Boston Camerata

The Boston Camerata preserves and reawakens human memory as expressed through the art of music. It accomplishes this mission through live, historically informed, professional performances of European and American music of the Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque eras; through study and research into musical sources of the past; through sound recordings and media projects; and through community outreach and musical education. Founded in 1954, The Boston Camerata was associated until 1974 with the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. Since 1968, Joel Cohen has directed the ensemble's teaching, research, recording and concert activities. Camerata began touring overseas in 1974, and has maintained an international presence ever since. In recent seasons, Camerata has been heard in Canada, England, Spain, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, the Netherlands, Singapore, and Israel.

In the United States, Camerata has participated in recent early music festivals at Berkeley and San Antonio, as well as in most of the biennial Boston Early Music Festivals from 1981 to 1993. The ensemble has maintained an extensive touring schedule across the entire United States. Camerata's second, third and fourth invitations to the renowned Tanglewood Festival came in 1992, 1994 and 1995, respectively. Camerata undertook its first Japanese tour in 1995; it gave its first Scandinavian performances in 1996. The group's first invitation to participate in the Kalamazoo Medieval Institute came in 1997. Media appearances by the Boston Camerata have included a nationally syndicated radio series in the U.S. and numerous broadcasts on French, English, Canadian, Dutch, Spanish, Swiss, Norwegian, and Swedish radio. The ensemble has made several appearances on French television; in the spring of 1992 its video production of the Roman de Fauvel was telecast nationwide in France. In the United States, Camerata provided the music for Guardian of Memory, a 1993 TV project for the Library of Congress. Camerata's video of Shall We Gather at the River received numerous "plays" on American cable television during the winter of 1992-93. Simple Gifts (1995), the group's Shaker music project, has been the subject of extensive coverage on national television, on American public radio and the BBC.

Discography

Trav'ling Home - American Spirituals

Hatfield (copied by Moses Kimball) Invocation (William Billings) The Pilgrims (The Revivalist) Balloon (Timothy Swan) Richmond (William Billings) Harvest Hymn (Jeremiah Ingalls) Calvary (Daniel Read) Pennsylvania (Jeremiah Ingalls) While Angels Strike (The Revivalist) Cusseta (The Sacred Harp) Confidence (The Christian Lyre) Something New (The Revivalist) The Young Convert (Jeremiah Ingalls) Scots, Wha Ha'e (Scotland, 18th C.) Bruce's Address (The New Harp of Columbia) Saw You My Hero (copied by Moses Kimball) Crucifixion (The Philharmonia) Fare Well Ye Green Fields (copied by Moses Kimball) Greenfields (The Philharmonia) Prince William's March (copied by Moses Kimball) The Paralytic (The American Vocalist) The Three Gypsies (collected in Somerset, England) Christian Race (The Revivalist) Liberty (The Amercian) Ontario (The Philharmonia) Scotland (The Christian Lyre) Warren (William Billings, The Singing Master's Assistant) Weeping Pilgrim (The Sacred Harp)

When most people think of early music, European composers first spring to mind. European musical traditions have always been considered superior to those of America. Joel Cohen and the Boston Camerata have been proving that early American traditions are worth knowing. Trav'ling Home features American spiritual songs from 1770-1870. This unrefined style of song was discarded for the more genteel hymns that are standard today. Thankfully, we are being treated to a resurrection of this music. The selections on this recording come from Southern shapenote songbooks, hymnals from the North, early manuscripts and the oral tradition. In addition, these songs are brilliantly programmed by Cohen who varies the number of singers and use of accompaniment, showing the flexibility of the music. The opening piece, "Hatfield," performed a cappella by women's voices is extraordinarily striking. If you have any interest in early American music, you must have this recording.

7119 CD $15.98

The Golden Harvest

Stone Prison Trumpet of Peace Voice of the Angels of Mercy Upon This Fair Soil: O Zion Arise Joyful Praises Rights of Conscience The Blessings of Peace Holy Habitation Thanksgiving A Suite of Five Dance Tunes Sweep As I Go: Solemn Song of the Ancients Mother Ann's Song Path of Sorrow Fall on the Rock Sweep As I Go Gift Songs: Birds: Philomela Mourning Dove Mother's Pretty Dove Consoling Dove Gift Songs: Native Spirits: Woben Mesa Crelana (Indian Song) He Haw Tallabo (Indian Song) Indian Song Negro Songs Pretty Home Gift Songs: Heavenly Spirits Angel of Light Angel Invitation Four Little Angels Sweet Angels Come Nearer Mother's Comforting Promise Holy Order Song O Come, Come Away The Savior's Cheering Promise The Golden Harvest: Behold the Day All Glean with Care The Harvest Angel Reapers Light The Angel Reapers

Golden Harvest is an assortment of Shaker songs collected from their many communities. This wonderful music consists of thousands of songs on various religious topics. This is quite miraculous considering that the entire Shaker religion had no more than one thousand members at a time in its two hundred year existence. Nearly extinct, the Shakers and their inspiring music, fortunately, will be forever remembered as a result of this great recording. As a bonus this CD features a conversation between Joel Cohen and the members of the Sabbathday Lake community.

