Hespèrion XXI

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Hespèrion XXI (pronounced: Hesperion veintiuno ; previously spoken: Hespèrion XX : Hesperion veinte ) is an international ensemble that has specialized in the interpretation of early music in the sense of historical performance practice . It was founded in Basel in 1974 by Jordi Savall (string instruments, especially gamba ) and his wife Montserrat Figueras (vocalist, soprano), Lorenzo Alpert (flutes, percussion) and Hopkinson Smith (plucked instruments).

Name and program

The ancient Greeks called the almost inaccessible land of Hispania at the western end of the Mediterranean Sea Hesperia . Hesperos ( evening star ) they called the planet Venus , which cannot be reached directly by humans , and which appears in the western evening sky. For the founders of the group, the name Hesperion XXI (or XX ) stood for a distant, unknown music country that was (was) to be discovered from the 21st (20th) century. This applies to early music in Germany and Italy, but in a special way to that of Spain , where the cultural strand of this music was completely torn off by the Reconquista , the recapture of Spain from the Moors . The name of the group therefore reflects its program: It tries to approach early music without, however, denying the great temporal distance to this music.

The musical way

Medieval music

The ensemble's first recordings dealt with secular music from Spain between 1450 and 1550. Jordi Savall contrasted Christian and Jewish musical traditions. Songs from the circle of King Ferdinand and the Duke of Alba are juxtaposed with romances from the Sephardim .

In the mid-1970s, when Hespèrion XX released his first records, historical performance practice was still in its infancy. Jordi Savall placed the content of medieval pieces of music and their contemporary interpretation at the center of the efforts of Hespèrion XX. The group concentrated above all on the repertoire in which vocal and instrumental elements are closely related. This is especially true of secular music.

The group was shaped in their vocal program by the soprano voice of Montserrat Figueras. With the Trobairitz love songs it made it possible to reopen a repertoire that had previously been neglected.

The turn to baroque music

Hespèrion XX first made a name for himself with recordings of medieval music. From the 1980s the ensemble opened up to baroque music by integrating several viols. In 1981, a record with dances by the Englishman William Brade from around 1600 was produced under the title Hamburger Ratsmusik .

From the late 1980s, when almost all performers of early music were forced to specialize in one epoch (Middle Ages, Renaissance or Baroque), Jordi Savall made Hespèrion XX primarily the administrator of French and English instrumental music, which was integrated into the orchestra Viols very accommodating. But Savall avoided any "drawer" thinking and any thematic narrowing. With the group renamed Hespèrion XXI , he turned to Sephardic music in the diaspora in 1999, to music around Isabella I of Castile in 2004 and to music to Don Quixote in 2005 .

Appreciation

Hespèrion XXI was and is a guest in all international concert halls and at all major festivals. The ensemble received multiple praise from the audience and critics. His recordings have been awarded numerous music prizes (see list: Awards ).

In view of the more than 30 years of activity of the group, it was said: The dream of Hermann Hesse in his Glasperlenspiel , that the revival of early music would be one of the cultural achievements of the 20th century, "also became reality thanks to the work of Hespèrion XX / XXI ".

Prices

  • Grand Prix de l'académie du Disque Français
  • Edison Prize Amsterdam
  • Grand Prize of the Charles Cros Academy of France
  • Grand Prize of the Japanese Recording Academy
  • Cannes Classic Award
  • Diapason d'or
  • Grand Prix FNAC
  • Giorgio Gini Foundation Prize
  • ECHO Klassik (2013) Chamber music recording of the year

Discography

The following recordings are ranked according to the date of publication. However, the latest CD edition, if available, is given.

Recordings as Hespèrion XX:

