Hespèrion XXI

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Hespèrion XXI's viol consort[1]

Hespèrion XXI is an international early music ensemble. The group was formed in Basel, Switzerland in 1974 as Hespèrion XX by Catalan musical director Jordi Savall (bowed string instruments, particularly the viola da gamba), his wife Montserrat Figueras (soprano), Lorenzo Alpert (flute, percussion), and Hopkinson Smith (plucked string instruments). The group changed its name to Hespèrion XXI at the beginning of the 21st century. The name "Hespèrion" is derived from a word in Classical Greek which referred to the people of the Italian and Iberian peninsulas.[2]

The ensemble is noted for its scholarship in early music, especially the music of 16th and 17th century of Spain. Their performance practice is noted for the liberal use of improvisation around the basic melodic and rhythmic structures of the early pieces, resulting in great emotional intimacy and immediacy.

Awards[edit]

  • Grand Prix de l'académie du Disque Français
  • Edison-Prijs Amsterdam
  • Grand Prix du Disque of the Charles Cros Academy of France
  • Grand Prize of the Japanese Recording Academy
  • Cannes Classic Award
  • Diapason d'Or
  • Grand Prix FNAC
  • Giorgio Gini Foundation Prize

Selected discography[edit]

As Hespèrion XX[edit]

Note: The name of composer Juan del Encina (or Enzina) is spelled below as printed on the individual CD covers.

As Hespèrion XXI[edit]

  • 2000 - Diáspora Sefardí, Alia Vox — a recreation of music of the Eastern Sephardic communities
  • 2002 - Ostinato, Alia Vox
  • 2004 - Isabel I: Reina de Castilla, Alia Vox
  • 2005 - Altre Follie, Alia Vox
  • 2006 - Orient-Occident, Alia Vox
  • 2008 - Estampies & Danses Royales: Le Manuscrit du Roi ca. 1270–1320, Alia Vox
  • 2009 - The Book of the Science of Music by Dimitrie Cantemir, Alia Vox
  • 2009 - Le Royaume Oublié: La croisade contre les Albigeois – La tragédie Cathare, Alia Vox
  • 2011 - La Sublime Porte: Voix d'Istanbul, 1430–1750, Alia Vox
  • 2013 - Esprit des Balkans, Alia Vox[3]
  • 2016 - GRANADA 1013 - 1502, Alia Vox

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Fundació CIMA | Centre Internacional de Música Antiga". www.fundaciocima.org (in Catalan). Retrieved 2017-02-20.
  2. ^ "About the Performer: Hespèrion XXI". Philpedia - Musicians and Performers Database. LA Philharmonic. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
  3. ^ "Products – Alia Vox".

External links[edit]