Ritornello

means “Small Return” in Italian, i.e. refrain, the repetition of an already played piece of music…. For us it is not only a symbol of return to forgotten cultural values, to a certain way of life, to a ditty or a “jig” as to a need and to an “everyday holiness”. “Ritornello” – as the tiniest musical form – is a signal of the disconnection of instrumental and vocal music, thus the advent of the “Baroque”. The group focuses on the finical study of original sources (scores, instruments, paintings, accounts…) and period means of singing and playing on instruments (“maniera”), and its findings breathe life by healthy musicianship in order for music to again become a “life necessity” for people. The musicians uses early instruments for this and in principle their own editions of scores, the majority never republished. The composition of the group :II:RITORNELLO:II: (more or less evolutionally founded and operating since about 1990) changes according to the type of the programme (music for churches, homes, city streets, theatres, pubs…). The group has had concerts throughout Europe, in the USA, has done work for radio and television, runs its own music workshops, plays at banquets, parties, processions, masses, etc. It has already recorded 8 CDs for the firm Arta Records, a cycle dedicated to Czech Baroque songs. Another 2 CDs came out as a bonus to an exhibition catalogue and as an Advent gift in a magazine, and several other projects are being prepared for issue. “Live” music for live people however has always had for us a greater value, especially due to its fleetingness… MP
ritornello.cz

The vocal ensemble Gregoriana

was founded in 2004. It regularly (each Sunday) assists at Mass worships in the St Elisabeth’s Cathedral, Košice. Once a month, it also organizes an event called „Completorium Cassoviense“, offering the ancient liturgy followed by a 30 minute concert devoted to the most topical period in the liturgical year. Its repertoire consists of diverse periods ranging from the Gregorian Chant, Medieval and Renaissance polyphony up to the contemporary religious choral pieces - it actively co-operates with Slovak and international composers alike. Besides liturgical worship, it has given numerous standalone concert performances. In addition, it has successfully participated at various festivals in Slovakia and abroad. Furthermore, since 2010, it has been focusing on reviving the musical history of Slovakia in the project In illo tempore – Music in the Slovak Church up to 1600." Within the framework of this project, the following 2 CDs were published by Gregoriana: 2010 - „Tempus Adventus“ (directed by Eduard Tomaštík); 2012 - „Tempus Nativitatis“ (directed by Jan Mikušek). At the same time, it issued a CD in 2012, entitled „Nova et vetera“ (directed by Jan Mikušek), presenting the contemporary authors’ writings.

Owing to the co-operation with the Czech chamber ensemble of ancient music “Ritornello” and its artistic leader Michael Pospíšil, since 2013 the musical array of Gregoriana has widened to include the Baroque period. The artistic leader of Gregoriana is Marek Klein.
gregoriana.sk

 

Františka Dorčáková – Choir, Solo (1, 8, 14, 15, 17, 20)

Renáta Grabanová – Choir, Solo (1, 14, 15, 20)

Barbora Kleinová – Choir, Solo (9)

Jaroslava Kleinová – Choir

Katarína Kleinová – Choir

Andrea Mackových – Choir

Andrea Meščanová – Choir

Iveta Rudá – Choir

Alexandra Valenčáková – Choir

 

Juraj Klein – Choir, Koncovka

Marek Klein – Choir, Koncovka, Solo (2, 13, 14)

Stanislav Kováč – Choir

Matej Rendoš – Choir

Gabriel Szeghy – Choir

Martin Vernarský – Choir

 

František Beer – Organ

Martin Kaplan – Violin, Hurdy-gurdy

Jaroslav Ľaš – Trumpet, Fujara trombita

Jan Mikušek – Dulcimer, Choir, Solo (6, 13, 15)

Michael Pospíšil – Flutes, Chalumeau, Bells, Choir, Solo (2, 3, 4, 10, 13, 14, 15, 18, 20, 21)

Pavol Rozum – Double bass

 

Recorded in Praemonstratensian monastery in Jasov, Slovakia 10–11/2016

Recording Engineer - Gabriel Nikházy

Recording Director - Rudolf Hentšel (1 - 13)

Cover art and design - Patrik Duditš

Nativity scene made from Corn Husk by Mária Teplanová – photographed by Mária Smoleňová

All other photos – Jozef Timuľák

Translation - Petra Pospíšilová, Matthew Sweney, Renáta Grabanová

Musical supervision – Jan Mikušek

Production – Marek Klein

Directed by Michael Pospíšil