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treasure

Sunday, April 30, 2006 at 7 pm

Lost and found. Discover a treasure-trove of jewels from the Mexican Baroque. Joined by the musicians of Musica Angelica, Music Director Grant Gershon and the LA Master Chorale explore a rich and sophisticated legacy. The amazing Latin percussionist Alex Acuña will “lay down the groove” for gem after gem where percussion is not notated.

Cross-currents worked overtime in colonial Mexico. Steeped in European Baroque traditions, composers from Spain, Portugal and Italy found fresh inspiration and never looked back. Feel the rhythmic vitality and sensuality that pervade the most solemn religious moments. Sacred music has passion. Dance music bursts with infectious exuberance.

One such composer was Spain’s Juan Gutiérrez de Padilla, who introduced new counterpoints and lively rhythms into his double-choir sacred music as chapel master in Puebla, Mexico. Another was the Italian-born Ignacio de Jerúsalem, who composed increasingly elaborate choral masterpieces for the magnificent Mexico City Cathedral.

At the same time, native Americans stamped European music styles with a dazzling and different beauty. Mexican-born Manuel de Zumaya was one of the first. His remarkable works for ensemble voices introduce ancient Mexican percussion instruments and reproductions of pre-Columbian flutes.  

At its height, the new Baroque music resounded from the splendid churches of Mexico’s proudest cities to the missions of California. Today, these “found treasures” are keepers.

Download a guide to the season: chorale-seasonguide0506.pdf, 1.1MB