From: bchivers@smiley.mitre.org (Brent Chivers)
Subject: HARMONIA Newsletter
Summary: the Washington, DC early-music scene
Organization: The MaiTai Corp, McLean, VA
Date: Fri, 4 Sep 1992 02:11:25 GMT

After the summer hiatus, here is the return of HARMONIA.

The newsletter is being restructured this fall.  Instead of being
mailed (U.S. Post) for free, it is moving to a paid subscription.
There will no longer be the monthly electronic editions.  Patricia
may provide me disks to post from time to time, and I will pass
them along as she makes them available.  I'm short on time this
week, so I'll post it all in one piece to get it out to you.
__________________________________________________________________

Brent Chivers		McLean, VA		bchivers@mitre.org	
______________________________________________________________________________

 HARMONIA    September 1992 edition

The Newsletter of Early Music and Historically Informed Performance.
No part of this newsletter may be reproduced without written
permission from the Editor:  Patricia Cutts, 736 13th
Street, SE, Washington, DC 20003.  202/543-1941.

EXHIBITS AND EVENTS

Current through Sept. 19
Fine and Historic Bookbindings," 160 outstanding bindings from the
Folger collection.  Six centuries of artistry and craftsmanship in
leather, vellum, tortoise shell and fabric.  Folger Shakespeare
Library, 201 East Capitol Street, SE, WDC.  Free.

Current through Sept. 27
"Al-Andalus:  The Art of Islamic Spain," to enchant the eye.
Companion book available.  Metropolitan Museum of Art, Fifth Ave. at
82nd Street, NYC.  212/879-5500.  Closed Mondays.  $6 contribution.

Current through Oct. 25
In Praise of Music:  Six centuries of German Music at the Library
of Congress, Madison Bldg., 6th Floor, and in the Performing Arts
Library at the Kennedy Center.  Works and artifacts of German
composers, musicians, instrument makers, artists and theorists
from the 15th through the 20th century.

Current through February 14, 1993
"1492:  An Ongoing Voyage," looks at the worlds of America and
the Mediterranean on the eve of 1492, and at Columbus' voyages
and the continuing consequences of his momentous journey.  Many
important and original manuscripts will be on view including
Columbus' 1502 "Book of Privileges," the Library of Congress'
unique 1531 Huejotzingo Codex, and a 14th century chart of the
eastern Mediterranean.  An exhibit not to be missed!  Library of
Congress, Madison Bldg. Gallery, 1st floor.  202/707-5223.  Free.

August 29-October 18
Renaissance Festival -- weekends only but includes Labor Day.
Leave the 20th century behind and join minstrels, lords and ladies
in 16th century England.  Food in abundance, jousting and jugglers,
and handcrafts abound.  Continual performances of music and other
entertainment from varied locations.  Program changes daily.  Over
thirty groups from the Washington area will perform during the life
of the Festival.  Crownsville, Maryland 1-800-243-7304.  Admission.

   Musikanten, directed by Kerry Krebill will perform
   throughout the day each weekend in September.

   Renaissance Revelers directed by Karen Cain will
   perform throughout the day on Sept. 26 & 27.

September 7-October 19
This is to alert interested readers to a series of films and an exhibit
(through Nov. 29) some of which will be listed separately in Upcoming
Performances below.  None of the films is directly associated with music
but the first group looks at the world of the Japanese during the 7th
through the 17th centuries and might prove interesting to readers because
of the time period in question.  The second group of films deals with
the world and the voyage of Columbus.  The exhibit "Noble Heritage:  Five
Centuries of Portraits from the Hosokawa Family" includes portraits and
associative material from the 14th to the 19th centuries.  All at the
National Portrait Gallery, 8th & F Streets, NW, WDC at Gallery Place Metro.

