Eugenie Warnier: soprano
Adriana Alcaide: violin
Kathryn Elkin: oboe
Sébastien Perrin: traverso
María Sanchez: cello
Esteban Mazer: harpsichord
Sofie Vanden Eynde:  theorbo

Programme:

Sébastien de Brossard (1655 - 1730):
6 Sonates en trio:
Sonate en mi mineur
Largo / Allegro Fuga / Largo / [Allegro] / Adagio-[Allegro]-Adagio
SdB 220

Cristiano Giuseppe Lidarti (1730 - ca. 1793):
Hazzan songbook, anonymous compilation:
Boij beshalom (Cantata):
Adagio / Allegretto / Piu Allegro
e minor

Elisabeth Jacquet de la Guerre (1665 - 1729):
Cantates françaises sur des sujets tirés de l'écriture:
Le Passage de la Mer Rouge:
Overture / Recitatif / Air gravement / Ritournelle / Recitatif / Mouvement Marqué / Air / Bruit de Guerre / Recitatif / Air Gay 1ere Livre, 2me cantate – Bb Major

Abraham Casseres or Caceres (fl. 1718 - ca. 1740):
Hesqui hesqui mide yom yom:
Largo

Abraham Casseres or Caceres (fl. 1718 - c. 1740):
Le´el Elim (Cantata):
Adagio-Vivace / Adagio / Andante / Adagio / Andante

R.D. de Bousset (1703 - 1760):
Cantates Spirituelles:
Judith:
Recitatif / Air gay / Recitatif / Air gracieusement / Recitatif / Air gay et marqué

 About the Programme:

Le Passage de la Mer Rouge

The Crossing of the Red Sea: a courageous, dangerous, and definitely risky undertaking. A story so old it has grown mysterious, even mystical. Certainly that could be one reason for the interest to set Old Testament stories such as this one to music in the early and mid 18th century. At that time, there was a trend to compose works based on religious subjects that would not be used in the church or synagogue rites. Instead, it was written to continue teaching the stories of ancient scripture in an entertaining way outside religious ceremonies. One particular genre of this art music, as it is called, were the cantates spirituels. Music of only three composers of these cantates spirituels survives: Sébastien de Brossard (1655-1730), Elisabeth-Claude Jacquet de la Guerre (1665-1729), and René Drouard de Bousset (1703-1760). Curiously, all three of them choose their subjects solely from the Old Testament. In fact, there are many examples in both art and music from this period based on these Scriptures. Interest in the ancient world even extended as far as language, as one can find snips of Hebrew in paintings, incipits of some musical compositions, and translations into Hebrew of Shakespeare or even Christian prayers. In part, the interest of Christian society in the ancient writings and mysticism in Judaism, as well as study and knowledge of the Old Testament helped the Hebrew language to survive.

Meanwhile, in the synagogues (at least from those surviving in favorable conditions, such as in Amsterdam), the Hazzan, (cantor) was in charge of leading the congregation in song during ceremonies (of course in Hebrew). Though mostly oral in tradition, several hazzan took the time to copy down the melodies that were used. (These manuals are mostly kept in the Ets Haim Library in Amsterdam). Interestingly, many of these melodies were descendants or direct copies of art music composed in Hebrew, some of which are still in use today. Again, the relationship between art and sacred music is a close one indeed.

In this concert, titled Le Passage de la Mer Rouge, we will again explore sacred art music from both Jewish and Christian perspectives. Three beautiful cantates from the three French composers who wrote cantates spirituels will be linked and contrasted to melodies chosen from various Hazzan manuals of the mid 18th century. And these Old Testament tales, told in Hebrew and sung in French, these stories esteemed by both Jewish and Christian traditions, will remind us of three strong characters whom we can all share and admire. And the story continues...

Bio:
Their name inspired from a prevalent theme from the ear of Louis XIV of France, Le Tendre Amour is an energetic group of musicians who have been drawn together by their common dedication to perform music of the late 17th and 18th centuries in a way that is inspiring to the audiences of today. Period instruments, a creative selection of repertoire, and timeless musicality combine to convey the spirit and emotion of music of unparalleled beauty. Created in 2002, Le Tendre Amour is in residence in Barcelona, Spain, though its members are originally from France, Spain, Argentina, Belgium, and the United States. Some highlights of Le Tendre Amour performances took place in such festivals as: the festival of Early Music – SOHIP (Boston, USA), the Festival de Musique Ancienne – AMIA (Strasbourg, France), the festival de Musique Ancienne (Sablé, France), the festival de Música Antigua (Mexico City, Mexico), and the Styriarte festival – Psalm (Graz, Austria), among many others.