Early Music has rhythm, romance

Piccolo and Spoleto may be winding down, but the Early Music Series is still going strong at First (Scots) Presbyterian Church.

Friday's program featured Brio in an "Oldies but Goodies" concert of music from the Medieval era, both the French and the Spanish Renaissances, as well as songs from the Sephardi.

Brio consists of four musicians: Jose Lemos, countertenor; Mary Anne Ballard, strings; Danny Mallon, percussion; and Steve Rosenberg on recorders and Renaissance guitars. They arranged an ambitious program of "hit parade" music dating as far back as the 1300s, so not only were they "goodies," they were definitely "oldies".

The 13th-century greatest hits were love songs as sung in the days of yore and ended with "Tourdion," a drinking song that Danny Mallon's drums really brought to the forefront.

Brio has a real affinity for this early music and easily brings it to life for us in the 21st century. Two love songs represented the French Renaissance period. "L'Amour de Moy" and "Mignonne" were both love songs in the serious vein. "Columbelle," though still a love song, was presented in a lighter style with all the musicians "jamming." It was one of the highlights of the program.

"Triste Espana," from the Spanish Renaissance period, sounded like a funeral knell with the addition of a throbbing drum throughout. At the end of this section Mallon was brought to center stage with a drum solo in a dazzling display of Sababah percussion technique

The music of the Sephardi brought this program to a successful conclusion. In this music we hear the beginnings of flamenco and typical Spanish sounds and rhythms in songs that seem to have been written for Lemos' voice.

There's one more chance to hear a great countertenor voice. Today's program showcases these musicians in the last concert of this Piccolo season. The Early Music Series has a reputation for fine performances, and this last one promises to be no exception.