September 8-October 25.
Troilus and Cressida, one of Shakespeare's "most curious and complex plays."
Helen Hayes Award winning actor, Floyd King plays Pandarus.  The Shakespeare
Theatre at The Lansburgh, 450 7th Street, NW, Washington, DC.  202/547-1122 .

UPCOMING PERFORMANCES

Performances/events are listed according to date.  Price given is for
a single adult ticket.  "HIP"means Historically Informed Performance
indicating a performance that may not be considered early music but
may be of interest because it will be presented with historically
accurate instruments and/or performance practices.

August 29 & 30 saturday and sunday
 Renaissance Festival. Step lively as you step back in time.
Feasting, jousting, gaiety, strange sights, marvelous happenings,
and lots of music from the Age of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I.
10:30am to 7:00pm.  Off Route 3 between Rtes. 450 and 178.
Crownsville, MD. (weekends and Labor Day through October 18.)
Approximate prices are:  $10 adult/$4 for children.

September 5-7 saturday-monday
 Renaissance Festival.  See description for August 29 & 30.

September 6 sunday
 WILLIAMSBURG  David & Ginger Hildebrand bring a program of
"Colonial Music by Candlelight" to Historic Williamsburg as part
of the Capital Concert Series.  7:30pm and 8:45pm.  1-804/229-1000.

September 7 monday
 FILM  Art of the Southern Barbarian:  The Discovery of Japan.
(30 min.)  12:30pm.  National Portrait Gallery, 8th & F streets, NW
(Gallery Place Metro), WDC.  Free.

September 8 tuesday
 FILM  Buddha in the Land of the Kami (7th-12th Centuries)
(53 min.)  12:30pm.  National Portrait Gallery, 8th & F streets, NW
(Gallery Place Metro), WDC.  Free.

September 12 saturday
 Renaissance Rascals , directed by Jim Moon, will do a one hour
live performance and interview beginning at 10am over station WTRI -
1520 AM on the dial, high above the Potomac in Brunswick, MD.  WTRI
is a locally-owned radio station that plays local music!  It has a
range of approximately 50 miles and is on the air from 6 am-6pm.
Its programming is eclectic and personal and they are open to
Washington area groups/individuals. Andrea Kershaw 301/834-6998.

 Renaissance Festival.  See August 29 & 30.

September 13 sunday
 Voices of the Golden Age plus guest tenor will sing
a program including a four-part anthem by Purcell.
The State House, St. Mary's City, MD.

 Schola Cantorum.  Gregorian chant Propers - the Ordinary
varies from Gregorian to Renaissance/Tridentine Latin Mass.
St. Mary's, 5th and H Streets, NW, Washington.  7:30pm.

 HIP  The Smithsonian's Castle Trio presents part of
its Beethoven Sonata Series on original instruments.
7:30pm.  Hall of Musical Instruments, Museum of American History,
Constitution Ave, WDC.  202/357-3030.  $16/$12 for Res. Assoc.

 Renaissance Festival.  See August 29 & 30.

September 14 monday
 FILM  The Coming of the Barbarians (1540-1650)  (52 min.)
12:30pm.  National Portrait Gallery, 8th & F streets, NW
(Gallery Place Metro), WDC.  Free.

 Washington Capella Antiqua, directed by Dr. Patrick W. Jacobson --
Mass sung in Latin.  Chant:  Restored Franco-Germanic and Teutonic.
Polyphony:  "Missa Mi Mi" by Johannes Ockeghem (1430-1497),
In manus tuas, Domine by Thomas Tallis (1505-1585);
Sicut Moses in Deserto serpentem exaltavit by Heinrich Schtz (1585-1672).
7:30pm.  Caldwell Hall Chapel, Catholic University.

September 17 thursday
 Washington Capella Antiqua, directed by Dr. Patrick W. Jacobson --
Vespers with Mass sung in Latin.  Chant:  Restored Franco-Germanic plus
compositions by Hildegard von Bingen (1098-1179) who is honored today.
Polyphony:  Mass "de Nostre Dame" by Guillaume de Machaut (1300-1377)
and Magnificat "Regale" by Robert Fayrfax (1464-1521).
7:30pm.  Caldwell Hall Chapel, Catholic University.

