Critiques et presse

Camerata Nova, Missa Mexicana

Camerata Nova just keeps getting better and better. This concert featured Renaissance and Baroque Spanish music of the Old and New world, showcasing the Missa egos flos campi, by Juan Gutiérrez de Padilla. The enthusiastic Ross Brownlee, who also sings with Camerata Nova, was guest director.

The first half started with some New World pieces, including Amor que me cautivas, a Mexican folk song that had been discovered set to the music of Arbeau’s Belle Qui Tiens ma Vie. That pavan has certainly traveled. These were followed by part of Padilla’s mass interspersed with popular villancicos by Juan del Encina. Added texture came from the introduction of sackbut and cornetto, (Renaissance brass instruments) in a number of the pieces played by guest artists Trevor Dix (who had been flown in especially for the concert) and Jeff Bosch. In Aranes’ Chacona, we were treated to the percussion of Rodrigo Muñoz, making an effective juxtaposition to the lilting singing of the choir. I found the choir singing excellent throughout though a little reserved in the first half, for instance, a bit more enthusiasm exclaiming Viva! in Flecha’s La Guerra would have been nice. They finally let lose in the final piece of the first half, a villancico Si Habra en este baldres.

The second half followed with more expertly sung parts of the mass by Padilla, including the two choir Credo with its rhythmic sections, and the Sanctus with its prayerful beginning turning into joyful song. More popular music was presented, including Camerata Nova’s light and dance-like rendition of El Dindirin from Flecha’s ensalada, La Bomba, a very quick version of Dindirin, and a lively verse from Riu, Riu, Chiu complete with handclapping. But by far the most memorable part of this concert was Joan Cererols Sarafin, the most heartachingly gorgeous piece of music I’ve ever heard. With soloist Megan Reimer’s full mezzo voice, Matthew Knight’s skillful guitar accompaniment and the sensitive singing of the full chorus, this piece literally brought tears to my eyes. (A similar response was elicited from another WEMS member attending the Sunday concert.)

Camerata Nova performed an excellent concert, and provided an interesting introduction of some New World Baroque music. And for those of us in WEMS who attended the concert, this was a wonderful start to our exploration of Spanish period music.