Focus on Flowers

This week on Harmonia we’ll listen to the music of a small fraternity of Renaissance and baroque composers who were blind from childhood. We’ll travel to Spain, Italy, England, and the Netherlands to meet these exceptional musicians. A new release of Antonio Vivaldi’s music by the ensemble La Serenissima will also be featured.

Robert Schumann's arrangement of Johann Sebastian Bach's "Saint John Passion."

Our series continues with American soprano Ellen Hargis. We'll listen to some of her more notable recordings as well hear her talk on a number of topics. We'll also listen to a new release of Renaissance flute music by the Attaignant Consort.

Les Boreades of Montreal on the ATMA Classique label.

Harmonia this week explores the music from the Llibre Vermell de Montserrat. Using various recordings from the last three decades, we’ll discuss devotional songs written in honor of the “Black” Virgin of Monserrat, an ancient Spanish pilgrimage destination. Plus, a recent release by the ensemble Accordone.

New compositions and improvisations inspired by the paintings of Caravaggio

This week on Harmonia we celebrate the holidays with a new release featuring the Psallite Women's Choir of London. Carols from medieval and Renaissance England will be explored alongside selections from Britten’s Ceremony of Carols. We’ll also review a further new release of Sephardic music by the ensemble Brio with countertenor José Lemos.

French harpsichord music performed by Davitt Moroney and Arthur Haas.

For lovers of baroque music on period instruments, it might be difficult to imagine a world before the influence of the early music movement. This week we explore that other sound world with historical recordings by Nadia Boulanger, Wilhem Furtwängler, Russell Oberlin, and Johannes Somary. Also, a new release by theorbist Rafael Bonavita.

Dietrich Buxtehude's "Membra Jesu Nostri," BuxWV 75.