Matter of the Heart
Secular and religious love songs
Caccini–Campra–Castello–Chéron–Grandi–Kapsberger–Vivaldi
Anna-Maaria Oramo, soprano
FiBO Players:
Pauliina Fred, traverso
Dora Asterstad, violin
Tatu Ahola, cello
Olli Hyyrynen, archlute
Anna Orasmaa, organ
The Matter of the Heart concert is about love in its spiritual and secular form. Already in the early Baroque, it was very common that in the lyrics the affection was shown to religious figures as intensely as in the secular songs of the same time. Through music, human emotions have been dealt with on many levels, to which even modern people can easily identify. Early in the concert, expressions of more religious love will be heard from 17th-century France and Italy, framed by instrumental music of the same time. How are the means of expression changing, or are they changing?
Alessandro Grandi’s motet O quam speciosa describes the Virgin Mary as a beloved, sweet rose. The Song of Songs and psalm texts of the Old Testament also inspired many 17th-century composers to the theme of admiration. The text of Tarquinio Merula’s Nigra sum is from the Old Testament Song of Songs, but at the same time it is a song of praise by the Byzantine and widely known as “Black Madonna” in the Mediterranean.
Towards the end of the concert, the love theme will be dealt with from a secular perspective. In Italian baroque vocal music, falling in love was dealt with from a wide variety of perspectives in different eras. In Giulio Caccini’s 17th-century monodio Dovrò dunque morire, Udite Amanti and Dolcissimo sospiro the emotional states of falling in love and longing for someone are emphasized. In his 18th-century cantata, All’ombra di sospetto, Antonio Vivaldi analyzes the dilemma of love affairs and betrayal.
Duration: 1 h 30 min (incl. intermission)