  • 1976 - Secular Music in Christian and Jewish Spain (1450–1550) . Information on medieval.org (English)
Current CD edition:
  • Music from Christian & Jewish Spain . Virgin Veritas 5615912 (2 CDs). (The two CDs are entitled: Court Music and Songs from the Age of the Discoverers 1492–1553 y Sephardic Romances from the Age before the Expulsion of the Jews from Spain 1492 )
  • 1977 - Canciones y Danzas de España . Songs and dances of the Cervantes period (1547–1616). Information on medieval.org (English). Current CD edition: see compilations / recompilations España antigua .
  • 1978 - Musicque de Ioye . Astrée (Naïve) ES 9966. Information on medieval.org (English)
  • 1978 - Cansós de Trobairitz . Lyrik der Trobairitz, around 1200 Information on medieval.org (English).
Current CD edition:
  • 1990 EMI Clectrola GmbH, Cologne CDM 7 63417 2
  • 1978 - El Barroco Español . Tonos humanos & instrumental music c. 1640-1700. Virgin Veritas 61346. Information on medieval.org (English)
  • 1978 - Samuel Scheidt: Ludi Musici (Prima Pars) . Paduana, galliarda, couranta, alemande, intrada, canzonetto… information on medieval.org (English). Current CD edition: see compilations / recompilations A Musical Banquet
  • 1979 - Llibre Vermell de Montserrat . A pilgrimage of the 14th century. Virgin Veritas 5611742. Information on medieval.org (English)
Current CD edition:
  • Llibre Vermell de Montserrat . A pilgrimage of the 14th century. 1989 Digital remastering Electrola GmbH under exclusive license to Virgin Classics, EMI 7243 5 61174 2 6, LC 7873
  • 1979 - Giovanni Gabrieli - Giuseppe Guami . Canzoni da sonare à 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 ed 10 voci con Bc Information on medieval.org (English). Current CD edition: see compilations / recompilations A Musical Banquet .
  • 1980 - Orlande de Lassus: Sacræ cantiones . Collegium vocale , miembros del Knabenchor Hannover y Hespèrion XX. Musique en Wallonie MWH 1002 (LP). Information on medieval.org (English)
  • 1982 - Battaglie e lamenti - Battle and Lament . DG Archive 2533 468 (LP). Information on medieval.org (English)
  • 1983 - XXIII Fantasies par Eustache du Caurroy . Astrée (Naïve) ES 9931. Information on medieval.org (English)
  • 1983 - François Couperin: Les Nations (1726) . Astrée (Naïve) ES 9956 (2 CDs). (Information medieval.org - in English)
  • 1983 - Brade: Hamburg council music around 1600 . Intrades, Paduans and Gallillions. German Harmonia Mundi 77476 (2 CDs). Information on medieval.org (English)
  • 1984 - Viva rey Ferrando . Renaissance music from the Neapolitan Court, 1442–1556. Virgin Veritas 5 61222 2 2. Information on medieval.org (English)
  • 1985 - Tobias Hume: Poeticall musicke . Paul Hillier y Hespèrion XX. Deutsche Harmonia Mundi (BMG) 77847. Information on medieval.org (English)
  • 1986 - François Couperin: Les Apothéoses (1724/1725) . Concert instrumental sous le titre d'Apothéose composé à la mémoire immortelle de l'incomparable M. de Lully. Astrée (Naïve) ES 9947. Information on medieval.org (English)
  • 1986 - Johann Sebastian Bach: The Art of Fugue . Alia Vox AV 9818 A + B (2 CDs). Alia Vox AVSA 9818 A + B (SACD). Information on medieval.org (English)
  • 1986 - Antonio de Cabezón (1510-1566). Instrumental works . Information on medieval.org (English). Current CD edition: see compilations / recompilations España antigua .
  • 1986 - Johann Hermann Schein: Banchetto musicale . Virgin Veritas CDM 7243 5 61399 2 3. Information on medieval.org (English)
  • 1987 - Ensaladas . Flecha, Heredia, Arauxo. Hespèrion XX y Studio musicae Valencia . Astrée (Naïve) ES 9961. Information on medieval.org (English)
  • 1987 - Hammerschmidt: Four suites from "First Fleiss" . Ars Musici 1170. Information on medieval.org (English)
  • 1988 - John Dowland: Lachrimæ or Seven Teares 1604 . Astrée (Naïve) ES 9949. Information on medieval.org (English)
  • 1988 - Juan del Enzina: Romances & Villancicos, Salamanca, 1496 . Astrée (Naïve) ES 9925. Information on medieval.org (English)
  • 1989 - Christopher Tye: Lawdes Deo . Astrée (Naïve) ES 9939. Information on medieval.org (English)
  • 1989 - Johann Rosenmüller: Sonate da Camera & Symphony, 1654–1682 . Astrée (Naïve) ES 9979. Information on medieval.org (English)
  • 1990 - Jenkins: Consort Music for Viols in six parts . Astrée (Naïve) ES 9962. Information on medieval.org (English)
  • 1991 - Lope de Vega: Intermedios del Barroco Hispánico . Astrée (Auvidis) E 8729. Information on medieval.org (English)
  • 1992 El Cancionero de Palacio, 1474-1516 . Music en la corte de los Reyes Católicos. Astrée (Naïve) ES 9943. Information on medieval.org (English)
  • 1992 El Cancionero de la Colombina, 1451-1506 . Música en el tiempo de Cristóbal Colón. Astrée (Naïve) ES 9954. Information on medieval.org (English)
  • 1992 El Cancionero de Medinaceli, 1516-1556 . Música en el tiempo de Carlos V. Astrée (Naïve) ES 9973. Information on medieval.org (English)
  • 1992 - Cristóbal de Morales: Officium Defunctorum. Missa Pro Defunctis . La Capella Reial de Catalunya y Hespèrion XX. Astrée (Naïve) ES 9926. Information on medieval.org (English)
  • 1992 - Francisco Guerrero: Sacrae Cantiones . La Capella Reial de Catalunya y Hespèrion XX. Astrée (Naïve) ES 9953. Information on medieval.org (English)
  • 1992 - Tomás Luís de Victoria: Cantica Beatae Virginis . La Capella Reial de Catalunya y Hespèrion XX. Astrée (Naïve) ES 9975. Information on medieval.org (English)
  • 1993 - Alfonso X El Sabio: Cantigas de Santa Maria . Strela do dia. La Capella Reial de Catalunya y Hespèrion XX. Astrée (Naïve) ES 9940. Information on medieval.org (English)
  • 1994 - Folias & Canarios . Astrée (Naïve) ES 9974. Information on medieval.org (English)
  • 1994 - Matthew Locke: Consort of Fower Parts . Astrée (Naïve) ES 9921. Information on medieval.org (English)
  • 1994 - Jeanne La Pucelle . (BSO). La Capella Reial de Catalunya y Hesperion XX. Astrée (Naïve) ES 9938. Information on medieval.org (English)
  • 1995 - Henry Purcell: Fantasias for the Viols (1680) . Astrée (Naïve) ES 9922. Information on medieval.org (English)
  • 1997 - Samuel Scheidt: Ludi Musici, Hamburg, 1621 . Astré (Naïve) ES 9980. Information on medieval.org (English)
  • 1998 - Joan Cabanilles, 1644-1712 . Batalles, Tientos & Passacalles. Alia Vox AV 9801. Information on medieval.org (English)
  • 1998 - Elizabethan Consort Music, 1558-1603 . Alberti, Parsons, Strogers, Taverner, White, Woodcock, Anonymes. Alia Vox AV 9804. Information on medieval.org (English)

