REMA - Réseau Européen de Musique Ancienne

Festival Oude Muziek Utrecht

Utrecht Early Music Festival 2012 From Sweelinck to Bach

August 24 – September 2

From Amsterdam to Leipzig, from the sixteenth to the eighteenth century, from the late Renaissance to the high baroque : the Utrecht Early Music Festival – From Sweelinck to Bach promises a musical richness like never before. With prayerful psalms, colourful German baroque cantatas and swirling instrumental music. Under the watchful eye of Sweelinck, Schütz, Böhm, Buxtehude, Zelenka and – of course – Bach himself.
Visiting musicians during these ten festive days of Sweelinck and Bach include : Masaaki Suzuki, Philippe Herreweghe, Lorenzo Ghielmi, Pierre Hantaï, Harry van der Kamp, Skip Sempé, Daniel Reuss, Sigiswald Kuijken, Philippe Pierlot and Rene Jacobs.

Sweelinck > Bach : a declaration of love

The period from Sweelinck’s birth to Bach’s death spans almost two whole centuries. Despite this it is possible to draw a virtually direct line between these two great figures, from teacher to student and down through the generations. Bach could not have become what he was without Sweelinck.

While this is true, it is not the full story, so we would like to add to the picture during this year’s Early Music Festival. For not all roads lead to Bach. Just listen to Zelenka : the contrast is so great that you could imagine yourself half a century down the track, yet he is almost Bach’s exact contemporary. It is also enriching to include the musical tale of the Reformation : from the rich French psalm culture in household circles, to the Lutheran chorale in its surprising and varied forms.

However this festival is no history lesson. Rather, it is a public declaration of love for a collection of unique repertoire. From the loveliest early psalm settings, taking in the sweetest 17th-century chamber music, to the most colourful German Baroque cantatas.

This Festival is a vibrant kaleidoscope of popular and little known music, all of it first rate, so feel free to join us and listen in anywhere and at any time. Whether you are a connoisseur or encountering early music for the very first time, the quality of the repertoire is so convincing that it will whet your appetite for more.

Programme and tickets are available on www.oudemuziek.nl

Symposium - Gustav Leonhardt and his Early Music

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