From Baroque to Contemporary: Three February Concerts by Amici della Musica

The Amici della Musica chamber concert series will offer three events this weekend: a piano recital by Pierre-Laurent Aimard on February 10 (Teatro della Pergola, 4 pm); an installment of “Portraits” (Cherubini Conservatory, 9 pm) scheduled on February 11; and a concert by Jordi Savall and his Hespèrion XXI group on February 12 (Teatro Niccolini, 9 pm).

Pianist Pierre-Laurent Aimard has collaborated with many modern composers, including György Ligeti (Aimard has recorded his complete works), Karlheinz Stockhausen, George Benjamin, Pierre Boulez and Olivier Messiaen.  He will be interpreting works by Beethoven, Ligeti, Debussy and Chopin at the Pergola, in a program which highlights their affinities.  There will be a particular focus on the modernity of Beethoven and influence of musical styles of the past on Ligeti.

Aimard is known for his interpretations of a wide-ranging musical repertoire and for having been a guest artist in the world’s most important concert halls, such as Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center.

For the juxtaposition of the contemporary with the past of “Portraits,” Amici della Musica artistic director Andrea Lucchesini has chosen to present the world premiere of a piece by Carlo Boccadoro, who will pay a musical tribute to Igor Stravinsky. Boccadoro’s compositions has been performed in major theatres around the world, and he has also conducted at Teatro alla Scala and the Verona Arena.

In contrast, on Monday Jordi Savall will transport listeners into the world of baroque music. He is known for being a talented viol musician. Savall will share the stage with the Hespèrion XXI group featuring Xaiver Diaz Latorre on the guitar, Andrew Lawrence-King on the Spanish baroque harp and David Mayoral on percussion.  They will interpret the works of Ortiz Sanz, Guerrero, Hume,  Antonio Martín y Coll, Santiago de Murcia, The Lancashire Pipes and Francisco Correa de Arauxo.

Savall’s performances have been compiled in 230 recordings, spanning styles from medieval and Renaissance to baroque, with particular attention to Hispanic and Mediterranean music.

For more information, visit www.amicimusicafirenze.it