Recordings as Hespèrion XXI:

  • 1999 - Díaspora Sefardí . Romances & Música instrumental. Alia Vox AV 9809 A + B (2 CDs). Information on medieval.org (English)
  • 2000 - Anthony Holborne: The Tears of the Muses . Elizabethan Consort Music, Vol. II. Alia Vox AV 9813. Information on medieval.org (English)
  • 2000 - Carlos V . Mille Regretz: La Canción del Emperador. La Capella Reial de Catalunya y Hespèrion XXI. Alia Vox AV 9814 (CD). Alia Vox AVSA 9814 (SACD-H). Information on medieval.org (English)
  • 2000 - Battaglie & Lamenti (1600-1660) . Monteverdi, Peri, Fontei, Strozzi. Alia Vox AV 9815. Information on medieval.org (English)
  • 2001 - Ostinato . Falconiero, Marini, Merula, Ortiz, Pachelbel, Purcell, Rossi, Valente & Anonimi. Alia Vox AV 9820. Information on medieval.org (English)
  • 2002 - William Lawes: Consort Sets in Five & Six parts . Alia Vox AV 9823 A + B (2 CDs). Information on medieval.org (English)
  • 2003 - Alfonso Ferrabosco, the Younger: Consort Music to the Viols in 4, 5 & 6 Parts . Alia Vox AV 9832. Information on medieval.org (English)
  • 2003 - Villancicos y Danzas Criollas . De la Ibéria Antigua al Nuevo Mundo, 1559-1759. La Capella Reial de Catalunya y Hespèrion XXI. Alia Vox AV 9834. Information on medieval.org (English)
  • 2004 - Isabel I, Reina de Castilla (Musicas Reales, vol. III) . Luces y Sombras en el tiempo de la primera gran Reina del Renacimiento 1451–1504. La Capella Reial de Catalunya y Hespèrion XXI. Alia Vox AV 9838 (CD). Alia Vox AVSA 9838 (SACD-H). Information on medieval.org (English)
  • 2005 - Don Quixote de la Mancha . Romances y Músicas. La Capella Reial de Catalunya y Hespèrion XXI. Alia Vox AVSA 9843 A + B (2 SACD-H). Information on medieval.org (English)
  • 2005 - Altre Follie 1500-1750 . Albicastro, Cabanilles, Cabezón, Corbetta, Correlli, Falconiero, Piccinini, Sanz, Storace, Vivaldi & Anon. Alia Vox AV 9844 (CD). Alia Vox AVSA 9844 (SACD-H). Information on medieval.org (English)
  • 2006 - Orient - Occident . Alia Vox AV 9848 (CD). Alia Vox AVSA 9848 (SACD-H). Information on medieval.org (English)
  • 2006 - Christophorus Columbus. Paraísos Perdidos . La Capella Reial de Catalunya y Hespèrion XXI. Alia Vox AVSA 9850 (SACD-H). Information on medieval.org (English)
  • 2010 - The Borgia Dynasty La Capella Reial de Catalunya, Hespèrion XXI. Alia Vox 9874
  • 2011 - Hispania & Japan - Dialogues La Capella Reial de Catalunya, Hespèrion XXI, Jordi Savall. Alia Vox 2011 (with Montserrat Figueras , Ken Zuckerman, Prabhu Edouard , Masako Hirao, Hiroyuki Koinuma, Ichiro Seki, Yukio Tanaka)
  • 2014 - Bal-Kan / Miel et sang - Honey and Blood .
  • 2018 - Bailar Cantando: Fiesta Mestiza en el Perú La Capella Reial de Catalunya, Hespèrion XXI, Jordi Savall, Tembembe Ensamble Continuo
  • 2019 - Ibn Battuta: The Traveler of Islam 1304–1377 Hespèrion XXI, Jordi Savall