 Mt. Vernon College presents "A Festive Bouquet" of performing
arts in honor of their new president.  Ensemble la Guerre will
perform Trio Sonata by Elizabeth Jacquet de la Guerre.  7:30pm.
Hand Chapel, Mt. Vernon College, 2100 Foxhall Road,NW, Washington, DC.
202/625-4655.  Free but reservations required.

September 19 saturday
 "Islamic Influences on Western Medieval and Renaissance Literature"
A look at Islamic influences in the work of Chaucer, Dante, and
Shakespeare.  One part of the Islamic Culture Day program offered
by the Center for Renaissance and Baroque Studies at the University
of Maryland.  This program is primarily geared to secondary school
teachers but is open to the public.  Please call for reservations.
9am - 1pm.  301/405-6830.  Free.

 La Stravaganza directed by Thomas MacCracken will present a program
of English Baroque music.  Included along with works by Purcell, Handel
and others, will be two pieces by John Jenkins in honor of the 400th
anniversary of his birth in 1592.  8pm.  St. Columba's Episcopal Church,
4201 Albemarle St., NW, WDC. 703/620-4835.  $10/8.

 Renaissance Festival.  See August 29 & 30.

September 20 sunday
 Musikanten will sing the repertoire for its Italian
Tour in a "Buon Viaggio" concert.  2pm.  Casa Italiano,
595 3rd Street, NW, Washington, DC.  Free.

 Gregorian Chant, in the living tradition, for both Ordinary
and Proper/New Rite Latin Mass.  St. Anselm's Abbey Church,
4501 So. Dakota Ave., NE, Washington.  4pm.

 Renaissance Festival.  See August 29 & 30.

 HIP  Pro Musica Rara, the Baltimore Museum of Art 's resident early
music ensemble presents "The Classical Clarinet with Lawrence McDonald"
in a concert on original instruments.  Phillip Kolker, bassoon;
Allen Whear, cello; Shirley Mathews, fortepiano playing Beethoven
Trio Op. 11; Graupner Trio Sonata; Mozart Duo K. 292.  3:30pm.
Baltimore Museum of Art, Baltimore, MD.  410/821-8730.  $12.

 HIP  Castle Trio presents a program of Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven
on original instruments from the Smithsonian's vast collection.  7:30pm.
Hall of Musical Instruments, National Museum of American History,
Constitution Ave, WDC.  202/357-3030.  $16/$12 for Res. Assoc.

 NEW YORK  "1492:  A Sephardic Odyssey" presented by The Western
Wind Ensemble with guest instrumentalists and narrator.  It's the
"romance and rituals of the Sephardim told in story and song." 8pm.
Merkin Concert Hall, 129 west 67th Street, NYC.  212/362-8719.  $18.

September 21 monday
 FILM  Columbus's World (53 min.) Describes 15th century China,
Spice Islands, Cairo, Venice, Genoa, and Istanbul.  12:30pm.  National
Portrait Gallery, 8th & F streets, NW (Gallery Place Metro), WDC.  Free.

September 26 saturday
 Washington Renaissance Dancers bring the style and grace of
courtly dance to the Washington National Cathedral's Open House.
Linn Barnes & Alison Hampton will be there also along with other
Renaissance performers.  12 noon to 6:30pm.  Washington National
Cathedral, Wisconsin and Massachusetts Ave. NW.  Free.

