PROGRAMME NOTES
J. S. Bach (1685 – 1750)
Toccata and Fugue in D Minor
arr.MiriamMonaghan
13th Century
Naturalis Concordia Vocum cum Planetis
Miriam Monaghan (b.1990)
Kepler’s Planets
Maddalena Casulana (1544 – 1590)
IlVostroDipartir
Agnes Dorwarth (b.1953)
ArticulatorV
Anthony Holborne (1545 – 1602)
TheFairieRound
This piece greets us with a hauntinglyfamiliarmelody.Itisone of the most recognisable pieces composed for the organ. The organistwhocomposedthisisnone other than Johann Sebastion Bach. Bachisknowntohavebeenableto compose within the strict compositional techniques of 18th century music. The Toccata introducesthispiecewithlotsoffast scales and arpeggios; the Fugue involves overlapping repetitions of themainthemealongwithdifferent counter-melodies. While this piece ispartoftheBaroqueeraofmusic,it isheavilydebatedbyscholarsabout whenexactlyitwascomposed.
Diego Ortiz (c.1510 – c.1576)
Recercada Segunda
arr.MiriamMonaghan
DiegoOrtizwasaSpanishcomposer and music theorist, widely known for publishing the very first manual on ornamentation for bowed string instruments. Part of the manual is made up of short compositions for viola da gamba, which Ortiz called
‘Recercadas’ . His use of the word can be interpreted as ‘Improvisations’ or ‘Variations’ RecercadasSegundaisaverybright andlivelypiece,somuchso,youjust mightwanttodancetoit!
Jan Pietersz Sweelinck (1562 – 1621)
Englesche Fortuyn (withwordsfrom TheBroadside Ballads (1682))
Jan Pieterszn Sweelinck (15621621) was a Dutch composer and organist, writing music both at the end of the Renaissance era and at beginning of the Baroque era. Around this time, there was surprisinglylotsofoverlapbetween music in English and certain European markets. 'Englesche Fortuyn' (also known as 'Fortuyn Anglois')wasoneof thepiecesthat made its way over the channel. It was originally called ‘Fortune my Foe’, a very well-known ballad melody in 17th century England. With ballads, tunes would make their way to Europe even when the lyrics did not. This particular tune was used for many songs in the Netherlands.
Giuseppe Tartini (1692 – 1770)
‘The Devil’s Trill Sonata’
Giuseppe Tartini was an Italian composer, teacher and violinist. He
wrote over 200 sonatas, one of which was based on a dream. It is said that one night, Tartini had a dreamthathemadeadealwiththe Devil, potentially selling his soul. Afterwards,theDeviltookhisviolin and played the most beautiful solo Tartini had ever heard. Upon awakening,Tartinidesperatelytried to transcribe the sonata. He never felt as though he replicated it properly. Published in 1798 after Tartini’s death,itsfulltitleis ‘Sonata in GminorforViolin and Continuo’ , though it is also known as ‘The Devil’s TrillSonata’
Toby Young (b.1990) Recorder Revolution! ForPalisander
Palisander'sgoalistoshowcasehow recorders are visually and audibly intriguing. Toby Young's Recorder Revolution! is pleasingly anarchic andlotsoffundoesexactlythis.
Traditional Greek Mandilatos and Omorfoula arr.Palisander
Mandilatos is a traditional Greek dance that originated in northwestern Greece. The name of the dance comes from the Greek word ‘mandili’ meaning handkerchief, which are typically held by the dancers. Mandilatos is often performed at weddings.
Omorfoula is a folk song and local dance from Greek Macedonia. It is typically 4/4 meter. These two traditional Greek dances have been arrangedbyPalisander.
