Give Now  »

Ramee Label Sampler: Bononcini, Touchemoulin, and Gaultier

Founded by Rainer Arndt in 2004, the Ramée label has amassed a terrific if modest catalog of recordings specializing in Early Music. The world-class performances offered range from medieval song and Renaissance consort music to the clarinet trios of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

On the cover of each release is found a unique photograph of an artifact relating to the music contained within and drawn from art, fashion, books, instruments, and furniture of the period.

Bononcini and Saint Nicholas of Bari

Ramée also prides itself on presenting world-premiere recordings. One such release was Giovanni Bononcini’s oratorio San Nicola di Bari, performed by the baroque orchestra Les Muffatti and directed by Peter van Heyghen.

Concertos by Touchemoulin

Another Ramée world-premiere introduced audiences to the French violinist and composer Joseph Touchemoulin, who composed in a style heard during the Classical Era. His surviving works include symphonies, concertos, and sonatas.

Pomerium and Lassus

The critically-acclaimed American vocal ensemble Pomerium went back into the studio not long ago after a recording hiatus of a few years. The program they recorded was devoted to Orlandus Lassus, one of the most famous and prolific composers of the Renaissance. The ensemble, under the direction of Alexander Blachly, recorded a number Latin motets as well as the Magnificat super Ancor che col partire, based on a Renaissance hit.

The Cousins Gaultier

One of the more recent recordings from Ramée focused on the French lute music by pair of cousins, Denis and Ennemond Gaultier. The performer on the recording is the eminent English lutenist Anthony Bailes who mainly chose dance suites by Denis, and as dessert included two Chaconnes by Ennemond. The resulting program is an ideal introduction to a couple of the most prominent French lutenists of the 17th Century.

Featured recording

Our featured recording is a 2010 Boxwood release of Celtic music entitled “Let Me In This Ae Night.” Flutist Chris Norman and violinist David Greenberg have put together a program rooted in Scottish and baroque music. The recording comes after a decade of collaboration as duo. The two also double on other instruments, with Norman playing various kinds of flutes, Scottish small-pipes, and even taking a turn as vocalist, while Greenberg also plays the octave violin.

Support For Indiana Public Media Comes From

About Harmonia Early Music