7121 CD $15.98

Simple Gifts

Come Life, Shaker Life In yonder valley Virgins clothed in a clean white garment Mother Father James' Song Followers of the Lamb Mother Ann's Song I have a soul to be saved or lost Heavenly comfort A companion to stiff Pinch'd up, nip'd up I will fight and never slack Celestial choir Holy Angel The lark Nightingale's song Holy Order Song Learned of Angel Laughing John's Interrogatory I'll beat my drum as I march along Mother's Warning The Solemn BellMother's Cup of Tribulation Sad Days Encouragement Verdant Valley In Yonder Valley Solemn Song Turn to the right O will you sing another song The Spiritual sailor Mother has come Holy Mother's protecting chain Simple gifts

The Shakers, best described as a Protestant Monastic Community, traveled from Manchester, England to America in 1 774. They formed several communities from Maine to Kentucky. As a major part of their lives, worship was enhanced by singing, which was considered one of the most important "gifts" given to the group. The best known Shaker hymn, "Simple Gifts" is the final song on this recording. Written by Elder Joseph Brackett ca. 1875, this hymn has become separated from its original purpose. Thousands of songs existed among the various communities and celebrated their religious beliefs as well as many historical occasions. The songs are simple folk like tunes that were sung in unison much like Gregorian chant. Occasionally, part singing and instrumental accompaniment were used, but this was a late addition. The melodies are beautiful, but merely serve as a vehicle for the importance of the words. This recording by the Boston Camerata features members of the Shaker Community of Sabbathday Lake, ME. This project preserves a very important part of American heritage.

7118 CD $15.98

An American Christmas

Watchman of Zion Kingsbridge Bozrah Baptismal anthem A Christmas Hymn A Virgin Most Pure Boston The Heavenly Courtier Pretty home Midnight cry Wayfaring Stranger Slow traveller I wonder as I wander Lullay thou tiny little child Lovely Vine Adeste Fideles Still water Shepherd's Rejoice While shepherds watched Sherburne Fulfilment Hush my babe, lie still and slumber Jesus the Light of the World Joy to the World

Christmas tunes from New England, the deep South, Shaker spirituals, and European-inflected folk songs, along with alternate lyrics to "Adeste Fideles" and "Auld Lang Syne". The music is eerily beautiful in that bittersweet folk way and highlights include a gorgeous solo strophic tune, "The Heavenly Courtier," a hypnotic erotic Bridegroom spiritual, a few folksy close harmony tunes, and Jesus, the Light of the World (alternate tune for Hark, the Herald Angels Sing). The singing is both beautiful for hearing and insightful for listening, and even in the old warhorses, they play with an exuberance that makes the listener what to sing out loud. This is a disc to warm the coldest American Scrooge's heart, and will hold a proud place in my Christmas collection.

Listen to Shepherd's Rejoice in Real Audio.

A Mediaevel Christmas

Isiah's Prophecy The Sybil's Prohecy - Iudicii Signum Conductis - Adest Sponsus Clausula - Oiet, Virgines Hymn - Domino Lauda - Conditor Alme Siderum Reading - Verbum Caro Factum Organum - On Frymae Was Word Reading - Ludea Et Iberusalem Hymn - Gedonis Area Sacred Song - O Maria, Feu MAire Prosa - Ave Maria Responsory - Gaude Maria Hymn - Joseph, Liber Nefe Min Conductus With Refrain - Congaudes Hodie, in Dulci Jubilo Hymn - In Dulci Jubilo Reading - Hand By We Shule Us TAke Conductus - Lux Hodie.. Orientis Partibus

This recortding is one of several in the highly successfule series of Christmas recordings from this fine ensemble. The music on this collection spans seven centuries (12th to 19th) and offers a wide and diverse range of compositions. Director Joel Cohen opens with a Hebrew cantillation of "Isaiah's Prophecy" of the comming of the Messiah, moves on to a 10th-century Spanish setting of a sibylline prophecy, and then takes us to 12th-century Provence with "Adest Pronsus". The performances are always stylish and captivating.... a treasure and essential to your collection.

Listen to Gaude Maria in Real Audio.

A Renaissance Christmas

Rejoice Rejoice Nowell: Dieus Vous Garde Gaudete Gaudete Behold The Handmaiden Reading Luke I Kyrie Elesion E LA Don Don Two Fantasies On 'Une Jeune Fillette' Joseph Is Well Married Une Jeune Fillette Joseph Lieber Joesph Mein Magnificat Quinti Toni The Birth Of Jesus Espirits Divins Reading Luke II Es Ist Ein Ros'Entsprungen Riu Riu Chiu Herod And The Magi Wie Schon Leuchtet Der Morganstern Reading Luke III O Vos Omnes The Shepards At The Cradle Reading Luke II Ungaresca Nouvelles, nouvelles Tau Garco La Durundena Tura Lura Lura Lo Gau Canta The Good News Reading Luke II O Magnum Mysterium Singet Und Klinget Ihr Kinderlein Bransle De Poictou La Bona Novella

An excellent companion to the other Christmas titles in this series here are some of the great Christmas songs of the Renaissance period. Traditional and early songs and carols from across Europe are brought to life by this wonderful vocal ensemble. If the holiday season stresses you out then you will be sure to relax during the listening of this recording of music from a far less frantic time.

Listen to Nouvelles, nouvelles in Real Audio.

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