Focus on Flowers

This week on Harmonia we’ll be searching for sins a la The Inquisition in the vocal music of George Frideric Handel. And while there won’t be any cruel or unusual punishment for our discoveries, it’ll be exciting enough just to find examples of The Seven Deadly Sins. We’ll also review a new release of forgotten arias by Baldassare Galuppi.

Did you also know that Johann Sebastian Bach was considered part of the mediocre group of candidates for the Leipzig Kantor's job? This week on Harmonia we’ll look at all the men who were taken into consideration. We’ll also review a new release from John Eliot Gardiner’s Bach Cantata Pilgrimage series.

Of the many instruments found in the woodwind section of our modern orchestra, the clarinet may be the youngest. On Harmonia this week we’ll look at the 18th-century clarinet and its repertoire with a special focus on the recordings of American clarinetist Eric Hoeprich. We’ll also review a new release of heroic arias by Antonio Vivaldi.

Celebrated women are the focus on this week’s Harmonia as we look at the stories of deserted women. We’ll also review the debut release of the young British vocal ensemble Stile Antico.

Loud music, a musician in love, a turn for the worst, lots of good friends, and an alternate ending. No, it’s not this year’s Academy Award nominee for best picture. It’s Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo, That and more on this week’s Harmonia with a new release featuring the French harpsichordist Bertrand Cuiller.

The rose has been a symbol for as long as it has been around. There is most likely no better emblem for love or beauty. This week on Harmonia we’ll look at the rose as a noun… a person, place and thing. We’ll also review Nigel North’s second installment from his complete John Dowland series.

The music of Baroque Hamburg is in focus this week on Harmonia as we look at its composers for both the church and opera house. We’ll explore overtures, songs, and motets from the late 17th century as well as a new release from the lutenist Andrew Maginley.

The music of 18th-century Scotland is explored on Harmonia this week as we look at composers James Oswald, Thomas Erskine, and Robert Mackintosh. Love songs, strathspeys and reels are on the menu. We’ll also review a new release by the Clare College Choir and Freiburg Baroque Orchestra as directed by Rene Jacobs.

Of the names that stand out in the world of early music, John Eliot Gardiner is one of distinction. “Jiggy,” as he’s also sometimes affectionately known, has had a long and varied career spanning over four decades. On Harmonia this week we’ll look at his accomplishments as well a new recording of Leclair’s violin sonatas by Simon Standage.

A job offer can mean a long and arduous decision for the candidate. It can also be quick and simple if the perks turn out to be less than attractive. On Harmonia this week we’ll look at the men who applied to succeed Dietrich Buxtehude and we’ll review a new release of Machaut and Solage by the ensemble Gothic Voices.