Baroque Masters paints a portrait of legendary figures who shaped the interpretation of early music. From visionary violinist Reinhard Goebel, who moved from Baroque research to modern orchestras, to pioneering conductor Andrew Parrott, advocate of a lively and rigorous approach, each episode explores a common quest: to rediscover the profound meaning of phrasing and the original spirit of the works. Lutenist Hopkinson Smith, a master of transmission, rubs shoulders with the great “baroque musicians” of the 20th century, such as Sigiswald Kuijken, whose commitment to historically informed performance has influenced generations of artists. A series dedicated to the passionate craftsmen who have breathed new life and authenticity into the Baroque.
At 80, Paul Van Nevel continues to view polyphony as an art of time: balancing rhythmic precision, the legacy of Gregorian chant, and an unwillingness to compromise, he looks back on fifty-five years of exploration with the Huelgas Ensemble, at the heart of a repertoire that is as essential as it is underappreciated.
After thirty-five years at the helm of San Francisco’s Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra (and a career that spans several decades), British conductor Nicholas McGegan is set to receive a lifetime achievement award. From Rameau to Handel, from the harpsichord to the podium, we look back at the career of a leading musician who has helped revive a whole swath of the Baroque repertoire.
Legendary violinist and founder of Musica Antiqua Köln, Reinhard Goebel now views the baroque world from a distance. Having moved to the podium of modern symphony orchestras, he remains driven by the same quest: to rediscover the logic of phrasing, and the hidden meaning within music.
Reinhard Goebel and Musica Antiqua Köln: these are names that still make every early music lover’s mouth water, synonymous with perfection in performance and exquisite repertoire choices. And even today, Reinhard Goebel never fails to bring something new to light…
Along with Gustav Leonhardt, Jordi Savall, William Christie, and Ton Koopman, Sigiswald Kuijken is one of the great baroque specialists of the second half of the 20th century. At 80, he speaks about ‘historically informed performance’ and the importance of passing on a legacy of information.
