Special Events-Special Editions – Schola Cantorum Basiliensis – 50th Anniversary (SE 5/1983)

MUSICA HELVETICA (SE 5/1983) Miniature from a 13th century Cantigas manuscript swissmusic

In 1933, prominent Swiss conductor and music patron Paul Sacher founded in Basel an institute for musical research and education in early music.

It became widely known as the “Schola Cantorum Basiliensis”. Today the institution is a section of the Basel Music Academy. This edition was produced in 1983 to mark its 50th anniversary.

Musical content

1. Anonymus (13th century): Easter Play of Fleury (Prelude)
Randall Cook, shawm
2. Gradual: Haec dies, V. Confitemini (excerpt)
As sung during Easter Mass at Notre Dame Cathedral Paris (ca. 1200)
Soloists: Michael Collver, Robert Greenlee, Harlan Hokin; Choral Ensemble of the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis; Direction: Christopher Schmidt and Thomas Binkley
3. Cantigas de Santa Maria Collection: Santa Maria, strela do dia
Composed in the 13th century
Montserrat Figueras, vocal soloist; Singers and instrumentalists of the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis; Thomas Binkley, direction
4. Diégo Ortiz (on a song by Pierre Sandrin): Recercada tercera sobre Doulce memoire
Composed ca. 1550
Jordi Savall, viola da gamba; Aline Parker-Zylberjach, harpischord
5. Biagio Marini: Sonata seconda a due
Composed in 1629
Bruce Dickey, cornetto; Dana Maiben, violin; Alice Robbins, cello; Frances Fitch, positive organ
6. Benedetto Marcello: L’immensa tua pietà. From “Estro Poetico-Armonico”, 19th verse of the 50th Psalm
Composed 1724-26
René Jacobs, altus; Guy de mey, Tenor; Kurt Widmer, Bass; Jaap Schröder and Sterling Jones, violas; Michael Jappe, cello; Yasunori Imamura, theorbo; Rolf Junghans, positive organ

Production information

Musica Helvetica. Special Events-Special Editions MH-SE 5. Schola Cantorum Basiliensis (50th anniversary). Produced 1983 for SBC / SRI by Lance Tschannen.

Background information

Switzerland is a small alpine nation shaped and influenced by great cultural cross-currents that have swept through Europe over centuries. Out of elements of diversity, the people of this country have forged a distinctly Swiss identity. And music is one of its most eloquent expressions. “Musica Helvetica” explores different facets of music in Switzerland from its earliest beginnings to the latest works of modern Swiss composers, from folk music to rock and jazz. This historical series span the years 1973 to 1998. These recordings are not available.