Viola da Gamba Society - New England - Autumn 2011 Workshop Flyer

In the early 17th century, when Germany was not yet a unified nation, but was made up of over thirty states, each ruled by a prince, there was a great deal of interest in and sponsorship of music in the various courts. Foreign musicians came to find work in these regions and settled there, and talented German and Austrian artists were sent to study abroad. The courts became competitive in their musical displays, vying with each other to show off their best composers and performers. Much high-quality dance music and counterpoint was composed and published, and the most famous of the musical collections from that time are certainly Michael Praetorius’ Terpsichore and Samuel Scheidt’s Ludi Musici. But there are many other composers, some much less well known, such as Moritz Landgraf von Hessen, Johann Steffen, and Valentin Haussmann. Come and play recently discovered works by these musicians, as well as pavans, galliards, canzonas, fantasias and fugues by Hassler, Widmann, Rosenmueller, Hammerschmidt and others.

Coaches for the workshop will include Carol Lewis, Olav Chris Henriksen, Roland Hutchinson and Janet Haas. Music will be mostly 4-, 5- and 6-part pieces. Anne Legene will be available to teach beginners.

Anthony Allen will be at the workshop with instruments and music on display from Boulder Early Music Shop. Please get in touch with the Boulder Early Music Shop if you have specific requests.