Ars longa: Old and new music for theorbo
$37.00
Out of Stock6+ weeks add to cart more by this artist
PICCININI / MacMILLAN / KAPSBERGER / VISEE / OLIVER / MUHLY
Ars longa: Old and new music for theorbo
Elizabeth Kenny (theorbo)
[ Linn Records / CD ]
Release Date: Friday 14 June 2019
This item is currently out of stock. It may take 6 or more weeks to obtain from when you place your order as this is a specialist product.
Ars longa see theorbo specialist Elizabeth Kenny perform a typically inventive recital of diverse repertoire spanning five centuries. • The theorbo's eccentric appearance and tuning belies its expressive and delicate qualities; its versatility extends to beautiful melodies, experimental harmonies and a wonderfully resonant bass.
• The recital takes the listener from the early avant-garde repertoire for the instrument of Kapsperger and Piccinini to the new and imaginative sounds explored by today's composers.
Taken from his 2011 work Since it was the day of Preparation … James MacMillan's motet is a haunting and melancholy piece in which the theorbo acts as an emblem of human fragility and sadness.
Benjamin Oliver wrote Extending from the inside specifically for Kenny, who relishes the unique challenge of combining elements of funk guitar with Baroque tradition in this premiere recording.
The second premiere recording is Nico Muhly's Berceuse, also inspired by Kenny; it exploits the unconventional tuning system and expressive possibilities of the theorbo to powerful effect.
BBC Music Magazine Awards 2020
Finalist - Instrumental
"Kenny lacks neither extensive playing experience in chamber, orchestral or operatic contexts nor a brilliant musical imagination. She brings both to bear on these performances of 'old and new music'…She beautifully combines an expansive orchestral conception with an almost painful improvisatory intimacy. It's just lovely" Gramophone
"James MacMillan's devout Motet 1 (from Since it was the day of Preparation), Benjamin Oliver's rather grittier Extending from the inside and Nico Muhly's colourful Berceuse, with seven variations, make for excellent contrast and complement. Kenny's playing is, as usual, sublime." Sunday Times
Tracks:
Piccinini: Toccata III
Piccinini: Toccata X
Piccinini: Ciaccona
Piccinini: Romanesca con partite variate
MacMillan: Since it was the day of preparation…: Motet I
Piccinini: Corrente
Piccinini: Toccata XII
Piccinini: Romanesca folia con variate
Kapsberger: Canario - Capona
Kapsberger: Prima Toccata
Kapsberger: Passacaglia
Oliver, B: Extending from the inside
Visée: Suite for Theorbo in C minor
Visée: Prélude in G major
Visée: Les Sylvains de M'Couperin
Muhly: Berceuse with seven variations
