Early Music Festival Superbowl Sunday

Sunday Feb 7, also known as Superbowl Sunday. An important national holiday for some, something to do in the evening for others, and completely unremarkable for still others. Whichever category you fall into, we have a young ton of early music happening that day, and all before kick-off! So get out early in the day for some live music!

At 10:45am Knox Presbyterian’s special music service begins. The famed choir joins forces with an instrumental ensemble to perform music by Heinrich Schütz, one of the greatest German composers of the 17^th century. The music will be embedded in the traditional 11:00 worship service, and all are welcome. Hyde Park, free. http://catacoustic.com/event/monteverdi-at-knox/?instance_id=339

At 3:00 Great Music in a Great Space, the presenting series at St. Peter in Chains, brings The Rose Ensemble to town. Based in Minnesota, this vocal ensemble tours widely to high praise. Their program Il Poverello: Exploring the Life and Deeds of St. Francis of Assisi features centuries of hymns, dances, and motets, as well as early Italian-language spiritual songs and light-hearted readings written about and by Francis himself. Downtown, tickets $40.  http://catacoustic.com/event/the-rose-ensemble/?instance_id=369

At 4:00, something a little different. Chris Albanese, a CCM student working toward his Doctor of Musical Arts, will present his choral conducting recital of music written in the New World in the 17^th century. Yes, there were Spanish composers working in the colonies as far back as the Baroque era, and one of the most renowned was Juan Gutierrez de Padilla in Mexico. A Mass for two choirs and several other works are on the bill. Walnut Hills, free.  http://catacoustic.com/event/sacred-repertoire-of-the-colonial-period-in-new-spain/?instance_id=371

At 6:00, one last opportunity for music and prayer, for whichever one you feel most in need of. Christ Church Cathedral’s Evensong service will feature music by two English Renaissance composers, Byrd and Tomkins, and by Bach. All are welcome at this Episcopal worship service. Downtown, free.  http://catacoustic.com/event/choral-evensong/?instance_id=361

Early Music Festival Week 1

We begin this year’s Festival on Tuesday Feb 2 at noon, when Christ Church Cathedral’s Music Live at Lunch series hosts the Shakespeare Band. Soprano Jackie Stevens joins Tina Gutierrez and Bill Willits on lutes and early guitars with music from the Renaissance. Free, but lunch is available for $5 if you’re hungry! Downtown.  http://catacoustic.com/event/the-shakespeare-band-2/?instance_id=337

The very next day, Wednesday Feb 3, noon, another lunchtime music series, this one at Christ Church Glendale, hosts another Renaissance-era ensemble. Consort in the Egg is oriented toward the great variety of wind instruments that flourished during the 15^th and 16^th centuries, but you never know for sure what you’ll get! Glendale, free.  http://catacoustic.com/event/consort-in-the-egg-2/?instance_id=349

Saturday Feb 6 has two events. First up at 2:00 is Harpers’ Robin. This band of harps performed a lovely concert last year of troubadour and folk songs from northern Europe, and this year they are back for more. The chapel on the campus of Mount St. Joseph is absolutely beautiful, filled with light on even the snowiest day. The instruments, music, and setting combine memorably. Worth a drive! Delhi, free. http://catacoustic.com/event/harpers-robin-2/?instance_id=335

At 4:00 on the 6^th is a new event organized by the Collegium Cincinnati. They have invited four different choirs (Cincinnati Boychoir, Xavier University Concert Choir, Christ Church Cathedral Choir, and the Collegium) to perform four Bach cantatas. A feast for JSB lovers! Downtown, tickets $15.  http://catacoustic.com/event/bach-cantata-fest/?instance_id=365