From the first time that violinist Ben Powell touched bow to string in a Camerata concert (if memory serves, it was at the Rocky Hill Meeting House in Amesbury, Ma.), we knew he had the right stuff! Well, now the rest of the nation can find out, too, thanks to the most recent episode of “Two and a Half Men.”
To celebrate Ben’s TV début, and Valentine’s day in general, we will offer a FREE download of a Camerata album to the first person who correctly identifies the composer of the tune Ben is playing on this clip. Hint: it’s not Machaut. On your marks…
The Sacred Bridge: Jews, Christians and Muslims in Medieval Europe
Back by popular demand! The Sacred Bridge is an interfaith celebration unlike any other. Discover with us the common musical roots of Judaism, Islam, and Christianity, and the astonishing and beautiful interactions among these traditions. Our program includes elements of Jewish liturgy, Gregorian and Koranic chant, songs and texts of Jewish minstrels, Sephardic folksong, medieval Spanish Cantigas, and Judaeo-Islamic music from the ancient Andalusian tradition. We are joined by Sharq Arabic Music Ensemble.
March 29th, 3:00pm, Pickman Concert Hall, Cambridge, MA
Anne decrypts and sings…
Anne decrypts and sings a troubadour song for her special Boston University seminar, 2/8/15. There is life after snow.
ARTHUR JAFFE
In recent seasons Arthur Jaffe’s delightful Center for Book Arts, of Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, sponsored several events around the work of the Boston Camerata’s Anne Azéma and Joel Cohen. Arthur died peacefully yesterday at an advanced age. We remember him with gratitude and affection. The following text, dated January 14, must have been one of the last that he composed. How honored we feel to have been in his generous thoughts.
“Hello again, Arthur Jaffe here.
“One of my favorite things about the Jaffe Center for Book Arts is its diversity of ideas. Our staff often comes up with program ideas that have nothing at all to do with the book arts, at least at the surface, and there are times when I think the place would be better named the Jaffe Center for Creativity. This is certainly the case with two programs coming up later this month with members of The Boston Camerata. I think a lot of you will think you’ve never heard of The Boston Camerata, but if you listen to Public Radio, you’ve heard their music. They are one of the leading ensembles researching, recording, and performing early music today, and I love the way The Boston Camerata makes early music come alive for contemporary audiences.”
Yves Rouquette, we are going to miss you!
You toured with Camerata in Europe several times, read the Christmas story, in your own Occitan translation, on our “Nativitat” recording, and collaborated with great, benevolent energy in a number of our medieval music workshops . Through the years you remained a warmhearted, generous friend with a big soul. It was a privilege to have shared many happy hours with you; may you rest in peace.
WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT?
The Medieval Troubadours and their Fair, Cruel Ladies,
with Anne Azéma and Joel Cohen
Thursday, January 22 at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, FL.
Only 50 seats available! More info here.
The Boston Camerata, whose second homeland is France…
The Boston Camerata, whose second homeland since 1974 has been France, sends, in this moment of grieving, a fraternal message of sympathy and solidarity to the people of that much-esteemed land.
La Camerata – dont les attaches depuis 1974 avec la France sont profondes, et les activités dans l’hexagone, fréquentes, envoie ses messages amicaux de solidarité en ce grand moment de tristesse: Nous sommes tous Charlie.
Of All the Flowers:
Songs of the Late Middle Ages
The constantly evolving and inventive musical minds of Italian and French masters during the fourteenth century has left us with repertoires, both sacred and secular, that successfully unite the search for new and different creative paths with astonishing lyricism and sensual beauty.
In this specially commissioned program for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, you will hear music spanning the worlds of God and Man, by the greatest composers of their day: Machaut, Landini, da Bologna, and others, performed by the Camerata’s virtuoso singers with harp, vielles and bells.
March 6th, 8:00pm, MIT Walker Memorial Hall, Cambridge, MA
With love to all our friends…
Que votre année soit remplie de musique!
Good bye, Margriet
and thanks for all you have brought to many of us.
It was an amazing feast to make music with you.
“Margriet Tindemans was an important mentor and collaborator to a large number of musicians in the Boston Camerata’s circle of friends and colleagues. She shared her unique gifts with our ensemble, as well as with so many other individuals and groups in the early music community, and we remember her with deep affection.” — Joel Cohen, for the Camerata