Compilations / recompilations:

  • 2001 - España Antigua . Virgin 7243 5 61 964 2 1. Information on medieval.org (English). A CD box with the following recordings
    • Cansós de Trobairitz
    • Llibre Vermell de Montserrat
    • Secular Music in Christian and Jewish Spain (1450–1550) (2 CDs) . Here under the title: Court Music and Songs from the Age of the Discoverers 1492–1553 y Sephardic Romances from the Age before the Expulsion of the Jews from Spain 1492
    • Viva rey Ferrando . Here under the title: Renaissance music from the Neapolitan Court, 1442–1556
    • Antonio de Cabezón (1510-1566). Instrumental works
    • Canciones y Danzas de España .
    • El Barroco Español - Tonos humanos & Instrumental music c.1640–1700 .
  • 2001 - Music for the Spanish Kings . Virgin Veritas 7243 5 61875 2 8. Information on medieval.org (English). A box with 2 CDs of the following recordings:
    • Viva rey Ferrando . Here under the title: Renaissance music from the Neapolitan Court, 1442–1556
    • Antonio de Cabezón (1510-1566). Instrumental works
  • 2002 - A Musical Banquet . Schein, Scheidt, Gabrieli. Virgin Veritas 7243 5 62 028 2 5. Information on medieval.org (English). Box with the following recordings:
    • Johann Hermann Schein: Banchetto musicale
    • Samuel Scheidt: Ludi Musici (prima pars)
    • Giovanni Gabrieli - Giuseppe Guami: Canzoni da sonare
  • 2003 - Pieces for the viols . Astrée (Naïve) "Musica Britannica" ES 9986. Information on medieval.org (English). Box with 5 CDs of the following recordings
    • Matthew Locke: Consort of Fower Parts
    • Tobias Hume: Musical Humors (1605)
    • Christopher Tye: Lawdes Deo - Complete Consort Musicke
    • John Dowland: Lachrimae or Seven Teares (1604)
    • Henry Purcell: Fantasias for the Viols (1680)
  • 2004 - Jordi Savall - Music in Europe 1550–1650 . Virgin "Classics" 7243 4 82025 2 9. Information on medieval.org (English). A box with 5 CDs of the following recordings:
    • Antonio de Cabezón (1510-1566). Instrumental works
    • Canciones y Danzas de España .
    • Giovanni Gabrieli - Giuseppe Guami: Canzoni da sonare
    • Johann Hermann Schein: Banchetto musicale
    • Samuel Scheidt: Ludi Musici (prima pars)

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Much of the information in this article comes from: Wolfgang Lempfried: 20 years HESPÈRION XX - A portrait . Broadcast manuscript of the Süddeutscher Rundfunk, Stuttgart 1994.
  2. ↑ The group was originally founded under the name Hespèrion XX  . True to her program she renamed herself Hespèrion XXI for the Millennium , the celebrations at the turn of the year 1999/2000 .
  3. ↑ so in: You look great at 60 - the Schwetzingen SWR Festival (2) (1967–1981) , SWR2 music lesson with Hans Hachmann, broadcast on Wednesday, May 30, 2012, broadcast manuscript (PDF; 160 kB) Retrieved December 9, 2012
  4. ↑ Prize Winner 2013 ( Memento from June 17, 2014 in the Internet Archive ) echoklassik.de; Retrieved October 8, 2013