KEY POINTS:
Chamber Music New Zealand has saved its very best for its last concert of the year - the Early Music group, Hesperion XXI, presided over by the leonine figure of Jordi Savall.
You might expect Savall to be a daunting figure, but not at all; the first thing
he says is how fortunate he was to be involved with the 1991 film Tous les Matins du Monde, which brought his viola da gamba and its music well out of the instrument cupboard.
"That film reached so many people," he explains. "Before Tous les Matins we just played for specialised festival audiences; afterwards our CD was on the Top 10 alongside Michael Jackson and Queen."
I point out that Hesperion is still going strong after three decades whereas Jackson now seems something of a spent force.
"Well, that's the advantage of being in classical music," Savall laughs. "We have a longer life."
Tonight the group spans the centuries in a musical journey from medieval Spain and Renaissance England to the African shores of the Mediterranean. Instruments range from medieval harps and violins to Moroccan oud and, naturally enough, Savall's viola da gamba.
"We combine Spanish cantigas with Jewish music and music from Iraq and it's fascinating to see how much they all have in common, especially back in the 13th and 14th century," says Savall.
"In many ways the east and west only parted company when we invented harmony and counterpoint. The scales and modes may be different but the spirit is the same."
Hesperion XXI is very much a family affair. Although his wife, soprano Montserrat Figueras, and daughter Arianna were unable to make the trip to New Zealand, his son Ferran will be playing lute and theorbo in Auckland. He is aware of the problems his children have had being the son and daughter of Montserrat and Jordi.
"But we have learnt so much from them, and, even if there are sometimes very lively discussions in rehearsals, it's always a wonderful experience in concert."
He agrees that the younger Savall generation has helped bring more improvisation into Hesperion XXI. But then the so-called "Mediterranean temperament" he so much admires makes it easier to communicate in a spontaneous way.
"In Latin countries, we have always improvised and it's much better when we improvise with music than with things like economics. Improvisation helps bring us closer to the music of today."
Savall is sceptical about modish cross-over music and justifies his musical mix as one done with integrity and respect. He has a great admiration for folk and traditional music which has been sung for generations.
"An oral tradition doesn't mean there is going to be less quality than with a written one. Any music which survives for 500 years without having a composer's name on it, without ever being written down, has done so because it's very important to the people. They use this music to survive in difficult moments and to be happy when times are not good. This is what makes it really expressive and full of intensity."
Hesperion XXI is a group that can bridge that elusive gap between entertainment and revelation and Savall was chuffed when a recent Boston review came with the heading, "Early music gets rocking reception".
"This was because, at the end of the concert, the audience was just so excited," Savall said. He quotes, in halting English, the Boston reviewer. "Since when did early music groups receive screams and whistles?" He can't resist demonstrating a few whistles himself. Who knows what Aucklanders - perhaps taking a break from the election results - might come out with tonight?
Performance
What: Early Music group Hesperion XXI
Where and when: Auckland Town Hall, tonight at 8pm