Critic’s Choice
Western classical music and Christianity are inextricably and beneficially linked, with roots long preceding the development of music notation—which eventually opened the way towards musical abstraction, music for music’s sake. The Christian religious rituals commemorated and celebrated this Holy Week are, by far, the most important ones in that long relationship.
Of all the musical celebrations this week, the most intriguing combination of content and setting will be the two concerts that Pomerium will sing at the Cloisters this Saturday. Set inside the Medieval museum, the program combines plainchant and liturgical music, demonstrations of both compositional technique and aesthetic fervor. The choral music on the programs represents the greatest names in Renaissance music: Du Fay, Gesualdo, Monteverdi, Senfl, de Lassus, William Byrd, and more.
Pomerium performs Renaissance vocal music at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday, at the Cloisters. pomerium.us
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