The Orpheus of Amsterdam

The Royal Wind Music

PC 10462

If there is one name in the history of music in the northern Netherlands that is etched in the collective memory, it is undoubtedly that of Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck: composer of impressive vocal and instrumental works of exceptionally high quality. He is celebrated as the "Orpheus of Amsterdam", as he was organist of the Oude Kerk between 1577 and 1621, and the Amsterdam city council knew how to patronise the popular musician in their city and help him to prosper. Sweelinck's vocal works were widely distributed thanks to the flourishing publishing industry, but his organ works also had a great influence on the North German organ school, right up to Johann Sebastian Bach.

The Royal Wind Music is a flute consort of Renaissance recorders of all pitches, from soprano down to sub-contrabass flute. The ensemble is often compared to a "walking organ" because of its even and polyphonic sound possibilities. In their choice of four programme sections, the musicians contrast a vocal work and an organ work by Sweelinck with variation pieces by Sweelinck himself or two new compositions written especially for this programme and the ensemble. Orpheus' voice thus resounds in a wonderfully cohesive sound, sometimes interrupted by the echo of new soundscapes.

Works:

•Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck: Ballo del Granduca-Variationen SwWV 319
•Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck: Onder een linde groen-Variationen SwWV 325
•Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck: Malle Sijmen-Variationen SwWV 323
•Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck: Ab oriente venerunt magi SwWV 153
•Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck: Pseaume 77 SwWV 77
•Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck: Yeux, qui guidez mon ame SwWV 231
•Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck: Marchans qui traversez tout le rivage More SwWV 224
•Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck: Fantasia a 3 "Echo" SwWV 275
•Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck: Fantasia d1 "CRommatica" SwWV 258
•Aspasia Nasopoulou: Fantasie "Dans voor Orpheus van Amsterdam"
•Hester Groenleer: Gruppen-Improvisation "Kettingreactie"
•Jacob van Eyck: Variationen über "Onder de linde groene"

CD

Muzyka klasyczna

Pan Classics

01-10-2024

7619990104624