New York Polyphony's 'Renaissance Valentine' at Miller Theatre, 2/12
By: Kelsey Denette Jan. 09, 2012
MILLER THEATRE AT COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF THE ARTS
continues the 2011-12 season of its Early Music series with
"A Renaissance Valentine"
featuring
New York Polyphony
Sunday, February 12, 3:00 p.m.
American Academy of Arts & Letters
(156th Street between Broadway and Riverside Drive)
Champagne reception at intermission open to all
Tickets: $35 • CU Students: $7 • All other students: $21 with valid ID
From Miller Theatre Director Melissa Smey:
"I am so excited to continue this season's Early Music series by welcoming back the exceptional voices of New York Polyphony. Their exquisite sound is matched only by their ear for delightful, unique early repertoire. Their beautiful program at the gorgeous Academy is the perfect Valentine's Day celebration for the discerning listener."
Early Music
This season's Early Music concerts began with a smashing sold-out performance by perennial favorites, The Tallis Scholars, with a beautiful program centered around the Magnificat. The series continues in 2012 with three more Early Music concerts, two in Midtown Manhattan at the Church of St. Mary the Virgin(affectionately known as Smoky Mary's) and one uptown at The American Academy of Arts & Letters. Miller is pleased to offer revered returning groups hailing from two continents. New York's young-yet-polished New York Polyphony brings a romantic Valentine's Day program, complete with a champagne reception during intermission. France's Le Poème Harmonique makes a stop on their international tour to perform emotional works by flickering candlelight. And the British ensemble Stile Antico closes the series with a timeless vocal program.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Early Music: A Renaissance Valentine
New York Polyphony
On the heels of their extraordinarily successful CD Tudor City, and just before the launch of their new CDendBeginning, New York Polyphony follows up last year's Miller debut with this unique exploration of love and its many forms. Lauded for their rich sound and impeccable tuning, the all-male quartet pairs lusty Italian madrigals with soulful settings of the Song of Songs, an anthology of passionate Hebrew love poems. New York Polyphony is"…the perfect blend of sixteenth-century England and twenty-first century New York" (WQXR). A champagne reception during intermission completes the romantic Valentine's Day program.
PROGRAM:
Vos qui admiramini/Gratissima Virginis/Gaude gloriosa – Philippe de Vitry (1291 – 1361)
Settings of the Song of Songs:
Sicut lilium – Antoine Brumel (c. 1460–c. 1515)
Ego flos campi – Jacob Clemens non Papa (c.1510–c.1555)
Tota pulchra es – John Plummer (c. 1410–c. 1483)
Quam pulchra es – John Pyamour (d. 1431)
Qualis est dilectus – John Forest (fl. early 15th century)
Quam pulchra es – John Dunstable (c.1380–1453)
Quasi cedrus – Guerrero (1528–1599)
Madrigals from the early Italian Renaissance:
Matona mia cara – Orlandus Lassus (1532–1594)
Quando ritrovo – Jacques Arcadelt (c. 1505–1568)
Ogni belta Madonna – Constanzo Festa, (1485/90–1545)
Dilla de l'acqua sta – Francesco Patavino (c.1487–c. 1556)
Margot labourez les vignes – Jacques Arcadelt (c. 1505-1568)
La nuit froide et sombre – Orlandus Lassus (1532–1594)
Say Love if ever thou didst find – John Dowland
Fine knacks for ladies – John Dowland
Of all the birds that I do know – John Bartlett
I go before my darling – Thomas Morley
Shall I come sweet love to thee? – Thomas
Catches by Henry Purcell (1659–1696)
The Nut-Brown Lass
Sweet Sir Walter
Let us drink to our wives
BIOS: New York Polyphony is rapidly gaining a reputation as one of the finest classical vocal ensembles of a new generation. Fusing elegant vocalism with expert ensemble singing, the four men deliver dynamic, historically informed performances in a range of styles. From the simplicity of plainchant to the dense chromaticism of contemporary works, the New York Polyphony sound is strong, unified, and distinctive. The members of New York Polyphony maintain active performing lives, each bringing a diversity of experience to their craft. The group was founded in 2006 with its musical advisor, Malcolm Bruno. Recent engagements include appearances at the Ardee Baroque Festival, Dublin, Ireland; Five Boroughs Music Festival, New York City; St. Thomas Church Fifth Avenue, New York City; and two concerts presented by the Pipeworks Festival, Galway, Ireland.
Photo Credit: Matthew Murphy
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