Huelgas Ensemble in Linz: Treasures in perfect harmony

With the Huelgas Ensemble, one of the leading vocal groups, which is primarily concerned with the music of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, was a guest in the Brucknerhaus for the first time on Sunday. An ensemble of world renown that has not only performed in all major music centers, but has also written record history with well over 100 releases and has received countless awards. Paul van Nevel founded his ensemble in 1971 and can look back on more than 50 years of success. One that is primarily due to his nature as a music researcher and has brought many completely forgotten composers back to life.

The program “Innovation and Experiment” was put together especially for Linz from the inexhaustible fund of the Huelgas Ensemble and began with the early polyphony with the organum “Viderunt omnes” by the grand master of the Notre Dame School Magister Perotinus. From there, a fascinating arc was drawn up to Antonio Mogavero’s “Lamentationes Jeremiae Prophetae”, which can be dated around 1600. Almost nothing is known about him, and whose lamentations were not only the end of the evening, but also its highlight. Absolutely masterful art of vocal polyphony and no less perfectly interpreted by the twelve singers.

What was so fascinating about the approach to the motets and madrigals of the 15th and 16th centuries, which sounded that evening surrounded by early polyphony from the Middle Ages, was the fact that these works, the existing ones, were approached in a highly scientifically sound manner studied the musical text as intensely as possible and meticulously planned its implementation, but that the emotionality inherent in this music, too, was paramount. No teacher-training seminar on early music, but lively music-making from the moment of the present. But that only succeeds if the singers master their not exactly easy parts down to the last detail and, guided by the brilliant Paul van Nevel, can devote themselves entirely to living out their passions. It doesn’t matter whether it’s madrigalistic love troubles or fundamental theological insights – the focus was on experiencing music, one that may not be immediately accessible, but also leaves the ears wide open in amazement because of the outstanding professionalism of the playback.

Conclusion: A long overdue Linz debut by a world-class vocal ensemble.