A Day with Suzanne: Intensive rehearsal phase

A great modern singer-songwriter, a "troubadour," passed away in 2016. This program, is a tribute to his art, and provides a link to French Renaissance chanson.

Leonard Cohen, who liked to call himself a "chansonnier," grew up in French-speaking Montreal, Canada. He is appreciated as a poet, as well as for his sensitivity to combining words and music. This project connects Cohen musically and poetically with previous generations of songwriters. The famous 16th-century chanson Susanne ung jour by Orlando di Lasso meets Cohen's Suzanne. Josquin des Prez' Adieu mes amours or dances by Pierre Attaingnant (Paris, 1529) combine with Cohen's songs and the eras converge. With knowledge of Renaissance music practices, new diminutions on Cohen's music emerge, including new accompaniments for viola da gamba or lute based on late 16th and 17th century models.

Musicians:
Hille Perl - viola da gamba | Emma-Lisa Roux - lute, soprano | Domen Marinčič - viola da gamba, virginal | Joel Frederiksen - voice, lute, direction

With the kind support of Neustart Kultur and the Goethe-Institut.