 David & Ginger Hildebrand present a lively selection of early music
from colonial era Maryland at the "Potomac River Heritage Festival."
(3:00-3:30pm and 4:15-5:00pm)  Take the opportunity to see the 18th-
century historic gardens; watch the ongoing reconstruction of a 1780's
farm house from Waldorf, MD using authentic tools and methods; and check
the progress of the project to raise blight-resistant chestnut trees.
The chestnut was the dominant tree in the forest in colonial times.
It provided food as well as building material.  The chestnut, devastated
by blight that began in the early 1900's, is making a slow comeback due
to the program at Accokeek.  National Colonial Farm, 3400 Bryan Pt. Road
(off Indian Head Hwy/210 so.) Accokeek, MD.  301/283-2113.

 Renaissance Festival.  See August 29 & 30.

September 27 sunday
 Renaissance Festival.  See August 29 & 30.
	____________________________________________________________

An overview of October's performances is available in the
printed edition of HARMONIA available for $2 from the editor:
Patricia Cutts, 736 13th Street, SE, Washington, DC 20003.
	____________________________________________________________

For Those Who Play. . . Or Would Like To

 Monday Recorder Group.  Beginners' class starts Monday, September 14.
It will meet every Monday night, 8pm-10:30pm, through December.
The Group also has other advanced sections open to players with
more experience.  The United Church, 20th & G Streets, NW, Washington, DC.
Call Bob Johnson at 202/863-0279.

 Washington Recorder Society holds its first meeting of the season
on Monday, Sept. 21 at 8pm at the Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church,
1 Chevy Chase Circle.  The group meets the 1st and 3rd Monday of
each month.  Program of mini-concerts by invited guests.
Call Jayme Sokolow at 301/933-1453.

 Northern Virginia Recorder Society begins its 7th year on September 13.
The group will meet on Sunday evenings, 7-9pm at St. Paul's Lutheran
Church in Falls Church, VA.  There are three groups:  beginners, low
intermediate, and high intermediate.  Christmas and spring concerts
at the church and performances at Ballston Commons provide large group,
consort and solo playing opportunities.  Call Ed Friedler.  703/425-1324.

 Viola da Gamba Society of America/Washington chapter has three
"play-ins" a year.  Beginners are welcome.  They will help you find a
teacher.  First meeting in October.  Call Tom Anastasio at 301/270-2069.
	____________________________________________________________

WILLIAM PARKER SINGS BACH

Baritone William Parker 's recording of Bach Cantatas BWV 82 and BWV56,
accompanied by The Arcadian Academy and friends, and The Baroque Choral
Guild directed by Nicholas McGegan are paired with excerpts from his
previously recorded arias from Handel's "Susanna" and "Messiah" for the
first release from Harmonia Mundi's new Nightingale series.  Nightingale
has been created especially for non-profit projects.  All HM proceeds
from the sale will go to SHANTI PROJECT, a non-profit, volunteer-based
organization serving people with AIDS or disabling HIV in San Francisco.

The 49 yr. old Mr. Parker, long acclaimed as a solo recitalist, was
diagnosed with AIDS about two years ago.  Though he has fought off
pneumonia four times, his voice, spared the ravages of disease, is still
at its peak.  He has used his artistry to full advantage in these recordings.
Parker has made two albums to be released in the Nightingale series:
the Bach recording and one still to be released titled the "AIDS Quilt
Songbook."  The "Songbook" is a collection of 18 songs that address AIDS
each of which was conceived and donated by a contemporary composers
especially for this project.  Both Olsson's Books and Records and Tower
Records will donate their proceeds of the Bach CD to SHANTI PROJECT.
(HMN 907601.  J.S. Bach: Two Cantatas.)


Review by Paul Faatz, Olsson's Books and Records, Metro Center.
"Ich habe genug," the opening line of Bach's solo bass cantata written
for the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 2 February
1727, is virtually impossible to render accurately in English and has
variously been translated as "It is enough," "I have enough," "I am
satisfied'" and "I ask for nothing more."  It probably most accurately
expresses an amalgam of all these sentiments.  The text centers upon a
theme typical of Lutheran literature of the time: a yearning for death
once one has experienced the joy of Christ.

