Early Music Now is a one-hour program showcasing music from the Middle Ages, Renaissance and early Baroque: from sonorous medieval chant and polyphony to delightful Renaissance madrigals, dances, and consort music, to magnificent Baroque cantatas and keyboard music. Host Sara Schneider brings knowledge, charm and passion to her presentation of seven hundred years of music history. From the latest recordings by today's vibrant young ensembles, to classics from the dawn of the early music revival, Early Music Now makes this repertoire accessible and enjoyable to a wide audience.
Music for a Medici Pope: This week, we'll hear music that might have been heard at the court of Pope Leo X, who was born Giovanni di Lorenzo de' Medici in 1475. We'll hear a motet in Leo's honor by Andreas de Silva, plus works by Jean Mouton, whose music the pope admired. We'll hear performances by Cappella Pratensis, plus selections from The Lion's Ear featuring La Morra.
Musica Iberica: Our musical journey takes us to the Iberian Peninsula this week. We'll hear a recent release of music for the vihuela by Luis Milan, played by Pedro Alcacer. We'll also hear selections from the recording, O Lusitano, featuring Gerard Lesne and circa 1500, with vocal and instrumental music from Portugal.
Recent Releases: Host Sara Schneider shares recent releases on today's show, including Palestrina Revealed featuring the Choir of Clare College, Cambridge, directed by Graham Ross. We'll also hear Italian music of the 16th and 17th centuries from Scorrete lagrime mie with trombonist, Maximilien Brisson.
Music for Medieval Pilgrims: On today's show we'll hear music from two collections of medieval Spain: the 12th century Codex Calixtinus and the Codex Las Huelgas, which was compiled c.1300 in Burgos. Our performers include Psallentes, the Huelgas Ensemble, and Ensemble Organum.