Harpsichord and Voice Recital
with María Cristina Kiehr / soprano
& Jean-Marc Aymes / harpsichord
from the Concerto Soave
Tuesday 20 March
2012
The Shoe Factory, Nicosia / 8.30pm
In just a few years, Concerto Soave has become a leading reference in the
interpretation of Italian music of the Seicento. Born from the encounter of
soprano Maria Cristina Kiehr and harpsichordist Jean-Marc Aymes, the
Ensemble draws together soloists specialised in the 17th century repertoire,
essentially Italian. The ensemble takes the form of a Concerto in the
historical sense: "an instrumental jewel case richly coloured (archlute,
harp, viola da gamba, violins, harpsichord, organ...) destined to enshrine
one or more voices". For their recital at The Shoe Factory on Tuesday 20
March, Concerto Soave will perform a programme dedicated to Italian Female
composers of the Seicento.
The emergence of female composers in Italy during the 17th century, as
evidenced by the quality of music survived, is a unique phenomenon.
Francesca Caccini, Caterina Assandri, Barbara Strozzi, Isabella Leonarda,
Francesca Campana, are just a few of the composers (because there were so
many performers, mostly singers) who had greatly enriched the musical
landscape of the Seicento. Among them, two were religious (Leonard and
Assandri), which is why their work is only sacred. The others had published
both sacred and secular works. This kind of artistic autonomy is associated
with the development of monody (as opposed to the polyphony, which reigned
during the 16th century). The Florentine Camerata, in their search for the
power of ancient music, were the first supporters. It is not surprising
therefore that the majority of the musicians of the Seicento were based in
Tuscany.
Concerto Soave
In just a few years, Concerto Soave has become a leading reference in the
interpretation of Italian music of the Seicento. Born from the encounter of
soprano Maria Cristina Kiehr and harpsichordist Jean-Marc Aymes, the
Ensemble draws together soloists specialised in the 17th century repertoire,
essentially Italian. The ensemble takes the form of a Concerto in the
historical sense: "an instrumental jewel case richly coloured (archlute,
harp, viola da gamba, violins, harpsichord, organ...) destined to enshrine
one or more voices". Every concert and recording of Concerto Soave, with L'Empreinte Digitale, Harmonia Mundi and editions Ambronay has been
unanimously praised by audiences and critics alike. The ensemble is
regularly invited to the most prestigious festivals: Utrecht, Ambronay,
Montreux, Bruges, Innsbruck, Nantes ("La Folle
Journée "), and performs in major European cities: Paris, Amsterdam, Lisbon,
London, Brussels, Berlin as well as in the USA and Canada.
María Cristina Kiehr / soprano
Over a number of years, María Cristina Kiehr has come to be recognised as
one of the greatest interpreters of baroque music. She combines suavity of
timbre with an accurate respect for text, which she defends with warmth.
Perhaps it is her Argentine nationality and her Danish origins which create
a magical combination of warm Latin sensuality and great musical and
stylistic rigour. Following studies with René Jacobs, she has participated
in countless concerts and opera productions with the most renowned
conductors (René Jacobs, Philippe Herreweghe, Franz Bruggen, Jordi Savall,
Gustav Leonhardt, Nikolaus Harnoncourt...), and with the most prestigious
ensembles (Hesperion XXI, Concerto Köln, Ensemble 415, Seminario Musicale,
Concerto Vocale, Elyma, La Fenice...). She has travelled around the world
and has participated in more than one hundred recordings. Her passion for
the Italian monody of the 17th century is fully expressed with Concerto
Soave, of which she is co-founder with Jean-Marc Aymes. Maria Cristina Kiehr
reveals her talents as a story-teller, careful to express the most minute
details of the nuova musica, which makes her not only a singer with a unique
timbre, but an accomplished artist.
Jean-Marc Aymes / harpsichord
Jean-Marc Aymes is one of the most brilliant harpsichordists of his
generation. He is currently recording Girolamo Frescobaldi's entire music
for keyboard, the first volumes of which (Primo Libro delle Toccate and
Capricci) have been received with critical acclaim by the international
press (Diapason d'Or, Joker from Belgian magazine Crescendo, 5 Goldberg).
Jean-Marc Aymes is the artistic director and co-founder of Concerto Soave.
Recordings for the Harmonia Mundi label have won a succession of
international prizes. Aymes travels the world with Concerto Soave (Holland,
Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Austria, UK, USA, Canada...)
performing in some of the most prestigious music festivals of early music.
He has played with a wide range of early music ensembles, including Janequin,
Talens Lyriques, Grande Ecurie, Daedalus and Akademia, and still performs
regularly with the ensemble La Fenice, conducted by his great friend Jean
Tubéry, also an Italian music specialist. He has participated in more than
sixty recordings and innumerable concerts and radio broadcasts. He is also
known for his contribution to contemporary music as a concert and recording
artist with Marseille' ensemble Musicatreize. He is currently the artistic
director of the Centre Régional d'Art Baroque in Marseille.
PROGRAMME:
Francesca Caccini (1587 - 1640)
«Chi è costei», in quatro parti I
Ascanio Mayone (ca. 1565 - 1627)
Toccata Terza
Francesca Caccini (1587 - 1640)
«Maria, dolce Maria» «Lasciatemi qui solo», aria in cinque parti
Bernardo Storace ( ? - ?)
Passagagli per cimbalo
Barbara Strozzi (c.1619 - 1664)
«Voglio morire»
Girolamo Frescobaldi (1583 - 1643)
Corrente Prima
Francesca Caccini (1587 - 1640)
«Non so se quel sorriso»
Girolamo Frescobaldi (1583 - 1643)
Corrente Seconda «Fresche aurette vezzosette»