Listening to this performance, one cannot help but be moved by
the particular poignancy of the text in view of the circumstances
surrounding its recording.  Especially moving is the transcendently
beautiful aria, "Schlummert ein, ihr matten Augen," one of the finest
meldings of music and text in all of Bach's prodigious output.

Bach's other solo bass cantata, "Ich will den Kreuzstab gerne tragen,"
concerns the passage from the worldly realm, with its attendant miseries
and afflictions, to the kingdom of Heaven and release from pain and
sorrow.  Mr. Parker's singing is very beautiful, particularly in the
second recitative, "Ich stehe fertig und bereit."  It is here that the
theme of the cantata is most fully expressed.  The SATB chorale which
follows, probably sung by the congregation of the church of St. Thomas
in Leipzig where Bach served as cantor, provides a delightful contrast to
the solo arias and recitatives which precede it and brings the cantata
to a sublime and peaceful close.

The instrumental accompaniment throughout is quite fine.  The oboists in
particular, playing baroque instruments of characteristically plaintive
timbre, contribute much to the overall mood of these works.  It is odd
that Mr. McGegan chose to use a harpsichord in the continuo role rather
than the organ which generally accepted performance practice would
dictate, especially as the organ has been used so effectively in other
recordings.  I find the harpsichord a bit intrusive at times, but not
seriously enough so as to detract from my enjoyment of the record.

Those already familiar with Bach's cantatas will find much to
cherish in these individual and heartfelt performances, while
those as yet unacquainted with this rich literature may look to
these recordings as an accessible and rewarding starting point.
	____________________________________________________________

1492:  A PORTRAIT IN MUSIC
This beautifully executed hour-long video produced for public television,
is a journey seen through the eyes of Columbus of that historic and
fateful year that witnessed the defeat of the Moors in Granada, the
expulsion of the Jews, and the discovery of the New World.  We share
in Columbus' thoughts and reactions as he presses persistently and
patiently forward with his plan to find the "Indies."  Events are
depicted through great works of art, aptly chosen historic sites in
Spain, and the accompanying music of the Waverly Consort.  The narration
is very effectively handled by using the persona and words of Columbus'
son Ferdinand, his first biographer, to tell the story.  The video also
comes with a study guide for reference or classroom use.

1492:  A Portrait in Music is available from the Center for Music
Television, Eugene Enrico, Director, School of Music, University of
Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019.  (405/325-2081)  The cost is $19.95 plus
$3.00 for mailing.  They also have a number of other music videos
that may well be worth exploring.  You may want to ask about:
A Renaissance of Monteverdi, Music of Antonio Vivaldi, The Festino
of Adriano Banchieri. Spanish language version of the video available
from it's offices in Washington.  Call John Klein at 202/775-1992.
	____________________________________________________________

AUDITIONS:

 The Washington Bach Consort, J. Reilly Lewis, Music Director,
is holding auditions for its 40-voice professional chorus on
Friday, September 11, from 7-10pm and on Sunday, September, 13,
from 2-4pm, at Clarendon United Methodist Church in Arlington.
There are openings for all voice parts.

The Consort presents five subscription series concerts, four noontime
Cantata concerts and several benefit concerts each season.  Rehearsals
are held Sunday evenings from 5-7:30pm at Clarendon United Methodist
Church.  The 1992-93 season will include the St. John Passion, the
Missa Brevis in A Major, and Monteverdi's Christmas Vespers, as well
as performances with the Mark Morris Dance Group at the Kennedy Center
and with the Folger Consort at the Folger Shakespeare Library.
Call 202/337-1202 to schedule an audition.

 Continuum seeks singers for small chamber chorus, all voice parts,
with sight singing ability.  Rehearsals on Wednesdays, Bethesda
(near Metro), from 8-10pm.  Music planned for next season includes
Tallis Lamentations and the Brahms Liebeslieder Waltzes.  Call:
301/942-3526 or write:  Bill Spencer, 707 Dunkirk Road, Baltimore, MD 21212.

