Details

An exquisite exploration of early music by globally acclaimed interpreters.

For over 50 years, Jordi Savall has remained one of the most versatile musical masters of his generation, rescuing gems from obscurity and returning them to the world for all to enjoy. A tireless researcher into early music, he interprets and performs the repertoire both as viol player and director. In 1974, Jordi Savall and Montserrat Figueras, together with Lorenzo Alpert and Hopkinson Smith, founded the ancient music ensemble Hespèrion XX in Basel as a way of recovering and disseminating the rich and fascinating musical repertoire prior to the 19th century. The name Hespèrion means ‘an inhabitant of Hesperia’, which in ancient Greek referred to the two most westerly peninsulas in Europe: the Iberian and the Italian. At the turn of the 21st century, Hespèrion XX became known as Hespèrion XXI.

Ancient and early music’s most important value stems from its ability as a universal artistic language to transmit feelings, emotions and ancestral ideas that even today can enthrall the contemporary listener. Today Jordi Savall and Hespèrion XXI are central to the understanding of the music of the period between the Middle Ages and the Baroque, and their exquisite performances enable people to freely enjoy the aesthetic and spiritual delicacy of the works of this historical period.

About the concerts

On Thursday 23 February, Jordi Savall and Hespèrion XXI present Fantasies, Battles and Dances: The Golden Age of European Consort Music – vibrant music of the Renaissance and Baroque featuring works by Tye, Alberti, Dowland, Lawes, Ferrabosco, Bach, Purcell, Cabanilles and more.

On Friday 24 February, Jordi Savall and Hespèrion XXI present The Venetian Influences in Musical Europe – a lively exploration of ricercari, capricci, canzoni, sonatas, dances and variations from the Renaissance and Baroque.

Melbourne Recital Centre’s Signature Event is a must-see concert experience for music-lovers who desire to broaden their musical horizon and experience something truly special. With more than 230 recordings and many awards and distinctions including the Midem Classical Award, the International Classical Music Award, Grammy Award and Helpmann Award to his name, Jordi Savall is no exception.

Supported by Yvonne von Hartel AM, Robert Peck AM, Rachel Peck, and Marten Peck of peckvonhartel architects.

COVID Safety

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Artists

Artists

Jordi Savall director, viol
Hespèrion XXI

Praise for Jordi Savall

‘That Savall is a master of an instrument long out of currency (the viol being an ancestor to the modern string family) may suggest a musician confined to a limited realm, but no one in early music has ventured as far as he has during the last half century… Savall is simply the kind of magnificent player, and his ensembles such vehicles of unqualified community and joy, that sweetness even seeps into expression of sorrow.’ Los Angeles Times