Ensemble Caprice is going to take you on a journey.
The group, celebrating its 25th year in 2015, is coming to Yorkton, telling the story of people immigrating to South America from Spain through music with Salsa Baroque.
Matthias Maute, artistic director for Ensemble Caprice, says that while people have a particular vision of what baroque music is, the Spanish and Latin American influences, and in particular the intricate rhythms, gives the sound a different feel from most baroque music.
“It has been a discovery to delve into unknown repertoire and realize that in South America you had a blend of different cultures. European cultures with Spanish and Italian music, but mostly Spanish.
“All the First Nations had their own music which we feature, and a particular blend when composers arrived from Europe, took texts of lyrics in an Indian dialect, and wrote European style music on that, so that’s another blend.
“There’s also the sad story of African slaves, who were forced to work in the silver mines and perished in the thousands, who brought their own rhythms and their own music...
“There is that tragic background when one people invades the territory of another people, but from a musical point of view, there’s at least one positive aspect. Music tends to adapt to other cultures and create new culture.”
The program tells
the story of immigration, from departure to arrival, and Maute says that it was something they saw fit with the selections while they were recording. They realized that while they didn’t intend to tell a story with their selections, a narrative began to form between the selections.
“We try to bring our music close to the hearts of the people. I find this particular program is excellent for a Canadian context because everyone who lives in this country has had, at some point, someone who has done this big trip from one continent to another. This connotation stirs people’s emotions, and that is a great thing.”
It’s the 25th anniversary of the group, but Maute says that it has been 25 years of trying new things and taking different approaches to music. He says that their goal is to constantly leave their comfort zone, which is something that the Salsa Baroque program.
“We tackle music from a different angle than other musicians do, and that’s something we have been developing for 25 years. It’s 25 years of experience, but when we look at our shows, it feels like we’re starting something new again, because we are doing something we have never done before.”
Prairie Debut presents Ensemble Caprice as part of the Stars for Saskatchewan series on January 27 at the Anne Portnuff Theatre. Tickets are available at the Arts Council, ticketpro.ca and at Welcome Home Crafts.
