The concerts in Groningen, Rotterdam, Leiden, Alkmaar and Utrecht were a huge success. Press and public alike were impressed by the quiet majesty of the music from the Leiden Choirbooks. The Egidius Kwartet & College gave back the music, written 450 years ago, to the city of Leiden and to our country. A unique piece of Dutch heritage has been brought back to life.
And this was only the first year. In May 2011, music from the second Leiden Choirbook, Codex B, can be heard in the concert series throughout the country, a new 2-CD and a special extra programme.
Watch this space!
For four hundred years, a treasure of great musical value has lain practically untouched in Leiden’s archives: six enormous choirbooks, compiled for the singers of the 16th century College of the Seven Canonical Hours in St. Peter's church. A rare legacy containing compositions by a range of great masters.
The Egidius Kwartet
The Egidius Kwartet is a unique Dutch vocal ensemble. With its provocative programmes, it has for years devoted itself to the resurrection of Renaissance polyphonic music.
A musical reconstruction
Now, the singers are working on the most ambitious project in their history – the musical reconstruction of a cultural legacy, which had lain unheard for centuries. Over the next six years, they will reinstate this hidden treasure, one of the Netherlands’ top archive collection items,
with an annual concert series, six 2CD recordings, publications and an educational programme.
Look and listen with them!
Peter de Groot - The story of the Leiden Choirbooks
