represent the extremes of the scholarship vs performance continuum more than Cleveland's Case Western Reserve and New York's Juilliard School.
Deep River Spirituals: America’s ‘Broken Consort’ Songs
At the 2024 EMA Summit, countertenor Michael Walker II, viol player Philip Spray, and Alchymy Viols gave a presentation called 'Deep River.' One day, while rehearsing a famous spiritual, writes Walker, 'it reminded me of the viola da gamba in its ability to convey both sadness and joy.'
Boston Camerata’s First 70 Years
It all started in the basement of Boston's Museum of Fine Arts, where a collection of historical instruments had languished for decades. Seventy years later, the Boston Camerata's artistry and its attitudes about 'early music' and multicultural repertoire has influenced the entire field.
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EMA RECORDING & BOOK REVIEWS
The Magic of Turning Secular to Sacred
A sacred 'parody Magnificat' pays homage to another composer's smaller work, such as a secular madrigal. The parody's craftsmanship and originality display reverence for the original. A recent album of Magnificats by Orlandus Lassus, alongside the pieces that served as inspiration, is a brilliant game of matched pairs.
Cinquecento Revive Ludwig Daser’s Legacy
Influential at the Bavarian court in the 16th century, Ludwig Daser and his music were overshadowed by his posthumously more celebrated contemporaries. But Daser's lyrical gifts and structural innovations are gaining adherents, including the pan-European vocal ensemble Cinquecento. Their latest recording capture all the tension and exuberance of this remarkable music.
Celebrating Frans Brüggen’s Rare Recorders
The great recorder virtuoso, conductor, and early-music pioneer Frans Brüggen died a decade ago, but his legacy remains strong. One of today's brightest stars borrowed rare instruments from Brüggen's collection. With limited time on fragile instruments, she plays to each of their strengths, often with 'breath-taking intimacy.'
He Said/She Said in French Courtly Love
Medieval ensemble Trobár celebrates women in 14th and 15th c. song, centered on poet Christine de Pizan and her musical circles, including (male) composers who are now famous, obscure or anonymous. It's a "he said/she said" dialogue on love, equality, and courtly virtues.
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COMMUNITY NEWS & PRESS RELEASES
At the Traverso Practice Net we're thrilled to introduce the latest addition to our series: the “Warm-up Toolbox for Traverso No. 2”. This enhanced collection offers fresh exercises designed to ...
MUSIC WORCESTER TO CELEBRATE BACH’S BIRTHDAY BASH MARCH 21-23, 2025 FOUR-CONCERT WEEKEND FEATURING PERFORMANCES BY PIANIST JEREMY DENK AND HANDEL & HAYDN SOCIETY ARE PART OF 11-YEAR PROJECT TO PRESENT ...
The American Bach Society is pleased to announce that the Frances Alford Brokaw Grant will award $1,500 to an undergraduate student to support a project relating to Bach or figures ...
We are offering a Consort Studio in central New Jersey, monthly sessions in ensemble playing for intermediate and above recorder players to play with one another and other instruments under ...
Brighten your December with daily music from Guts! Whether it’ll bring a moment of holiday joy or a moment of respite from a stressful season, treat yourself (and your loved ...
