The Apollo Ensemble from Amsterdam

Presented by Pro Musica Hebraica

April 12, 2010, 9:00 pm

Pro Musica Hebraica is devoted to presenting lost and forgotten masterpieces of Jewish classical music in a concert hall setting.  The first of two programs recorded November 5, 2009 at the Kennedy Center's Terrace Theater presents The Apollo Ensemble of Amsterdam performing rare Jewish musical treasures from Baroque Italy and the Netherlands.  The Apollo Ensemble also performs two Trio Sonatas for two violins and basso continuo by Salamone de Rossi, the premier Jewish composer of the Italian Renaissance; Abraham Caceres, "Le-el elim," a cantata for two voices and basso continuo composed for the Portuguese Synagogue of Amsterdam, and 18th century Italian Catholic composer Benedetto Marcello's Salmo Decimoquinto (Intonazione degli Ebrei Tedeschi), a setting of Psalm 15 for voice and instruments that incorporates a rare Italian Jewish melody to the Hanukkah song, Maoz Tzur.

Featured performances:

Salamone De Rossi (ca. 1570-ca. 1630):   Sonata quinta sopra un aria francese (ca. 1620)

Abraham Caceres (late 1600s-mid-1700s):  Le-el elim (To the Mighty God) --Cantata for 2 voices and basso continuo (1738)

Benedetto Giacomo Marcello (1686-1739):  Salmo 15/Ma'oz Tzur (Intonazione degli Ebrei Tedeschi) (Psalm 15/ O Mighty Stronghold--a German Jewish Chant) (1724-1727)

Salamone De Rossi:  Sonata sopra l'aria di ruggiero (ca. 1620)