The baroque spirit in all its musical shapes. In Memoriam: Two early music legends, Alice Hoffelner-Harnoncourt (1930-2022) and Marie Leonhardt-Amsler (1928-2022).
Today we remember two recently deceased early music legends: Alice Hoffelner-Harnoncourt (1933-2022) and Marie Leonhardt-Amsler (1928-2022).
They were violinists, close friends and co-founders of two leading early music ensembles that introduced their audience to performances on old, historical instruments. These were the ensembles Concentus Musicus led by Nicolaus Harnoncourt (+ 2016) and the Leonhardt Consort led by Gustav Leonhardt (+ 2012). In these ensembles, the two violinists had the function of concertmaster.
Alice and Marie collaborated on the first major integral recordings of all cantatas by Johann Sebastian Bach.
Playlist:
Johan Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
1. Double concerto in D minor for violin and oboe, BWV 1060
– Allegro
– Adagio
– Allegro
Alice Harnoncourt, violin. Jürg Schaeflein, oboe. Concentus Musicus led by Nicolaus Harnoncourt
(CD: Das Alte Werk Double concertos Bach & sons. Warner Classics. Teldec Classics)
Marie Leonhardt
Henry Purcell (1659-1695)
2. Chaconne for two violins and basso continuo, Z 730 in G minor
Biagio Marini (1594-1663)
3. Per ogni sorte di strumento musicale, opus 22: passacaglia
Heinrich Franz Biber (1644-1704)
4. Passacaglia
5. Menso Sonora: Partita no. 3
Ensemble Baroque de Mateus: Marie Leonhardt and Andrew Manze, violin. Richard Egarr, harpsichord.
(CD: The great Chaconnes of the Baroque. Canal Grande CG 9109)
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
6. Cantata “Ich armer Mensch, ich Sündenknecht”, BWV 55, for the 22nd Sunday after Trinity
– Aria Ich armer Mensch, ich Sündenknecht Tenor
– Recitativo: Ich habe wider Gott gehandelt
– Aria: erbarme dich, lass die Tränen dich erweichen
– Recitativo: ernarme dich! Jedoch nun
– Choral: Bin ich gleich von dir gewichen
Kurt Equiluz, tenor. Knabenchor Hannover and Leonhardt-Consort led by Gustav Leonhardt
(CD: Das Kantatenwerk – Sacred cantatas vol 3. Teldec 4509 91757-2)
Johann Sebastian Bach
7. From Concerto for violin in E major, BWV 1042: Adagio
Alice Harnoncourt, violin. Concentus Musicus Wien led by Nicolaus Harnoncourt
(CD: J.S.Bach – Violinkonzerte, Alice Harnoncourt. Teldec 8.44014 ZS)
