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.
A Bach Family Album: In honor of J. S. Bach's birthday, we'll hear sacred works from the Ensemble polyharominque's CD, "Bach Family." In addition, we'll hear trio sonatas by Dietrich Buxtehude, a major influence on Bach.
lora Gave Me Fairest Flowers: Today's program celebrates the return of Spring with music about flowers! We'll hear Ego flos campi by Clemens non Papa, Ave rosa sine spinis by Ludwig Senfl, and the Sephardic song La rosa enflorece, along with works by James Oswald and John Wilbye.
Messe de Nostre Dame: This week the spotlight is on Guillaume de Machaut, the 14th century poet-composer whose works inspired Chaucer and other poets. We'll hear his Messe de Nostre Dame performed by Diabolus in Musica, along with motets from the Ivrea Codex and pieces by Philippe de Vitry sung by Musica Nova. Tracks from a recent release by the Orlando Consort are also included.
Holy Week: We're highlighting music for Holy Week on this edition of Early Music Now, including selections from And the Sun Darkened featuring New York Polyphony. We'll also hear portions of an oratorio for Holy Week by Luigi Rossi and a setting of Stabat Mater by William Cornysh. Our performers include Les Arts Florissants, The Sixteen, and Theatre of Voices.