Jordi Savall

Jordi Savall
Jordi Savall
	Savall in 2016
Background information
Birth name	Jordi Savall i Bernadet
Born	August 1, 1941; Igualada, Barcelona, Spain
Genres	Classical, western early music
Occupation(s)	Conductor, gambist, composer
Instruments	Viola da gamba, viola da braccio
Labels	EMI Classics, Astrée, Alia Vox
Website	www.alia-vox.com

Jordi Savall i Bernadet (Catalan: [ˈʒɔɾði səˈβaʎ i βəɾnəˈðɛt]; born August 1, 1941) is a Spanish conductor and viol player. He has been one of the major figures in the field of Western early music since the 1970s, largely responsible for popularizing the viol family of instruments (notably the viola da gamba) in contemporary performance and recording. His characteristic repertoire features medieval, Renaissance and Baroque music, although he has occasionally ventured into the Classical and even the Romantic periods.

Musical education

His musical training started at age six in the school choir of his native Igualada (1947–55). After graduating from the Barcelona Conservatory of Music (where he studied from 1959 to 1965) he specialized in early music, collaborating with Ars Musicae de Barcelona under Enric Gispert, studying with August Wenzinger at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis in Basel, Switzerland (1968–70) and eventually succeeding Wenzinger in 1974 as professor of viola da gamba at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis.

Ensembles

Savall rehearsing for the creation of Les routes de l'esclavage for Festival Agapé at Geneva Cathedral, June 2015

In 1974 he formed the ensemble Hespèrion XX (known since 2000 as Hespèrion XXI), together with his wife soprano Montserrat Figueras, Lorenzo Alpert and Hopkinson Smith. Hespèrion XX favored a style of interpretation characterized simultaneously by great musical vitality and maximum historical accuracy.

In 1987 he returned to Barcelona to found La Capella Reial de Catalunya, a vocal ensemble devoted to pre-eighteenth-century music.

In 1989 he founded Le Concert des Nations, an orchestra generally emphasizing Baroque period, but sometimes also Classical and even Romantic music such as, for example, Sinfonía [por] Grande Orquesta by Juan Crisóstomo Arriaga) (1806-1826).

More recently Savall has performed with family members. The family ensemble has included his wife Montserrat Figueras (who died in 2011) and their two children, Arianna and Ferran. Arianna plays the harp and sings, like her mother; Ferran plays the theorbo (bass lute) and sings, not only with his family but also in Barcelona jazz clubs.^[1]

Recordings

Savall's discography includes more than 100 recordings. Originally recording with EMI Classics, and then from 1975 on Michel Bernstein's Astrée label, since 1998 he has recorded on his own label, Alia Vox.^[2]

Personal life and political views

Savall has spoken in support of the Catalan independence movement.^[3]

Honours and awards

2000 - Premi d'Honor Lluís Carulla for service to Catalan culture or for scientific, cultural or civic works in the Catalan language
2006 - Honorary doctorate from the University of Barcelona
2008 - Appointed European Union ambassador for intercultural dialogue
2008 - Savall and his wife, Montserrat Figueras, were named "Artists for Peace" by UNESCO.^[4]
2009 - Handel Music Prize from the city of Halle, Germany
2009 - National Music Prize from the National Council of Music and Arts of Catalonia
2010 - Praetorius Musikpreis Niedersachsen
2010 - MIDEM Classical Award for his album "Jerusalem – la ville des deux Paix: La paix céleste et la paix terrestre"
2011 - Grammy Award for Best Small Ensemble Performance for Dinastia Borja. Església i poder al Renaixement
2012 - Léonie Sonning Music Prize^[5]
2013 - Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur (France)^[6]
2013 - Honorary doctorate from the University of Basel
2014 - Gold Medal of the Generalitat of Catalonia
In 2014 he refused the Premio Nacional de Música awarded by the Spanish government, in protest at the government's artistic policies, accusing them of "grave incompetence" and "dramatic disinterest".^[7]
2016 - Honorary doctorate from Utrecht University

Discography with Alia Vox

^[8]

