Jordi Savall in Concert
Littlest Sister said she knew something important had happened when I raced past her Friday morning, still in my nightgown. “Jordi Savall is here!” I cried to Biggest Brother, my fellow in things musical.
I listen to the classical radio as I make my bed, and the host had briefly commented that Savall would be playing for the Tropical Baroque Festival that week. When Papa called home later that morning I excitedly told him “Our absolute-favorite-ever musician is playing here!” “Wow!” he responded. “What do tickets cost?” I told him. “Wow!” he said again. “But this is a once in a lifetime opportunity.”
My discovery of Savall almost two years ago was serendipitous. (I was looking for Recercada segunda by Diego Ortiz, and found Savall, his son, and daughter playing Recercada primera.) Since then, I’ve watched several concerts on YouTube, and kept several of Savall’s albums on my iPod. That I would see him in concert was a daydream come true.
Papa dropped us off at the church early that evening—Next Sister, Biggest Brother and I; and we quickly took our place in line, clutching programs and our ticket. When the doors finally opened, we were able to get very good seats near the front. We watched them finish arranging the lighting, and watched Savall tune his viola de gamba. We were so excited to see him in person!
Unfortunately, it proved impossible to get a good picture even when people weren’t walking in front.
Finally, the chairman of the Bach Society introduced Savall as the “King of Baroque,” and the ensemble ascended the stage to enthusiastic applause. Jordi Savall and Hespèrion XXI were performing with the Tembembe Ensamble Continuo from Mexico. Together they presented a rich program that married the Old and New Worlds in a vibrant series of folias, dances, and songs.
Listening to music is one thing, but watching the musicians as they play adds such a dimension to the experience. We enjoyed the blissful smiles of lutenist Xavier Diaz-Latorre, and the dance-like energy of percussionist Marc Clos as he played the drum and castanets. Harpist Andrew Lawrence-King gave a theatrical introduction to one dance that had the audience laughing with embarrassment (Latin, ahem, passion). Many of the pieces were improvisations, and it was so much fun to watch the musicians as they fluidly interacted through the melody.
The first half of the concert expanded our expectations for the evening. We hadn’t heard the Mexican ensemble before, but agreed they were wonderful with Hespèrion XXI. The music and the singing was fantastic, and it was difficult not to keep time with the rhythm—the booming drum; the sweet strumming of harp, lute, and guitar; the viola, the violin, the bass; the amazing variety of percussion (pandera, marimbol, quijada de caballo, and mosquito?). We kept nudging each other in delight (and passing cough-drops). Then Jordi Savall was left alone on stage to play a beautiful homage to the memory of his wife, soprano Montserrat Figueras, who passed away several months ago. There was thunderous applause.
During the intermission we met friends we had invited to the concert. “I didn’t know Baroque music was like this!” one exclaimed. “I thought it was boring and slow.” Boring and slow this was not.
One of the next pieces, listed on the program as Sarabanda V: Passamezzo moderno II, I recognized as Recercada Segunda by Diego Ortiz. As usual, it was so beautiful and far too short! (This piece is actually one inspiration for learning the recorder this year.)
I had seen Canarios on the program and was looking forward to it. Biggest Brother tapped my knee when they started playing it, but I didn’t require notification. I have quite a few versions of this tune on my iPod, and never tire of the endless variations. Listening to another one-of-a-kind improvisation, in person, was amazing. Canarios was a lively folk dance from the Canary Islands, but the tune seems to me to also suggest birdsong, especially when Savall’s viola de gamba began to trill.
Jordi Savall and his viola de gamba are on the far left. Members of Hespèrion XXI are dressed in black, and Tembembe Ensamble Continuo in white.
The last on the program was a lively gallarda by Antonio Valente. I recognized it right away as a special favorite: the Gallarda Napolitana. This one had my hands and feet keeping time, despite my attempts to be a decorous concert-goer. As the last note rang in the sanctuary, the audience rose to their feet, and we clapped and clapped and clapped. The musicians bowed several times and filed out. We continued to clap at a polite but insistent rhythm, and the ensemble returned to the stage, smiling widely as they took up their instruments again.
Jordi Savall spoke for the first time, and with a thick accent introduced a serenade from Peru. There was a ruffle of drum beats and then—El espíritu de la danze. Biggest Brother and I turned to each other with a shared shock of delight. How was it that they had managed to play all of our favorites? “That was the best part!” Biggest Brother would say many times. It was a wonderful end to a wonderful concert.
We went up to the stage afterwards. Next Sister got an autograph from Jordi Savall, and thanked him for his music. “I spoke to Jordi Savall!” Biggest Brother marveled afterwards, and then laughed. “I don’t remember what I said and I don’t think he heard, but I’ll tell my children.”
You can have a taste of the concert by following these links to YouTube. (Biggest Brother and I swooned over these as we chose them.) Scroll down to find two special favorites: Gallarda Napolitana and the encore—both exactly how they sounded at the concert, though I am sorry you can’t watch the musicians play!
“Rodrigo Martinez,” improvisation
Sarabanda V: Passamezzo moderno II
Glosas sobre “Todo el mundo en general”
Canarios, improvisation (I never tire of the variations)
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NEXT SISTER said...
The concert was amazing! And the weirdest thing was that you were about to turn off the radio when they mentioned he was coming. I’ve bookmarked your selections.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012 07:41 PM
HANDMAIDEN said...
I am so glad that I kept the radio on!
Wednesday, March 7, 2012 08:18 PM
MRS. ARMSTRONG said...
Thank you for sharing this! Now I too have bookmarked this page to write down titles and share with my husband later. This is fantastic.
Friday, March 16, 2012 10:10 PM
HANDMAIDEN said...
It is fantastic! I am glad you enjoyed this; it is some of our favorite music.
Saturday, March 17, 2012 09:30 AM
LITTLEST SISTER said...
I just caught the end of the concert, but, from what I saw, it sounded amazing. The location was perfect for the concert. It created a cool atmosphere.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012 05:51 PM
Tuesday, March 6, 2012