 Coral Cantigas a new Washington-based group of singers whose focus
is Spanish and Latin American music from 13th century Spain through
contact with the New World and on up to include contemporary composers.
They are seeking good amateur singers with some sight reading skills.
The group is directed by Diana V. Saez, an accomplished professional
choral conductor.  Her Master's Degree in choral conducting is from Temple
University where she studied under Alan Harler.  Auditions will be held
Thursday, September 3rd and 10th from 7:30-9:30pm at Our Lady of Lourdes
Catholic School, corner of Pearl and East-West Hwy two blocks from the
Bethesda Metro stop.  For more information:  Ana Astrid Molina 301/984-8069.

 Gregorian chant.  Mixed choir.
Interested parties call Lila Collamore:  202/526-2503.
	____________________________________________________________

MILLENNIUM OF MUSIC

NEW TIME FOR MILLENNIUM:  9:00-10:30pm Sundays!  This
may pose a real dilemma for "Masterpiece Theatre" fans.

WETA  91 FM/Washington, DC  9-10:30pm Sundays
The September schedule for Millennium of Music hosted by Robert Aubry Davis:

SEPT 6 -- "Circa 1500:  The "new fashion" in
music during the reign of Elizabeth I of England.
SEPT 13 -- "Utrecht Festival '91:  Tallis Scholars"
Great Requiem Mass by Spanish composer Tomas Luis de Victoria.
SEPT 20 -- "Christopher Hogwood" Part 1 of 2 describing
the burst of enthusiasm for early music in the 1960s and
his collaboration with the late David Munrow.
SEPT 27 -- "New Oxford History of Music Vol. 3" The 14th and 15th centuries.
Fr. Jerome Weber chooses one piece of music per chapter as illustration.
OCT 4 -- "New Releases"  New pleasures.

And now you can have a program! Playlists are available a week
beforehand.  Send a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE) and
a note indicating for which week you are requesting a list to:
Millennium of Music, WETA FM91, PO Box 2626, Washington, DC 20013.
	____________________________________________________________

ARTICLES FOR SEPTEMBER (IN PRINT EDITION):

 "Performing Colonial Musi -- Some Considerations" by David Hildebrand,
Ph.D. David and Ginger Hildebrand, based in the Annapolis region of
Maryland, perform authentic colonial era music throughout the U.S.
They have produced two fine recordings of early colonial music associated
with colonial Maryland and the Tidewater region of Virginia.

 "Finding Early American Music and Dance" by Kate Van Winkle Keller.
Kate is the executive director of the Sonneck Society for American Music.
The article talks about some interesting new resources and overlooked
older resources for music, song, and dance material from early America.

ARTICLES FOR OCTOBER:

 Article on Taller Ziryab (Concert Oct. 11 at UMD) the ten-person
vocal/instrumental group from Seville -- including a brief look at
their series of recordings of Renaissance masters from Seville.

 Interview with Nancy Knowles of LiveOak.
(Concert Oct. 17 at Dumbarton Concert Series).

 Short piece on Ton Koopman and the Amsterdam
Baroque Orchestra (Concert October 25 at UMD).
	____________________________________________________________

A copy of the September edition (or any single issue) can be had by sending
your name, address, and $2 to:  Patricia Cutts, editor, 736 13th Street, SE,
Washington, DC 20003.

HARMONIA needs and welcomes the support of early music fans throughout
INTERNET.  Due to financial considerations, however, complete editions
of HARMONIA will only be available in print.  From time to time HARMONIA
will put items of interest into the INTERNET system.  Subscriptions to
HARMONIA are available for the 1992-93 season.  Interested parties can
contact the editor:  Patricia Cutts, 736 13th Street, SE, Washington,
DC 20003.  202/543-1941.
-- 
______________________________________________________________________

Brent Chivers		McLean, VA		bchivers@mitre.org