The French Cultural Center writes:
 

Gunther Schuller was one of the major figures in the history of American music. Perhaps best known for his efforts to bring American jazz and its musicians onto the map of “serious” music, he was also a friend and supporter of many musical styles and modes of expression.

He expressed support very early on for Camerata’s efforts, writing us a letter of congratulations on our first production of “A Renaissance Christmas,” circa 1971. Then, when Camerata separated from the Museum of Fine Arts circa 1974, he offered us a new performing home. As then-president of the New England Conservatory, he proposed that Camerata present regular concerts at the school’s splendid Jordan Hall, and so we did for several seasons, until his departure from NEC.
 
He also honored us by transcribing from the Nonesuch LP, and then publishing it, our performance of “A Medieval Christmas.” What a tour de force! He had previously done this for important jazz musicians, including the recently deceased Ornette Coleman. “Classically trained musicians take music more seriously when it’s written down,” he said to me. “Early music like yours needs to be seen as something carefully considered and developed.” And indeed, his meticulously detailed score for “Medieval Christmas,” which won an award for oustanding music publication, superficially looked more in places like Brahms than Perotin.
 
Then, many years later, he helped us put together a pit band for the production of Kurt Weill’s musical, Johnny Johnson. Gunther knew all the best players, and the resulting team was superb, helping the recording to receive several critical awards and distinctions.
 
The Gunther we knew had a big heart, a generous disposition, an open and continuously probing mind, and a prodigious musical gift. What a man! There will never be another quite like him. Rest in peace, dear friend, and bravo.
 
Joel Cohen, June 22, 2015

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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…
 

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.”