Norwegian Baroque

Program: #18-07   Air Date: Feb 05, 2018

Once again, we turn back to a collaboration with the Royal Norwegian Embassy in the presentation of some recent remarkable works in the field of early music with Norwegian composers and performers.

Very special thanks to the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Washington, D.C. For more information on Norwegian cultural events, or for travel and tourist information, you may explore:

www.norway.no/usa

Or go to the Facebook page (@NorwegianEmbassyinWashington), or Twitter @NorwayUS.

I. Bergen Barokk: Suite Life (Bergen Barokk/Frode Thorsen). Lawo CD LWC 1096.

 

Bergen Barokk's second release on the LAWO Classics label Suite Life, takes us to the French court during the reign of the Sun King. Elegant conversation, music, painting, fencing and dance - the arts performed with a certain nonchalance - were the true test of aristocrats. The leading musicians during the Sun King's reign composed obligingly within the confines of strict protocols of style, though they were allowed to give their own personal touch. The suites on this recording are largely taken from the many great musical publications from the Paris of the early 1700's. The publications, which were released 'avec Privilege du Roy' reflect the grand balls, concerts, opera and ballet performances at the court and were well-received by a bourgeoisie filled with reverence for the luxurious and illustrious court life.

Elegant conversation, music, painting, fencing and dance — the arts performed with a certain “sprezzatura” (nonchalance) — were the true test of aristocrats. At the French court, the ball was a particularly special place, where the aristocracy would parade their extravagant costumes and masks which echoed classical, mythical figures. The rhythmical patterns of the dances influenced the entire French repertoire of this era, both instrumental and vocal music (including sacred music). The leading musicians during the Sun King’s reign composed obligingly within the confines of strict protocols of style, though they were allowed to give their own personal touch. Marais, Couperin, Visée, de la Barre and members of Hotteterre and Philidor families were among the most competent and high profile musicians during the king’s more senior days. The suites in this recording are largely taken from the many great musical publications from the Paris of the early 1700s. The publications, which were released “avec Privilège du Roy” (at the behest of the king) reflect the grand balls, concerts, opera and ballet performances at the court and were well-received by a bourgeoisie filled with reverence for the luxurious and illustrious court life. Bergen Barokk was established in 1994 and is now one of Norway’s leading early music ensembles. This recording features Frode Thorsen on recorder, Hans Knut Sveen on harpsichord, Thomas Boysen and Thor-Harald Johnsen on lute and guitars, and Markku Luolajan-Mikkola on viola da gamba. The musicians also perform solo and as duos and create sound images ranging from high-pitched plucking to sonorous bass.

Pièces in G Major and G Minor Ouverture

02:31
2
Pièces in G Major and G Minor Le Ballet

00:59
3
Pièces in G Major and G Minor Bourée

00:50
4
Pièces in G Major and G Minor Plainte

02:39
5
Pièces in G Major and G Minor Rondeau «La Plaintif»

02:31
6
Pièces in G Major and G Minor Les Forgerons

01:00
7
Pièces in G Major and G Minor Gigue

01:08
8
Pièces in A Major and A Minor Prelude

02:41
9
Pièces in A Major and A Minor Gavotte

01:03
10
Pièces in A Major and A Minor Pastorale

03:22
11
Pièces in A Major and A Minor Musette

00:51
12
Pièces in A Major and A Minor Muséte de Choisi

02:09
13
Pièces in A Major and A Minor Chaconne

04:23
14
Pièces in D Major and D Minor Les Songes, Lentement

02:23
15
Pièces in D Major and D Minor Le Moulin De Javelle

01:50
16
Pièces in D Major and D Minor Rondeau Ensuite

01:05
17
Pièces in D Major and D Minor Les Fauvétes Plaintives

06:00
18
Pièces in D Major and D Minor Les Calotins

01:33
19
Pièces in D Major and D Minor …et les Calotines

01:44
20
Pièces in D Major and D Minor Dame Ragonde

01:15
21
Suite in E Minor Prelude, Lentement

03:06
22
Suite in E Minor Allemande «La Fontainebleau», Gravement

03:12
23
Suite in E Minor Courante

01:17
24
Suite in E Minor Sarabande «Le Depart», Douloureusement

02:06
25
Suite in E Minor Air «Le fleuri», Gayment

01:20
26
Suite in E Minor Gavotte «La Mitilde», Tendrement

01:25
27
Suite in E Minor Menuet «Le Beaulieu»

00:44
28
Suite in E Minor 2nd Menuet

00:53
29
Suite in E Minor Menuet «Le Beaulieu» Da Capo

00:47
30
Chaconne in G

04:08
31
Chaconne in G

04:40

II. Johan Daniel & Johan Heinrich Berlin (Norwegian Baroque Orchestra/Gottfried von der Goltz). Simax CD PSC 1331.

 

Gottfried von der Goltz leads his Norwegian Baroque Orchestra in this presentation of father and son Berlin, the German composer family who made a huge impact on the Norwegian music scene.
1. Johan Heinrich Berlin: Sinfonia a 6 in C Major, I. Allegro
2 II. Andante
3 III. Menuett Allegro
4 Johan Daniel Berlin: Sinfonia a 5 for Cornetto and Strings in D Major, I. Allegro - Alexandra Opsahl/Norwegian Baroque Orchestra
5 II. Largo - Alexandra Opsahl/Norwegian Baroque Orchestra
6 III. Allegro - Alexandra Opsahl/Norwegian Baroque Orchestra
7 Sinfonia a 8 in D Major, I. Allegro
8 II. Andante
9 III. Allegro
10 Concerto for Violin and Strings in a Major, I. Allegro - Gottfried Von Der Goltz/Norwegian Baroque Orchestra
11 II. Adagio - Gottfried Von Der Goltz/Norwegian Baroque Orchestra
12 III. Allegro - Gottfried Von Der Goltz/Norwegian Baroque Orchestra
13 Sinfonia a 6 in D Major, I. Allegro
14 II. Andante
15 III. Allegro

Composer Info

Johan Heinrich Berlin, Johan Daniel Berlin

CD Info

CD LWC 1096, CD PSC 1331