Published: January 7, 2026; Aithor: Julia Sonrisa
Claude le Jeune was the leader of his own Renaissance Academy in Paris in the 1500’s. There, he and his friends experimented with the relation between text and music, homophony and polyphony, meaning and sense, coming up with wild and creative solutions as they worked. Le Jeune even revived the ancient Greek modes, composing with unusual chromatic scales and harmonies that rival Gesualdo. During his time at the Academy, le Jeune set the entire Book of Psalms twice, as well as creating much devotional music that straddles the nexus between sacred, allegorical, and the newly emerging worldview of humanism.
On January 16, at 7:30 PM, sacred music ensemble Theotokos presents a program drawn from Le Jeune’s devotional compositions, scored for voices and viola da gamba consort. Selections will come from the Octonaire, the Psalms métrées, and some of his more adventurous chromatic songs. Also included will be the premiere of director Doug Balliett’s new setting of St. Augustine’s Prayer from Soliloquies.
Vocal consort: Elisse Albian, Rocky Duval, Elisa Sutherland, Leiken, and Emery Kerekes
Viol consort: Loren Ludwig, Adam Young, Grace Mockus, and Doug Balliett
Location: 440 Grand Street, New York, NY 10002, United States
Time: 7:30 pm EST
Free!
Detailed information and discussion of the event.