Hespèrion XXI
Hespèrion XXI is an international early music ensemble. The group was formed in Basel, Switzerland in 1974 as Hespèrion XX by Spanish musical director Jordi Savall (bowed string instruments, particularly the viola da gamba), Montserrat Figueras (soprano), Lorenzo Alpert (flute, percussion), and Hopkinson Smith (plucked string instruments). The group changed its name to Hesperion XXI at the beginning of the 21st century.
The ensemble is noted for its scholarship in early music — especially the music of 16th and 17th century Spain. Their performance practice is noted for the liberal use of improvisation around the basic melodic and rhythmic structures of the early pieces, resulting in great emotional intimacy and immediacy.
Awards
- Grand Prix de l'académie du Disque Français
- Edison-Preis Amsterdam
- Grand Prix du Disque of the Charles Cros Academy of France
- Grand Prize of the Japanese Recording Academy
- Cannes Classic Award
- Diapason d'Or
- Grand Prix FNAC
- Giorgio Gini Foundation Prize
Selected discography
As Hespèrion XXI
- 2009 - “The Book of the Science of Music” by Dimitrie Cantemir, Alia Vox
- 2006 - Orient-Occident, Alia Vox
- 2004 - Isabel I: Reina de Castilla, Alia Vox
- 2002 - Ostinato, Alia Vox
- 2000 - Diáspora Sefardí, Alia Vox — a recreation of music of the Eastern Sephardic communities
As Hespèrion XX
Note: The name of composer Juan del Encina (or Enzina) is spelled below as printed on the individual CD covers.
- 1976 - Music From Christian and Jewish Spain, 1450-1550. Tracks include several anonymous works, as well as works by Luis de Milán, Juan del Encina, and Diego Ortiz.
- 1979 - Llibre Vermell de Montserrat. A 14th century pilgrimage
- 1991 - Juan Del Enzina: Romances & Villancicos, Salamanca, 1496. Works by famed Spanish composer Juan del Enzina honouring King Ferdinand II of Aragon and Queen Isabella of Castille. The lyrics express Spain's anticipated rise to greatness as adventurers, such as Columbus, set off to return the world's riches to the homeland, thereby assuring Spain's wealth and power.
- 1991 - Lope de Vega: Intermedios del Barroco Hispanico, 1580-1680
- 1993 - Matthew Locke, Consort of Fower Parts 1650-1660
- 1998 - Elizabethan Consort Music 1558 - 1603, Works by Alberti, Parsons, Strogers, Taverner, White, Woodcoock & Anonymes
- 1999 - El Barroco Hispánico
- 2001 - Music for the Spanish Kings