D. Buxtehude with Voces Suaves and Gli Incogniti
Friday March 15, 18:00
(Doors open at 17:00)
Oslo Cathedral
Adult: 450 NOK
Senior/student: 350 NOK
Child: 100 NOK
Duration: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Voces Suaves
Gli Incogniti
The vocal ensemble Voces Suaves and the critically acclaimed ensemble
Gli Incogniti with the outstanding violinist Amandine Beyer, collaborate for the first time and present a concert programme centred around Dieterich Buxtehude’s (1637–1707) Membra Jesu nostri. Buxtehude was J.S. Bach’s great idol, and one of the most influential German composers of his time. Membra Jesu nostri is one of the Baroque era’s most unique sacred pieces. Rather than telling the story of the crucifixion like the Passions do, the work reflects on the heartbreaking scene with a combination of biblical texts and medieval poetry. Each of the seven cantatas addresses a part of Jesus’ body, from his feet to his heart and face. Buxtehude’s beautiful music expresses devotion and love through instrumental music, polyphony, and short arias for each of the five singers. In addition to his work as cantor, Buxtehude wrote chamber music and instrumental music that, in retrospect, belong to some of the most beautiful music written for chamber orchestras. Gli Incogniti and Amandine Beyer, complements the cantata cycle with two of Buxtehude’s innovative trio sonatas.
Programme:
Trio Sonata in G major, BuxWV 271
Membra Jesu nostri, BuxWV 75
I. Ad pedes (to the feet)
II. Ad genua (to the knees)
III. Ad manus (to the hands)
Sonata in A minor BuxWV 272
IV. Ad latus (to the side)
V. Ad pectus (to the breast)
VI. Ad cor (to the heart)
VII. Ad faciem (to the face)
Voces Suaves was founded in 2012, and is today one of Europe’s leading vocal ensembles of its format. They performed at the Church Music Festival in 2019. The octet was founded when the members studied at Schola Cantorum Basiliensis in Basel. The group has specialised in Renaissance and Baroque music. The ensemble’s musicians vary with each programme that is performed, and they collaborate with instrumentalists when need be. All of the singers are soloists in the ensemble, and most of them are affiliated with Schola Cantorum Basiliensis. The members’ diverse history and linguistic knowledge have resulted in first-rate interpretations of Italian madrigals and oratorios, as well as German early Baroque repertoire.
Gli Incogniti was founded in 2006 by violinist Amandine Beyer and is named after a liberal artistic and academic circle from 17th century Venice; Accademia degli Incogniti. The ensemble takes inspiration from its love for the unknown in all its forms, for sound experimentation, the search for new repertoire, the rediscovery of classics and unknown masterpieces. The group is considered a reference ensemble within historically informed interpretation. Amandine Beyer is currently professor in violin at Schola Cantorum Basiliensis (Switzerland). She also teaches at ESMA of Porto (Portugal) and gives masterclasses all over the world. She regularly performs at the most prestigious concert halls and festivals around the world with different ensembles. Her recording J.S. Bach Sonatas & Partitas from 2012 received international awards such as Diapason d’or de l’année, Choc de Classica de l’année, Editor’s choice by Gramophone, Prix Academie Charles Cros, and Excepcional by Scherzo.
Photo: Tatiana Couzis
