EMS "Early Music Today" 27/10/2024

[AuntDaisy]

This "Early Music Today" is, currently, a little short on details... Perhaps Early Music News is back with HF?

Early Music Today - The Early Music Show

Hannah French chats to violinist Adrian Chandler to mark the 30th anniversary of his ensemble La Serenissima. She also pays tribute to Deborah Roberts - soprano and artistic director of the Brighton Early Music Festival - who died last month. And she delves into some recent new releases of early music and looks ahead to the London International Festival of Early Music, which takes place in November.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002452h

The Guardian's Deborah Roberts obituary & photo.

[oddoneout]

However with luck it will, unlike other somewhat bitty programmes, have plenty of interest. I have just had a rather unsettling thought though as to whether EMS will be turned into a magazine programme - EMS news gone large - or more accurately rogue.

[smittims]

I had thought it might mention the recent trend for writing new music for period instruments, such as The World Seen From Above, by Sygne Lykke, played in yesterday's TTN. Strictly speaking the idea dates back to the 1960s with Mauricio Kagel's Music for Renaissance intruments. I can imagine some early music fans might be annoyed by it and feel it's some sort of 'cultural appropriation', but I think its an idea worth investigating.

[oddoneout]

I had thought it might mention the recent trend for writing new music for period instruments, such as The World Seen From Above, by Sygne Lykke, played in yesterday's TTN. Strictly speaking the idea dates back to the 1960s with Mauricio Kagel's Music for Renaissance intruments. I can imagine some early music fans might be annoyed by it and feel it's some sort of 'cultural appropriation', but I think its an idea worth investigating.

https://www.youngcomposersaward.co.uk/

In the past I have heard several interesting and engaging works from this scheme, although I've not followed it so much recently. I liked hearing the composers talk about how they approached and dealt with the challenges of being given a particular instrumental framework for which they have to write, for instance a viol consort. It means they have to research the characteristics and capabilities of those instruments(which for most are unfamiliar) and work closely with the players, perhaps pushing boundaries in the process. The players also seem to find it rewarding, partly because of the infectious enthusiasm of youth and also because of the fresh eye on the repertoire, how the instruments are used and the different sound world that may emerge. A common thread for the composers was how much participation in the competition adds to their composition work in general, not just in relation to the early music world.
I note that the winners' pieces are being recorded and will be aired on a future EMS.

[smittims]

Thanks for that. I was unaware of this initiative. Increasingly, 'early music' and 'contemporary music' seem to be two opposed camps, so this is welcome. .

[AuntDaisy]

The R3 webpage for tomorrow's EMS has been updated...

Early Music Today - The Early Music Show

Presenter Hannah French chats to internationally renowned interpreter of Italian baroque music Adrian Chandler to mark the 30th anniversary of his ensemble, La Serenissima.
She also pays tribute to Deborah Roberts, soprano and artistic director of the Brighton Early Music Festival, who died last month.
There are some new releases from the Newe Vialles - a London-based viol consort, performing music from the time of Charles I - and from violinist Davina Clarke.
Plus Hannah will have all the latest Early Music news, looking forward to next month's London International Festival of Early Music and also Dutch organist and Amsterdam Baroque director Ton Koopman's 80th birthday.