Gotham Early Music Series (12/9/2021)

Washington Cornett and Sackbutt Ensemble
Festive Music from the German Kingdoms

OK, this will not be a history lesson, but I do need to lay out a few things first. The ensemble played cornettos and sackbuts, both of which are frequently used in early-music ensembles. I do not know why the group chose alternate spellings. The instruments are precursors to (or earlier variants of) later brass instruments—cornets and trombones, though the cornettos are not brass at all, except for the mouthpieces. End of history lesson (do your own searches if you want more info).

There were twelve pieces on the program (two with multiple movements), so I will not name them all. I will, however, list the composers and their dates, should you wish to explore them more.

Samuel Scheidt (1587–1654); Thomas Stoltzer (1480–1526); Ludwig Senfl (1486–1543); Piae Cantiones (1582), Arr. Michael Holmes; Michael Praetorious (1571–1621); Hans Leo Hassler (1564–1612); Daniel Speer (1636–1701); and Johann Walther (1496–1570). I’ve sung about half of them; the others were new to me.

The cornettos were often bright and brash, while the sackbuts were generally more mellow. Both, however, could be a bit ‘in your face’ from time to time. Listed in the program was a harpsichordist/organist. I really only heard organ as continuo (a sort of underscoring and support for the other instruments).

The individual pieces ranged from dance-like, with interesting phrases and rhythms, to slightly somber from time to time. One of the sackbut players also used a hand drum for one piece as well as a larger over-the-shoulder drum (think 1776 images) for a couple of the pieces. The drum was actually used as a divider/intro for a few of the multiple movement pieces.

The ensemble also had a guest soprano who joined them and sang quite well on a few holiday-themed pieces including “Joseph lieber, Joseph mein” and “Es ist ein Ros entsprungen” (“Joseph dearest, Joseph mine” and “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming”).

The concert (brief, at approximately forty-five minutes) concluded with a Samuel Scheidt bright up tempo piece for both cornettos, all three sackbuts, and the continuo player.

I’ll keep my eye out for Gotham Early Music Scene. It may not be everyone’s scene, but it’s one that I enjoy from time to time.

ConcertMeister