The Golden Age of Portuguese Polyphony–interestingly enough, this time period, which spans the end of the 16th century through to the end of the 17th–is not so much the epitome of early Baroque style as it is an embodiment of earlier times. Composer Manuel Cardoso died on this day in 1650, and together with Duarte Lobo, Filipe de Magalhães, and John IV King of Portugal, epitomised this age of Portuguese music. Though much of the music by these composers was tragically lost in the Lisbon earthquake of 1755, we fortunately have enough to enjoy much of it on this morning’s programme. Ensembles The Sixteen, Cupertinos, Ars Nova Copenhagen, and Philippe Herreweghe’s Ensemble Vocal Européen bring us delights of Portuguese choral music for a specially beautiful Sunday on Vox Nostra.
RTÉ lyric fm, Sunday 24th November 7am-10am