Support Armonía Concertada in recording "En el Divino Aposento"!

Armonía Concertada is an ensemble founded by Argentinian early music specialists Maria Cristina Kiehr and Ariel Abrahmovich, and focused on the performance of Renaissance music for voice and plucked strings. Armonía Concertada is above all a creator of possible pasts, of prequels and sequels, of reconstructions... An invitation to travel through a hypothetical landscape built up from real data, clues and reliable testimonies of the past.
This crowdfunding aims to fund the release of their second CD - following their successful debut album 'Imaginario: de un libro de música de vihuela' - focused in the music of Josquin des Prez.

Josquin and the Vihuela

Though not an obvious connection, the vocal music of Josquin des Prez is intimately linked to the history of the vihuela and Renaissance plucked instruments. Of the seven vihuela books published in the 16th century, five contain music by the Franco-Flemish master. Famous works such as "Nymphes des Bois" were arranged arranged for different combinations including solos, instrumental duos, and mixed combinations bringing the instrument together with human voices. These arrangements are both a testament to Josquin's enduring relevance but also the inventiveness of the period's instrumentalists.

It is in Miguel de Fuenllana's “Orphénica Lyra” – published in Seville in 1554 – that the arrangements for vihuela of Josquin's music reach (in our opinion) their highest perfection and originality. In this collection, the isntrumentalist/arranger manages to transcribe Josquin's 5-6 part settings to an intimate trio setting: two singers performing Josquin's lines with the vihuela playing the remaining parts.
Fuenllana's unique approach is the main inspiration for Armonia Concertada's recording of historical and personal transcriptions of Josquin's oeuvre, on the 500th anniversary of the great composer's death.

"En el divino aposento"
- In the divine abode -

The Renaissance duo "Armonia Concertada" was founded by Ariel Abramovich, and Maria Cristina Kiehr to explore Renaissance combinations of vocal and instrumental textures. "En el divino aposento" explores the Renaissance practices of transcribing and arranging the music of Josquin des Prez to smaller and more intimate settings. For this special project they are joined by tenor Jonatan Alvarado.

Taking as an inspiration the arrangements for voice and vihuela by composers such as Valderrábano and Fuenllana, the trio presents their own arrangement of some of the most monumental pieces by this franco-flemish composer. These arrangements are accompanied by historical transcriptions of Josquin's work for solo vihuela.
This program serve as a perfect demonstration of each of the member's unique talents: Ariel Abramovich's virtuoso and learned playing, Jonatan Alvarado's taste and sensitivity for the singing of plainchant, and Maria Cristina Kiehr's unique blend of sweetness and agility. This recording project is one of continuous discovery of performing and listening practices, from the performers and, soon, to interested and engaged listeners.

Recording and Release project

The recording of Armonia Concertada's "En el divino aposento" has been realized thanks to the coordination and production of Beatriz Fontán and Samuel Diz, in the Catedral de Santa María de Tui, in Galicia. The unique acoustic of this Iberian monument ensures the performance finds a setting which resonates with Josquin des Prez's own legacy, so intimately linked as it is to the Iberian Peninsula.

With the work of sound engineer Jesus Trujillo Sevilla and with Bart Vandewege as recording producer, the album is scheduled to be released by the label Glossa in November of 2021 - the year in which we commemorate the 500th year anniversary of Josquin's death.

We are hosting this crowdfunding to cover costs related to recording, producing and mastering the cd, as well as the crew's travels and lodging. We have created different rewards options to ensure that any and every level of help receives the recognition it deserves,.
Now more than ever, artistic projects devoted to our common historical heritage cannot survive without the direct support of devoted listeners of this rich repertoire.

Thank your for your interest, collaboration, and support.
Armonia Concertada