Harmonia Podcast #155: Musica Fiorita, Musique des Lumières, and Meihua Fleur de Prunus

“Music and Poetry from the Time of the Thirty Years’ War”

When I first noticed that Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, one of the great lieder singers of the 20th Century (and quite far from historical performance), was on a recording with a period instrument ensemble, I was very surprised until it became apparent that he was reciting poetry and not singing.

The alternation of 17th-century German music and poetry definitely works, especially since Musica Fiorita‘s performance is so good that it lingers on in the mind while Fischer-Dieskau recites.

Messe des Jésuites de Pékin

Reconstructions of historic (or semi-historic) musical events have become quite popular in the last three decades. And while you might say that all early music requires some form of it, putting together a Catholic mass as it might have sounded during the 17th Century in the city of Beijing, or Peking (as it’s formerly known), is more of a challenge than usual.

Nevertheless, Jean-Christophe Frisch has realized an altogether wonderful performance, which brings together music from the East and West with ensembles XVII-21 Musique des Lumières (now Le Baroque Nomade) and Meihua Fleur de Prunus.

Listen:

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Buy:

• Various: Thirty Years’ War, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau and Musica Fiorita
• Various: Messe des Jésuites de Pékin, Musique des Lumières

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