Dec 15th, 2009 · Monteverdi stood on the divide between two great musical periods, the Renaissance and the Baroque. His Vespers illustrates a mastery at blending the new with the old in a way that's coherent, expressive and moving, especially in John Eliot Gardiner's atmospheric recording made in Venice.
Dec 3rd, 2009 · The Venice-based orchestra specializes in vibrant, even daring performances of music by one of its city's native sons: Antonio Vivaldi. Hear the group, with feisty violin soloist Giuliano Carmignola, play an all-Vivaldi concert at Boston's Emmanuel Church.
Oct 20th, 2009 · Inspired by the emotionally charged and virtuosic music of the Baroque era, the adventurous mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli's new CD is devoted to the dazzling music associated with the age of the castrati. Hear the album in its entirety for the week leading up to its Oct. 27 release.
Sep 21st, 2009 · Hear the Boston Early Music Festival Chamber Ensemble, in concert at Jordan Hall, with a hair-raising performance of Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 5, as well as surprisingly offbeat music by two of his contemporaries.
Jun 15th, 2009 · The classical guitarist has a huge appetite for diverse music, and plays with a clear, lyrical technique. His diverse set at the desk of All Songs Considered host Bob Boilen mixes the baroque, Argentine dance, West African rhythms and a classic from Spain.
Nov 14th, 2008 · Placido Domingo sings the key scene from one of the first great tenor roles ever composed — Bajazet, in Handel's Tamerlano. Bajazet's death is among the most dramatic solo scenes in all of Baroque opera.
Aug 27th, 2008 · Quinn Walker is a brazen experimental baroque-folk artist. His first studio solo record is a double disc, one titled Laughter's An A**hole, the other Lion Land. Beneath the amusing impression of the album is a deeper context revealing Walker's social consciousness. The title refers to the humility of humor and that people oftentimes "laugh at the expense of other people".
Jul 25th, 2008 · Fleet Foxes' members join host David Dye for the latest in World Cafe's Lillywhite Sessions series from Avatar Recording Studios in New York City. The quintet draws from the baroque psychedelic pop of the '60s, sacred harp singing, gospel, and folk music.