Ave Atque Vale: Hail & Farewell

January 1, 2020, 10:00 pm

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Baroque&Before

As 2019 draws to a close, we remember the life and work of five classical artists who died this past year, all, in their own way, dedicated to the performance and diffusion of early music: champion and resuscitator of Italian baroque opera Raymond Leppard; French organist, pianist, teacher, and composer Jean Guillou; the “Rostropovich of the baroque cello” Anner Bylsma; guitarist, lutenist, and director of the Waverly Consort Michael Jaffee; and renowned American soprano Jessye Norman. We laud them tonight and say Ave atque vale: Hail and farewell, with this modest appreciation of their artistry and contributions to the world of early music.

Recordings used in tonight’s program come from WFMT’s Richard and Mary L. Gray Music Library.

Playlist

Henry Purcell (1659-1695)
“Instrumental Music” from Abdelazer, or The Moor’s Revenge
English Chamber Orchestra, Raymond Leppard, conductor (August 11 1927– October 22, 2019)
(CBS MDK 44650)

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Toccata and Fugue in F Major, BWV 540
Jean Guillou, organ (April 18, 1930–January 26, 2019)
(Dorian DOR-90151)

Johann Sebastian Bach
Suite No. 6 in D Major for cello solo, BWV 1012
Anner Bylsma, cello (February 17, 1934–25 July 2019)
(Sony S2K 48047)

Henry Playford (1657-1706?)
“Musick’s Recreation Country Dances” from English Dancing Master
The Waverly Consort, Michael Jaffee, Director (April 21, 1938-June 15, 2019)
(Angel CDC 7243 5 55522 2 8)

Goerg Friedrich Händel (1685-1759)
Lascia ch’io pianga from Rinaldo
Jessye Norman, soprano (September 15, 1945–September 30, 2019)
Geoffrey Parson, piano
(Philips 422 235-2)