What exactly is a salmagundi? According to the liner notes, it’s “a savory dish composed of chopped meats, seafood, eggs, vegetables, and condiments.” In other words, a kitchen sink dish. I’m not sure I’d enjoy such a dish. But I very much enjoyed this release. In this case, the salmagundi is a sampling of various […]
early music
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Hymns of Kassiani – history’s first woman composer
Pop quiz: who’s the earliest female composer you can think of? Chances are, it’s Hildegarde von Bingen. Although her star has risen from obscurity, she’s not the earliest, or perhaps, the most important. That honor belongs to Kassiani, or Kassia (c.810-c.865). Kassia’s career had some significant differences with Hildegard von Bingen, who was born two […]
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Mexican Baroque masterworks by Juan De Lienas
The Newberry Consort has assembled an impressive body of recordings over the years. But this one is a real standout. The consort explores the repertoire of the Mexican Baroque. Specifically, music from a 17th Century manuscript collection housed in a Mexico City convent. The primary composer is Juan De Lienas, who’s something of a cipher. […]
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William Tisdale Music for Virginal unusual fare
There are plenty of Renaissance keyboard recordings floating around. So what makes this release special. Three things: the music, the performer, and the instrument. The music is mostly from Tisdales Virginal Book, supplemented with selections from the Fitzwilliam Virginal Book. Very little is known about William Tisdale, save that he was a composer and keyboardist […]
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Ensemble Almara with the best of Carmina Predulcia
There are collectors for everything — even information. Take Hartmann Schedel (1449-1514) for example. He amassed a collection of over 600 volumes comprising all the knowledge of his day. He compiled the Schedel Song Book not so much out of a love for music, but just to collect and record the information. The Schedel Song Book […]
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Antonio Vandini Complete Works carefully researched
Antonio Vandini was one of the celebrated cellists of his age. And that age was the early 1700s when he shared the spotlight with his close friend Giuseppe Tartini. Vandini, like other virtuosos of his time, composing music for his instrument. But he didn’t write much that survived — just six sonatas and a concerto. […]
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Classical Interviews – Reggie Mobley
The Countertenor, Reggie Mobley, spoke with WTJU about his career, the art of singing, and keeping spirituals alive. Reggie Mobley will be part of Early Music Access Project’s Expanding the Narrative: Slave Songs and Spirituals as Early Music on Sunday, November 22 at 4pm. These interviews air as part of WTJU’s Classical Sunrise, weekday mornings from 7-9am. For […]
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Cantica Symphonia masterfully perform Josquin Desprez
This is the fourth volume of music by Josquin Desprez that Cantica Symphonia has released on Glossa. Giuseppe Maletto and the ensemble released two volumes of Josquin’s motets, plus one of chansons. Their next release was a collection of Marian motets (compositions in praise of the Virgin Mary) by various Renaissance composers. This recording seems […]
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Classical Interviews – David McCormick
Photo by June CollmerDavid McCormick is the executive director of the Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival and artistic director of the Early Music Access Project. He spoke with WTJU about different violin styles across time and his work with the Early Music Access Project. For more on David McCormick, visit DavidRyanMcCormick.com For more on the Shenandoah […]