Athanasius Kircher (1602 – 1680)
Antidotum
Athanasius Kircher was a German scholar, polymath and Jesuit priest, sometimes called ‘the last Renaissanceman’ Thispieceisone ofKircher'sversionsofaTarantella, adancethatwasintendedtomirror themovement of someone shaking tarantula poison out of their body. Kircher believed that in order for it to work it had to correspond with thetemperamentofthespider
Tarquinio Merula (1595 – 1665)
Canzon Seconda ‘La Lusignuola’
Tarquinio Merula’s ‘La Lusignuola’ (‘The Nightingale’), composed around1637,isalivelyinstrumental canzona that vividly captures the essenceofbirdsong.Althoughnota traditional narrative work, Merula uses trills, rapid passages and intricate ornamentation to mimic the nightingale’s song, creating a playful and expressive soundscape. ‘LaLusignuola’ isastrikingexample of Merula’s inventive and insightful style,blendingnaturalimagerywith
technical brilliance to push the boundariesofearlyBaroquemusic.
Traditional
Italian ‘Tarantella Napoletana’ arr.MiriamMonaghan
The Tarantella Napoletana is a traditionalcelebratoryItaliandance, characterized by its rhythmic 6/8 meterandlivelytempo.Originating in Southern Italy, this piece is associated with joy, making it especially popular at festivals and socialgatherings.
Since its emergence, the Tarantella has been adapted and arranged for a multitude of instruments, styles, and ensembles, including this captivating arrangement by Miriam MonaghanforPalisander.Whilethe traditional elements of the piece remain, the timbre of the recorder adds a whimsical, folk-like embellishment that enriches the overallexperience.
As you listen, consider how this joyful dance has transcended time and cultural boundaries, inviting us all to partake in its celebration. Whetherit’syourfirstencounteror a familiar favourite, the Tarantella Napoletana continues to resonate, reminding usofthepowerofmusic anddancetobringpeopletogether.
Traditional Italian
‘Tarantellas II’
arr.MiriamMonaghan
Asetoftraditionaltarantellas, arrangedforPalisanderbyMiriam Monaghan.Thisarrangement capturesthespiritedessenceofthe ItalianTarantella.Whilstembracing themetricandrhythmicnormsofa Tarantella,therearealso embellishmentsandtweaksthat reallyhelpthepiecetoembodythe charmofItalianfolkmusic.
13th Century
Naturalis Concordia Vocum cum Planetis
Naturalis Concordia Vocum cum Planetis (‘The Natural Harmony of Voices with the Planets’) is a 13thcentury piece inspired by the medieval concept of celestial harmony, or the music of the spheres. This belief held that the planets moved in harmony, mirroring musical intervals. The piece’s chant-like melody and simple harmonies reflect the era’s awe for the universe’s order and beauty, offering listeners a glimpse into the medieval quest to understand the divine through sound.
Miriam Monaghan (b.1990)
Kepler’s Planets
i. Saturn
ii. Jupiter
iii. Mars
iv. Terre
v. Venus
vi. Mercury
Kepler’s Planets by Miriam Monaghan,writtenforPalisander,is inspired by Johannes Kepler’s concept of “harmony of the spheres.” Each movement corresponds to one of six planets (Saturn,Jupiter,Mars,Earth,Venus, Mercury), capturing their distinct characters through musical motifs. Kepler calculated and suggested notation for the tones his maths proposed each planet produced during its orbit. In 'Kepler's Planets' these tones are then used to build the foundation for compositions inspiredbyeachplanet.
Maddalena Casulana (1544 – 1590)
Il Vostro Dipartir
Maddalena Casulana was the first woman in history to see her music published during her lifetime. Casulana’s work broke barriers in a male-dominated field, showcasing her skill in harmonization and counterpoint and establishing her legacy in early music. This expressive piece is a poignant
exploration of love and separation, exemplifying her skill in blending text and music to evoke deep emotionalresponses.
Agnes Dorwarth (b.1953)
Articulator V
ArticulatorV isacontemporarypiece thatexamineshowwecreatesound and howit conveys meaning.Using unique vocal techniques and creativesoundplacement,thework highlights the physical aspects of producing music and invites both performers and listeners to think about the ways we communicate. By blending silence with sound, Articulator V challenges traditional music forms and encourages audiencestoreflectonthenatureof expressioninmusicandlanguage.
