Jordi Savall and Hespèrion XXI: The Musical Europe 1500–1700

Musician and conductor Jordi Savall is joined by his Hespèrion XXI ensemble to present a characteristically well-researched program of early music.

Catalan gamba player Jordi Savall returns to Cal Performances with his Hespèrion XXI ensemble to explore the vibrant exchange of culture and ideas between Italy, England, Spain, France and Germany in the 16th and 17th centuries. A leading figure in the field of Western early music, Savall formed Hespèrion XXI in 1974 alongside Montserrat Figueras to share the emotion and beauty of early music with audiences around the world. As both gambist and conductor, he has brought about the reappraisal of historical music, saving countless musical gems from being lost forever as a result of his research.

About Jordi Savall

For more than fifty years, Jordi Savall, one of the most versatile musical personalities of his generation, has rescued musical gems from the obscurity of neglect and oblivion and given them back for all to enjoy. A tireless researcher into early music, he interprets and performs the repertory both as a gambist and a conductor. His activities as a concert performer, teacher, researcher and creator of new musical and cultural projects have made him a leading figure in the reappraisal of historical music.

Savall has recorded and released more than 230 discs covering the Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque and Classical music repertories, with a special focus on the Hispanic and Mediterranean musical heritage, receiving many awards and distinctions such as the Midem Classical Award, the International Classical Music Award and the Grammy Award.

His concert programs have made music an instrument of mediation to achieve understanding and peace between different and sometimes warring peoples and cultures. Accordingly, guest artists appearing with his ensembles include Arab, Israeli, Turkish, Greek, Armenian, Afghan, Mexican and North American musicians.

In 2008 Jordi Savall was appointed European Union Ambassador for intercultural dialogue and, together with Montserrat Figueras, was named “Artist for Peace” under the UNESCO “Good Will Ambassadors” program.

Jordi Savall received the 2015 Vaz da Silva Prize at the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation in Lisbon, an award given in recognition of artists who protect and disseminate the European cultural heritage. He was also awarded the Gold Medal of the Fine Arts Circle in Madrid in 2015.