Ritornelli - Das farbenreiche Dazwischen

"Sounds like golden dust particles in space… The musicians blend into a unified whole with their own unique charm." - Donauwörther Zeitung

"Ritornelli - das farbenreiche Dazwischen" traces the development of ritornello technique through various epochs. At the heart are David Pohle's "Herr, wenn ich nur dich hab" and Theile's "Ach, dass ich hören sollte" - both composers were students of Schütz, who brought Monteverdi's sound world to Central Germany.

The programme combines arranged excerpts from Monteverdi's Marienvesper and Schütz's Weihnachtshistorie with works by Pohle and Theile, plus two quartets by contemporary composer Caroline Shaw. Shaw translates Monteverdi's sound language into the present day: in "Another Song" she employs sustained consort-like chords with solo voice and sighing motifs - much like Theile in "Ach, dass ich hören sollte". Her Entr'acte draws on those same trembling consort sounds found in Schütz, Theile and Pohle.

The consistent instrumentation of viol consort, continuo and voice - occasionally supplemented by recorders - reveals surprising sonic parallels across the centuries.