Anthony Holborne (1545 – 1602)
The Fairie Round
The Fairie Round by Antony Holborneisalivelydancepiecefrom thelateRenaissance,composed for lute or consort. Known for his intricate counterpoint and expressive melodies, Holborne captures the playful essence of a fairy dance with vibrant rhythms andengagingharmonies.Thepiece invites performers to explore dynamic contrasts and rhythmic precision, creating a joyful atmosphere that resonates with
audiences. Its enchanting character makes TheFairieRound a delightful showcase of Renaissance instrumentalmusic,embodying the whimsicalspiritoftheera.
OUR PERFORMERS
Palisander prides itself on presentingimaginative,historical programmeswithawiderangeof repertoire; performing largely frommemory,onrecordersupto 6feettall.Thequartethasquickly established itself as a vibrant young ensemble. Devising their own choreography, as well as writing new compositions and unique arrangements for the ensemble, the group’s members are keen ambassadors for the recorder’s versatility. This is brought to life in the exciting theatrical concerts, for which Palisanderisknown.
Palisander is delighted to have been selectedfor theprestigious Emerging European Ensembles’ scheme,providingthegroupwith residencies, training and performance opportunities, across Europe. The group was recently awarded First Prize and Audience Prize in the Biagio MariniCompetition2022andwon the London International Exhibition of Early Music’s chambermusiccompetition2018. Palisander competed as finalists
in the York Early Music International Young Artists Competition 2022 and in the Royal Over-Seas League Mixed Ensembles’ Competition 2019. ThegroupwasawardedaGolden Medal in the Manhattan Music Competition and competed as Semi-finalists in the Concert Artists’ Guild Competition (USA). In2020,Palisandergaveaconcert tour of Scotland, visiting the Isle of Skye and Isle of Eigg, supportedbytheTunnellTrust.In 2016,Palisanderwasselectedfor the prestigious St John's Smith Square’s Young Artists' Scheme. Director, Richard Heason, said “Palisander is one of the most engagingandcharacterfulgroups ofyoungperformers...Assoonas theystarttoplay,theaudienceis drawn in and engrossed in the astonishing interaction and dialogue Palisander display”. In 2015,thequartetwasselectedfor Brighton Early Music Festival’s ‘Early Music Live!’ scheme; ‘the leading training and apprenticeshipschemeforyoung earlymusicensembles’.
The quartet's international performances include Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, Greece, Poland, Malta, Czech Republic, Japan and Russia. In 2021, Palisanderdevisedanimaginative ‘recorders-only’ interpretation of
Handel’s opera, Partenope, as part of the Göttingen International Handel Festival, Germany. Palisanderwas thrilled tobethepartnerensembleofthe National Centre for Early Music's YoungComposerAward2021,in collaborationwithBBCRadio3.
Palisander’sdebutalbum,Beware the Spider! was self-released in 2017, receiving a 4-star review fromBBCMusicMagazine,aswell as being voted First Place in the Magazine’s First Listen Podcast. RobertHuggilsaid‘Thischarming disc not only shows off the ensemble's skills admirably, but provides a programme which intrigues’. Classic FM featured a live performance film of one of the pieces on the album, which has received over 5.4 million views! Palisander regularly features on radio, including FranceMusiqueandWDR.
Described as “Early Music’s very own Spice Girls”, Palisander enjoys giving regular family concerts and educational workshops, including partnershipswithLiveMusicNow and Wigmore Hall. Earlier this year, the group performed on BBC Newsnightandchampioned the role of the recorder in music education, in interview. In 2017,
the quartet collaborated with puppet theatre company Rust andStardust,todevelopaunique familyshow.Palisanderhasbeen awarded another Arts Council Englandgranttotoureducational project Recorder Revolution! bringing inspiring, interactive performances to schools and music venues across England. Supported by Continuo Foundation, Palisander launched a digital interpretation of its programme,Double,DoubleToil and Trouble, incorporating atmospheric visual projection mappinginatheatricalnewshow, alongsideanonlineworkshopfor amateur recorder players. Later thisyear,Palisanderwilllauncha newchildren’sshowsupportedby the Continuo Foundation, The Misadventures of Palisander and the Malfunctioning Time Machine, features Palisander’s dynamic live performance, alongside animation, audience participation and a captivating story about the power of musicmaking!
“Palisander – making recorders phenomenally interesting and exciting”
KatieDerham, BBCRadio3,2019
