Harmonia Early Music

Week of February 6

Immortal Beloved

On this special edition of Harmonia, we’re singing love’s praises with sonnets by Petrarch and the Song of Solomon. We’ll also celebrate iconic lovers such as Robin and Marion and see a “return to peace” on a featured release by La Parlement de Musique.

Week of February 13

Two Shadows and a Spotlight

As is true in any profession, there are some composers who rose to the top of the heap during the Renaissance and others that stayed a little below the surface. But that doesn’t mean their music is not worth listening to! On Harmonia, we’ll highlight the music of medieval composer Zacara da Temaro and Renaissance composer Pierre Moulu. In contrast, we’ll also look back at the career of one of the most well-known sopranos of our time, Montserrat Figueras, who passed away in November 2011. Join us.

Week of February 20

Musical Tour of Rome

Join Harmonia for an early music tour of Rome, including some music for the Roman Carnival season. We’ll also sidetrack over to Spain for a visit to the Shrine of Santiago, then head back to Rome in a featured release by The Cardinall’s Musick. (Repeat of September 12, 2011) LISTEN HERE

Week of February 27

REBEL at the 2011 Indianapolis Early Music Festival

Harmonia presents some highlights from this year’s Indianapolis Early Music Festival. We’ll also explore the practice of balancing historical accuracy and creative improvisation in modern medieval performances. And, we’ll hear from a featured release of recorder music by Nina Stern. (Repeat of September 26, 2011) LISTEN HERE

Week of March 5

I Am Woman, Hear Me Sing

We’re celebrating female composers and performers of early music on this special edition of Harmonia. We’ll explore the music of 16th-century Italian nun Raffaella Aleotti, as well as hear from Trio Medieval’s recording of a 13th-century Lady Mass, and more. Plus, Sequentia’s recordings of Hildegard’s music will be featured.

Week of March 12

Anchors Aweigh!

Harmonia explores pirate music! We’ll hear songs pirates would have sung during their daily work. We’ll also take a look back at songs about the sea from medieval Iceland, and bring you highlights from the 2011 Indianapolis Early Music Festival. (Repeat of October 3, 2011) LISTEN HERE

Week of March 19

An Anonymous 4 Retrospective

Harmonia offers a retrospective of the female vocal ensemble Anonymous 4. We’ll also take a look at the English musical manuscript the Eton Choirbook and hear music of 17th century Northern Germany in a featured recording by the ensemble La Fenice. Join us. (Repeat of October 31, 2011) LISTEN HERE

Week of March 26

A Spotlight on Harry Christophers

This week on Harmonia, we’re honoring the work of Harry Christophers – conductor, singer, and founder of The Sixteen. We’ll also hear from the next generation of early music performers with highlights from Early Music America’s Young Performer’s Festival. Plus, we’ll hear music by Georg Muffat on a featured release by La Concordanza. (Repeat of October 10, 2011) LISTEN HERE

Week of April 2

A Musical Tour of Ferrara

This week on Harmonia, we’ll travel to city of Ferrara, exploring sounds of its renaissance. We’ll also pay tribute to a pioneer in the field of early music, Gustav Leonhardt, who passed away in January 2012, and we’ll hear “new music” from 17th-century Italy on a featured release by the ensemble Quicksilver.

Week of April 9

A Springtime Celebration with Early Music Song and Dance

It’s a celebration of Springtime on Harmonia, with songs and dance music from the Middle Ages, Renaissance, and early Baroque. Plus, we’ll hear settings of Palestrina’s madrigal Vestiva i colli, and French baroque composer Nicolas Chedeville’s arrangement of “Spring” from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. (Repeat of March 28, 2011) LISTEN HERE

Week of April 16

Bad Boys of Renaissance England

What do Tobias Hume, Carlo Gesualdo, and King Henry VIII have in common? Hear the answer to that question and more on this edition of Harmonia! We’ll give you a line-up of musical bad boys from Renaissance England. Plus, we’ll hear some Scottish music in our featured release Alas Poore Men. (Repeat of November 7, 2011) LISTEN HERE

Week of April 23

The Far Side of the Veil

On Harmonia, we’re exploring the boundaries between this life and beyond. We’ll hear musical laments that pass beyond the veil from the Codex Las Huelgas, as well as a musical homage by Josquin des Prez, and death’s depiction in the keyboard music of Johann Jakob Froberger. Plus, we’ll follow Percival on his quest for the Holy Grail, travel along Celtic crossroads, and hear a thirteenth-century service for St. Martin of Tours. (Repeat of October 24, 2011) LISTEN HERE

Week of April 30

A Spotlight on William Christie

The week on Harmonia, we’ll take a look at the life and work of William Christie, early music pioneer and founder of Les Arts Florissants. Plus, we’ll study the Parisian chanson, as well as hear music by German composer Heinrich Isaac on a featured release by Capilla Flamenca.