1998 -Joan Cabanilles (AV9801)
1998 -José Marín (AVSA9802)
1998 -Les Voix Humaines (AV9803)
1998 -Elizabethan Consort Music 1558 - 1603 (AV9804)
1998 -La Folia 1490-1701 (AVSA9805)
1999 -El Cant de la Sibil·la (AVSA9806)
1999 -Jean-Baptiste Lully (AVSA9807)
1999 Missa Bruxellensis -Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber (AV9808)
1999 -Diaspora Sefardi (AV9809)
2000 -La Barcha d'Amore (AV9811)
2000 Die Sonaten für Viola da Gamba und Cembalo (with Ton Koopman) -J.S. Bach (AV9812)
2000 -The Teares of the Muses. Anthony Holborne (AV9813)
2000 -Carlos V. La Canción del Emperador (AVSA9814)
2000 -Battaglie & Lamenti (1396 - 1458) (AV9815)
2001 -Alfons V El Magnànim (AV9816)
2001 -Harmonie Universelle (AV9810
2001 -Johann Sebastian Bach (AV9817)
2001 Musikalisches Opfer-J.S. Bach (AVSA9818)
2001 Die Kunst der Fuge-J.S. Bach (AV9819)
2001 -Ostinato (AV9820)
2001 -Tous les Matins du Monde (AVSA9821)
2002 -Farnace. Antonio Vivaldi AV9822)
2002 -William Lawes (AV9823)
2002 -L'Orchestre de Louis XIII (1601-1643) (AV9824)
2002 -Henrich Ignaz Franz Biber (AV9825)
2002 -Ninna Nanna (AV9826)
2003 -Monsieur de Sainte Colombe le Fils (AV9827)
2003 -Le Parnasse de la viole (AV9829)
2003 -Pièces de Viole du Second Livre. Marin Marais (AV9828)
2003 -Bella Terra (AV9833)
2003 -Entremeses del siglo de oro (1550-1650) (AVSA9831)
2003 -Alfonso Ferrabosco The Younger (AV9832)
2003 -Villancicos y Danzas Criollas (AV9834)
2003 -La Viola da Gama in Concerto- Antonio Vivaldi (AV9835)
2004 -Homenatge al Misteri d'Elx. La Vespra (AV9836)
2004 -Musicall Humors. Tobias Hume (AV9837)
2004 -Isabel I. Reina de Castilla (AVSA9838)2004 -Harmonie Universelle II (AV9839)
2005 - Les Concerts Royaux. François Couperin (AVSA9840)
2005 -Du temps & de l'instant (AVSA9841)
2005 -Les Grandes Eaux Musicales de Versailles (AV9842)
2005 -Don Quijote de la Mancha (AVSA9843)
2005 -Altre Follie (AVSA9844)
2005 -La Musica notturna delle strade di Madrid. Luigi Boccherini (AVSA9845)
2006 -Eine Kleine Nachtmusik. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (AVSA9846)
2006 -Lux Feminæ (AVSA9847)
2006 -Orient - Occident (AVSA9848)
2006 -Metamorphoses Fidei (AV9849)
2006 -Marin Marais Suitte d’un Goût Etranger (AVSA9851)
2006 -Christophorus Columbus (AVSA9850)
2007 -Lachrimae Caravaggio (AVSA9852)
2007 -Ludi Musici (AV9853)
2007 -Septem Verba Christi in Cruce. Joseph Haydn (AVSA9854)2007 -Claudio Monteverdi (AVSA9855)
2007 -Francisco Javier - The Route to the Orient (AVSA9856)
2008 -Estampies & Danses Royales (AVSA9857)
2008 -Fantasias for the Viols. Henry Purcell (AVSA9859)
2008 -Water Music. Georg Friederich Haendel (AVSA9860)
2008 -Invocation a la nuit (AV9861)
2008 -Su la Cetra Amorosa. Tarquinio Merula (AVSA9862)
2008 -Mireu el nostre mar (AV9858)
2008 -Jérusalem (AVSA9863)
2009 -Ministriles Royales. Ménestrels royales – Royal Minstrels (AVSA9864A+B)
