A Sunday hour with early music goodies.
American early music pioneer Joel Cohen passed away on 26 July at the age of 84. He led Boston Camerata from 1968 to 2008. In today’s programme, we pay tribute to him and celebrate the music he shared with audiences.
Anonymous (13th century)
From Carmina Burana
- O Fortuna velut luna
- Olim lacus colueram
- Veni veni venias
Boston Camerata & Harvard University Choir, conducted by Joel Cohen
(CD: Carmina Burana. Erato 0630-14987-2, 1996)
John Dowland (1563–1620)
From The First Booke of Songes or Ayres (1597)
4. Come Away, Come Sweet Love
5. Sleep, Wayward Thoughts
6. Come, Heavy Sleep
7. If My Complaint Could Passions Move
Boston Camerata, conducted by Joel Cohen
(CD: Dowland – Farewell, Unkind: Songs & Dances. Erato 0630-12704-2, 1996)
Alfonso X ‘El Sabio’ (1221–1284)
From Cantigas de Santa Maria
8. Santa Maria, Strela do Dia
9. Ben vennas, Mayo
10. Loemos muit’a Virgen
11. Santa Maria leva
Boston Camerata & Abdelkrim Rais Andalusian Orchestra of Fez, conducted by Joel Cohen & Mohammed Briouel
(CD: Alfonso X El Sabio – Cantigas de Santa Maria. Erato 3984-25498-2, 1999; recorded in 1988)
Traditional (19th century)
12. Greenwich
13. Canterbury New
14. Bonnie Doone
15. O Come, Come Away
16. Go When the Morning Shineth
17. Glad Tidings
18. Burst Ye Emerald Gates
Boston Camerata, Boston Schola Cantorum & Chamber Choir of Harvard-Radcliffe Collegium Musicum, conducted by Joel Cohen
(CD: The American Vocalist: Spirituals and Folk Hymns, 1850–1870. Erato 2292-458182, 1992)
Additional track:
John Dowland
19. The Frog Galliard
Boston Camerata, conducted by Joel Cohen
(CD: Dowland – Farewell, Unkind: Songs & Dances. Erato 0630-12704-2, 1996)
Image caption:
Joel Cohen (source: Boston Camerata website, downloaded on 30 September 2026)
