Early Music in Columbus aims to foster love and appreciation of early music written before 1800 among all members of the community.

photo: Pixabay
Each year, they produce concerts with local, national, and international artists who specialize in music written before 1800. These concerts are held at historical sites and venues in Columbus, including Mees Hall, First Congregational Church, The Drexel Theatre, The Southern Theatre, the Pontifical College Josephinum, The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, and St. Joseph Cathedral.
Early Music in Columbus is thrilled to announce its 42nd Season with seven concerts featuring music written before the year 1800. The season is an exciting return to the concert hall, and includes one re-scheduled appearance from our 40th Anniversary season.
Tickets are $30 regular, $25 seniors, and $12 for students, or purchase a subscription to receive up to 25% off the box office price.
Tickets may be purchased online at www.earlymusicincolumbus.org, or by calling 614-973-1961.
2021-2022 Early Music in Columbus season
Oct. 2, 2021 at 8pm • RACHEL BARTON PINE and JORY VINIKOUR
“J. S. Bach’s Violin and Harpsichord Sonatas”
Mees Hall, Capital University
Violinist Rachel Barton Pine and harpsichordist Jory Vinikour are both internationally acclaimed musicians. They’re also old friends. The warmth of their personal relationship is evident in this incredible performance. The Sonatas for Violin and Harpsichord by J. S. Bach are a cornerstone of both the violin repertoire and Bach’s keyboard literature. Pine will argue that she is actually “one-third” of the duo, as the works feature a trio texture, so that the harpsichordist plays (at least) two fully-written out parts for the left and right hands.
Nov. 14, 2021 at 4pm •. PEGASUS EARLY MUSIC
“The Panther and the Rose”
First Unitarian Universalist Church, Clintonville
In this program of medieval music from the Trecento, Pegasus Early Music explores Italian music of the 14th-century. Quirky, virtuosic, and expressive, this music challenges the ears with its rhythmic complexity while simultaneously soothing and amazing the heart with its melodic elegance and beauty. The Panther and the Rose program includes motets, dances, ballatas, and madrigals by Ciconia, Landini, Donato da Firenze, and others. Join us for music that ranges from “A Panther in the company of Mars” to “A Beautiful Rose, sweet soul.”
Jan. 7, 2022 at 8pm • THE EARLY INTERVAL
“Twelfth Night Celebration: Journey to the New World”
St. Joseph Cathedral, downtown
This cherished seasonal event returns with a fascinating confluence of Old World tradition and New World style. European Baroque composers and their works traveled to the New World, providing music for the new settlements and cathedrals, and their sounds blended with indigenous music to influence new creative generations. Featuring vocals, strings, winds and a wealth of percussion, this colorful repertoire showcases the vibrant fusion of cultures and music throughout the Americas. Join The Early Interval for a joyful concert experience as they set sail on this holiday journey.
Jan. 28, 2022 at 8pm • FIOR ANGELICO
“Ad Libitum: A Singers’ Choice Concert”
St. Joseph Cathedral, downtown
Fior Angelico celebrates 15 years of singing early music in Columbus with a special singers’ choice concert. Members of the group have selected some of their favorite repertoire from the Renaissance and Early Baroque as the group returns to perform for the first time since the start of the pandemic.
Feb. 25, 2022 at 8pm • MAHAN ESFAHANI
“J. S. Bach’s Goldberg Variations”
Huntington Recital Hall, Capital University
Star harpsichordist Mahan Esfahani presents his fresh approach to J. S. Bach’s famed Goldberg Variations as well as works by some of Bach’s contemporaries and family members including Johann Pachelbel, Johann Christoph Bach, Georg Bohm, and C.P.E. Bach.
March 19, 2022 at 8pm • EAST OF THE RIVER
“HAMSA: Music of Andalusia, North Africa, and the Ottoman Empire”
First Unitarian Universalist Church, Clintonville
East of the River presents HAMSA featuring music from the geographic regions of Andalusia, North Africa, the Ottoman Empire, and the Sephardic Diaspora. Based on music using the melodic modal system referred to as the Makam, this program draws its listeners to the distinct beauty of and similarities between liturgical, folk, and Ottoman courtly music. The Hamsa is a palm-shaped amulet popular throughout the Middle East and North Africa depicting the open right hand, an image recognized and used as a sign of protection throughout history.
April 8, 2022 at 8pm • DARK HORSE CONSORT
“The Golden Age of Brass”
Trinity Episcopal Church, downtown
Join us for an historic journey through the musical gems of 16th- and 17th-century England, Italy and Germany, heralding the beginning of the modern brass quintet. These chamber works for brass by Gabrieli, Frescobaldi, Scheidt, and Locke are still in the repertoire of today’s quintets, played here on the original cornets and sackbuts. Triumphant, beguiling, exhilarating… come hear why this ensemble of instruments was central to European city life for almost two hundred years.
The Early Music in Columbus concert series is generously supported by funding from the Ohio Arts Council, the Greater Columbus Arts Council, The Columbus Foundation, and the Arts Midwest Touring Fund. The Early Music in Columbus series features regional, national, and international artists who specialize in music from the medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque periods on reproductions of historical instruments. Find more details at the website.
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