Event Description

Memoria Nova: A Musical Offering, explores historical time and concepts of newness and tradition. The performers boldly make the assertion that music is more like music, drawing listeners’ ears to the similarities and connections across time that unify the art form as a whole.

Martinů’s trio is a neo-Baroque work from the first half of the twentieth century which pays homage, both in instrumentation and musical form, to the baroque trio sonata, of which the Rameau Concert No. 5 is a prime example. In contrast to the harpsichord’s traditional role as a supporting continuo instrument, Rameau features it as the soloist in the ensemble with virtuoso obbligato parts. Working within a framework of traditional concepts of counterpoint, motivic development, and classical form, Ralph Shapey pushes rhythm and harmony to their most modernist limits, juxtaposing two different concepts of time in counterpoint with each other – one of highly structured polyrhythmic events, and one of a meterless and gestural nature. Although separated by almost 550 years, Resvellies Vous and Reyem share many connections, including their exploration of complex ratio relationships and prioritization of linear counterpoint over the use of harmonic syntax as a way of constructing vertical sonorities.

Performers:
Shanna Gutierrez, flute; Tara Lynn Ramsey, violin/viola; and Andrew Rosenblum, keyboards

Program:
Bohuslav Martinů: Promenades (1939) for Flute, Violin, and Harpsichord
Guillaume Dufay: Ballata “Resveilles vous” (1423)
Ralph Shapey: Reyem (1967) for trio
Christian Wolff: Exercise #3 (1973-1975)
Jean-Philippe Rameau: Pieces de Clavecin en Concert, Cinquième Concert (1741)