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In the 17th century it was quite common to construct a work “from the bottom to the top,” starting with a simple bass line that repeats many times as the top melody lines are improvised with many variations on a theme. Long notes were divided into shorter and shorter notes, with ever more complex variations. This style of writing was called “Divisions”, as the notes were “divided” on top of the “ground” (the bass line). This is the basis for our program – divisions of time: time in the sense of musical time, but also time in the sense of the four seasons, Nature´s way of dividing the year. Melodies evolve, one flowing to the next.

Spring is introduced with the sweet call of the nightingale as written by John Playford, and love is awakened with “John Come Kiss Me Now,” along with delightful court songs by Nicolas Lanier and William Lawes. Summer´s passionate “Sweeter than Roses” and playful “All in a Garden Green” balance bright dances such as “The Glory of the Sun” and “Stanes Morris,” chosen for their liveliness and energy. Fall leads to frolicking, as Purcell´s “Autumn” and a complementary little “Aria” by Matteis describe the annual harvest. One can almost hear the windy gusts in our interpretation of Byrd´s “The Woods so Wild.” Soon, winter´s cold draws us back inside again with a solemn old Christmas tune “Remember O Thou Man”. And the circle is drawn to a close as we recall the year´s work, and praise the eternity of music with Purcell´s profound “Here the Deities Approve.” This is a program meant for any time of the year, as we remember how we all live together in our “Garden Green.”

 

 

Niederösterreichisches Nachrichten, St. Pölten, Austria.

 

"What an enchanting promenade through a musical garden – full of colour – a splendid sound - lively and high-spirited dances – not to mention the tender rendition of gentle love songs. Also truly splendid were the seven soloists of the ensemble, especially heard were: Sébastien Perrin (traverso), Adriana Alcaide (violin), and Nina Akerblom-Nielsen (soprano). The result: an enchanting excursion to a baroque garden – glorious!"

Radio Samobor, Croatia.

 

"Closing the 10th Samobor music festival this year was a performance by early music ensemble Le Tendre Amour from Barcelona with the program “All in a Garden Green,” which caused great audience approval in the Samobor Franciscan church. Various combinations of instrumentation, a creative selection of repertoire, refined performance, and passionately dedicated members of this specialized ensemble, opened a rich array of emotional and spiritual nuances of beautiful music to the listener. The ensemble was as rich and inexhaustible as the interesting artistic periods themselves."