Early Music Michigan to perform ‘Vespers’

By Evan Riddell
Western Herald

The 17th century was an exciting time for European art, and Early Music Michigan wants to prove it.

Early Music Michigan Voices performs Baroque composer and Benedictine nun Chiara Margarita Cozzolani’s “Vespers of the Virgin Mary” on Saturday at the First Congregational Church in downtown Kalamazoo.

Kalamazoo’s Early Music Michigan Voices work to preserve and celebrate centuries-old composers and their pieces of music.

Led by director and conductor Eric Strand, those performing in the orchestra have much experience with the eccentricities of 17th-century arrangements, and the 18 singers are more than capable of handling such a dynamic and complex piece, as they average 12 years experience with such compositions.

As one of the few known female composers of the Baroque period, Cozzolani lived as a Benedictine nun cloistered at the Santa Barcelona convent in Milan.

Born in 1602 to a wealthy family, she received extensive music training, and during her tenure as Santa Barcelona’s abbess the convent was known as the best singing group in Italy.

Aside from “Vespers,” her most famous work she composed several concerti and motets, which were collected in a 1998 folio.

Cozzolani’s complex and peculiar style relies on many once-popular conventions that later fell into disuse. A Baroque-era signature, the basso continuo makes an appearance.

The Early Music Michigan has competent musicians in its purpose-picked orchestra and will break out early music standbys the lute and harpsichord (which conductor Strand will play during the recital), but some instrumental dinosaurs are also in the pit.

The theorbo, a lesser-known cousin of the lute, will make an appearance. Weirder still is the viola de gamba, a large bowed string instrument with frets like a modern guitar.

Fresh out of the Renaissance, the Baroque period allowed the composers of the day more tools at their disposal to convey emotion in their works, and brought new notation styles and playing techniques.

From Monteverdi to Vivaldi, many Baroque composers have their own “Vespers,” the evening prayer in church services.

Before she gave up writing music when she became abbess, Cozzolani’s days of praying allowed for much time to work on new material. She even had complaints from a strict archbishop who felt that the nuns’ practices should be reformed

Western Michigan University  students can look forward to discounted ticket prices to the performance and a rare look at a composer overshadowed by many of the other big names in music who where writing at the time.

As one of the few women composing in this time period, Cozzolani’s work stands out as surprisingly balanced and sophisticated.

For those interested in early music or those tired of the sounds of electricity and synthesizers, Early Music Michigan’s production is a treat.  The reproduction of Baroque-era instrumentation is admirable and provides is accurate to her original score.

With such an obscure and unusual choice in composers, the recital is a low-cost opportunity for high-brow entertainment event.

The Early Music Michigan Voices will perform “Vespers of the Virgin Mary” on Saturday at 8 p.m. The First Congregational Church is located at 129 South Park St.

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Posted by HeraldAdmin on Apr 20 2009. Filed under A & E. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

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