Concerts 2012-2013 Season

Program Descriptions:

Anthology: 25 Years with Anonymous 4

To mark their 25th year together, Anonymous 4 have created a truly unique and very special concert program, ANTHOLOGY 25. It features ancient, traditional and modern works from each of their 19 prize-winning, chart-topping harmonia mundi cds, in one, two, three and four voices, ranging from 11th century plainchant, richly harmonic English conductus and spicy French motets of the 13th century, exotic 15th-century Hungarian polyphony, 19th century shape note hymns, and contemporary works.

Looking to the future, the program includes a new work for Anonymous 4 by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer David Lang.

love fail

Fragments from various retellings of the Tristan and Isolde story collide with details from more modern relationships, in this evening length meditation on love, written for us by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer David Lang.  Come see us sing and play percussion at the same time!

Marie & Marion: Motets & Songs from the Montpellier Codex (c. 1300)

The 13th-century French motet, in 2, 3 or 4 voices, built upon a pre-existing tenor, was the musical and notational avant-garde vehicle of its time, showcasing the growing capabilities of rhythmic notation, as it rapidly developed in complexity and flexibility throughout the century.

Our newest program, Marie & Marion includes Latin and French motets devoted to Mary, and French motets of earthly love for Marion, Marot, Marotele, and their amorous sisters. We also sing monophonic music on which these motets are based: plainchant masterpieces, as well as the trouvère and popular love songs so often quoted in these motets.

Sisters in Spirit: Sacred Song from Medieval Spain to Early America

Anonymous 4 travels from old world to new: the first half of this program contains 13th-century polyphony and sacred Latin song made for the nuns of the famous Spanish convent, Las Huelgas, all featured on the groupâ??s newest CD, Secret Voices; the second half is a collection of Anglo-American tunes from their hit recordings American Angels and Gloryland.