L'Auditori

Europe 1610: The New Musicians

The musical revolution that took place in Italy in the early 17th century is only comparable with that of the start of the 20th century. In the same way that Schönberg, Stravinsky and many others tried to change the course of music in different ways, the early Baroque period led to a great variety of innovations, and both ages were mired in a number of controversies.

The biggest star of the period, despite himself, was without a doubt Claudio Monteverdi, the composer of the famous and sumptuous Vespers, published in Venice 400 years ago and which will open the 33th Ancient Music Festival of Barcelona. This work masterfully and in an incredibly natural fashion juxtaposes prima prattica (ancient style) and seconda prattica (new style). In the same way that composers continued writing in a Romantic style right up until the end of World War II, the ancient language of the polyphony did not disappear. On the contrary, it enjoyed a major resurgence in the 17th century, particularly on the Iberian Peninsula and in England. At the same time as Monteverdi was reinventing music, Victoria and Byrd were taking the ancient polyphonic style to dizzying new heights. This year’s Festival presents this musical landscape from Europe in all its variety and contrasts.

As well as much-loved musicians and groups such as L’Arpeggiata, La Colombina and Marco Beasley, I have the pleasure of presenting a good international selection of the new generation which, like Monteverdi, is demonstrating a talent for providing a new impulse to ancient music, without forgetting the teachings of the great masters.

Jan Van den Bossche
Artistic Direction Department