harmonia

Psalms are an important part of both Jewish and Christian rituals, perfectly suited to intimate, congregational, and ceremonial music settings. On the previous episode of Harmonia, we heard Latin versions of a Psalm that begins "Out of the depths I have cried to thee.” This hour, we’ll explore some settings in German and English.

Psalms are an important part of both Jewish and Christian rituals, perfectly suited to musical settings of many kinds. This week, we'll look at Latin versions of a Psalm that begins "Out of the depths I have cried to thee.” Plus, music from a 17th century French harpsichord manuscript… found on eBay of all places!

We’re sounding the trumpet this week on Harmonia, with magnificent baroque trumpets in virtuosic solo music and majestic choral and orchestral works from Monteverdi to Telemann. Our featured release is Altissima: Works for High Baroque Trumpet with soloist Josh Cohen.

This hour, music from 15th-century Milan from the court of the powerful Sforza family, whose lavish productions sometimes bordered on the spectacular, including staging machinery designed by da Vinci. Join us!

“Two households, both alike in dignity (In fair Verona, where we lay our scene).” So begins Shakespeare’s well-loved tragedy Romeo and Juliet. On Harmonia this week, music from Verona — from clever frottolas to masterfully set sacred texts to strange sonatas.

This hour we’re all about that bass — the chaconne, to be specific. This harmonic-bass formula has had us singing, dancing, and strumming for more than four centuries. We’ll trace the chaconne from its mythical island origins through many delightful variations as it passed from musician to musician.

We're exploring medieval and Renaissance songs and dances collected by 18th-century “early music” aficionados in Britain. Plus, our featured recording by The Curious Bards explores Irish and Scottish identities through traditional music.

While incarcerated at Fleet Prison, English composer William Cornysh wrote a long poem, "A Treatise between Information and Truth," which drew upon many musical metaphors to explain how and why he was falsely imprisoned. This week on Harmonia, we’ll explore the life and music of William Cornysh II, 500 years after his death.

Sometimes we need a good cry. Music can provide a space for mourning and lament for both personal sadness and religious observation. This week on Harmonia, we’ll be exploring musical settings of the Book of Lamentations. We’ll hear uses of this text in traditions from Tisha b’Av to Tenebrae.

Join us on a bohemian escapade of sorts, as we explore baroque music composed by violinist Philipp Jakob Rittler and trumpet virtuoso Pavel Josef Vejvanovský. Plus, festive Baroque music for trumpets and strings on our featured recording by Ars Antiqua Austria.