2009 -The Celtic Viol - La Viole Celtique (AVSA9865)
2009 -The Fairy Queen. The Prophetess. Henry Purcell (1659-1695) (AVSA9866)
2009 -Maestros del Siglo de Oro (AVSA9867)
2009 -Peiwoh (AV9869)
2009 -Istanbul. Dimitrie Cantemir (AVSA9870)
2009 - Septem Verba Christ in Cruce. Joseph Haydn (CD/DVD) (AVDVD9868)
2009 -Le Royaumé Oublié (AVSA9873)
2010 The Brandenbourgh Concertos -JS. Bach (AVSA9871)
2010 -El Nuevo Mundo (AVSA9876)
2010 -Le Concert Spirituel. Corelli. Telemann. Rameau (AVSA9877)
2010 -The Celtic Viol II. Treble Viol & Lyra Viol (AVSA9878)
2010 -Dinastia Borgia (AVSA9875)
2010 -Pièces de Viole des Cinq Livres. Marin Marais (AVSA9872)
2011 -Requiem. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (AVSA9880)
2011 -El Cant de la Sibil·la a Catalunya (AVSA9879)
2011 -Cançons de la Catalunya Mil·lenària. Planys & Llegendes (AVSA9881)
2011 -L'orquestre de Louis XV. Jean-Philippe Rameau (AVSA9882)
2011 -Hispania & Japan (AVSA9883)
2011 -Aria e Lamenti. Madrigali. Claudio Monteverdi (AVSA9884)
2011 -Concerts à Deux Violes Esgales. Sieur de Sainte-Colombe (AVSA9885)
2011 -La Sublime Porte (AVSA9887)
2011 -Mare Nostrum (AVSA9888)
2012 -La Voix de l'Emotion. Montserrat Figueras (AVSA9889)
2012 -Les Quatre Ouvertures. J.S Bach (AVSA9890)
2012 -Jeanne D'Arc (AVSA9891)
2012 -Ésprit D'Arménie. Armenian Spirit (AVSA9892)
2012 -Pièces de Violes 1728. François Couperin (AVSA9893)
2012 -Pro·Pacem AVSA9894)
2013 -Messe en Si Mineur . J.S. Bach (AVDVD9896A)
2013 -Erasmus (AVSA9895)
2013 -25 anys Capella Reial de Catalunya. 25 años La Capella Reial de Catalunya. (AVSA9897)
2013 -Esprit des Balkans/Balkan Spirit (AVSA9898)
2013 -Recercadas del Tratado de Golsas. Diego de Ortiz ( AVSA9899)
2013 -Orient-Occident II ( AVSA9900)
2013 -Lachrimae or Seven Teares. John Dowland (AVSA9901)
2013 -Bal·Kan: Miel & Sang (AVSA9902)
2014 -Alcyone. Marin Marais (AVSA9903)
2014 -The Voice of Emotion II. Montserrat Figueras (AVDVD9904)
2014 -M.A. Charpentier. À la Chapella Royale de Versailles (AVDVD9905)
2014 -La Lira d'Esperia II. Galicia (AVSA9907)
2014 -Magnificat and Concerti. Antonio Vivaldi. Johann Sebastian Bach (AVSA9909D)
2015 -War and Peace. 1614-1714 (AVSA9908)
2015 -Euskel Antiqva (AV9910)
2015 -L'Orfeo. Claudio Monteverdi (AVSA9911)
2015 -Baroque Splendor. Henrich Ignaz Franz Biber (AVSA9912)
2015 -Les Éléments (AVSA9914)
2016 -Simfonía Eroica. Ludwig van Beethoven. AVSA9916)
2016 -Marquise (AV9701)
2016 -Ramon Llull 1232 · 1316 (AVSA9917)
2016 -Granada 1013-1502 (AVSA9915)
2016 -Dixit Dominus. (AVSA9918)
2016 -Llibre Vermell de Montserrat (AVSA9919)
2017 -Les Routes de l’Esclavage (AVSA9920)
2017 -Henricus Isaac (AVSA9922)
2017 -Cantigas de Santa Maria (AVSA9923)
2017 -In Excelsis Deo (AVSA9924)
2017 -Venezia Millenaria (AVSA9925)
2018 -Musica Nova (AVSA9926)
2018 -Bailar Cantando (AVSA9927)
2018 -Les Nations -François Couperin (AVSA9928)

