Houston Early Music News

Lachrimae

One of the world’s leading viola da gamba consorts, Fretwork, brings their contemporary sensibility to John Dowland’s famous collection, Lachrimae. To honor the 450th anniversary of Dowland’s birth, we embark on a transcendental voyage from despair to hope through an extraordinary collection of music for viols and lute based on his most famous song, Flow my teares. 

Over the last 25 years, this U.K.-based ensemble has brought music old and new to audiences hitherto unfamiliar with the inspiring sound-world of the viol.  For their 2013 Tour, Fretwork will be joined by the incomparable British lutenist Elizabeth Kenny.

The concert is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 2, 2013 at First Christian Church, 1601 Sunset Blvd., Houston 77005. A pre-concert talk with ensemble members starts at 6:45 p.m.

An Early American Christmas: Carols, Country Dances, Hymns and Spiritual Songs

Like Saint Nicholas, The Rose Ensemble returns to Houston for a joyful evening of glad tidings and good cheer.  From Shaker hymns and Colonial anthems to ballads, country dances and shape-note hymns, this extraordinary performance highlights the early forms that will later give birth to bluegrass and old-time music.  Journey through the dance halls of Boston to the hills of Appalachia, as the singers and instrumentalists explore the harmonies of early American Christmastide music.

The ensemble, regularly featured on American Public Media and National Public Radio’s Performance Today, reawakens history with vocal music that stirs the emotions, challenges the mind, and lifts the spirit.  Experience a fresh take on the sounds of the traditional yuletide season!

The Yuletide celebration will start at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 15, 2013 at Christ Church Cathedral, 1117 Texas Ave., Houston 77002. A pre-concert talk with ensemble members begins at 4:15 p.m 

Emerging Artists Series:

Muse, Modes, and Magic (and also Mary)

The youthful and adventurous ensemble The Broken Consort explores music as an ethereal art with magical powers in Muse, Modes, and Magic (and also Mary). The group traces the relationship of these constant elements throughout early philosophy, music and literature, with a diverse secular and sacred repertoire from the 12th to early 17th century. And like the early broken consort, the artists play a mixed group of instruments including lute, oud, vielle, gamba, lute, harp, percussion, and voices.

The Boston-based ensemble is redefining the standard conception and presentation of early music.  Explore the philosophies and themes that have captivated our culture for centuries through these exquisite works.

The event is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., Friday, January 17, 2014 at Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, 4930 W. Bellfort, Houston 77035. A pre-concert talk with ensemble members begins at 6:45 p.m.

Forward to the Past: 25 Years of the Orlando Consort

The Orlando Consort anniversary celebration begins with the chansons from Guillaume de Machaut’s master work, Le Voir Dit  - a story of the extraordinary epistolary exchange between the aging poet and his young female admirer, Peronne. 

Next, the British male vocal quartet offers up an indulgent review of the Consort’s favorite fifteenth-century composers.  Featuring some of the finest examples of late medieval composition, the group showcases the sacred works of Dunstaple, Ockeghem, Compère, Josquin and many others featured in their extensive recordings. 

Enjoy an evening of captivating entertainment and fresh scholarly insight.  The unique imagination and originality of their programming combined with their superb vocal skills has marked The Orlando Consort one of Britain’s most important chamber music ensembles. 

The performance begins at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, February 11, 2014 at Zilkha Hall in the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, 800 Bagby, Houston 77002.  A pre-concert talk with ensemble members begins at 6:45 p.m.

Hispanic Heritage Series:

Salsa Baroque

During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, the musical dialogue between the Old and the New Worlds produced extraordinary results. The internationally acclaimed Ensemble Caprice calls this unique style and fascinating blend of European polyphony and Latin American traditional music Salsa Baroque.  Gems from this spectacular musical era will be performed on instruments that were common at the time:  flutes and recorders, baroque guitar, violoncello and various percussion instruments. 

Heralded as a group that encourages listeners to rehear the world, Ensemble Caprice returns to the Houston Early Music stage for another imaginative, incomparable performance during the 2013-2014 season.

The event is set for 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 11, 2014, at Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church, 6221 Main Street, Houston 77030. A pre-concert talk with ensemble director Matthias Maute begins at 6:45 p.m.