Program : La passerelle sacree : Juifs et Chretiens dans l'Europe medievale The Sacred bridge : Jews and Christians in medieval Europe. Performed by the Boston Camerata, directed by J. Cohen A. Azema (Soprano, percusions) Joel Cohen (Barytone, percussions, lute) Joel Frederiksen (Barytone, lute, percussions) Jesse Lepkoff (Flute, Recorder, lute) Carol Lewis (Viele) Boray ad ana/Criador hasta cuando Al Naharot bavel (Psalm 137) Psalm 114 Mi al har horeb (Obadiah le proselyte) Par grant'franchise (Matthieu le juif) Wa heb'uf (Sueskint von Trimberg) La vie d'un poete (Isaac Gorni) En ciudad noble Morena me Llaman La rosa enflorescce Eftach sefatai berinah (Carpentras) Pause Responde nos, Dio de Abraham Virjen Madre gloriosa (Alfonso el Sabio) Kaddish Madre de Dios (Alfonso el Sabio) Des oge mais (Alfonso el Sabio) Grant dereit (Alfonso el Sabio) Cuando el Rey Nimrod Ahot Ketana (Abraham de Gerona) Muit e benaventurado (Alfonso el Sabio) El nora alila To say it short, the more I hear this ensemble, the more I find them lively, perfectly in the music they interpret. It's a complete re-creation to which we assisted. The most important is probably the choices of the pieces and the construction of the program. Thanks to his introductions, Joel let us enter in the mystery of of the Sacred Bridge. I want just to underline some songs : the most moving was undoubtfuly La rosa enfloresce, where the voice of Anne Azema floated in the museum, underlined by suave melodic lines from the flute. It was a great moment of poetry and musical inspiration. The story of Gorni was a pure amusement cooked with art by Joel himself. The last one, El nora alila, on the other side was full of joy and energy, all three singers gave a proof of their harmony and common understanding of the repertoire. Again, that's why I go to the concert : to find people looking at each other, when a good thong (tm) is made. All the happy Bostonian people reading that can easily imagine the pleasure and the charm under which we were at the end of that memorable concert. On the program Joel insisted on the fact that this was a time of peace, between different religions, in the same countries (as in Spain), and he hoped that it could be the same in a near future for our world (it's really not the words used by Joel, which were more profound, but I can't explain that better than him -:() Then came the time of reward -:) Joel had kindly invited us to the ceremony, so I may give you the general idea of that moment. The ministre of culture was represented by Mr Martin, Director of Music and Dance. In his speech, he underline the fact that after one hour of hearing Joel and his group, we had the impresion to be their friends. the best word,for him to qualify his attitude was warm. He also said that we, in Europe, had the luck to see such groups, crossing the Atlantic Ocean and come to play the repertoire of "Old Europe". He noticed that this concrt was a subtle alchemy between Research, science, and warnth, angagement. And above all the science is not there to be shown but to serve the purpose of the musician. He also recalled the long work made between Joel and french organisations, such as Radio France, and Erato (now in Warner NDR : BTW all the staff of Erato was there) Here Joel is made Knight of the Arts and Letters under a lot of applauds (really -:) Then Joel took the place, and said that he was really honored by such a distinction, above all because he was not french, and that the french people were not obliged to give it to him.He dedicated that medal to his Franch Teacher (who gave him the bases of grammar). He remembered, at that occasion that these organisations, mainly dedicated to culture, should be helped in the USA. He thanked also all the people who have helped him in his work, and of course particularly, the members of the Bston Camerata. He recalled that he came for the first time in France in 1965, to learn with Nadia Boulanger, and that he lived at that time in a small hotel, very grimy, and it was a great chock for him when he first saw the Musee de Cluny. He ended by wishing the continuity of pretty things for the happiness of the humanity. Other applauds took place here and then we had the time to drink some Champagne -:)) After that, I had the possibility to talk to Joel and Anne, who are in their life as their are on the scene, kind, nice and very competent. Joel said to me that he want to thank the group (you -:) for your encouragements and your congratulations for his nomination. As the only member of r.m.e here I took the important decision to congratulate him again in your name of all of you. He also gave me some onformations on new records : one on angel voices, another on lamentations (Gilles Bouzignac Carpentras), and he hoped to record the "Airs de cour" during 1996. (That was also confirmed by the Artistic director of Erato, and I insisted that he do that as soons as possible, and that he already had a client -:) He will also take some time to publish some of his researchs. The end of this delightful day let us keep in our minds the charming voice of Anne Azema singing slowly very long notes (without vibrato -:) mixed to the sound of the flute... Hummmm I've been already too long, and I'm now late for my rehearsal -:)) Have an happy week, and I hope you'll see one of their concert soon, it's really worth it. -- Bruno.
Please click here to return to The Boston Camerata Home Page.