Filmography

Savall adapted and performed music for the 1991 Alain Corneau film Tous les matins du monde about composers Sainte-Colombe and Marin Marais. His work on this film earned him a César award from the French film industry in 1992. The soundtrack has sold more than a million copies worldwide.

He has composed music for the following films:

(1991) Tous les matins du monde (All the Mornings of the World) by Alain Corneau
(1993) The Bird of Happiness (El pajaro de la felicidad) by Pilar Miró
(1994) Joan the Maiden (Part 1: The Battles; Part 2: The Prisons) by Jacques Rivette
(1997) Long Twilight (Hosszú alkony) by Attila Janisch
(1997) Marquise by Véra Belmont
(1998) Secret Defense (Top Secret) by Jacques Rivette

In popular culture

Savall and his wife are characters in a 2009 work of fiction, Sır (Secret), by Turkish writer Enis Batur. The plot includes a surprise birthday party for Jordi Savall.

References

↑ Alex Ross, "The King of Spain: Jordi Savall at the Metropolitan Museum", The New Yorker, May 2, 2005.
↑ "Alia Vox - Alia Vox". Alia-vox.com. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
↑
↑ "Catalogue - Alia Vox". Alia-vox.com. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
↑ Léonie Sonning Music Foundation official website Archived 2002-05-26 at the Wayback Machine.
↑ "Jordi Savall rep les insígnies de Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur, prestigiosa distinció que atorga el govern francès". Acn.cat. Archived from the original on 28 June 2013. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-06-07. Retrieved 2016-06-18.
↑ "ALIA VOX / Jordi Savall, Montserrat Figueras, Hespèrion XXI, La Capella Reial de Catalunya, Le Concert des Nations, Arianna Savall". Alia-vox.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 2017-03-28.

External links

Alia-vox.com, Jordi Savall's official website.
Complete discography at Medieval.org
The private website Classic @ la carte is devoted primarily to Jordi Savall's works.
Misteria Paschalia Festival
Zachary Woolfe, Interview, "Jordi Savall's Never-ending Repertory", New York Times, 27 March 2015. Retrieved 31 March 2015
"Jordi Savall". Festivalenescu.ro. 21 April 2017. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
"Jordi Savall". Gramophone.co.uk. Retrieved 9 April 2018.

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.

[1] Alex Ross, "The King of Spain: Jordi Savall at the Metropolitan Museum", The New Yorker, May 2, 2005.

[2] "Alia Vox - Alia Vox". Alia-vox.com. Retrieved 9 April 2018.

[3] ↑

[4] "Catalogue - Alia Vox". Alia-vox.com. Retrieved 9 April 2018.

[5] Léonie Sonning Music Foundation official website Archived 2002-05-26 at the Wayback Machine.

[6] "Jordi Savall rep les insígnies de Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur, prestigiosa distinció que atorga el govern francès". Acn.cat. Archived from the original on 28 June 2013. Retrieved 9 April 2018.

[7] "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-06-07. Retrieved 2016-06-18.

[8] "ALIA VOX / Jordi Savall, Montserrat Figueras, Hespèrion XXI, La Capella Reial de Catalunya, Le Concert des Nations, Arianna Savall". Alia-vox.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 2017-03-28.

Léonie Sonning Music Prize Laureates
1950s	Igor Stravinsky (1959)
1960s	Leonard Bernstein (1965) Birgit Nilsson (1966) Witold Lutosławski (1967) Benjamin Britten (1968) Boris Christoff (1969)
1970s	Sergiu Celibidache (1970) Arthur Rubinstein (1971) Yehudi Menuhin (1972) Dmitri Shostakovich (1973) Andrés Segovia (1974) Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau (1975) Mogens Wöldike (1976) Olivier Messiaen (1977) Jean-Pierre Rampal (1978) Janet Baker (1979)
1980s	Marie-Claire Alain (1980) Mstislav Rostropovich (1981) Isaac Stern (1982) Rafael Kubelík (1983) Miles Davis (1984) Pierre Boulez (1985) Sviatoslav Richter (1986) Heinz Holliger (1987) Peter Schreier (1988) Gidon Kremer (1989)
1990s	György Ligeti (1990) Eric Ericson (1991) Georg Solti (1992) Nikolaus Harnoncourt (1993) Krystian Zimerman (1994) Yuri Bashmet (1995) Per Nørgård (1996) András Schiff (1997) Hildegard Behrens (1998) Sofia Gubaidulina (1999)
2000s	Michala Petri (2000) Anne-Sophie Mutter (2001) Alfred Brendel (2002) György Kurtág (2003) Keith Jarrett (2004) John Eliot Gardiner (2005) Yo-Yo Ma (2006) Lars Ulrik Mortensen (2007) Arvo Pärt (2008) Daniel Barenboim (2009)
2010s	Cecilia Bartoli (2010) Kaija Saariaho (2011) Jordi Savall (2012) Simon Rattle (2013) Martin Fröst (2014) Thomas Adès (2015) Herbert Blomstedt (2016) Leonidas Kavakos (2017) Mariss Jansons (2018)